Regenerative braking system questions

[Footie]

I have regenerative braking on my MTB style bike but I've never been completely sure how it works.
I know it works when I shut off the throttle and freewheel down the hill (the drag is very evident).
Does it also work if I cycle faster than the motor cutout? (16.2mph).
I often find when I get to this speed the power cuts in and out.
When the power cuts out is the regenerative system working or am I just feeling the full weight of the bike?
The power cutting out is due to the controller but do I have to close the throttle for the regenerative system to start working?
I've also changed the SLA batteries for a LiFePO4 battery, so will the battery management system block the regenerative charge or allow it?
Just wondering if anyone knew.
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[flecc]

I think you may have regeneration Footie, but not regenerative braking. With regenerative braking, a brake lever or switch engages the electrical braking system which can be a very effective brake to slow a vehicle right down, but what you are experiencing is the drag due to a regenerative motor not having a freewheel so the wheel has to turn the motor all the time. That drag is just an unwanted side effect of regeneration.

The regeneration will work regardless of what battery you are using and at all speeds, but if you are travelling below the cutoff speed limit downhill you need to shut off the throttle to prevent the motor driving instead. If you are travelling above the speed cutoff limit, it shouldn't matter whether the throttle is open or not, but it's probably good practice to shut off on the overrun anyway, just to make sure, regardless of what speed you are doing.
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[Footie]

Thanks for clearing it up flecc.
The whole "braking" thing was confusing me - I always have drag.
I’ve got used to the drag effect now and just except it as part of the joys of using an electric bike
What you say makes sense of the “why do I always have drag” now
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