Sourcing Tongxin and other components from China

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Hi folks

I'm keen to try to buy a Tongxin and controller and possibly other bits and pieces. I've tried searching for contact email addresses (I remember some being quoted, though I also remember someone saying that they no longer do individual orders) but without success. If anyone can suggest some, for Tongxin, eCrazyman or others, I'd be grateful.

I'd be looking for a low rpm motor plus controller. Since I already have a 24v battery, I'd prefer this, but not if it would be significantly less powerful. So any thoughts on this would also be much appreciated.

Thanks

Andy

 

[flecc]

They wont supply individuals any more Andy, but johnp in this forum did import and sell on some. You can email him on this link to see if he has any left or intends getting more.

Otherwise I only know the electric wheel company doing them, but they seem to as hopeless as the old nanomotor site in communications, not surprising since it's the same person involved.
.

 

[daniel.weck]

Otherwise I only know the electric wheel company doing them, but they seem to as hopeless as the old nanomotor site in communications, not surprising since it's the same person involved.
.

I'm dealing with them at the moment as I intend to purchase the Brompton kit. I have to say, I'm getting quite frustrated at their slow replies and half-answers to my detailed questions. Given the importance of after-sale support, warranty, etc., this is enough to break a sale, as far as I am concerned. I really hope they get their communication sorted soon if they want me to part circa 800 GBP for their kit. Otherwise I will be tempted by the DIY approach, with Ping battery and self-sourced 100mm / 80mm motor from China.

 

[frank9755]

Here you go

Frank

 

[flecc]

I doubt there will ever be any improvement Daniel, the principal is an enthusiast for e-bikes and environmental matters and perhaps a little eccentric to boot. He gets himself bogged down in the tech side and hasn't a clue on customer service.

Businesses should be run by businessmen and businesswomen, not hobbyists.
.

 

[Bigbee]

I'm dealing with them at the moment as I intend to purchase the Brompton kit. I have to say, I'm getting quite frustrated at their slow replies and half-answers to my detailed questions. Given the importance of after-sale support, warranty, etc., this is enough to break a sale, as far as I am concerned. I really hope they get their communication sorted soon if they want me to part circa 800 GBP for their kit. Otherwise I will be tempted by the DIY approach, with Ping battery and self-sourced 100mm / 80mm motor from China.

Ive mentioned in a previous post,Ive a brand new 100mm conversion kit.250 Bafang motor in 26 inch front wheel,LiFeP04 36v 10 ah battery rear mounted in rack supplied.Thumb throttle,three levels of assistance.The instructions didnt come with it though.Open to decent offers.

 

[daniel.weck]

Ive mentioned in a previous post,Ive a brand new 100mm conversion kit.250 Bafang motor in 26 inch front wheel,LiFeP04 36v 10 ah battery rear mounted in rack supplied.Thumb throttle,three levels of assistance.The instructions didnt come with it though.Open to decent offers.

The 16"-wheeled Brompton probably requires a motor with different RPM specifications than for a 26" wheel...but thanks for the reminder anyway
/Dan

 

[Bigbee]

The 16"-wheeled Brompton probably requires a motor with different RPM specifications than for a 26" wheel...but thanks for the reminder anyway
/Dan

Dont be silly,it would nice with a 26 incher on a Brompton!"AnywayI ddint know you had a Brompton!

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Thanks for these various comments. Since posting the question, I did a search and have seen a previous posting pondering a group purchase, but this seems to have petered out.

Putting together various other comments, overall, it looks like there are two problems with the Tongxin route.

1. Bizarrely, the motors can't be bought. Odd, but there you are.

2. Even if you can get one, there are controller problems. They blow up from time to time. If you are an expert, you wince and sort it out. But if you are not...

Am I right or am I right?

I would be very pleased to be told that I am wrong...

 

[flecc]

It was from the group purchase discussion that johnp who I mentioned bought his batch.

You are largely right, they seem very difficult to buy other than possibly from the ecrazyman source.

The controllers have given plenty of trouble to some, but this seems to be version related. If a motor revs version is chosen for a moderate speed like the legal limit or just under as in the Nano-Brompton, they seem quite reliable. If the version is chosen for higher speeds like 20 mph or more, trouble often follows due to the torque requirements making high current demands when the rider might not be sharing the workload enough. This indicates the controller capability is probably only just adequate. Cytronex say they are ok now, and they intend introducing a kit version of their Tongxin nano eventually.
.

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Thanks. I emailed johnp, but he said he was no longer selling them because of the problem of returns (if I understood him correctly).

I would be happy to try contacting eCrazyman (whacky name!!!) but don't have his details.

Thanks for for comments on the reliability issue - since I am interested only in using the motor for hill climbing rather than speed, does this mean that controller reliability is unlikely to be a problem?

 

[flecc]

Thanks for for comments on the reliability issue - since I am interested only in using the motor for hill climbing rather than speed, does this mean that controller reliability is unlikely to be a problem?

Not necessarily Andy, the demand when hill climbing are greater, so it's even more important not to get a high speed version which will struggle more on hills. Aim for assist to the legal 15 mph only and you should be on the right lines.

Frank9755 has posted the motor revs versions for wheel sizes to match the legal limit, here's the information:

Wheel Size . Revs
16 . . . . . . .260
18 . . . . . . .230
20 . . . . . . .210
22 . . . . . . .190
24 . . . . . . .175
26 . . . . . . .160

I believe ecrazyman sells through ebay.
.

 

[HarryB]

The only figures I know are:

700c..........175rpm
26 inch.......190rpm

Not sure about all the other speeds

Cytronex use the 175 version for their 700c bikes.

 

[johnp]

Tongxin kits

Hi

Yes you are right I did buy a lot of motors from Tongxin on the interest from members of this forum but when I had them most of the there was not the interest I was expecting at the low cost I sold them for so did not bother any more.
I have had a few problems with this motor but unfoftunately can not get any motor spares out of Tongxin(very frustrating company to deal with) maybe even worse that the company that first started to sell this motor in a 16" wheel.
Having said all that I think it is the best motor I have got and I just hope my 4 keep going

JOHN

 

[frank9755]

I would be happy to try contacting eCrazyman (whacky name!!!) but don't have his details.

Andy,

I pasted a link to a thread with his email in half a dozen messages up!

Don't know if he is selling the motors - he may be, but what I said he did sell (and which I bought from him) is an alternative to Tongxin's own controller which has some more robust components in and which should last a bit longer. Even I have not blown one of his ones yet!

Frank

 

[frank9755]

The only figures I know are:

700c..........175rpm
26 inch.......190rpm

Not sure about all the other speeds

Cytronex use the 175 version for their 700c bikes.

Yes - Tongxin's recommended speeds are as per Flecc's post, quoting from me, quoting from their product literature. But most people overgear them as you describe to get a bit more speed!

 

[frank9755]

Thanks for for comments on the reliability issue - since I am interested only in using the motor for hill climbing rather than speed, does this mean that controller reliability is unlikely to be a problem?

I fear I have actually blown another tongxin controller today on a trial run for the Ching Challenge. That was with the 175 rpm motor in 700c wheel, on flat roads (central London) and without extended periods of full throttle.

I think my problem is that I have had the controller mounted where it doesn't get enough airflow. It is vital to keep these things cool. I think where Cytronex put theirs - under the bottom bracket - is a better place than mine which is underneath a rack which has a solid panel in the middle.

 

[frank9755]

Having said all that I think it is the best motor I have got and I just hope my 4 keep going

JOHN

Agreed, John,
If the Tongxin didn't happen to be miles better than any other motor (hub or crank drive) that I have come across, then I would not have perservered through so many controller issues. The problem with the Tongxin is that once you have experienced it, nothing else will do!

 

[HarryB]

Not necessarily Andy, the demand when hill climbing are greater, so it's even more important not to get a high speed version which will struggle more on hills. Aim for assist to the legal 15 mph only and you should be on the right lines.

Frank9755 has posted the motor revs versions for wheel sizes to match the legal limit, here's the information:

Wheel Size . Revs
16 . . . . . . .260
18 . . . . . . .230
20 . . . . . . .210
22 . . . . . . .190
24 . . . . . . .175
26 . . . . . . .160



I believe ecrazyman sells through ebay.
.

All these speed are for a maximum of 20 kph rather than 25kph so all a bit low. You can work out the correct figure using the calculator:


rpm=bicycle speed (kph)x1000/60x3.142(pi)xdiameter(m)


If I work out the motor required for my cytronex I get a figure of 192 rpm but that may be that I am not working out the wheel diameter very accurately. However it would perhaps explain why my bike rarely pulls me up to 15mph - more like 14mph.

 

[flecc]

I knew they were on the low side since the Nano Brompton only runs to about 14 mph like yours Harry, but that seems the safest option given the controller troubles that often crop up with higher motor gearing.
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