Volt Pulse controller change out

[Volt_pulse_man]

Hi All, I’m new here so apologies if I’ve posted this in the wrong place.
I’ve had a Volt Pulse from new for about 3 years. It has the Spintech 2 controller & display. Whilst overall the bike is great, it shuts down after 9 minutes without using power assist. As I’ve got fitter I need the power assist less and it’s driving me crazy - I feels like every time I go to turn the PAS on it’s switch off, again!
Volt say there is no way to change this setting, so does my local Volt dealer.
Therefore I want to change the controller out for one that doesn’t shut down when PAS is set to 0 and the pedals are still turning.
The bike has a Bafang rear motor fitted so I’m thinking a Bafang controller & display would be the way to go?
What do you guys advise?

 

[saneagle]

Volt controller probably uses current control that would suit your style of riding. Most cheap controllers and definitely some Bafang ones use speed control, which I doubt you'll like, so don't use a Bafang one unless you know it to be a current control one, and I doubt that anybody will be able to tell you.

That leaves KT controllers as the main choice. They do everything the Volt one does and more. Topbike kit is a good source. They have a time-out function that causes them to shutdown after a fixed time of no speed indicated on any level, but I never tested it on level zero.

Just to be sure about your problem, when you're on level zero, do you get speed displayed on the LCD?

 

[Volt_pulse_man]

Hi, thanks for the advice.
Yes, when I set it to level 0 the LCD displays speed etc for 9 mins whilst cycling, before powering off.
Any idea how I might check if KT controllers shutdown on level 0 while the pedals are turning?

 

[Sparksandbangs]

Hi, thanks for the advice.
Yes, when I set it to level 0 the LCD displays speed etc for 9 mins whilst cycling, before powering off.
Any idea how I might check if KT controllers shutdown on level 0 while the pedals are turning?

From the KT LCD3 manual:
"When the vehicle is stopped and without any button operation on the meter for five minutes, the meter will automatically shut down, and the power supply of the electric vehicle will be powered off "

https://download.elecycles.com/manual/Display-Manual/LCD3-display.pdf

 

[saneagle]

Hi, thanks for the advice.
Yes, when I set it to level 0 the LCD displays speed etc for 9 mins whilst cycling, before powering off.
Any idea how I might check if KT controllers shutdown on level 0 while the pedals are turning?

That wasn't an answer to the question I asked! Yes, the speed is displayed or no, it isn't?

 

[saneagle]

From the KT LCD3 manual:
"When the vehicle is stopped and without any button operation on the meter for five minutes, the meter will automatically shut down, and the power supply of the electric vehicle will be powered off "

https://download.elecycles.com/manual/Display-Manual/LCD3-display.pdf

We know that, but we need an answer to whether the thing switches off when on level zero after 8 mins. I'm pretty sure it doesn't, but I never specifically tested it. The only way to know is to ride for ten minutes on level zero.

 

[Sparksandbangs]

The OP doesn't know it. That's why the question was asked. It also states that "when the vehicle is stopped...for five minutes"

That would indicate that it doesn't switch off while moving even at level zero.

Also "Yes, when I set it to level 0 the LCD displays speed etc for 9 mins whilst cycling " says that speed is displayed at level zero on the LCD as per your question. Unless I've entered some weird parallel universe (could be a possibility).

 

[Volt_pulse_man]

That wasn't an answer to the question I asked! Yes, the speed is displayed or no, it isn't?

Yes the speed is displayed. Sorry I wasn’t clear in my answer earlier.

 

[saneagle]

Yes the speed is displayed. Sorry I wasn’t clear in my answer earlier.

OK, that's very unusual. I'm pretty sure that a KT controller will solve you problem without giving any disadvantages, but it would be nice if someone can do a test to give a definitive resuly. If it stops raining, I'll test later today.

 

[Volt_pulse_man]

Sounds good, if you could do a test it would be very much appreciated

 

[saneagle]

OK, the black clouds left at 16:30, so I was able to go out and test. I can confirm that the power stays on for at least 15 minutes when on level zero. Unfortunately, wher I live, it's impossible to ride for 10 minutes without coming to a steep uphill. I went as slow as I could. Normally, they shut down at 5 or 10 minutes, so I'm pretty sure that it's not going to shut down at all.

 

[Volt_pulse_man]

Ahh that’s good to know, thank you very much! Can I ask which controller you have and which display please?

 

[saneagle]

Ahh that’s good to know, thank you very much! Can I ask which controller you have and which display please?

I have many of them on different bikes - all KT controllers with block connectors, but different current ratings. I get them mainly from Topbikekit, who have a fair range.

I used to prefer the LCD3 because it's big, clear and simple. and it has nice info on the screen. Now, I want my bike to be completely legal. Therefore the disadvantages of the LCD4 have been nullified by the way I can use it.

Previously, I had an independent throttle, so worked my way up and down the pedal assist buttons when pedalling, and I used the throttle when I wanted independent control. To be legal, the throttle has to be dependent on pedalling. The way the KT controller works with a throttle set to be legal is that it gives 4 mph start assist when you're not pedalling, and above that speed, the throttle changes to a level 5 power switch.

I usually cruise around on level 2, and whenever I need more power, like on a short hill or dashing round a roundabout, I press the throttle lever to get level 5, then when I don't need the extra power anymore, I let go of the throttle to revert to level 2. That means I don't need to mess about with the up and down level buttons. The LCD4 buttons are quite awkward to use, but it's OK if you use it like I do. I like it's small size and robustness. All the other LCDs have easy to use buttons. LCD1 is the cheapest, but should be avoided because it doesn't let you access vital settings. Out of the other LCDs, you just pick the one you like.

 

[davell]

Be careful on the controller you buy if you want it to fit in the original pulse location (Near the bottom bracket). I can confirm that the T06S (15A) from topbikekit will fit.

 

[Volt_pulse_man]

I have many of them on different bikes - all KT controllers with block connectors, but different current ratings. I get them mainly from Topbikekit, who have a fair range.

I used to prefer the LCD3 because it's big, clear and simple. and it has nice info on the screen. Now, I want my bike to be completely legal. Therefore the disadvantages of the LCD4 have been nullified by the way I can use it.

Previously, I had an independent throttle, so worked my way up and down the pedal assist buttons when pedalling, and I used the throttle when I wanted independent control. To be legal, the throttle has to be dependent on pedalling. The way the KT controller works with a throttle set to be legal is that it gives 4 mph start assist when you're not pedalling, and above that speed, the throttle changes to a level 5 power switch.

I usually cruise around on level 2, and whenever I need more power, like on a short hill or dashing round a roundabout, I press the throttle lever to get level 5, then when I don't need the extra power anymore, I let go of the throttle to revert to level 2. That means I don't need to mess about with the up and down level buttons. The LCD4 buttons are quite awkward to use, but it's OK if you use it like I do. I like it's small size and robustness. All the other LCDs have easy to use buttons. LCD1 is the cheapest, but should be avoided because it doesn't let you access vital settings. Out of the other LCDs, you just pick the one you like.

Thanks for the detailed reply, LCD3 sounds like the right one for me as I’m slightly short sighted. All your help on this is greatly appreciated!

 

[Volt_pulse_man]

Be careful on the controller you buy if you want it to fit in the original pulse location (Near the bottom bracket). I can confirm that the T06S (15A) from topbikekit will fit.

Ahh thanks, that’s very useful to know. That sounds like the one to go for.