Bafang BBS01 Programming Cable

[culy30]

Does anyone know where I can get hold of a usb to 5 pin programming cable, preferably UK based?

Also any tips from anyone out there who has successfully reprogrammed a BBs01-250w mid drive to change the settings as follows.

• Controller change from 15a to 18a
• Pedal Assist. I'd like the motor to work harder the faster/harder I pedal. As a former (road) club cyclist I like to pedal quite fast (compared with some leisure cyclists) at about 90-95rpm (cadence). I guess its an ingrained habit. I note from the specs that the 250w motor RPM is quoted as 78+/- 5 rpm. So am I being inefficient by pedalling faster?
• Since an injury which affects my tendons I've gone electric which allows me to enjoy cycling again, but I'm frustrated by how the motor software is configured. It seems to work the opposite way around from intuition. ie I'm used to having to ramp up my effort/rpm to go faster, but the Bafang gives a real push from a standing start which seems to fade the faster I pedal.............in all gears. It seems to be counter intuitive.
• I have already set the speed limit to 50kph on a 700c wheel. Display is the C961.
• Throttle has a dreadful flat spot. I'm mindful to remove the throttle altogether, as I've only used it on rare occasions. It does seem to make the motor work harder on full throttle no matter how hard/fast I pedal. Any issues with removing the throttle?
• Pedal Assist. The motor seems to carry on working for a couple seconds when I stop pedalling. It is Ok to reduce the overlap time to a minimum of say 1 pedal rev or even zero? Again the standard setting seems counter intuitive.
• I've fitted a 42t chaining with a 10 speed 11-34 cassette. I might change this by adding a 40t sprocket and removing the 17t if the motor overheats on long climbs. (which I have yet to have a go at) I used to love climbing..................
• I can start off from a standstill OK, so dont need full power at low revs
• I dont want to cook the electronics and to this end a fast cadence seems preferable
• I want to stay visually legal, ie the BBs01 stamped 250w rather than just change to a BBs02.

I've already downloaded the Bafang software to my laptop and read most of the info I can find online.

 

[Fordulike]

Does anyone know where I can get hold of a usb to 5 pin programming cable, preferably UK based?

Also any tips from anyone out there who has successfully reprogrammed a BBs01-250w mid drive to change the settings as follows.

• Controller change from 15a to 18a
• Pedal Assist. I'd like the motor to work harder the faster/harder I pedal. As a former (road) club cyclist I like to pedal quite fast (compared with some leisure cyclists) at about 90-95rpm (cadence). I guess its an ingrained habit. I note from the specs that the 250w motor RPM is quoted as 78+/- 5 rpm. So am I being inefficient by pedalling faster?
• Since an injury which affects my tendons I've gone electric which allows me to enjoy cycling again, but I'm frustrated by how the motor software is configured. It seems to work the opposite way around from intuition. ie I'm used to having to ramp up my effort/rpm to go faster, but the Bafang gives a real push from a standing start which seems to fade the faster I pedal.............in all gears. It seems to be counter intuitive.
• I have already set the speed limit to 50kph on a 700c wheel. Display is the C961.
• Throttle has a dreadful flat spot. I'm mindful to remove the throttle altogether, as I've only used it on rare occasions. It does seem to make the motor work harder on full throttle no matter how hard/fast I pedal. Any issues with removing the throttle?
• Pedal Assist. The motor seems to carry on working for a couple seconds when I stop pedalling. It is Ok to reduce the overlap time to a minimum of say 1 pedal rev or even zero? Again the standard setting seems counter intuitive.
• I've fitted a 42t chaining with a 10 speed 11-34 cassette. I might change this by adding a 40t sprocket and removing the 17t if the motor overheats on long climbs. (which I have yet to have a go at) I used to love climbing..................
• I can start off from a standstill OK, so dont need full power at low revs
• I dont want to cook the electronics and to this end a fast cadence seems preferable
• I want to stay visually legal, ie the BBs01 stamped 250w rather than just change to a BBs02.

I've already downloaded the Bafang software to my laptop and read most of the info I can find online.

• Not UK based, but Matt from EMPowered Cycles is a good guy. Bought my cable from him and was delivered quickly.
  Link here: https://www.empoweredcycles.com/collections/8fun-bafang-bbs02-accessories/products/usb-programming-cable-8fun-bbs02-mid-drive-motor
• Controller can only be changed to maximum of amps stamped on the bottom of your BBS01. If it states 15 amps, then the controller will be factory hard programmed to 15 amps max etc...
• Still haven't figured out if there's a way to change assistance with cadence, but changing parameter 'Keep Current' to 100% in the software helps.
• Haven't played about with the delay for the motor to stop, when pedaling ceases. Back pedaling slightly stops motor quicker though!
• No issues with removing throttle. I've run mine without a throttle since new. There are some parameters in the software that relate to the throttle. Tweaking may help with the deadspot, but I can't help you further with any parameter suggestions. Sorry
• You're correct about using the gears, and keeping the cadence high to help prevent the controller from overheating. It's good for the drivetrain too
• The 42T chainring should be fine. Mine's got one, and it's a nice compromise between hill climbing and speed.
  
• Bear in mind that changing the max amps, if possible, to 18A, and the 'Keep Current' to 100%, will mean your bike will go quicker for most of the time. This will have an affect on draining your battery quicker. Apologies if this is a bit suck eggy, but both those parameters to max may drain it surprisingly quick.

Lastly, programming your controller for more performance could blow the controller, even if you are careful with riding in the correct gear.

I don't know about the BBS01, but my BBS02 had a first generation controller with inferior mosfets. I blew that one. I have fitted a new controller with upgraded mosfets, and although it's too early to say, should be much more reliable.
Find out which mosfets you have in yours before tinkering, or factor in the cost of an upgraded controller just in case.

 

[culy30]

Many thanks for your reply Fordulike. Very helpful. I cant see any reference to 15 amps on the bottom of the casing, unless the serial numbers are clue. I'll contact Woosh bikes who supplied the kit.

I note your comments regarding draining the battery quicker. I get around 40 miles now on a 12AH battery. I'm going to convert another bike for my wife and go for a 15AH pack to use on mine. I'd like to get 50 miles range if I can, so I can take in a favourite route of mine so maybe I need to tune it for economy. I'm quite happy with the power and speed, its more to do with the management of how the power is delivered.

 

[Fordulike]

Many thanks for your reply Fordulike. Very helpful. I cant see any reference to 15 amps on the bottom of the casing, unless the serial numbers are clue. I'll contact Woosh bikes who supplied the kit.

I note your comments regarding draining the battery quicker. I get around 40 miles now on a 12AH battery. I'm going to convert another bike for my wife and go for a 15AH pack to use on mine. I'd like to get 50 miles range if I can, so I can take in a favourite route of mine so maybe I need to tune it for economy. I'm quite happy with the power and speed, its more to do with the management of how the power is delivered.

In case you haven't seen it yet, I thought I'd point you to this thread:

http://pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/advice-on-bbsxx-hill-climbing-from-the-horses-mouth.23713/

It primarily references the BBS02, but would equally apply to the BBS01 too.

 

[Fordulike]

Many thanks for your reply Fordulike. Very helpful. I cant see any reference to 15 amps on the bottom of the casing, unless the serial numbers are clue. I'll contact Woosh bikes who supplied the kit.

I note your comments regarding draining the battery quicker. I get around 40 miles now on a 12AH battery. I'm going to convert another bike for my wife and go for a 15AH pack to use on mine. I'd like to get 50 miles range if I can, so I can take in a favourite route of mine so maybe I need to tune it for economy. I'm quite happy with the power and speed, its more to do with the management of how the power is delivered.

Keep an eye on this thread on Endless Sphere too:

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=79602

I think the guy in the second post is trying to say that the PAS works like a simple switch, and varying cadence doesn't affect how the system works.