Bafang Max Drive bikes

Hi all,

just been browsing the net and perusing my 36v 250w Max Drive bike, it dawns on me that the max drive is same unit 250w or 350w all that has changed is the voltage to the unit, I've looked at the spec in the manual, motor will take 36,43 or 48v inc. controller, cadence slightly higher for higher voltage ,display is rated for higher voltages too, UK version 36v to be compliant with the fun police as in stamped 250w and voltage ramped down, Sweden Germany etc. They have it in 48v guise and is classed as speed Pedelecs class, stamped accordingly but top motor numbers are the same mmg33 350. Pedelec.de site mentions and talks about the max drive.

Question is does the programming of the actual unit get set at factory e.g. Max Amperage etc. Or is it 48v plug and play , is it possible to program the unit via USB as per bbso2 same software maybe? As beneath the lovely exterior it's looks similar to a bbs set up in a new mount to save old ugly way of mounting to bb.

 

I look forward to your replies gentlemen (and ladies)

Can't help with the techie stuff, but having been on the cusp of ordering a BBS02 kit, I soon decided to wait untill a decen Max Drive ebike comes to market.

 

The Greenaway Max Drive on eBay can be had for £1000 c/w 400ah 36v battery, absolute bargain compared to the Bosch and Yamaha Bikes being offered.

 

Not to mention the whoosh bikes with the lash up BBS CD kits that they come with.

 

No disrespect to whoosh, I am sure they are doing the best they can and all businesses have to make a profit.

Inside the controller is a micro processor. Many parameters, like current and LVC can be reprogrammed if you have the right programming interface. I'd be surprised if programming is different from the BBSxx motors.

Noticed motor is marked 14a after the 36v 250w I take it this is amps that controller will put out, that makes me just over 500w max output then 14x36

 

In my other post I have put a picture up of my motor even though it's shown as 250w the top Identification numbers are not as a comfis kit would leave Bafang factory it's not mm33 250 as it should be but a mm33. 350 date of manufacture october 2015 so fairly early production motor

Noticed motor is marked 14a after the 36v 250w I take it this is amps that controller will put out, that makes me just over 500w max output then 14x36

that makes me just over 500w max input then 14x36

Output is about 65% to 75% depending on crank speed, so 350w max.

The Greenaway Max Drive on eBay can be had for £1000 c/w 400ah 36v battery, absolute bargain compared to the Bosch and Yamaha Bikes being offered.

400ah battery? Blimey, I'd like one of those! You mean Greenway's own 10.4Ah/374w Samsung celled battery... spare batteries costing only £160, which also makes Bosch/Yamaha £600+ battery prices look stupid.

 

In all seriousness, that Greenway bike (E-change cross/city) was previously selling for £1200 (and even that's very good for what it is), with their other Max Drive bike (Defier tour/city) originally being £1150, so I'd agree both are a gift at £1000. Greenway also have a Bafang BBS MTB model, although they were out of stock when I was there.

Bafang claim 80% efficiency so with a fully charged battery or a battery booster I get 470 W peak minus other losses in the drive chain. 350 W constant will get you 45 km/h on the flat and up most hills if the gearing is sorted.

To answer the original question: is there a socket for a programming interface anywhere [mention=4434]Ultrafunkula[/mention]?

Bafang claim 80% efficiency so with a fully charged battery or a battery booster I get 470 W peak minus other losses in the drive chain. 350 W constant will get you 45 km/h on the flat and up most hills if the gearing is sorted.

80% efficiency is the maximum possible motor effeciency. You only get that at a certain RPM, which doesn't coincide with maximum power or maximum torque. There's also losses in the primary and secondary drive, so 65% is probably a more realistic figure.

To answer the original question: is there a socket for a programming interface anywhere [mention=4434]Ultrafunkula[/mention]?

 

I think it is by way of user interface cable, as per bbso2 and bbs03 (HD)

https://www.empoweredcycles.com/products/usb-programming-cable-8fun-bbs02-mid-drive-motor.

max drive very new and little information out there even across the pond possibly because specialist frame required , time will tell.

I'm no techy when it comes programming or delving into controllers etc. But a lot of you guys are very knowledgable in this department and I'm sure it will follow the route of Bbs units with regards to "warming"them up a bit

I looked into bikes with Bafang Max drive towards the end of last summer. The advice I received (from the Chinese manufacturer) regarding whether the programming was the same as with the BBSxx motors was that it was not. No option to add throttle either.

More than happy to buy some orthopaedic shoes, but as stated above, info. seems thin on the ground

Interesting videos demonstrating the Max Drive here even though the guy's a bit annoying and it looks like he might be a bit biased.

 

The speed limit can be removed or adjusted through the LCD if you know how. He got 50 km/h in his video.

 

Interesting videos demonstrating the Max Drive here even though the guy's a bit annoying and it looks like he might be a bit biased.

 

The speed limit can be removed or adjusted through the LCD if you know how. He got 50 km/h in his video.

Annoying? You're joking, right? The password to bypass the 25kph speed restriction isn't a secret... it's 0512... no stupid £150 Bosch dongle required.

Annoying? You're joking, right? The password to bypass the 25kph speed restriction isn't a secret... it's 0512... no stupid £150 Bosch dongle required.

The password depends which LCD you have.

On the 850c/DCP14 its1919

ElectricBike

Hi Andres, you can increase the speed limit on display settings but to completely disable you need the programming cable and connect to the PC. Check out the electric bike blog website there is an article explaining how to program Bafang motors https://electricbike-blog.com/2015/06/26/a-hackers-guide-to-programming-the-bbs02/

0512 is the code given in the max drive dealer manual.

1919 is also the same code for the GSM LCD.

ElectricBike

Hi Andres, you can increase the speed limit on display settings but to completely disable you need the programming cable and connect to the PC. Check out the electric bike blog website there is an article explaining how to program Bafang motors https://electricbike-blog.com/2015/06/26/a-hackers-guide-to-programming-the-bbs02/

haha, Bruno maxing a max drive to overtake lycra clad roadies. I doubt they were impressed.

Not sure that link relates to the max drive?

 

Sent from here to there with computer wizardry.

according to bruno it has the programme cable same as the other motors

according to bruno it has the programme cable same as the other motors

I hope so. I was told otherwise but it'd be daft if you can't tweek for individual taste. I still prefer the bbsxx motors myself.

 

Sent from here to there with computer wizardry.

Unless a good range of Max drive compatible frames are made available then any kit options won't sell vey well.

BBS will still be king for diy/kit drives in the mid drive market.

I still think £1100 for a motor (with accessories), battery and frame isn't a bad deal for a "kit". I'm sure some of the other bits taken off the bike will sell on ebay or elsewhere for 5€ a pop.

my suspicions have been correct take a gander at this ,

.https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=85918

BUT... the Greenaway frames are only 47 cm and I have very bad memories of trying to fit on a 47 cm frame... How is it going for you? How tall are you?

my suspicions have been correct take a gander at this ,

.https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=85918

Cool. Kinda makes sense that the mechanics/electronics of the 250/350w models are the same with the power being limited only by the programming... although one of the sellers here did say the 48v Max Drive model is a very different animal to the 36v versions.

 

The post didn't say how he connected his PC to the Max Drive though (although I personally have no intention of fiddling with the parameters).

 

But it's good/interesting info... and helps explain the fabulous torque of our Greenway Cross bikes. There's no going back to hub-drives for me. Thanks for posting that.

 

 

EDIT for AK: I'm 5' 10" with inside leg 33" The seat height (top of seat) from the floor can be adjusted from 83cm to 102/3cm. Top of headset is 100cm from floor with a fixed stem giving another 5cm rise to bar height. At worst, an aftermarket adjustable stem would give reach/bar height adjustment.

Edited January 25, 20179 yr by cyclebuddy

And I'm 5'9" 73kg greenway fits me really well,

Gates have bought out a belt drive for the Bafang Max Drive too, runs with the alfine hub in the back, along with various front belt drive sizes fitting to the 104pcd spider.

Cyclebuddy our bikes have the 33 350 unit rated at 250w nominal in them too rather than the 33.250 250w max,a play on legal words for import E certification I think .

Volton bikes do the alation model with 48v and is speed Pedelec, 28mph but frame is really bendy as it's a step through,.when I've had my greenway a wee while I'll drop a 48v battery on it see what it's like and get the genuine Bafang lead and software to play a little , don't want it going pop just yet.

Oh dear mans quest for more power

Kits are available from

https://cnebikes.en.alibaba.com/product/60369326983-801238841/36v_350w_BaFang_Max_model_mid_motor_converion_parts.html

Included in kit is the frame section to weld into std frame. $500 a pop