Interference with trip computer

[rh1968]

Hi all,

Finally got my conversion kit from BMS Battery, absolutely loving it I must say (thanks to everyone on this forum who's offered advice over the last few months!). My only gripe is that the motor interferes with my Cateye wireless speedo/trip meter: as soon as the motor is turned on the computer stops registering any input - it starts again as soon as the throttle's off. Anyone experienced this sort of problem, and better still know a way round it?

Cheers,

Rendel

 

[flecc]

Don't know a way round it, but together with crazy readouts it's a common problem with wireless models and front hub motors.

No problem with wired computers though.

Only thing I can suggest with the wireless one is a metal plate under the handlebar computer connecting to earth as a screen, that might work to block the interference. That might have to be electrical earth rather than bike earth though.
.

 

[Streethawk]

Try putting the magnet and sensor on your rear wheel (sensor on the seat-stay is preferable to the chain-stay. Not always a solution though as some are not strong enough to transmit the longer distance between there and the handlebars.

Otherwise, a GPS based speedo may be the best bet.

 

[jerrysimon]

I have only ever managed to get "wired" ones working on the front wheel when a motor is in it.

Good idea from Streethawk to put it on the rear though

Regards

Jerry

 

[Streethawk]

Keep it as far from your motor controls as possible on the bars too. Relatively small currents can interfere with computers, for example my 7.2v 900 lumen Lupine lights interfere with mine if they're within 6" of the computer head unit.

 

[rh1968]

Many thanks for the advice, I've tried rear mounting, if you'll pardon the expression, but the signal's too weak. I'll try repositioning the computer - it's right next to the throttle at the moment so that could be the problem.

 

[LeonardYoung]

Anything with a magnet in it, or strong current, will interfere with wireless cycle computers. I recently used my iphone to check the calibration of my mine and the numbers all go haywire when the two are side by side.

Same with my laptop. If I put my cycle computer anywhere near it, it goes crazy.

Leonard

 

[Streethawk]

The best cycle computers use the Ant+ digital signal standard, which is more reliable. I'd highly recommend one of those if your budget can stretch to it. They are still not immune to interference though, the only way to guarantee you wont have problems is to use a GPS based device, smartphone, Garmin Edge etc, which are even more costly.

The only cheap solution is a wired speedo. Wired or wireless, the current range of Bontragers seem the best, much more user friendly than Cateye, which while reliable, are typically Japanese when it comes to user interface (for some reason they insist that one button is best, when they could easily add more and that would make everything simple).

 

[Phil_P]

Hi,
In my opinion all e-bikes should come with a simple computer and some basic lights. There is a ready made power source for the lights and a simple computer would only be a few pounds if fitted at the manufacturing stage.

What do others think ?

Regards
Phil

 

[RoadieRoger]

GPS Device

The only computer I use on my Ebike to log distances covered is the Maplins Holux GPS, which is still in the shop for £49 . It gives you loads of information such as Speed , Max. speed reached , time taken , altitude and less useful stuff such as CO2 and the number of trees saved through doing your trip on a bicycle ! I`ve also used it to calibrate the Speedos on my Motorcycle and Scooters .That`s how I found out the speedo on my Aprilia Leonardo 250 Scooter over-reads by at least 10 mph , even at 30 . That why Italian machines are so fast !

 

[flecc]

That`s how I found out the speedo on my Aprilia Leonardo 250 Scooter over-reads by at least 10 mph , even at 30 . That why Italian machines are so fast !

. A Fiat Tipo I once owned had it's speedo starting point at 10 mph when standing still. There was actually a stop pin in the face preventing the needle dropping below that!
.

 

[rh1968]

Thanks for all the advice gents - I've switched it over to the other side of the bars away from the throttle and it's registering fine now!