Measuring Amps, how to?

Keithdrengen

Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2010
27
0
I have a Tongxin hub on my bike, that I want to measure with a multimeter.
Do I use the wires between the battery and the controller to measure the amp usage?
Thanks
Carsten
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
Yes. These wattmeters work quite well.
New RC Balance Voltage Power Analyzer and Watt Meter on eBay (end time 18-Apr-11 14:56:56 BST)
and if you do a search on the forum, you can see how I modified mine to fit on the handlebars to see everything in real time. I wouldn't be without one now because I'm always comparing my progress and performance with previous journeys.

If anyone's interested in one of these ready modified for reasonable cost, let me know as I'm thinking of doing a few. Bear in mind that it takes about 1 to 2hrs to do the mod.
 

NRG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 6, 2009
2,592
10
I have a Tongxin hub on my bike, that I want to measure with a multimeter.
Do I use the wires between the battery and the controller to measure the amp usage?
Thanks
Carsten
You'll be unable to measure the motor directly as its a 3 phase brushless DC motor. You can measure the current draw from the battery using a WattsUp meter or the device d8veh shows in his pic above. Be aware though that this is the current draw from the battery it does not tell you the current the motor is actually using due to the way the controller and BLDC motors work. Also keep in mind there is some loss in the controller itself and the motor is not 100% efficient. At peak current draw from the battery which normally coincides when climbing a hill at half top speed this efficiency drops to around 65% or lower, the loss being turned into heat in the motor and controller.
 

Keithdrengen

Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2010
27
0
Thanks both for good replies. The reason is it feels a little weak. I dont know if the China guy programmed the controller to 7 - 8 or 10 amps. When I GENTLY use the pedals along the motor, I go about the same speed as male cyclists. (not sporty ones..). Is that normal speed for a Tongxin? (190 rpm/28" wheel).
Controller doesnt never even get warm. (which by the way should be a good thing!)