Newbie - How to plug a wattmeter to my bike?

[cwah]

Guys, if I buy these cables would that be all right?
12 AWG Black Silicone Wire 2 Metre Lipo Battery Cable

And the connectors
C0114 RC 4mm Gold Connector with Protector Red HXT x 10

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Guys, if I buy these cables would that be all right?
12 AWG Black Silicone Wire 2 Metre Lipo Battery Cable

And the connectors
C0114 RC 4mm Gold Connector with Protector Red HXT x 10

Looks OK, but 2m might be a bit tight. 3m might be better. Those connectors look pretty good or you can use Deans connectors (also called T connectors).

 

[cwah]

Thanks for this answer. I'm going to get 3 or 4m.

Do you have any idea what would be the best connectors for frequent unplugs and plugs? Are deans connectors better?

Actually I'm thinking of putting my batteries in my backpack. My actual frog battery is way too visible and I also have to unplug my battery everytime I park the bike outside. So having it in my backpack would make perfect sense. So easy plug/unplug would be the best.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Deand connectors are a little fiddly to connect, so those ones that you found might be better. The frog battery is almost impossible to remove from the bike when locked on. Plus you can put a cable lock through the handle and the bike frame when locking the bike to a bike rack/railings/etc, so it's more secure than most. My friend tried a battery in a backpack, but he found it a bit tricky to plug/unplug without wire hanging everywhere.

 

[Scottyf]

Incurrently use deans on the battery side of things with the watt meter to controller

Any other connections thanuse a frequent connect and disconnect I use power poles or Anderson connections which are holding up pretty well.

Deans are ok for live and negative connections as you can't hook them up the wrong way round that easily.
However I don't think there rated to high on the amp front. Anyone pulling serious amps usually uses the bullet connectors or ec3.
But deans feel a bit more solid and in most ebikes you wont pull much over 30amp at a max. Not the same as helis pulling 100+ amps.

You can buy deans connectors from places like
rc supplies uk

Doubt there the cheapest but super fast delivey and uk based.

 

[NRG]

I recommend the Powerpole connectors, positive click action when engaging and designed for repeated operation. You can get them off Ebay or the likes of Powerwerx.com, powerwerx supply the small locking pins as well but the ones I got off ebay did not have these so where a bit of a PIA!

 

[cwah]

Are you talking about these powerpole connectors?
Anderson Powerpole 30 Amp Power Pole 10 Pairs

And by the way, what does 30 amps mean?

For my bike with 36V10AH does that mean I need to have 10 amps?

Any idea?

Thanks


ps: D3veh, for the wattmeter, I looked at the voltage drop for 3 meters 12 AWG wire here:
http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm
I only loose 0.16V to my 36V battery. So I think the loss should be ok (Not sure if I finally want to open and solder my wattmetter). And I don't think I'd need to plug it everytime anyway (only to see the average consumption)

 

[Scottyf]

30amp rated connections are rated at that. Your 10amp battery can deliver up to 2c which would be 20amp so it would be fine.

 

[timidtom]

Oh for the days of wireless electricity! Does nobody invent anything any more? Sighs & goes back to bed ...
;-)

Tom.

 

[banbury frank]

Hi Anderson power pole connectors link for uk distributor they sell a small 10 mixed pack

You can solder them as the crimp tool is expensive


30 amp Powerpole Pack -any colour- Pack of ten - Torberry Connectors Online Shop

They also do a locking pin

Block-Lok Retaining Clip - Pack of 5 - Torberry Connectors Online Shop

Hope this Helps



Frank

 

[banbury frank]

Hi we supply battery's in back packs and make our own curly leads we use a 4mm gauge red and black cable then we heat shrink then rap around a 30 mm tube and re heat with heat gun then cool under the tap so when you mount the bike it takes up the spare cable

LOW VOLTAGE TWIN CABLE 2x4mm BLACK PER METER NEW | eBay

C1502-8 RC Heat Shrink Tube Tubing Sleeve 10mm Black | eBay


Frank

 

[amigafan2003]

My ghetto temporary watt meter mounting.

I've stuck a foam pad on the frame, wrapped the meter in cling film (it's not water proof) and zip tied it to the bike (zip tie can be "slid" off the meter to make removan easy) - cabling secured via velcro straps.

It's 14awg wire - I'm only drawing 12 amps max @ 44.4v (580watts peak) so that's plenty.

 

[Scottyf]

Ampsd on really affect accleration really, to a point.
At the lower speeds 20mph drag isn't to bad.

I think you need at least 1hp to do 25mph on the flat. I forget where I read that or it mayt be compelte tosh...

 

[Deleted member 4366]

ps: D3veh, for the wattmeter, I looked at the voltage drop for 3 meters 12 AWG wire here:
Stealth 316 - Wire Resistance and Voltage Drop Calculator
I only loose 0.16V to my 36V battery. So I think the loss should be ok (Not sure if I finally want to open and solder my wattmetter). And I don't think I'd need to plug it everytime anyway (only to see the average consumption)

Yes, I agree. I wired up mine like that before I did the remote shunt mod and I couldn't detect any difference in the power or range. The loss is there, but not really noticeable.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It's 14awg wire - I'm only drawing 12 amps max @ 44.4v (580watts peak) so that's plenty.

Time to add a bit of solder to the controller shunt: 18 amps would go up hills a lot better.

 

[NRG]

Are you talking about these powerpole connectors?
Anderson Powerpole 30 Amp Power Pole 10 Pairs

And by the way, what does 30 amps mean?

For my bike with 36V10AH does that mean I need to have 10 amps?

Any idea?

Thanks

Yep, Powerpole, Frank posted a really good link earlier for a UK supplier. The 30amp ones are sufficient for what you need. Your voltage drop will be slightly higher due to the connectors and any fuse but you'll not notice it at the currents we draw...

 

[amigafan2003]

Time to add a bit of solder to the controller shunt:

No need, programmable controller It was originally pulling 16amps - 760 watts peak. But I have a Tongxin hub and they are wattage sensitive and @ 16 amps it was a bit of a pain to accelerate gently enough to ensure the clutch didn't sleep (anyone with a Tongxin will recognise the horrible screech and knocking when they slip). I reprogrammed it and @ 12 amps no such problems.

18 amps would go up hills a lot better.

I commute along Blackpool prom - we don't have hills

With the controller limited to 12 amps I commuted to work this am - 9.5miles - and only consumed 3Ah from the battery

 

[Deleted member 4366]

But I have a Tongxin

I suppose we all have our cross to bear!

 

[cwah]

Franck, I'm not sure about your message. Do you mean you propose to do the battery pack for anyone that needs that? (anyway I know your price and I'm pretty sure it'll be over my budget)

And thanks Scottyf, I may replace my HTX connector:
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : HXT 4mm Gold Connector w/ Protector (10pcs/set)

I tend to solder them badly and after I have alloy everywhere on the connector. So they don't clip after that. Maybe I'll have more success if I solder Powerpole connector

 

[banbury frank]

Hi cwah

Hi No we are not offering to supply battery packs

Just trying to Help with the parts for DIYers



Frank