Pedelec sensor

[tgame]

I'm having to choose between the Agattu and the Sprint as I've mentioned elsewhere and am finding it a really difficult job. There is so much to consider, and there are convincing arguments for both at various places in this splendid forum. I am perhaps beginning to feel that the sprint may not be big enough for me at my six-foot four height. And it seems fairly clear that the Agattu pedals more successfully without assistance. It has occurred to me to wonder just how the pedelec system works. Surely it can't be true that an actual strain gauge is somehow worked into the pedal crank system? But if not how does the system sense what the rider is putting into things? If the system merely measures the rotation speed of the chain wheel how on earth does it know whether the rider is merely riding slowly or tackling a hill? Could anyone point me to a site where I could read something about this?

I must admit that I'm having great fun in going into all these things. If only it weren't for the somewhat scary price I should be enjoying myself!

Regards, Tony Game.

 

[flecc]

Answers on one of my websites in the technical section Tony.

If you read through, you'll see the components involved, plus a description of how the sensing system of the Panasonic motor works.

Panasonic motor unit

The mentioned weaknesses have largely been attended to in the latest unit.
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[tgame]

Thanks

Answers on one of my websites in the technical section Tony.

If you read through, you'll see the components involved, plus a description of how the sensing system of the Panasonic motor works.

Panasonic motor unit

The mentioned weaknesses have largely been attended to in the latest unit.
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Many thanks, Flecc. I thought that I had searched the forum but somehow missed that. I now have much more of a feeling for the complexity of the whole subject than I had before. I had not imagined that anything resembling a strain guage could possibly be built into so small a unit. Fifty odd years ago I had a mini motor on the back of a bike. Could any two examples better illustrate technological progress in those years ??

Regards,

Tony Game.

 

[flecc]

True. I saw your mention of the mini-motor and asked if it was the PowerPak one, but you might have missed that. I used to sell and fit various petrol add-ons nearly sixty years ago, Dutch Cyclemasters, Sinclair PowerPaks, BSA Winged Wheels etc, plus the complete Velosolex bike some years later.
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[tgame]

Wow - remembered names!

True. I saw your mention of the mini-motor and asked if it was the PowerPak one, but you might have missed that. I used to sell and fit various petrol add-ons nearly sixty years ago, Dutch Cyclemasters, Sinclair PowerPaks, BSA Winged Wheels etc, plus the complete Velosolex bike some years later.
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Dear me, Flecc, all those remembered names from the past. I used to study them avidly and feel decidedly fed up with my incredibly basic minimotor. A friend had a power pack which I thought much superior and which would actually climb a gradual slope unlike mine. I took it apart regularly in the hope of making it actually two stroke, instead of the dot and carry one four stroke which it did for 99% of the time. Wasn't it exciting when the cycle masters first appeared built into the back wheel. I suppose that in a way they represented quite a feat of technology at that time. A chap I knew slightly in the same town had an Italian Cucciolo which you will remember was a tiny true four stroke engine fitted under the bottom bracket. It made a noise like 707 jet! He was the most unpopular man in the county! Eventually the condenser in the ignition circuit of my minimotor failed and it took me a couple of months to find out what was wrong. I eventually gave the whole affair away to a chap who I expect curses me to this day.

I'm afraid I missed the reply you mention. I really must learn to drive this forum properly!

 

[flecc]

Yes, I remember the Cucciolo. The Italians have always been masters at extracting the maximum noise from the smallest package. I remember owning a Rumi Formichino scooter with a twin cylinder two stroke 125cc motor that, according to one neighbour, sounded like all the demons from hell! I always enjoyed leaving for work early , Nessun Dorma indeed.

As you say, the Cyclemasters looked sophisticated, but in fact they were very poor performers. The original black 25cc one was totally gutless, and the grey 32cc that quickly replaced it was little better. These were in fact designed by DKW.

BSA's Winged Wheel design on the same principle was a lot better, but the PowerPak saw the lot off for speed, until it rained and all drive was lost.
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[Mandy]

True. I saw your mention of the mini-motor and asked if it was the PowerPak one, but you might have missed that. I used to sell and fit various petrol add-ons nearly sixty years ago, Dutch Cyclemasters, Sinclair PowerPaks, BSA Winged Wheels etc, plus the complete Velosolex bike some years later.
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How old are you Mr Flecc? That is probably a very rude question but just wanted to ask as you have been in the business so long and must have seen so much change!
I am 48 and I know I have, ok I rode scooters for years and owned a Honda Vision Met in white which at that time was my pride and joy, remember them?
My work mates took the micka and said looked like a Sinclair C5
LOL
Mandy

 

[flecc]

My age isn't a secret Mandy, I've mentioned it a few times, and it's 72 shortly. I started work in a dealership at 14. Since that wasn't long after WW2, and everything decent had been commandeered for the war effort, most things I rode and drove in the early days were pre-war and sometimes very old. Our works hack bike was a 1920s BSA 250 for example, and my first car was a 1936 DX14 six cylinder Vauxhall. Finally packed in motorbikes three years back as it's pointless and no fun in the totally speed limited South-East, and the current car is my 23rd, which should give the environmentalists a fit!

Yes, I remember the Honda Vision ok.
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[Mandy]

My age isn't a secret Mandy, I've mentioned it a few times, and it's 72 shortly. I started work in a dealership at 14. Since that wasn't long after WW2, and everything decent had been commandeered for the war effort, most things I rode and drove in the early days were pre-war and sometimes very old. Our works hack bike was a 1920s BSA 250 for example, and my first car was a 1936 DX14 six cylinder Vauxhall. Finally packed in motorbikes three years back as it's pointless and no fun in the totally speed limited South-East, and the current car is my 23rd, which should give the environmentalists a fit!

Yes, I remember the Honda Vision ok.
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Oh My goodness
Well you don't sound 72 Flecc!
Yeah the Honda Vision was okay but I had the "Honda Met In" lol1 Anyway it got stolen and burnt to the ground in our local woods. Won't go there, but youth of today sucks!
Mandy :0)

 

[jimmyengland1000]

I once read a piece of graffitti... words to the effect: "The youth of today have no respect for their elders, no values and no morals. They riot in the streets and are abominable".... It was chalked (in Latin) on a wall at a Roman dig......

I bet they pinched bikes too......? Or would have, if they'd been invented.......

 

[Mandy]

I once read a piece of graffitti... words to the effect: "The youth of today have no respect for their elders, no values and no morals. They riot in the streets and are abominable".... It was chalked (in Latin) on a wall at a Roman dig......

I bet they pinched bikes too......? Or would have, if they'd been invented.......

LOL!! Yep you are probably right!
Well I have two kids aged 27 and 30 and they have been a blessing thankfully and have good jobs and are my best friends and hold dear what I do: Respect for others.
My son was mugged once and had his mobile phone stolen and was beaten up just across the street where I have lived for 26 years, police done nothing even though they were provided with the names of the culprits, sucks eh? My community has changed!
Ah well, moan over, lol

 

[tgame]

I've always loved knowing about that graffiti. There are similar complaints scrawled in the pyramids I believe. No doubt the same theme could be found chiselled on rocks in cuneiform if one knew where to look.

All fully justified complaints of course.