Quick question r.e. BBS02B & SW102

Ravies

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 29, 2022
7
1
First time poster, so please excuse any poor forum etiquette. I've searched the forum for an answer, but I haven't found anything conclusive. Hopefully this is just a yes/no question.

I have the above motor and display combination. The PAS settings on the display are 'OFF - ECO - TOUR - SPORT - TURBO' [and 'WALK' I think]. The motor controller has 0-9 PAS settings, but of course the display is only capable of engaging 4 or 5 of them. My question is, which of the 0-9 PAS settings of the motor controller does the display reference?

I suspect that when in 'TURBO' mode, I'm only actually getting PAS level 4. Can anybody confirm this for me?

Thank you.
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
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thurrock essex
The 5 levels on other bafang displays are the odd numbers so 5 is 9
have you access to a laptop to use the interface cable and software to custom the levels to your own requirements
or the speed app available from android store
 

Ravies

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 29, 2022
7
1
Hi Peter, thank you for your reply. I do have an interface cable and laptop. The popular 'Hacker's Guide To Programming the BBS02' does say, as you say, that the five levels are 1,3,5,7,9. But I thought I'd double check as this guide is now 7 years old and I don't seem to be getting as much out of my motor as I had expected.

It just feels as though I'd be able to ride faster, with less effort, if the bike wasn't weighed down with a motor and battery. My next course of action is to try out the famed 'Karl's Secret Sauce' (with a few exceptions for IGH) and go from there.
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
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thurrock essex
The off the shelf settings can be set very low put the laptop on it to check what the base line is set at
The special sauce is still my starting point too
Imagine the shock to my system going back to a bbs01 250watt 48v and finding the firmware locked to 12amps[ half of what i am used to 24 amps]
 

Ravies

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 29, 2022
7
1
I suppose that it's in the vendor's interest to deliberately under power them to reduce the risk of warranty returns. And of course if an end user was to reconfigure the controller for more power, that rids them of their warranty commitments all together. Maybe that's slightly cynical? But actually, saying that, the default current limit on mine was set to 24A and the pedal assist speed and current settings weren't a world away from the Special Sauce anyway. It might be my gearing that's taking the wind out of my sails (40T bling ring up front, 17T sprocket on the rear) but that's non-negotiable due to the frame geometry. If once all is said and done I can't get it to perform I'll just whip the whole lot off and put it on a Raleigh Twenty for kicks.

Have you ever used the SW102? Which display do you use?
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
1,612
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thurrock essex
Not used 102 but did try eggrider about the same size my old eyes could not read it on the go
Use the 500 c at the moment can read it and it shows power etc favourite is the 750c which sits safely in the middle of the bars best clearest display was the older dpc 18 but hate the newer version
Gearing run 42t bling copy on road/summer, but use 36t lekkie winter or slower pace of life
42-11 on the rear 10 speed
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
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thurrock essex
You mention a igh my attempts used a nexus and then both alfines 8 and 11 speed one tooth on the rear made a change to the overall gearing always used 36t on the front wish i could afford another try
 

Ravies

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 29, 2022
7
1
Having spent a little more time on the bike today I'm gradually learning it's idiosyncrasies. It won't go faster than 26kmh/15mph even though the limit on the display is set to 40kmh. And my working conclusion is that this is because my current limit is set to 15A. This is in accordance with a quote from someone (I forget who exactly) on the Hacker's Guide who recommends 15A for IGH but doesn't explain why.

When you had your IGH did you have the current limit set this low? What happened to them in the end? I didn't pay much for this one but as you know they're not cheap, so I'd rather not wreck it by putting too much power through it.
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
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thurrock essex
Any power is to much for the 11 the alfine 8 was ok at lower power 250-500watt so about 15 /18 amps but only after fitting a gear change sensor
To get the rear cog size right took time put it in top gear with the power off human power only and spun legs round fast on pedals seem to remember it took a 14/15 to get 20mph + but needed the 36 front to hill climb
Had to fit the alfine chain tensioner too just checked back was 16 t
 
Last edited:

Ravies

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 29, 2022
7
1
Oh okay? In my experience no IGH likes shifting under power, motor or no motor. So I've always been in the habit of stop pedalling before I shift, hence I haven't bothered with the gear change sensor. I wish I could afford to experiment a bit more liberally with this because it's also been my understanding that IGH are very good at transmitting torque, because it's distributed between all the planet gears and enclosed in a circular ring gear.

Unfortunately I'm pretty restricted as to what gearing I can use. I'm only using this particular rear sprocket because it's a very uncommon, deep dished one, which I need to keep an acceptable chain line. That's even with the 40T Bling Ring. The case for the Raleigh Twenty project is growing - those 3 speed SA hubs are 10 a penny and apparently the most robust.
 

Ravies

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 29, 2022
7
1
Quick update for future reference: I've finally had some more time to tinker with the bike. It turns out the SW102 references pedal assist levels 1-4 in the programming software. I wasn't getting the top speed I wanted because max assist on the buttons was only around 40% of Speed Limit.
 
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