wiring a thumb throttle

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
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Hi I have a very old electric bike the only info I have on it is that its called a Phillips no other name on bike

anyway I have managed to buy a thumb throttle for it as i had a hand grip one which made my hand sore after holding it for ages. here is the thumb throttle below

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172298686605?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

but only problem my old throttle is wired up like this,

this is what comes from my junction box



and this is the other end from my old throttle as you can see the 3 wires are same except the white one



my old throttle wires as you can see are green, red, and black which are wired to yellow, red, and white wires which work ok but on this thumb throttle 3 wires they are colored red, white, black

so how do i joing them to make it work

I have been told this thumb throttle is also known as potentiometer switch

I hope someone can help me wire this correct
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
Hi I have a very old electric bike the only info I have on it is that its called a Phillips no other name on bike

anyway I have managed to buy a thumb throttle for it as i had a hand grip one which made my hand sore after holding it for ages. here is the thumb throttle below

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172298686605?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

but only problem my old throttle is wired up like this,

this is what comes from my junction box



and this is the other end from my old throttle as you can see the 3 wires are same except the white one



my old throttle wires as you can see are green, red, and black which are wired to yellow, red, and white wires which work ok but on this thumb throttle 3 wires they are colored red, white, black

so how do i joing them to make it work

I have been told this thumb throttle is also known as potentiometer switch

I hope someone can help me wire this correct
My guess is:
Red = 5v
Black = 0v
White/green = signal

So (from connector on controller to new throttle) you need to go:

Yellow to black
Red to red
Green to white


Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Nealh

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
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Can't disagree with any of that,looks good to me.
Chinese colours can be all over the place but generally you can't go wrong with;
Neutral - Black or Yellow.
Positive - Red or Brown.
Signal - White,Green, Blue, Orange or any other colour they wish to use.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
So (from connector on controller to new throttle) you need to go:

Yellow to black
Red to red
Green to white
That's correct.

OP FYI, the throttle is not a potentiometer. It's a hall sensor and two magnets, which works completely differently.
 

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
1,114
90
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uk
Wow thanks you all for your help I never thought i would get help on this as tried other forums.. so its been most appreciated.

I asked the seller on ebay about wiring up the thumb throttle, they said they will pass e-mail onto there tech guy. who came back and said this

Hello,

I have passed your message onto Mike and he has recommended you search Youtube Google or forum sites for direction to ensure you are wiring your bike correctly.
The electric throttle is also known as potentiometer switch which may open a few more doors as to the correct wiring - I hope this helps you.
If I can assist with anything else please let me know.

Kind Regards
Laura - Sales
PetrolScooter

and this is a PetrolScooter specialist so shows what he knows then.

so how will this throttle work is it like the further you push lever the faster bike go. or am I wrong. I thought its like a Volume control switch, more you turn knob louder it gets.

I am also a bit confused what these parts are for can anyone explain




sorry also forgot what are those white connecters called, and how do you fix the wires into them are they just pushed into the holes etc




 
Last edited:
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
The throttle is a speed controller. The red and black wires provide 5v to power it. The white wire sends a voltage back to the controller, which is proportional to how far you push the lever. The controller increases the speed of the motor in proportion to the voltage from the throttle.

The black ring is a spacer that fits in the side of the throttle. It stops the moving part rubbing on anything nearby that could jam its operation.

The small black block is the connector. Normally, you'd push the three pins on the ends of the wires into it in the right sequence, but that connector doesn't match your other one.

The best thing to do is cut off all the conectors and join the wires directly. If you can solder, then solder them together and cover in heat-shrink tube, otherwise twist them together and cover in insulating tape, like what was done before. You don't need connectors.
 

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
1,114
90
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uk
Thank you so much for your help its been great, I have not as yet received this thumb throttle. but at least now I know how to wire it up.

yes i will solder wires together as I think it will be a better join. I have heard of heat sink wrap. i believe you just use a hair dryer to make it shrink to cover solder joints will get some
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
Thank you so much for your help its been great, I have not as yet received this thumb throttle. but at least now I know how to wire it up.

yes i will solder wires together as I think it will be a better join. I have heard of heat sink wrap. i believe you just use a hair dryer to make it shrink to cover solder joints will get some
I don't think a hair dryer will be hot enough ( a hot air gun is the normal answer), but a lighter or other flame should work.
 

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
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how do you quote a post here

well I dont have a heat gun and nothing with a flame mind you i do have a gas soldering iron so suppose that can be used without a tip on it
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
...... there tech guy. who came back and said this

Hello,

I have passed your message onto Mike and he has recommended you search Youtube Google or forum sites for direction to ensure you are wiring your bike correctly.
The electric throttle is also known as potentiometer switch which may open a few more doors as to the correct wiring - I hope this helps you.
If I can assist with anything else please let me know.

Kind Regards
Laura - Sales
PetrolScooter
That is rather telling. There's no such thing as a 'potentiometer switch'.

As D8veh says, its almost certainly a hall effect device.
 

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
1,114
90
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uk
Yes, that's how it works.

I am extremely grateful to you guys here, as wont of had a clue about wiring up that thumb throttle. I found using the grip type of throttle hurt my hand after a while as you have to twist the throttle to keep top speed up. but this thumb 1 hopefully will be much better . just another quick question I managed also to buy 2 new 12v batteries as require 2 for 24V bike. as mine would only go a few yards then you end up pedaling more to get speed up again. I was lucky to find them. as came from Austria @ £34.80 each Plus £5 shipping. I checked the specs against mine and all same

This is mine below I have 2 of these as 24V battery




And This is the new batteries I bought 2 x12V the only difference in the new batteries compared to my old ones above is mine says Rechargeable sealed lead acid battery

but the new ones below say valve regulated lead acid battery

but they charge up fine. took 2 hours mind you but i expect they wasn't charged from new

I think valve regulated means same as rechargeable


anyway will having new batteries make bike go faster or just go further now


I also forgot to mention I have also purchased these new handle bar grips as wont have no grip on right side once i fit thumb throttle, but i only needed 1 lol but you cant buy 1 of those as come in pairs lol. cant wait to get my bike going again. cant do much until new throttle arrives

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361373807676?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&var=630717503485&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


You guys here have been fantastic its really appreciated

 
Last edited:

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,910
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West Sx RH
May have made a bit more sense in joining the li-on age of batteries, better range, more staying power and much lighter in weight.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,910
8,525
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West Sx RH
Pb/ SLA batteries are yesterdays tecnhnology esp for ebikes, the way forward is lithium power, only advantage of sla is cheapness.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
I am extremely grateful to you guys here, as wont of had a clue about wiring up that thumb throttle. I found using the grip type of throttle hurt my hand after a while as you have to twist the throttle to keep top speed up. but this thumb 1 hopefully will be much better . just another quick question I managed also to buy 2 new 12v batteries as require 2 for 24V bike. as mine would only go a few yards then you end up pedaling more to get speed up again. I was lucky to find them. as came from Austria @ £34.80 each Plus £5 shipping. I checked the specs against mine and all same

This is mine below I have 2 of these as 24V battery




And This is the new batteries I bought 2 x12V the only difference in the new batteries compared to my old ones above is mine says Rechargeable sealed lead acid battery

but the new ones below say valve regulated lead acid battery

but they charge up fine. took 2 hours mind you but i expect they wasn't charged from new

I think valve regulated means same as rechargeable


anyway will having new batteries make bike go faster or just go further now


I also forgot to mention I have also purchased these new handle bar grips as wont have no grip on right side once i fit thumb throttle, but i only needed 1 lol but you cant buy 1 of those as come in pairs lol. cant wait to get my bike going again. cant do much until new throttle arrives

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361373807676?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&var=630717503485&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


You guys here have been fantastic its really appreciated

They should be OK. If the old ones were knackered then it might go a bit quicker, and should go a bit further.

Had you asked before purchasing most of us would have recommended saving the money and getting a lithium-ion battery. These give vastly improved range/much lighter weigh, or a bit of both. They also are more durable (c.800 charge cycles vs c.100 of the SLA's you have). Perhaps something to think about next time.


Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
 

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
1,114
90
73
uk
They should be OK. If the old ones were knackered then it might go a bit quicker, and should go a bit further.

Had you asked before purchasing most of us would have recommended saving the money and getting a lithium-ion battery. These give vastly improved range/much lighter weigh, or a bit of both. They also are more durable (c.800 charge cycles vs c.100 of the SLA's you have). Perhaps something to think about next time.


Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
I had to buy that size to fit into battery holder as it takes 2

]






Yes wished i had of known of this site before i bought the batteries
 

billyboya

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2016
1,114
90
73
uk
Just to let you guys know I finished fitting this thumb throttle today took bike for a spin wow its double speed now much better so once again thanks to all who helped, the thumb throttle is a lot easier now. I thought i had to press lever upward but its downwards much better now.

when i get a chance I will upload a picture of my bike it is old mind you. would it be possible to convert it to 48V but i guess its a lot of work like 2 new batteries and controller
 

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