Does using throttle to start from dead stop harm the controller?

[Nirmala]

This thread on a recumbent bike forum has a post (by marc S.) that suggests it is extremely hard on a typical controller to use the throttle to start up from a dead start:
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?p=1441506&page=2

Does anyone here have a perspective on this? I like using my throttle to get my bike going from a complete stop, but would change my habits if it is potentially harmful to the circuitry in my ebike's controller as he suggests.

 

[JRA]

The amount of power his bikes put out yes. The amount legal bikes put out probably not and never in my experience.

 

[Nirmala]

Thanks...that is reassuring.

 

[Dave M]

I would think in my e-rad set up the gear is plastic and it could potentially strip it, that is my guess why they program the throttle to only work once the bike is moving.

 

[JRA]

Thanks...that is reassuring.

The tell is if your motor starts to shudder it is time to back off at any time btw.

Good practice, no matter what type of motor you have, is to come to a stop in a reasonable enough gear that you can start pedaling a bit once you get your feet on the pedals. I would think that a PAS mid drive would be especially sensitive to this.

 

[Nirmala]

Again thanks for the info. I do start pedaling almost immediately. I just like to get my foot on one pedal, then hit the throttle to start rolling, and then I immediately start adding some leg power. I do always try to get into a lower gear as I am coming to a stop. And I have not noticed the motor shuddering, but I might make it a point to not rely too heavily on the motor when starting on a steep uphill, as I could see how that could overload the system.

 

[mrgold35]

My Radrover with 750w rear hub drive feels more like an electric bike with human powered pedal assist for the motor other than the other way around. I only have 7 gears that are matched pretty well with the 0-5 PAS levels. I usually do the same thing and downshift when slowing down or at a stop to take strain off the motor when accelerating. I use the gears to reach the desired PAS cruising speed as fast as I can and minimize the stress on motor compared to letting the motor do most/all the work.