Fortis 3 ebike controller swap

[Robmo84]

Hello, first time posting so a little nervous. If I stuff up some guidelines for posting I apologize in advance.

I have this ebike

Fortis 16" 36V 8Ah Ultra Compact Foldable Electric Bike 250w

Fortis 16" 36V 8Ah Ultra Compact Foldable Electric Bike | Electric Bicycles |

Buy Fortis 16" 36V 8Ah Ultra Compact Foldable Electric Bike from Kogan.com. Powered by a 250W brushless motor and a 36V battery with built-in pedal-assist to conquer hills effortlessly, get where you’re going faster and easier with Fortis 16” 36V 8Ah Foldable Electric Bike Powerful 36V 8Ah...

www.kogan.com

I didnt pay that much when I purchased a few weeks back.

My question is is it possible to swap out the controller to a different one that has not only pedal assist (what this bike has) but also throttle capability.

I have the same controller as this model

Help Please converting a 'pedal assist only' to 'thumb throttle' for my Fortis 20"

Hi Guys Long time viewer first time poster! I need some assistance and guidance on converting a 'pedal assist only' to 'thumb throttle' for my Fortis 20" 36V 10Ah Foldable Electric Bike https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/fortis-...electric-bike/ Any help will be greatly appreciated, I have opened my...

electricbikereview.com

exact same numbers.

However I do not have the extra wire plug that he has, I tried to manually connect a throttle to the same connections but it failed to work.

So what would my options on having a bike with a throttle capability be?.

I see new controllers vary in price and no idea where to start, any suggestions?

Thank you in advance

 

[harryS]

Did your controller have the same label as Fr303? If it says speed set, the board should support a throttle.

"when I traced it to the PCB it was Red - +5VP, Green- AX1, Black – GND . "

Perhaps you used the wrong throttle or its wire colors were different. Take a multimeter and verify the voltages,
5.0 volts AX1 to GND. Power
4.3 volts +5VP to GND. Signal

A lot of people connecting throttles are misled because the power lead is lower than the signal, and they switch them so it doesn't work. This diagram I found on a generic controller explains why. VCC is one diode drop below +5V, which works out to 4.3V. THR is connected to the input of a microcontroller which is pulled up to +5V,

A quick test to see if your board connections will work..... Making sure the wheel can spin safely, put 3 volts across pin 2 and pin 1.

CHanging a controller is a messy job, and requires electrical skills and analysis. Most controllers come unlabelled, Most of the time they use different types of connectors, and even if they use the same type, they may change the gender and wire order.

On the other hand, with the right controller, you can have a display with speedometer, watts, voltage ....

 

[Robmo84]

Did your controller have the same label as Fr303? If it says speed set, the board should support a throttle.

"when I traced it to the PCB it was Red - +5VP, Green- AX1, Black – GND . "
View attachment 48184

Perhaps you used the wrong throttle or its wire colors were different. Take a multimeter and verify the voltages,
5.0 volts AX1 to GND. Power
4.3 volts +5VP to GND. Signal

A lot of people connecting throttles are misled because the power lead is lower than the signal, and they switch them so it doesn't work. This diagram I found on a generic controller explains why. VCC is one diode drop below +5V, which works out to 4.3V. THR is connected to the input of a microcontroller which is pulled up to +5V,
View attachment 48195
A quick test to see if your board connections will work..... Making sure the wheel can spin safely, put 3 volts across pin 2 and pin 1.

CHanging a controller is a messy job, and requires electrical skills and analysis. Most controllers come unlabelled, Most of the time they use different types of connectors, and even if they use the same type, they may change the gender and wire order.

On the other hand, with the right controller, you can have a display with speedometer, watts, voltage ....

Here is a pic of my controller box.
the throttle came with 3 wires red black white. Assuming white is the signal wire

 

[harryS]

What kind of throttle did you hook up? What kind of handlebar control does it have for adjusting pedal assist? Most have to be in level 1 or higher to have the throttle work.

 

[Robmo84]

What kind of throttle did you hook up? What kind of handlebar control does it have for adjusting pedal assist? Most have to be in level 1 or higher to have the throttle work.

This is the throttle i bought mainly because it matched the current handles.

EBike Twist Speed Throttle 24V 36V 48V 72V for Electric Scooter Bicycle Bike | eBay

Includes twist throttle loom mounts to standard 7/8" / 22mm handlebars. Compatible with 24 volt 36 volt and 48 volt electric bicycles. Splash proof and durable. Color shown on your monitor may be slightly different from the real product depending on your monitor settings.

www.ebay.com.au

I had the assist in level 1. I must try the other levels tomorrow just incase. Btw thank you for your assistance. It is very much appreciated.

 

[harryS]

So you have the same controller, but there was no unused throttle cable. And you have the same arrangement on the back with the pads marked SP5V, AX1, and GND. There are no wires in those pads?

Wonder if he got the AX1 wrong in that other thread?
Got a meter? Check SP and SP5V to GND. No wire in SP?

 

[Robmo84]

Yeah no unused cable throttle, yeah his second photo of the pcb board is exactly the same as mine. Identical. From what I have seen it is the same bike. Although his has gears and 2 more ah in the battery it's the same controller and hub motor. They just put same gear into a bigger wheel base. So i surprised when there was no extra spare throttle cable plug. I will check the SP first thing in the morning.

 

[Robmo84]

One thing i have noticed at replacement ecu. Same 15amp 36v. All the throttle connection are just two wires