Regenerative Braking.....When is it safe to use?

[98 SNAKE EATER]

After many moons of dealing with rechargeable batteries, I've always believed that "Low and Slow is the way to go" when it comes to charging.

With my X3 Pro, I use the regen quite often when braking from a high speed or when going downhill

Thing is, last week I noticed the battery meter shoot up from 75% to 100% on a long downhill run in setting #1

Can't recall what the actual regen wattage was at the time, but this happened in just a matter of minutes.

I figure a spike like that can't be good for overall longevity of the battery.

This also got me thinking after charging the battery last night and riding with 100%, if it would be wise at all to use regen at all until with a full pack?

I mean, does the controller have safeguards against overcharging when in comes to regen?

I'd hate to be going down a steep hill only to have a battery explode between my legs

 

[scrambler]

This all depends if your bike was designed well, with a proper BMS (battery management system) and properly programmed controller.
If the controller is programmed properly it should only regen to a level that is within the safe Amps charging limit of the battery.
If proper BMS, it would also protect the battery from overcharging either with too strong of a current (level of regen), or stop charging (deactivate regen) if the battery is fully charged and you are trying to regen.
Now of course, if any of these (BMS / Controller) are not doing their job properly, then you could cause damage to the battery.
If they are configured and programmed properly, you should be fine using as much regen as you want, and if the battery is fully charged and you try to regen while going downhill, regen should not work)

So the people who can answer your questions the best are the people who designed the bike (the manufacturer), as long as they are honest

 

[johnwebike]

After many moons of dealing with rechargeable batteries, I've always believed that "Low and Slow is the way to go" when it comes to charging.

With my X3 Pro, I use the regen quite often when braking from a high speed or when going downhill

Thing is, last week I noticed the battery meter shoot up from 75% to 100% on a long downhill run in setting #1

Can't recall what the actual regen wattage was at the time, but this happened in just a matter of minutes.

I figure a spike like that can't be good for overall longevity of the battery.

This also got me thinking after charging the battery last night and riding with 100%, if it would be wise at all to use regen at all until with a full pack?

I mean, does the controller have safeguards against overcharging when in comes to regen?

I'd hate to be going down a steep hill only to have a battery explode between my legs

Hi,
I have had an xp pro for 3 days now. May I ask, how do you know when the bike is regenerating? When I stop pedaling to go down a hill, my speedometer goes to 0 in seconds while coasting, and theres no apparent regen happening. Any help would be appreciated.

Ps; the tech at the manufacturer claims no speedometer working when not pedaling or adding throttle is normal, but this just doesn't seem to make sense. Does yours drop to 0 as well while coasting down a hill?

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Hi,
I have had an xp pro for 3 days now. May I ask, how do you know when the bike is regenerating? When I stop pedaling to go down a hill, my speedometer goes to 0 in seconds while coasting, and theres no apparent regen happening. Any help would be appreciated.

Ps; the tech at the manufacturer claims no speedometer working when not pedaling or adding throttle is normal, but this just doesn't seem to make sense. Does yours drop to 0 as well while coasting down a hill?

If your bike has the original settings, you will only get regenerative braking when you're in either mode "0" or mode "1" at 12mph and above.

You will see the watt meter turn red and show what % is being generated by the motor as the battery level goes up

 

[johnwebike]

Thats what I understand should happen. Rode for 3 days, watchibg the display. When I stop pedaling in 0 or 1 or if i switch to 0 or 1 while coasting above 14mph, or coasting downhill even over 35mph, nothing. Soon as I stop power to the motor, display drops quickly to 0mph, and no regen or red anything is seen on the display. Says 0mph, and 0watts. The Wallke rep said this is how its supposed to work. I wrote back today, requesting a more competent troubleshooter. I may have to post my conversation in public to get the issue fixed as my Walkee rep seems to think a lot of unusual things are normal. I notice from other posters on this site that things get handled once it goes public. Thank goodness for these type of forums to keep companies doing the riggt thing. I am saddened by my decision to get this bike with the level of sly service tech responses I have received so far. Guess I'll see how this transaction goes. I appreciate your response as it may help the Wallke tech realize a speedometer should not drop to zero just because power is not being sent to the motor, and that there should be sometbing on the display coasting.
May I ask, if you tip the bike up, and then using the throttle, run it no load in the highest PAS setting, then drop the PAS to 1 or 0 as the wheel coasts, will you get the regen light for a few seconds? Thanks so much for the reply.

 

[kmccune]

Touch the brake handles lightly, if your bike is equipped with regen it may come on when your motor disengages and should not fully engage brake pucks. The "Fat Bear" I have is like that.(Yamee)uh, do not get carried away watching the display and crash( I get distracted easily)