"The best laid plans of mice and man,." Huffy conversion in Limbo(can I use a 500watt 36 volt controller with my 48 volt rack battery?)

[kmccune]

Will the 36 volt controller work with my 48 volt battery, the Violamart wheel wouldn't work on the "Hyper"? I do not want to buy anything else I have a spare parts build and nicer new bike bui;d trying to come along.I guess if everything works out it will be a FWD 20 AH build.

 

[tomjasz]

Short answer is no.
That said, Grin sells multiple voltage capable controllers. But that’s not a feature of typical controllers.

 

[indianajo]

I'm using a $37 used 36 v motor on a 48 v controller & 48 v battery. I have .5 ohm 70 w series resistors in the motor phase leads to drop 10 v @ 10 amps (5 v each, 2 resistors).
Some controllers say "48/36 v". Some like the ASI require programming with a USB port, or a serial connection from a PC, but I have one that does not.

 

[harryS]

I'm aware that there are over-voltage circuits on many mid drive controller kits, but I've not yet encountered a low cost external controller that had one. I wouldn't expect a Voilamart to have one. It should work .....

This is different from saying that a 36V controller will be reliable at 48V. If it only has 50V capacitors, the capacitors will eventually blow up with time. However, some controllers, like my original ebikeling 22A does use 63V capacitor. so it could be over volted.

The gotcha is that my ebikeling LED unit won't display the battery level. It will stay "Full" and it won't shut off the 48V battery at 40 volts. It will drain the battery down to 36-38 volts and let the battery's low voltage circuit take over. Not good for the battery. So I did it once, noted my speed went from 20 to 24 mph, and went back to 36V.

 

[harryS]

I'm using a $37 used 36 v motor on a 48 v controller & 48 v battery. I have .5 ohm 70 w series resistors in the motor phase leads to drop 10 v @ 10 amps (5 v each, 2 resistors).
Some controllers say "48/36 v". Some like the ASI require programming with a USB port, or a serial connection from a PC, but I have one that does not.

A bit cautious, I think. At 10A phase current, that's 50W per phase wasted on heat, It's a Bafang. I run my used #37 Uber bike motor on either 36V or 48V with my dual voltage KT controller. Does yours have a ratty whine? Could be the resonance in the fork, but mine sure sounds a tin can bike.

 

[kmccune]

r"I would like to kindly thank you Folks for dropping in,." Youse Guys put the "fear in Me",I bit the bullet and ordered a 12 ah 36 volt triangle battery,I am just about at the stage were I will quit (ahem) building bikes.
OTH, its sort of fun( can't afford to build cars or trucks-Hope -1. Ford makes a plug in or full EV "Maverick' or I can finally get my "base model CT" Honestly I do not think that is going to happen.
Anybody need a new 20 ah rack battery?Its no use to me so I will bite the bullet and let it go for $225( will deliver within 50 Miles)
Sorry Moderators I didn't have time to post separately, a lot going on today, that battery would be a natural for a "Tadpole trike".

 

[harryS]

Sorry that I didn't mention the alternative, which is to use a dual voltage controller. They sell a 20A KT sinewave model with the LCD3 for about $80. Built like six bikes with them.