controlling a speed controller

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burkey
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:04 pm

controlling a speed controller

Unread post by burkey » Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:13 pm

me and son are making an electric bike, converting a 1973 C70 Honda. Using an outrunner brushless motor and need to know how to control it without having to set up a transmitter on the handlebars. Or having someone run alongside the bike taking orders from the rider. I have checked the output form the white wire on coming back from the reciever and it appears to be dc .2 - .35 volts from 0 - full throttle. That would be really simple if the signal was that simple, however in practice all I can get is a momentary kick from the motor. So obviously more complicated than just a dc signal. Someone out there must know. I have called several motor control places, but all industrial, and they have no clue. Anyone that could advise please help.

Burkey

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Metalhead
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Re: controlling a speed controller

Unread post by Metalhead » Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:24 am

Hi Burkey,

From what i can find, the signal is the same as any other signal coming from the reciever, it is a PWM, or pulse width modulated signal,

Low throttle/arming is usually 1 to 1.1msec
Full throttle is usually 1.9 to 2msec
Frame rate is about 20msec (50hz)

3 seconds of 1msec pulses for arming is about right.

I also found this:

You can use a servo-tester or servo-cycler (which employ a PWM circuit) to provide a "throttle" signal to drive an ESC.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXVK79&P=ML
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/spin_box_..._3082_prd1.htm
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=4573

hope this helps, cool idea!

Brian

burkey
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:04 pm

Re: controlling a speed controller

Unread post by burkey » Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:58 am

Brian, thanks so much. This ends our too long search for that answer, and endless bench testing of outputs, trial and all error, with little knowledge. just looking and asking in the wrong places. Vic Rugys suggested posting here, and hours later the simple answer, away we go. Thanks a bunch.

Steve Burke.

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