RC ESC as electric bicycle speed controller

My chinese electric bike electronics just keep blowing the fuse even after the FETs were changed.
This is a first success starting the wheel with Turnigy Plush 25A ESC. Free wheel consumed 1.5A at 16V.

On what settings? Defaults? Mine stalls in a few seconds on a Plush 40A, won't sync. Got it to move a bit with high timing and fast start-up. I had kind of success with a bigger Dualsky 80A ESC but I have to jam the freewheel and rev it by hand or pedaling to get to speed. Otherwise it never reaches the needed power and stalls. The highest current I measured was about 20A (on 6s) at the highest load before going out of sync. And at low throttle sins jittery...

[@arrowstheorem1881]

How is a ESC different than a ebike controller?

[@jamesdeegan7365]

hi, can you show us how you wired this in?

[@noodlz55]

Hej, Thanks for your inspiring video! I tried doing the same with an 18A 5.6-16.8V ESC (Hype Alpha) and managed do get the motor spinning, but only super slow (10 RPM). When I tried to accelerate it just stopped, though it only consumed around 3 Amps (at 12 V, Lead acid Battery). The lever was at around 15% then. Any idea why this happens? Do you think a bigger ESC (Amp wise) would solve the Problem?

[@zapallalla]

Nice to hear!I think your problem is that the motor cannot get into sync. Test different motor timing settings on your ESC. Also throttle up really really really slowly. 18A is barely enough if you aim to 250W power.. But it's a good start. It might work, just try it and buy a new one if you blow your ESC :)I think it is possible to get it working with any normal brushless ESC, you just need to throttle up slowly and find a good motor timing setting.

[@noodlz55]

I tried now with some different ESCs and most have the above problem. It seeems as it is a feature to detect blocked motors on RC helicopters or drones, at least that is my guess. The biggest one I tried was 60 Amps (www.ebay.de/itm/Mystery-Fire-Dragon-60A-Brushless-ESC-RC-Speed-Controller-D/162831701009?hash=item25e9869411:g:RcQAAOSwjyhaS1Jj) and even that one had the same problem. It has three different timing settings and none of them changed the behaviour. Only a 40 Amp (www.ebay.de/itm/Regler-40A-2-4S-Original-ESC-V-Technology-DE-Brushlessregler-mit-BEC-Controller/122828533365?hash=item1c9926ae75:g:U2EAAOSw0ZJahsvD) ESC didn't shut down automatically, but it regulated down to ~26% so I couldn't reach the speed I wanted to. Hmm, now I think I will have to go for a different kind of controller. (www.ebay.de/itm/DC-12V-36V-500W-Brushless-Motor-Controller-Hall-Motor-Balanced-Auto-Driver-Board/263158812858?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649) Or any more ideas?

[@zapallalla]

noodlz55 no ideas.. my friend has also been using rc esc for his bike with success. it should work.

[@tmo7777]

Hello What is The Name of The Device you are using to adjust the speed of the wheel It looks like a SERVO Please let me know where I can get one just like it. I can see it's a TURNIGY BUT what is the exact name. Thanks

[@zapallalla]

Sorry for really really reply but the device is a servo tester. It is used for producing the throttle signal for the ESC (1-2ms pulse).

[@marce002b]

Hello, I have an Hobby Wing Pentium-60A ESC, my motor hub is 24vol 350w front wheel,,,,,,,,do you think that i will be able to control it with such speed control? im 75kg and afraid to blow away the esc!!! what circuit do you use to protect?

[@zapallalla]

i think it should work! add a 20-30A fuse in battery line and you should be safe?

[@noodlz55]

Did you get it to work?