LCD-P3H-U29 ebike display. Anyone familiar?

WIAWSNB

Hi.

Just bought a basic - but very impressive for the money - ebike, which comes with the above display. I'm familiar with the 'P' programs, but P05 isn't behaving as it should.

This sets the number of 'assist' levels, from 3 to 5 to 9; the more levels, the greater number of speed options. Supposedly. It came set at '3' (P05 setting '0'), which corresponds to roughly 8, 12 and 15 mph. I'd like to have a few more speeds in there, so changed it to '1', which should be 5 speeds.

Offski I went - the motor kicked in and immediately propelled me to 18mph (er, I'd slightly tweaked the top speed too), so it now only has one assist setting, and that's 'flat out'. 🙃

It's back at '0', so three assists, and that's fine.

Any thoughts as to why it won't change correctly? Ta.

born_again

So to help others, just what else has been tweeked

The_Unready

Are you talking about a pedalled e-bike or an e-motorbike of some sort? What you're describing shouldn't be happening on a UK-legal e-bicycle.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052960#Comment_82052960

Not much, honestly…

I cut the max Amps down to 8 'cos I'm a sensible, mature person. I tweaked the max speed up to 30kmh instead of 25 'cos, um, well, you know.

I turned P11 - pedal sensitivity - up to the max 24 so's to - hopefully - make the motor kick in later (which it doesn't really).

I turned P12 - 'acceleration' - down to '1' so as to try and reduce the take-off. Nope.

That's about it. I think.

In short, this is my first ebike (apart from the Carrera Subway I got my wife), so it's all very new to me. The Subway is 'sensible', and has a torque-sensor. This one has the most basic cadence control.

It is terrific - it really is. I've just sold my Trek 7.4 'cos I live on a hill, and that simply ruins any bike ride, as the last bit is sweaty and 'orrible. But, the punchy take-off of this beast surprised me. However, I've since sorted that - I start off at '0' assist as I exit the gate, and get under way. I then tweak the assist as required. Such simple things - I'd assumed you'd set the assist and get on with it, but now realise it's simply varied constantly as required - tweak it up and down.

But, I'd like some more variation. A lower low speed - say 6mph. And I'd be happy with some more intermediate variations too. The current setup is fine if I'm on my tod, but if I'm cycling with hersel', I'd like to be able to match speeds without the on/off malarkey of pedal/no pedal. Ie, more fine control of assist speed. 'cos you set this beast, and it'll take you there…😮

I just don't understand why P05 doesn't do what it 'should'.

Ta.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052977#Comment_82052977

It's a pedalled ebike. And it's almost legal.

Ok, it's Pure Unicorn U3, and I bought it for two reasons - I couldn't find a second-hand ebike with a large/xl frame (for 6'2") anywhere, and - at £482 - you read that correctly - it was rude not to.

It is crackin'. Big and comfy and quite powerful. Comes with powerful lights - inc a brake light - solid 'guards, a cast side stand, and a rear rack. Ok, cable-operated discs, which I'll likely upgrade to cable-operated hydraulics. But it is amazing for the money.

WIAWSNB

Update - the limitations of a cheapo controller… Bonkers to lock the device to only three assists, when the hardware inside the controller will almost certainly cope with the full range. But hey.

Anyhoo, Unicorn, and folk on Pedelecs, have confirmed it's the case. So I'll be looking to swap to KT controller and display as a Winter project - should be far superior with sine-wave and current-control.

Herzlos

I may be misunderstanding something, but when you're saying it's just taking off and going to 18mph - it's just being really sensitive to the pedal movement?

Though from reading up on it, it's not even close to UK road legal - 3x the motor power output and almost double the max speed. So I guess it's behaving more like an electric dirt bike than a bicycle.

All of the e-bikes I've used have had some assistance but they just feel like a gentle shove when pedalling hard.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82075608#Comment_82075608

No, it isn't technically legal, as it has the capacity to go much faster than UK regs. However, being an elderly & sensible bloke, I do have the top speed restricted to 15mph (well, 18 - '30kph') and the max Amps to 8, so legalish 'behaviour'.

It still takes off quite firmly, but that isn't an issue as I've got used to the 'assists', and only turn it to '1' (8mph) after I've started pedalling and am under way. I will likely turn the Amps down further, as I am only looking for a relaxed ride.

Just bought wife a Pendelton Somerby, and the delicate take-off is very pleasant in comparison.

Very irritating to have just three assist levels, tho'. I was explaining to my wife that her new bike also had three levels, 8, 12, and 15, and she rightly asked, "What if I want to go slower…?" Well, um, er…

The annoying thing about the Pure is that the display clearly has the capacity to change the number of assists up to 5 or even 9, but the controller has been nobbled by them to not listen. Grrr. So when I change it to 5 or 9, it simply goes single 'top speed'.

If it continues to annoy, I will consider swapping the controller and display for a KT jobbie which should sort it all.

But, loving the ebike! I had all but given up on bike riding as we live near the top of a hill, so however pleasant the actual bike ride, it always ended with a sweat. No longer…

Herzlos

I'm struggling to get my head around the assists being driven by speed, and not by effort. Do you have to pedal much to get to whatever speed it's set at or does it just go to that speed?

The few e-bikes I've used were stable at whatever speed I wanted, the assistance just changed how severely it kicked in when I started pedalling harder.