Really interesting...thanks for the detailed steps. So for the longevity of a stock bike everyone should attempt to keep watts around 500 most of the time. Curious if you've looked at all what the motor is capable of as far as pushing it. Will the controller push more than 750 watts to it?
There's two places where this is apparent, maybe four if you see the web page from the manufacture of the motor that shows it as a 500watt motor and watch a few of Bolton Bike videos where it seems that motors can be pushed sometimes beyond their rating.
The first hint of a power issue is in the Owners Manual page 19 where it states,
Notice: It is recommended that users pay close attention and ride within the following limitations to ensure the hub motor does not overheat or become damaged from excessive loading.
- Do not climb hills steeper than 15% in grade.
- Pedal to assist the motor when climbing hills and accelerating from a stop.
- Avoid sudden starts and stops.oWhen climbing hills reduce the power output when possible. This can be accomplished by pedaling with the bike while in pedal assist modes 1 or 2.
- Accelerate slowly.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0799/9645/files/2018RadWagonOwnersManualUSA_updated_9-3-19.pdf?8669Also repeated on their site:
https://radpowerbikes.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002190354-Riding-on-Hilly-Terrain*** UPDATE *** THE ABOVE LINK IS NOW DEAD!!! I should have quoted what it said for prosperity. Now all I could find on their site is:
https://radpowerbikes.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002193913Why would you not keep it cranked to PAS 5 and full throttle?
I have... and yes the motor wattage on the display sure does climb to above 740 watts, but hell, its a 750 watt motor and Rad is selling it as a 750 watt eBike.... But I only do this for very short periods of time. I have never pushed it on a big long hill...
Guess what happens when you follow the directions and turn down your PAS to 1-3... ahhh you don't go above the magic 500 watts.
Here's is where Rad states the type of motor the RadWagon has:
https://radpowerbikes.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000949274-What-kind-of-motor-does-the-RadWagon-use-Now I know its possible that the manufacture has made a special version of the motor for RAD, however, it's also possible that the motor is actually their:
http://www.syimotor.com/productDe_5.htmlAnd is rated at 350W/500W as shown on their site and when asked it it could handle 750watts they said sure it can...
Either way, the controller is not designed to push out the power needed to maintain above 500 watts. It can for short periods, but its "rated current" is 9A or 432 watts cruising.
The second source I cannot seem to find online. I'll have to search my emails. But I seems to remember their responding to one of my emails where I sent them info on a trail I was hoping to take my bike on that starts with a rather steep 2.5 mile long uphill. Their response was the same as stated above with the one addition to try and keep the power down to 500 watts or less on the climb.