ReneKMueller.com: E-Motion California *

Updates

Fri, August 29, 2008: First version of e-bike with photos and opening the control electronic box .

E-Motion California
The "E-Motion California" (also known as "ALU REX e-bike") is a low-cost e-bike (electric assisted bicycle) sold in Switzerland by Jumbo (2008/08) for CHF 1,490 (apprx. € 930).

It's the 2nd generation sold by Jumbo (Switzerland), the 1st generation was available for CHF 1,200 and then later for CHF 666 (€ 420) as blow-out.

It got rather bad reviews due limited range and weak motor (Kassensturz 20.05.2008 ).

The worst ebike discovered through the test was also the cheapest: California E-Motion 28" for CHF 1490, bought bei Jumbo. Criticism: insufficient bicycle quality and configuration. Jumbo said, their ebike was meant as entry model.

2x 28" wheels
frame height: 50cm
load: max 100kg
7-gear SRAM-hub
power regulation at handle
10-Lux front light
LED back light
seat suspension
front fork suspension
soft seat
bell
two leg stand
battery charge remote or on the bicycle
easy removable battery with handle
keys for on/off
charger at 220V
front-wheel drive: maintainance free, brushless
- manufacturer: Suzhou Bafang Electric Motor Science-Technology Co. LTD
- power 250 Watt
- power assist up to 25km/h
- batteries: lithium-ionen 24 V, 10 Ah, maintainance free
- charging time: 4 - 8 hours
- max distance: ca. 40 km
brakes: 2 rim brakes and back drive break
weight: ca. 30 kg with battery

E-Motion California

10Ah battery, lockable

front hub drive

Permanent Magnet brushless high speed hub motors, Voltage: 25.9V, Output: 250W

No-Name bicycle computer (speed, temperature, heart-beat)

2-modes of motor

Halogen front light

cables guided outside of the frame

"cheap" case

front suspension

battery easily removable (lockable by keys)

I used another photo-camera which didn't focus on the spot but in the background, so some details remained blurry, but I publish them nevertheless.

After 6 months:

5 days a week usage (4 miles per day), after 6 months bad battery which required to be replaced (for free)
service from Jumbo (Switzerland) good to excellent (also for other fixes)
quality of this ebike isn't promising, I suspect over the next 6 months another replacement of the battery is required, apprx. CHF 1000 cost in 12 months for 2 battery replacement (a CHF 500) unless they offer free replacement again (which would be nice, but that's something not to rely on necessarily), so apprx. CHF 83.00 monthly battery cost, which is way to high otherwise.

The drive has some control device which handles the current for the front drive, we opened the box in order to see if we can adjust the speed limitation where the front drive stops, which is by default at 23.9km/h according the bicycle computer. In Switzerland ebikes are allowed to assist up to 25km/h in order to stay as bicycles, otherwise require a plate and a motorcycle driver license if it assists faster than that.

We didn't find a potentiometer, but a 5-pin connector, likely a serial interface for the microcontroller (CY8C24423A 24PVXI 07).

control electronic

microcontroller CY8C24423A by Cypress

Typical voltage: 25.9V
Max current 14A
Typical current 7A
Under voltage 21.5V
Wheel size 28"
Speed signal input voltage: 1.2-4.4V
Brake input electron: high ( ) low (X), machine: on ( ) close ( )
No: WS080Z000549
Date: 02 2008

Cypress CY8C24423A Microcontroller Datasheet

.:.

E-Motion California

Features

Photos

First Experiences

Hacking the Bicycle?

References