Johnny and the Forum
I am currently an Rad e-bike owner and also a multiple owner of Electra Townie currently 6. I have watched Johnny's conversion of a step thru Townie model. This was the the Bafang 750 W do over. I am very capable of the conversion myself, just requesting your help on whether or not to go bigger than the 750 W , which battery and the best place to purchase my kit .Any support or feedback would be gratefully appreciated.
Brian from Sacramento Ca.
Hello Brian!
To go for anything larger than 750 watts for 40 of 50 States (currently in your state of California as well) is prohibited for Public roads travel. However, in practice I've never seen the police pull over e-bikes and inspect their rigs. I have a BBSHD (1,000 watts) on my Yuba Mundo cargo bike, but is modded by the seller, Luna Cycles to operate at 750 watts. I just wanted something overbuilt for purposes to haul heavy loads --- I'd already damaged the previous 750 watt BBS02 with the often-enough 400+ pound loads on that Mundo rig. I have kept the email sales receipt archived if they ever want to inspect my rig, which I depend on as my mainstay for transportation of groceries, work tools, etc. 6,000 miles and no police interactions. (Not that I expect them!)
All that said, you can purchase programming cable to effect the same changes to your 1,000 watt Bafang via a laptop. (Program to 750 watts). I must express ignorance on the other branded motors for tuning them down to 750 watts. Johnny sells egg-riders, that can program Bafangs as well. They are low profile sit on the handle bar as a display w/ wattage, and speed (and more!) and allow dual settings should you want over 750 watts on BBSHD / off road setting with the touch of a button. I did find the egg-riders a bit complicated to program, but as a boomer, I'm a poor example of tech savviness.
As for the battery placement? I am not familiar enough with the Townies, perhaps another person on the forum could help?
Sounds like an exciting project, keep us posted on progress if you can!