MP5 rolling resistance

[bentbikeguy]

Just finished assembling a tadpole trike with a MP5 rear hub motor, running a 36v battery. Reprogrammed the motor for 36v but still lots of rolling resistance. Pushing backwards it is very hard, rolling forward is easy but still resistance. I start with fully charged batter, go 2 miles and battery is 1/3 discharged approximately (can only go 8 miles before battery is basically dead.
Something is wrong but? checked clearances-ok from freewheel to frame dropout. Any suggestions or maybe a bad hub motor?
forget going up hills, no real ump!

[Tommycat]

Hi bentbikeguy,

I'd start by isolating the hub motor operation from the bike and any mechanical operations (IE brakes). It should spin freely no matter which direction. Prop up back wheel and spin, remove from drop-out and secure in vice and spin. See where resistance disappears. Did you remember to add the spacer washer between freewheel and hub? If after you have secured in vice and free wheel removed and still have resistance. Check back and we'll do some electrical checks if you so desire. But thinking that a shorted phase wire would still give same amount of resistance forward or backward... hummm.




Regards,
T.C.

[bentbikeguy]

will remove wheel today and yes I put a washer between the freewheel and the hub.

[bentbikeguy]

well I finally had time to pull wheel and discovered where the rolling resistance was coming from. There were two cap screws of the 6 that hold the disc brake rotor on that were rubbing on the motor. I shortened the two bolts and yes I checked all the bolts, and all appears good. having to recharge the battery and then cheek battery drain.

[Tommycat]

Glad to hear you got it sorted! Hopefully that's all it was and no other damage was done.

[bentbikeguy]

this ios my first hub drive build and my last. I want to sell this trike ASAP