Method for Mounting ebrake Switch on Tektro Draco Hydraulic Brake Lever

[spinningmagnets]

Awesome tip, thanks for posting, and especially for the great pics. I feel erase "power cut-off" handles are very important, and often overlooked by new ebikers who are excited to simply get their kit running.

[JPLabs]

I got a Bafang Hydraulic Brake Sensor for my bike, which has Tektro Draco disc brakes. They are pretty popular brakes on mid-priced bikes like what you find at Bikes Direct.

These particular levers are shaped such that there isn't a good position to mount the sensor and included magnet reliably and cleanly, with the included double-stick tape. The magnet needs to move AWAY from the sensor when the brake is applied. If the sensor and magnet are mounted on the top or bottom, with the only large, flat mounting surfaces, the motion is wrong and I could not get the sensor to actuate.

Here's what I found works well - mounting to the front face:

The sensor mounted fairly well with the included tape, on the front of the lever housing, right next to where the lever sticks out. I might glue it later.

Adjacent to the sensor I superglued a 1/4" x 1/8" rare earth magnet. This magnet works well, and is a bit smaller than the stock one. I think a tiny magnet like a 1/16 x 1/16 x 1/4 bar magnet should even work, but this was what I had. I put the magnet as close as possible to the sensor, with the lever reach adjusted as far out as I thought I'd ever want it. That way there is room to adjust the lever closer, without making the magnet gap too large. Actuation has been perfectly reliable for me.





Brake Applied:


I chose to put is on the LH side because it's used like a clutch when shifting. Feels natural to me.

This is as set-up from first test. I still need to trim the tape and paint the magnet black. I might even apply a little epoxy putty over the magnet to blend the shape better.

So, that's one way to do it.