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[Mike Werner]

This may be old news to you, but had never given a thought. yesterday even I did my first "long" trip on my BMW C-Evolution scoot. Something that had been in the back of my mind, was the fact that the engine braking/regen is very powerful. I rarely use my brakes, just the engine. But in the back of my mind was the danger coming from vehicles behind me, so I stopped using the engine brake when slowing down if I saw cars behind me.

But yesterday night, I noticed when riding through some hills that behind me was well lit up in red, but going up it wasn't. Quick test, and yes, the brake light come on automatically when you use your engine brakes.

I can't remember seeing that on the Zero I tested. Do other electric bike have this???

[Justin Andrews]

On the 2013's onwards the best answer I can give for the Zero's is "it depends"

As far as I can tell the engine braking regen does not activate the brake light, but the brake lever applied regen does.
So on a bike set up like my own (0% off throttle regen, 100% brake regen) then yes my brake light comes on during regen.

[Mike Werner]

It makes sense that the stop light goes on when brake regenning, but it makes much more sense, and safer, when using the engine. The BMW engine brake is so powerful I rarely use the brakes.

This thing makes me feel much safer, since now cars will see me slowing down even when only using the engine. I would have to assume that it's something all manufacturers will have to do.

[firepower]

Well if the bike is slowing whether brakes or regen the brake light should go on.

[benswing]

I don't think the brakes come on for Zeros or Brammos when using regen.

[Richard230]

Hey Mike!  Was that you I saw riding your C-Evolution scooter to the EICMA while sitting on a couple of plastic chairs?   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/on-my-way-to-eicma-2015-comfortably-on-my-scooter.htm

[Mike Werner]

Hey Mike!  Was that you I saw riding your C-Evolution scooter to the EICMA while sitting on a couple of plastic chairs?   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/on-my-way-to-eicma-2015-comfortably-on-my-scooter.htm

Yup, that was me. Need my comfies.... 

[kingcharles]

I can't remember seeing that on the Zero I tested. Do other electric bike have this???

My Vectrix did that too. Their multi function throttle was simply perfect.

My Brammo Empulse doesn't illuminate the brake light under regeneration braking unfortunately.

[benswing]

I can't remember seeing that on the Zero I tested. Do other electric bike have this???

My Vectrix did that too. Their multi function throttle was simply perfect.

I agree, Vectrix did several things really right, like brake lights during regen.  Also, key placement, permanently attached cord, recharging status on the dash, etc.

[NoiseBoy]

The engine braking on my old ktm was much stronger than anything on the Zero. Never saw it as an issue. You can always just pull the lever enough to light the brake light without actually braking.

[kingcharles]

Vectrix used a very passionate design team (Robrady) Google them and you'll see that they are still proud of their Vectrix accomplishments!
 Too bad the Vectrix management wasn't of the same caliber...

Their last Vectrix design (VT1) never made it to production but I am sure that it would have worked really well in urban use.

[Mike Werner]

Yeah, I was not impressed when their former CEO was presenting at Eicma a few years back, with sunglasses on like a gangster. Few other journos commented on his attitude...

Here's a photo of him

[kingcharles]

In retrospect, gangster was not far from reality

[BSDThw]

If you like you Zero(Sevcon) can do.

I post a part of the dcf-file of the Sevcon settings and you can see the red marked part is for switchin an analog-output.
I do the same when I use my stepless regen brake. This analog output will activate a relay that is parallel to the hand and foot brake light switch.

[2910sub1]
ParameterName=Throttle Flags
ParameterValue=0x00c4
ObjectType=7
DataType=6
AccessType=rw
LowLimit=0
HighLimit=0xFFFF
PDOMapping=0
DefaultValue=0
;SEVCONFIELD OBJECT_VERSION=2
;SEVCONFIELD ACCESS_LEVEL=4
;SEVCONFIELD EEPROM=traction.throttle_flags
;SEVCONFIELD WRITE_IN_PREOPERATIONAL_ONLY=TRUE
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBER_FORMAT=BIT_SPLIT
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBER_SPLIT=15
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Proportional Braking
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x1
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x0
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=No
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Yes
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Directional Throttle
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x2
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x1
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=No
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Yes
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=2
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Speed Limit Mode
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x4
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x2
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Proportional to throttle
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Fixed at maximum
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=3
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Braking Directional Throttle
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x8
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x3
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=No
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Yes
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=4
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Reverse Speed Limit Encoding
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x10
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x4
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=No
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Yes
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=5
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Handbrake Fault
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x20
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x5
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=6
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Proportional Speed Limit in Braking
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x40
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x6
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=7
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Driveability profile generation style (some builds only)
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x80
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x7
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Use lowest values
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Use active profile only
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=8
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Allow step change in steer angle
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x100
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x8
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=No
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Yes
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=9
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Virtual FS1
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x200
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0x9
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=10
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Absolute Steer Angle in single traction
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x400
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0xA
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=11
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Separate Seat Regen Braking settings
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x800
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0xB
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=12
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Slave Left Motor Speed Inversion
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x1000
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0xC
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=13
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Enable Brake Light when Neutral Braking
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x2000
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0xD
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Disabled
;SEVCONFIELD 1=Enabled
;SEVCONFIELD SPLIT=14
;SEVCONFIELD PARAMETERNAME=Inching functionality
;SEVCONFIELD BITMASK=0x4000
;SEVCONFIELD BITSHIFT=0xE
;SEVCONFIELD LOW_LIMIT=0
;SEVCONFIELD HIGH_LIMIT=1
;SEVCONFIELD NUMBERFORMAT=2
;SEVCONFIELD 0=Generic
;SEVCONFIELD 1=With E.Park Brake