A few Giant Twist questions

[prState]

I had more questions, but some I've already answered. But here goes:

1) my energy power LED light is not working anymore (dropped the bike on the side). Everything still works except I no longer get the quick 4 flashing lights, just the slow blink on the handle bar switch. (battery LED lights are not working, in case that wasn't clear)

Is this easy to fix? I was thinking of trying the re-celling and it would be nice to fix that.

2) I've always done the "refresh" after 15 charges. I decided to look in my manual where it says refresh "extends" the life of the battery. I always thought it just brought it up to full charge. How does it extend the life of the battery?

3) How much over-voltage do you think the motor would support? I think I read that Flecc said it might support some in another post and might even improve performance some. As I'm working on a second custom pack, I thought about adding a few more volts to the package.

4) Eco mode -- that 50% reduction. To tell the truth, I find it difficult to feel the difference between full power and the eco, and I've been riding this since July of 2003. (Maybe because I don't ride up the mountains here, I don't know). Also, out of curiousity is it 50% of whatever the battery produces, or is it some set rate.

I think that's all for now
thanks
cg

*P.S. I have U.S. bike (which my manual calls Lafree "Lite"), but I believe it's your Twist.

 

[flecc]

I had more questions, but some I've already answered. But here goes:

1) my energy power LED light is not working anymore (dropped the bike on the side). Everything still works except I no longer get the quick 4 flashing lights, just the slow blink on the handle bar switch. (battery LED lights are not working, in case that wasn't clear)

Is this easy to fix? I was thinking of trying the re-celling and it would be nice to fix that.

2) I've always done the "refresh" after 15 charges. I decided to look in my manual where it says refresh "extends" the life of the battery. I always thought it just brought it up to full charge. How does it extend the life of the battery?

3) How much over-voltage do you think the motor would support? I think I read that Flecc said it might support some in another post and might even improve performance some. As I'm working on a second custom pack, I thought about adding a few more volts to the package.

4) Eco mode -- that 50% reduction. To tell the truth, I find it difficult to feel the difference between full power and the eco, and I've been riding this since July of 2003. (Maybe because I don't ride up the mountains here, I don't know). Also, out of curiousity is it 50% of whatever the battery produces, or is it some set rate.

I think that's all for now
thanks
cg

*P.S. I have U.S. bike (which my manual calls Lafree "Lite"), but I believe it's your Twist.

1) I'm not clear on this first question. Do you mean when the battery is running low or what? Can you answer the references to battery and switch separately so that I know what is meant in both cases.

2) Refresh is done because NiMh cells still suffer a degree of the memory effect which NiCads suffered so badly from. This caused cells to chemically remember the point the last charge began at and refuse to issue any charge below that point. By occasionally fully discharging, an undesirable memory is prevented from developing.

3) My mention was that a Lithium alternative which would have 26 volts would probably be acceptable, but it would need to be checked. I definitely wouldn't generally recommend using higher voltages on this bike as it could cause circuit failure on the complex mainboard, and in any case could mess up the software working.

4) Eco mode won't be observed on the flat. It just restricts the assist on hills since that's where drain is greatest. Try a steep hill both with and without and you'll see what I mean.

 

[prState]

1) I'm not clear on this first question. Do you mean when the battery is running low or what? Can you answer the references to battery and switch separately so that I know what is meant in both cases.

Yes, it's actually just the battery leds that no longer light at all.

The push button check on the battery doesn't work, and it stays dark when on the charger as well. I don't know if anyone else has ever had this happen.

I'm hoping maybe I just knocked a wire loose, but I've never opened the case before.

Thanks for the other info! I was only hoping I might overvolt it some, but I definitely don't want to fry it.

cg

 

[flecc]

I've never had that happen, and only heard of minor problems after recelling if the setup isn't exactly right. It's a very sensitive circuit and no repairs are possible other than connections. Here they are illustrated on my Twist site:

You can see the black and red wires from the meter where they join the sensor strip, and the meter circuit has a third connection as well. It's probably not worth opening up the battery just for this since the cells are covered in insulation layers which I've peeled aside for this photo, but if you recell, that would be a good time to check out the meter. In case you haven't seen it, this is the recelling page on my Twist site.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Lafree battery meter

I recently bought a 2nd hand 2006 Lafree, in excellent condition, but that is another story.
It was sold to me with the last of the led's flashing continuously, pressing the test button did nothing. Otherwise the battery functions perfectly and I can get 20 miles easily, only problem is not being able to check how much power is left until the red light starts flashing on the handlebar control.

I took the battery apart to have a look, (somebody else had opened it previously as the stickers were split), the black wire going to the sensor from the meter was broken, so I thought aha! sorted, just a case of soldering the free ends together. Couldn't find my soldering iron, so spliced the wires and taped them to see if that would sort it. All led's were now out, no flashing, pressed the test button all lit up and duly went out after a few seconds to show the battery is fully charged.
Problem is now whenever I press the test button it shows a full charge, however many miles I have done!
Any suggestions how I can fix it? Do I need a new meter? If so where can I get one?

Thanks

 

[Ian]

See the reply in your thread

 

[flecc]

Ditto.
.