Aaaargh!!!!! Another Kalkhoff question

[danfoto]

I'm reluctant to believe this myself, but while we're waiting for our new chainwheel and sprockets to arrive, I got back from Tesco this morning and put the battery on charge on account of it being nearly out of steam.

It's been on charge now the best part of two hours and it's still flashing one red. This is an 18Ah battery that's 16 months old, and it's on the normal Kalkhoff charger - not the fast one.

I've been meaning to check for a while that our batteries are still giving the mileage we usually get out of them, on account of a growing suspicion that we seem to be charging them more often, but I've never got it together.

So ... today's Kalkhoff Kwestion is - what are the signs that one of these batteries is on the way out?

 

[KirstinS]

Reduced range is one sign for sure

Worth checking it's not a charger fault to start with - just to have ticked that box

If you have a multimeter check the charger is outputting 42v

 

[danfoto]

If you have a multimeter check the charger is outputting 42v

Why should it be outputting 42v?

Is the output voltage simply measured across the + and - terminals of the charger with mains on and no battery? Or does the charger need to sense a battery to provide an output?

 

[flecc]

Switch off, remove the battery from the charger, then plug it on again and switch on the charger. It may just be the connection, since those blade contacts do corrode and cause this to happen. Here's a photo of the corrosion lines on the bike contacts, the contacts inside the battery can also be similarly marked:

 

[103Alex1]

I use contralube on mine - meant to be good for staving off corrosion.

 

[tillson]

So ... today's Kalkhoff Kwestion is - what are the signs that one of these batteries is on the way out?

My experience with the Panasonic battery is that you gradually lose range as the battery ages. It can be difficult to detect how much the battery has deteriorated, especially if you ride a wide variety of different routes, because consumption per mile will vary from route to route. I ride the exact same one 90% of the time, so it's fairly easy for me to get a feel for the amount of battery deterioration that has occurred.

If you are developing battery anxiety, it might be worth having a, "control route" that you can ride periodically to see how the battery compares over a period of time.

 

[KirstinS]

Why should it be outputting 42v?

Is the output voltage simply measured across the + and - terminals of the charger with mains on and no battery? Or does the charger need to sense a battery to provide an output?

That's right - 42v is the charge voltage for a 36v battery

 

[danfoto]

That's right - 42v is the charge voltage for a 36v battery

But mine is a 24V battery, hence the question. I didn't know they did 36V ones

Actually I just thought to look under the charger, and sure enough there's a label - 29.3V.

 

[tillson]

But mine is a 24V battery, hence the question. I didn't know they did 36V ones

Actually I just thought to look under the charger, and sure enough there's a label - 29.3V.

The new Panasonic motor units are now 36 volts.

 

[KirstinS]

But mine is a 24V battery, hence the question. I didn't know they did 36V ones

Actually I just thought to look under the charger, and sure enough there's a label - 29.3V.

Sorry yes, it won't be 42v for you then

 

[Wigan.PT]

I've had something weird happen today along the same lines with my BS10. (I truly love it btw and will post a proper review of my first few months as a Elecbike user/owner soon)

I have a new battery that I have been using for the last month and today on the way home it stopped working (the assist that is).

Strange thing is that the battery shows full on the lights and on the trip computer but the range says 0.

I fully charged it and it still says 0 on the range but that the battery is full ??????????

Any ideas anyone pretty pretty please I have only not had it for a few hours but I love it that much I cant stand the thought of being without it

 

[wissy]

Is it a Bosch one??

 

[Wigan.PT]

Is it a Bosch one??

Yes its the new 400w one

 

[wissy]

Just googled BS10 and it looks like a Bosch notor set up like my KTM... Mine has same battery!

I have been having the exact same problem and still not sure if it has resolved itself. Got the possible fix from Martin and I will do separate post to thank him soon when I can give proper update. ( xxx )

It does not say anything in the manuals and it seems a really stupid stupid thing to have to do but apparantly if the dial at the front (showing miles, speed, etc) is screwed in too tight then the holder bends just a small small amount which can lead to the dial not connecting with dial holder. The connection then may not be true!

Ther are four allen key things at back of dial holder and where the 'joins' are for the two parts of the holder there should be a gap of 1-2mm BUT I have a KTM so not sure if the same gap applies for your handlebar stem thing? asically too tight means bending somhow and the metal blobby connectors do not connect properly. This can lead to either a sudden loss of assistance or the recharging gold blobby connector between dial and dial holder that charges the internal battery in the dial (separate battery!).. Basically the dial's battery goes flat...... Or just a loose connection.

To make sure i was told to leave 1-2mm gap on the dial barcket holder thing with 4 allen keys.

Also take dial off and find usb connector flap.. (Well hidden).. Recharge the dial connected to usb cable connected to pc or laptop. Leave a few hours to make sure..... message will show saying usb charging. message does not show when connecting to usb mains adapter so avoid. Does not say charged either I don't think?

BUT I still don't know if that is actually the problem with mine as the bike works well for say 100 or 300 miles then dies.. Anyhow have checked the gap and charged the dial and am up running again for now.

There is actually no way to know how to tell if dial is connected properly nor if the rechargeable battery insaide the dial is charged or discharging when it is on the bike. I have asked KTM etc for a response and Eelectrifying Cycles have kind,y passed on my request and concerns onto Magura. None of these big companies have replied to a simple enquiry thus far and the whole uk support system for KTM / Bosch traders and customers also seem to have serious weaknesses.

Anyhow.. Hope you get it sorted

 

[Wigan.PT]

Thank you very much for the help but my dial doesn't have a usb port (100% I opened it up and no hint of one).

I've tried another battery and its the same it reads a full battery but 0 miles range.

I called 50cycles and they promised to call me back but haven't for two days .........

At a huge loss what to do next now

 

[wissy]

Thank you very much for the help but my dial doesn't have a usb port (100% I opened it up and no hint of one).

I've tried another battery and its the same it reads a full battery but 0 miles range.

I called 50cycles and they promised to call me back but haven't for two days .........

At a huge loss what to do next now

I couldn't find mine for ages... It is on the right side of the dial... On the side... It has a flap rubbery thing protecting it which needs opening up. It is extremely well hidden. Look again??

 

[danfoto]

Wissy, I just wanted to say that I love your way of explaining things. It's wonderful.

Seriously, you should go into business writing alternative instruction books for people who don't get on with instruction books.

If I had your talent, I would for sure.

 

[Jonah]

See the picture from the manuel.

 

[Wigan.PT]

See the picture from the manuel. View attachment 6238

Thank you very much for all the help but its different on the Kalkhoff.

I have gone into into it (opened it up to look if there was a port inside) and it just hasn't got anything like that. I opened up the base unit it sits in too and nothing in there either.

I did find one problem when I checked it all out though, the cable under the forks that leads to the lights had moved and rubbed on the front wheel and exposed the wires and thats what caused the error message that came up just before it stopped working I'm sure (it happened when was trying it out to see if there was a loose connection anywhere). I have fixed that and now just have no idea what to do next?

I think it needs resetting somehow but just no idea how to do it?

Whatever happens I will post it so that the next person will have some ideas as well.

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

I think you may have the 2012 version. Please see link below to 2013 display. 2012 version has a different display and more levels of control. The 2013 version also has thumb controls.

2013 bosch display - Google Search

2012 dislpay looks like link below
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=2012+bosch+display&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&biw=1024&bih=685&wrapid=tlif137292745447010&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=3DXVUcLcGMSu0QWFtYGYDA#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=2012+bosch+e+bike+display&oq=2012+bosch+e+bike+display&gs_l=img.3...17531.18515.0.18695.7.7.0.0.0.0.59.400.7.7.0....0...1c.1.19.img.TGXB5-XdLks&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.d2k&fp=cca9abb3f6aaad2&biw=1024&bih=685&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=lF57mfZoZIJ8LM:;oZ9sPiMOIMHPbM;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.electricbikeshed.co.uk%2Fimages%2Fbosch-lcd-display.jpg;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.electricbikeshed.co.uk%2Felectric-bike-news%2Fbosch-electric-bike-drive-system.html;1181;825