Battery charging and differences.

[kreddie]

Hi All, I have a Batribike Dash and recently have felt that it didn't feel as powerful after being fully charged. I have had it four months and this happened even whilst the weather was warm.

I have searched the forum for various advice but am looking for an answer to what I am experiencing - the bike is good but there are a few niggles with it that are bugging me.

Firstly, when riding along, the bike does cut out when hitting the higher speeds sometimes although usually on full charge it doesn't or didn't do this, when the battery is depleted a little bit the bike will cut out more and is noticeable when going uphill or into a strong headwind. What is confusing me is that there is no cutout when on throttle and I have tested at various depletion levels but not when almost fully depleted and the power doesn't cut out - so when going uphill, and I am going about 14-15mph and the power dies, when it comes back on a couple of mph slower, won't this be less efficient than if it didn't cut out as I then get the bike back to speed with the battery putting more effort in? It feels like I can give more effort to maintain a set speed but the bike cutting out is sort of ruining the enjoyment of the ride a little bit - this is on the power settings and don't like using throttle when the bike has auto power assist available.

Secondly, ever since I have had the bike, when I place the Key in and switch on, I have to remove it and put it back in and switch on again as it is like the key switching the battery on doesn't work. This doesn't happen all the time but is intermittent and it is an occasional occurance.

Finally, regarding the feeling of less powerful - lately I have been charging the battery but the other day by chance, I turned the key to the on possition whilst the battery charger was displaying full charge and the light turned red again for an hour or two? Anyway, this morning coming to work mostly downhill and only 2 miles or so, the bike was on power level 6 but I was getting the cut out on a slight hill even with full charge, then one of the battery lights on the LED display went out whilst under load and i remember this never used to happen until at least about 8 - 10 miles. I know I am much fitter too than when I got the ebike as i use a hybrid for fitness and manage a 100 miles or so on that a week with moderate effort, I do about 200 miles between the both bikes weekly.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The only way to know whether the battery is properly charged is with a voltmeter. There can be lots of reasons for the power to cut out under load, but, again, the voltmeter is your friend. You should measure the voltage directly from the bottom of the battery.

The LEDs give a good idea of what's going on. If they go down to red when it cuts, that's voltage sag related to a charging or balance issue. If it just cuts with the LEDs staying on green or orange, it's most likely a connection issue.

If I was to take a wild guess, I'd say take the four screws out of the top of the battery, lift the top, and have a good look at the solder joints on the key-switch. Give them a wiggle too to see if the wires can move.

 

[kreddie]

Thanks d8veh, your the person I was hoping to get a response from.

The bike has the LED digital display and not the red and green light one you describe. I got the bike on cycle to work scheme so it still has a year and 8 months warranty for the battery and bike left, I am not much of an electrician and don't want to void my battery warranty as there are security stickers covering all the joins on the battery - I am more and more confident there is some sort of fault somewhere so just need to arm myself with some facts before I contact the seller.


I was told it is the controller when I queried it a couple of months back and it is just the way the controller on my bike works but it is getting worse in my opinion and is spoiling the fun of the bike for me.

My girlfriends eco stepper from amazon at half the price and only 24v and 8ah battery doesn't have this cut out issue and neither does a friends whisper.

On a new bike, should I be experiencing any cut out or am I right to take these issues up with the seller/supplier?

Thanks again d8veh

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Some bikes have a speed cut-out. The moment you go over 15mph, the power cuts, and then it cuts back in again when your speed drops below 15mph. This type of cut-out is like a switch, and it can feel like a fault.

Some bikes have power limiting when the battery goes down, so you can get cut-outs when going up-hill with a low battery. The cut-outs become more frequent as the battery goes down. They can be avoided by choosing a lower power level on the display.

Naturally, you battery cuts out when it's empty.

If your bike cuts out in any other circumstances, it's faulty.

Your battery is pretty standard. If you could borrow one from someone, you would know whether yours is faulty or if the problem lies elsewhere. Where do you live? Perhaps another forum member lives nearby.

 

[kreddie]

Cheers, I live in Prescot in Merseyside.

I have perseveered with the issue so perhaps it's a switch as you describe. It does cut out with a strong headwind which can make riding similar to uphill.

I do get the ranges from the bike but I do put effort in as well and I know the power does drop with the battery becoming low - I never get the cut out when on throttle and peddaling, it only happens on the assist levels.

I might have gotten too fit for the bike lol

Thanks for the advice d8veh