Battery recharge problem.

[Pete the fireman]

Hi all, My wife’s Pendleton ebike is 6 years old and rarely used, but the battery has been recharged two or three times per year. Recently I attempted to recharge the battery, which normally recharges in about twenty minutes, but after 3 hours had not charged up. The battery charger was very hot to touch, and the battery was slightly warm near the connection point. My question is, is it the battery defective or the charger ?
I am reluctant to spend £350 on a new battery only to find out it was the charger at fault.

 

[saneagle]

Hi all, My wife’s Pendleton ebike is 6 years old and rarely used, but the battery has been recharged two or three times per year. Recently I attempted to recharge the battery, which normally recharges in about twenty minutes, but after 3 hours had not charged up. The battery charger was very hot to touch, and the battery was slightly warm near the connection point. My question is, is it the battery defective or the charger ?
I am reluctant to spend £350 on a new battery only to find out it was the charger at fault.

What type of charger jack does it have? There are two types: standard 5.5mm jack; or 5-pin jack.

 

[Pete the fireman]

5.5mm jack

 

[saneagle]

5.5mm jack

We can get a good idea about what's right and wrong with the battery if you give us the results of two measurements. You need to measure the voltage on the battery's output terminals - typically, the two outer slots; and you need to measure the battery's voltage on its jack socket, which is not so easy because you need to get a probe on the internal side blade without touching the centre pin. If you short the two, you get a big spark. It can be done if you're careful and have steady hands. Alternatively, cut a jack off an old charger, spread the wires and connect the probes to them, then simply plug in.

 

[Nealh]

Whilst at it check the charger jack voltage, one should see 42v regsitered or there abouts. One can't short the charger jack, it is center positive and outer negative.