Battery

scooterchris

Finding my (electric) wheels
Sep 13, 2019
6
0
67
Herne Bay
Hi all. Just bought my first e-bike. Its been standing in a mates garage for a couple of years. Ive charged it for 24 hours. It only went for about 20 yards before cutting out, after pedalling
a bit it cut back in and so on. Are the batteries shot? Its an old Powabyke Shopper 36v. Thanks. Chris
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
Yes. Make sure that you replace them with electric vehicle batteries, not the type that are used for alarms. They're about £25 each.
 

Andy-Mat

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 26, 2018
2,214
562
78
Hi all. Just bought my first e-bike. Its been standing in a mates garage for a couple of years. Ive charged it for 24 hours. It only went for about 20 yards before cutting out, after pedalling
a bit it cut back in and so on. Are the batteries shot? Its an old Powabyke Shopper 36v. Thanks. Chris
You have received the correct answer already I see that you requested, but do make sure that you learn exactly how to keep your new battery in a good working condition.
There are a lot of people around who THINK they know, but some here are getting very poor mileage from new batteries....that should never happen with a carefully used new battery....it should last years! To my mind at least 5, but it requires a quality cell to achieve that.
If asked, I recommend Panasonic cells, but there are other good makes as well, but as I have never used them, I cannot recommend them. All my batteries had Panasonic cells.....
One on my first e-bike only, and I have two batteries for my current bike! That is ra eally "nice to have" and you are safer for long bike rides!!
regards
Andy
 
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vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
You have received the correct answer already I see that you requested, but do make sure that you learn exactly how to keep your new battery in a good working condition.
There are a lot of people around who THINK they know, but some here are getting very poor mileage from new batteries....that should never happen with a carefully used new battery....it should last years! To my mind at least 5, but it requires a quality cell to achieve that.
If asked, I recommend Panasonic cells, but there are other good makes as well, but as I have never used them, I cannot recommend them. All my batteries had Panasonic cells.....
One on my first e-bike only, and I have two batteries for my current bike! That is ra eally "nice to have" and you are safer for long bike rides!!
regards
Andy
He has lead batteries! He might struggle to find any with Panasonic cells. Is your advice a bit confusing for him?
 

Andy-Mat

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 26, 2018
2,214
562
78
He has lead batteries! He might struggle to find any with Panasonic cells. Is your advice a bit confusing for him?
Now why would he want to continue with them? But of course he can choose what he wishes!
I assumed that he came here for good up to date advice!
As he would be far better off with a voltage equivalent, good quality Li-ion battery., instead of heavy old Lead Acid.
Li-ion are lighter, have generally a far longer range (around double in my limited experience!) and far more fun for him!!
Lead acid Batteries for e-bikes, belong in the Ark..... See here:-
Lead (gel) batteries
The oldest variant, which is used less and less every year. There are a lot of reasons for this, the main one is a low capacity. Gel batteries weigh a lot, and the battery makes the construction of the bike very heavy. In addition, it is slowly charging: it takes 8-10 hours to fully charge. They have a short life also , only 150-200 cycles.
I took it that he wanted good, modern and useful information from us all here on Pedelec, but for 2019 and the future of course!
Not for 10 or more years ago!
You yourself could have posted that as well, instead of posting to me?
Or did you not know that you can swap one out for the other with a bit of very simple DIY work, and just buy a compatible charger as well?
Remember, with the old battery, he has all the bits available to make the connection, but only if he so wishes!
REMEMBER, HIS CHOICE EITHER WAY!
Do have a great day, I am!:):):)
Andy
 
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vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
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Basildon
Now why would he want to continue with them? But of course he can choose what he wishes!
You obviously don't know that bike. They're very heavy without the batteries, the motor takes high current and the bike isn't worth very much. A lithium conversion is an option, but it would be very hard to justify. Rather than spend £300 on a lithium conversion, I think I'd rather put the money towards a modern ebike. People with cheap bikes normally want to take cheap options. £75 is the cost of new lead batteries.

I need to add one thing. From the problem description in the OP, I'm assuming this common version.


not this one that is not so ubiquitous.
 
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D

Deleted member 25121

Guest
Hi all. Just bought my first e-bike. Its been standing in a mates garage for a couple of years. Ive charged it for 24 hours. It only went for about 20 yards before cutting out, after pedalling
a bit it cut back in and so on. Are the batteries shot? Its an old Powabyke Shopper 36v. Thanks. Chris
Hi Chris, if you can't fathom out the posting about using Panasonic batteries don't worry, neither can we.
 

Andy-Mat

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 26, 2018
2,214
562
78
You obviously don't know that bike. They're very heavy without the batteries, the motor takes high current and the bike isn't worth very much. A lithium conversion is an option, but it would be very hard to justify. Rather than spend £300 on a lithium conversion, I think I'd rather put the money towards a modern ebike. People with cheap bikes normally want to take cheap options. £75 is the cost of new lead batteries.

I need to add one thing. From the problem description in the OP, I'm assuming this common version.


not this one that is not so ubiquitous.
So you are not sure of which model of bike the OP is talking about?
Furthermore, surely mentioning such varied and possible options are part of our "job" here to suggest, and the job of the owner to decide how he wants to go on or not?
We simply give him possible ideas I feel, helpful ones hopefully!
It could be that he wants to "lighten the load", and only buy a new battery, and keep costs down as far as possible?
Now would you agree that is possible or not?
Or do you really think that he or she would ask us here for help in the way that they did, if he/she just wanted to go round the corner and buy a new bike for 2000 pounds or so?
I think he/she would have rephrased his question if that was the aim....
I have to wonder sometimes where you are coming from and why you are so unfriendly to some here.
Think on it before answering please?
Andy
 
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vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
I would suggest that you stop trying to dig yourself out of the holes you keep falling into. Most of what you write is very misleading and confusing for these guys that are trying to sort out their simple problems that in most cases have simple solutions.
 

Andy-Mat

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 26, 2018
2,214
562
78
I would suggest that you stop trying to dig yourself out of the holes you keep falling into. Most of what you write is very misleading and confusing for these guys that are trying to sort out their simple problems that in most cases have simple solutions.
I agree that you yourself probably find it very misleading, you need a background in engineering to understand fully some of the concepts I have mentioned, so please do not be ashamed that your education does not suffice to understand everything.
I try to make it simple, but maybe I do not always achieve that, sadly!
But nobody else has complained, only you.
So apparently, most here, at least the ones who were interested enough to understood fully what I wrote.
Plus a few were kind enough to send personal messages of thanks, possibly to NOT attract your "attention" maybe, but just guessing on that point!
Also, generally I always say that anyone who has any questions, to please simply ask me.
But you have not taken that opportunity, possibly for your own strange reasons that I really do not even want to try and understand!
But you just made unfriendly and even rude comments, for no reason, simply exposing yourself to ridicule each and every time.
That says a lot about you and your possibly a very poor educational upbringing. Sad!
Though psychology has been a hobby of mine for over 50 years now, I am not advanced enough to fully understand why you do such things.
It must make your everyday life very difficult, again, if true how sad?
Why do you have to try to prove something to yourself, each and every time?
The only explanation I can think of that truly fits to my mind, is the well known Dunning-Kruger Effect.
But only a trained psychiatrist, working closely with you, can be 100% certain.
But I personally go for a better than 50% chance, I would even bet money on it....
 
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soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,899
6,507
the bike is crap it is not worth spending anything on it ;)
 

mike killay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 17, 2011
3,012
1,629
Lecturing, schoolmasterly tone,
Need to put people down,
Superiority complex, egotistical.
Belittles people unnecessarily,
Will not admit that he gave the wrong advice.
Reminds me of our old friend from a year ago or so!
 
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D

Deleted member 25121

Guest
Vastly overestimates and overstates his own abilities
Generally wrong on things technical
A knowledge of electronics that doesn't extend much further than Ohm's law
Rather than giving helpful advice just complicates things unnecessarily in order to make the uninformed think he's an expert
When questioned about his postings just resorts to abuse, a typical sign of insecurity
A source of great of amusement to the informed but a source of confusion, sometimes dangerous, to those in need of assistance

Is he just a troll we wonder.....
 

Andy-Mat

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 26, 2018
2,214
562
78
Vastly overestimates and overstates his own abilities
Generally wrong on things technical
A knowledge of electronics that doesn't extend much further than Ohm's law
Rather than giving helpful advice just complicates things unnecessarily in order to make the uninformed think he's an expert
When questioned about his postings just resorts to abuse, a typical sign of insecurity
A source of great of amusement to the informed but a source of confusion, sometimes dangerous, to those in need of assistance

Is he just a troll we wonder.....
When I see such posts, I am reminded of that very old but true saying:-
"you can lead a horse to water, but he must drink all on his own!"
What I have not seen here as yet, are some informed discussions about any of my posts, or posting some viable "evidence" to prove a point either way....
But that is exactly how IoT Trolls work, no evidence, no discussion, just rudeness....
All because they feel hidden and therefore safe!"
Character wise, they are simply appalling! There is plenty of evidence about their psyche, on the web, from renowned professionals, if anyone is interested
But please continue as you see fit, as its all simply "water off a Duck's back" as far as I am concerned.
I do not let IoT trolls affect me negatively, never have, never will.
If you trolls were clever enough to even go back and read ALL the posts, starting with the first attacks of a certain person (who does not appently understand Ohm's law, but claims to be an e-bike professional too), here on me, you might understand a completely different story...
But knowing trolls, they never ever revue any evidence that might prove them completely wrong.
Time will tell of course!!
I wish everyone a great day, the same great day I am having....
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
When I see such posts, I am reminded of that very old but true saying:-
"you can lead a horse to water, but he must drink all on his own!"
What I have not seen here as yet, are some informed discussions about any of my posts, or posting some viable "evidence" to prove a point either way....
But that is exactly how IoT Trolls work, no evidence, no discussion, just rudeness....
All because they feel hidden and therefore safe!"
Character wise, they are simply appalling! There is plenty of evidence about their psyche, on the web, from renowned professionals, if anyone is interested
But please continue as you see fit, as its all simply "water off a Duck's back" as far as I am concerned.
I do not let IoT trolls affect me negatively, never have, never will.
If you trolls were clever enough to even go back and read ALL the posts, starting with the first attacks of a certain person (who does not appently understand Ohm's law, but claims to be an e-bike professional too), here on me, you might understand a completely different story...
But knowing trolls, they never ever revue any evidence that might prove them completely wrong.
Time will tell of course!!
I wish everyone a great day, the same great day I am having....
I think you need to reflect on some of these comments made. There are at least 4 established members, who have been working with ebikes for many years, including myself, basically saying the same thing about your posts. I don't know about the others, but I'd be happy to say it to your face if it helps.
 
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Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,918
8,533
61
West Sx RH
A fifth one can't be bothered to waste his time.
 
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mike killay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 17, 2011
3,012
1,629
Well, an analysis of his reply is that far from giving cogent arguments for what he has posted, he just proceeds to air his egotistical deluded sense of superiority, assures us that he is not at all worried by valid criticism and is content to carry on ploughing his lonely road.
WHY does he keep coming back here under various guises to plague us?
 
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scooterchris

Finding my (electric) wheels
Sep 13, 2019
6
0
67
Herne Bay
Hello all. Many thanks for your advice. Yes, I just want to get this bike going properly so that I can run around locally and do shopping etc. for the friend whose carer I am.
I have replaced the batteries with the correct ones and the bike is doing exactly the same. Any more ideas? Could the problem be brushes? Does anyone know where I can get a proper wiring diagram?
It is the older version of the shopper.(top picture). Now, please play nicely!
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,918
8,533
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West Sx RH
Being SLA chem the hub I assume is the older brushed type so either needs replacement hub motor brushes or the controller is at fault. You can check by looking at the phase wires if there are two or four then it is a brushed motor, most only have a pair of brushes but some like my Heinzman on the Swizzbee utilise four (2 pairs of phase wires/brushes). If a brushed motor you can rule out a controller fault by bypassing the controller and wire the batteries direct to the motor just to check whether it works or not.
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
There's a two position switch. In one position, the throttle only works when you pedal. In the other position, it works normally but only after you start pedalling. Try using the throttle with the switch in each position. That might show whether it's a problem with the pedal sensor.

You would have needed new batteries anyway. SLAs self-discharge, which deteriorates and eventually kills them if you don't charge them occasionally.

Do you know the designation of the batteries or have you got a link to the exact ones you bought? Maybe the previous ones were the wrong type.

I can't think of any way that the brushes or controller would make your bike behave the way you described.
 
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