benelli classica help

[Wooleez]

Hello All!

It's my first time posting and I'm not sure if this should be posted in the technical section of the site, but I thought I would try it out here first, please move if you need to.

I bought a Benelli Classica in October from Ebay. It was a display model and when I received the bike it was in excellent condition. I used it for a couple months, everything was great! I love my bike and while it's a bit bulky I'm happy with it.

However, I moved house and because of this I haven't ridden it for a couple months. I've tried to ride it again recently and it won't turn on.

It's got a magnetic key that I hold up to the display and that's how it turns on. Unfortunatley the display won't work and it's not turning on anymore. I've tried charging the battery, moving wires about etc. but I can't find anything obvious.

I'm usually really good at finding answers online, but this has me stumped! I've checked through the manual as well and I've come up empty. I understand if I have to go to a shop to get it looked at, but the closest one to Liverpool that I can find is in Chester and when I rang they didn't pick up so I'm not sure if it's still open.

Basically, I have two questions. The first one, do any of you good people have any experience with this kind of situation and if so can you advise as to what it might be or what I can do? Alternatively, do you know where there is an E-Bike shop near Liverpool?

Thanks for reading!

 

[shemozzle999]

Have you tried the UK distributor?

http://www.benelli.co.uk/










u

 

[Wooleez]

Thanks for the response!

I did email them using the contact us form, but unfortunately haven't had a response.

 

[flecc]

Do you have a meter to check the battery voltage to see if it really has charged? Although nominally a 36 volt battery, fully charged it should read 42 volts. When out of use these lithium batteries should be charged at least one every two months since they can die if left too long out of action.
.

 

[Wooleez]

Well it's got a display and button next to the battery so you can see how charged the battery is. At the moment when I press the button it's reading a full charge and I have recently charged it overnight to see if that made any difference. Unfortunately, it still won't turn on.

Is there some other kind of battery meter I should be using?

 

[martin@onbike]

Don't know if you've tried this number and address, but this is listed as the Head Office:
08444128450
ebikes@motogb.co.uk
White Bear Yard,
Adlington,
Chorley
Lancashire PR7 4HZ

 

[Wooleez]

Thanks very much! I will try emailing them to see if they can help.

 

[flecc]

Well it's got a display and button next to the battery so you can see how charged the battery is. At the moment when I press the button it's reading a full charge and I have recently charged it overnight to see if that made any difference. Unfortunately, it still won't turn on.

Is there some other kind of battery meter I should be using?

I was referring to a multimeter to measure the voltage, but since you have a full charge indicated, the battery probably isn't the cause. Hopefully Benelli will assist in solving the problem.
.

 

[Andy_H]

If the bike was sold by this company, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Benelli-Letizia-Electric-Bike-e-Bike-Brand-New-2015-Model-/261872648296 then its the same as the address above (in Adlington).

This Ebay advert suggests a garage in Liverpool selling them http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Benelli-Classica-N3-Pedelec-E-Bike-/191778505618?hash=item2ca6e3c392:g:i5QAAOSwwPhWkOzN

if you still get no response from anyone, Adlington is only a few miles from where I live so could pop round and ask them if they know of someone who could help in Liverpool, (well - when the weather turns a little better as I don't have a car)

 

[Lancslass]

Nice gesture Andy.

 

[Wooleez]

Thanks everyone!! I contacted Benelli and they told put me in touch with my local dealer, who happens to be one of the Ebay listings Andy_H posted. Unfortunately the local dealer doesn't really know much about this particular bike, but they care going to have a look at it on Thursday. They think it could be a dirty connection and if that's the case then it should be an easy fix. I will keep you posted!

Thanks again!

 

[MartynB]

Hello Wooleez.
My wifes bike has suffered the same problem as yours. Did you get the problem resolved?
Thanks

 

[Deleted member 4366]

All these LCDs work the same in principle. They work independently from the motor controller.

They have plus and minus battery voltage supply wires that are permanently live. There's a switch somewhere in the panel that, when operated, powers a cpu. The cpu then operates a latch that keeps the power switched on for the cpu and sends it back down a wire to power the motor controller. Under some conditions (switch or sleep), the cpu will unlatch the supply, which switches off the LCD and motor controller. That might sound complicated, but it really is very simple.

If the LCD doesn't come on, there's three reasons I can think of:

1. There is no power in the supply wires, i.e. bad connection to the battery. You have to check the connections to the motor controller and between the motor controller and battery.

2. My understanding is that the Benelli uses a magnet in the key, which means a reed switch in the LCD panel. Reed switches are easily damaged, especially if the magnet is too strong. You would have to disassemble the panel to check that.

3. Water in the panel. That's quite a problem on other panels. The water gets in and wreaks havoc with the electronics. Again, you have to disassemble to check.

The probability is that it's 2 or 3, in which case you need a replacement panel and selector assembly if you're not capable of basic electronic repairs.

If you know anything about electronics, you can check it out. The reed switch can probably be replaced for a few pence, or you could consider replacing the whole assembly with a standard panel and selector if the repair bill for a replacement unit is too high.

The Benelli is a standard Chinese ebike, using standard components. All are modular and replaceable if you have a little knowhow.