Capacitors in KT Controller blown

[Theophilus]

My ebike was failing when going up steep hills. I would switch it off for 20 seconds and then the motor would start again. This failure slowly got more regular and worse. Yose Power said the motor was faulty and, as it was still under warranty, they sent a replacement. I finally fitted the new motor and set off, and after 100 metres it failed. And this time it wouldn't re-start.
This got me looking at the Controller ( KT36ZWSRT-01). The two capacitors on the circuit board looked suspect and my friend, who is a deft hand with the soldering iron, replaced them. My ebike is now fully working again. Cost of components less than a fiver.
I am now looking for a wheel so I can utilise my spare motor

 

[Nealh]

I doubt if the caps had blown because when they do the evidence will be clear to see and smell.
When the bike fails on hiils it is usaually due to slow speed and too much current on steep hil, this causes a lot of heat and the mosfets will eventually reach their olsp temp and thermally cut out bt temporary shorting. Once cooled they will switch again until they get hot again, better mosfets are needed or more mosfets.

 

[StuartsProjects]

The two capacitors on the circuit board looked suspect

Suspect in what way ?

 

[Theophilus]

Suspect in what way ?

They were visibly damaged

 

[Theophilus]

It looks like the heat from the adjacent resistor (which looks like a wire link), which was excessively darkenened by excess current, melted the plastic covering of the capacitor and caused the top of the capacitor to expand. There was no visible damage to the mosphets.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Electrolytic capacitors that are failing, do expand.

 

[Theophilus]

Electrolytic capacitors that are failing, do expand.

What do you want me to say? Visibly damaged capacitor was replaced. Ebike working fine now.

 

[StuartsProjects]

But what caused the damage, is it likely that both capacitors were heated and melted at the same time ? If it were my bike I would be curious.

Electrolytics do fail, due to overvoltage, or not having been used in a while. The start gassing internally and to stop them injuring people they normally have weak spots, triangular lines, in the stop of the alluminium can.

Did the capacitors have a suitable voltage rating ?

 

[Theophilus]

I burnt out the previous motor after climbing a long and very steep hill. The heat generated by this probably contibuted to the eventual failure of capacitor.

Ive no idea if the capacitors had a suitable voltage rating. I guess they did as the controller came as part of the kit.

 

[Theophilus]

Photos showing the blackened resistor and the two capacitors, one with a split plastic cover. The assumption is that the resistor overheated and transferred the heat to the capacitor causing the plastic to split in the process.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Well, its possible the current measuring resistor got hot enough, cant say I have touched one when the controller is in use. I have a similar KT controller and it did get failry hot the other day going up a long steep hill an max assist.

The capacitors in the picture are 50V so OK for a 36V battery.

 

[Theophilus]

The 470uf 50v capacitor showing the melted plastic covering

 

[WheezyRider]

The 470uf 50v capacitor showing the melted plastic covering

Yep, that capacitor has blown. Have a look at the top, it is slightly bulged. There was a huge problem with dodgy electrolytic caps 10 to 15 years ago, causing all sorts of electronic kit to die prematurely. I used to be given loads of "dead" motherboards and get them running again by replacing the caps. You'd see bulging at the top initially, then soon after they would often short and fail with a bang. There are probably still some bad caps out there on the market in China.

Good job getting it sorted

 

[StuartsProjects]

There was a huge problem with dodgy electrolytic caps 10 to 15 years ago, causing all sorts of electronic kit to die prematurely.

I used to be given loads of "dead" motherboards and get them running again by replacing the caps.

BTDTGTTS.

If you had a controller apart and found one capacitor bulging, would be an idea to replace the lot, they are not expensive.

 

[WheezyRider]

BTDTGTTS.

If you had a controller apart and found one capacitor bulging, would be an idea to replace the lot, they are not expensive.

Soooo true

Another thing to check I find with a lot of modern lead free soldered PCBs is the quality of the joints on electrolytics, they are often loose and could do with a drop of fresh solder.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Another thing to check I find with a lot of modern lead free soldered PCBs is the quality of the joints on electrolytics, they are often loose and could do with a drop of fresh solder.

Especially the surface mount ones.

It does not take much of a knock to break the (tiny) soldered joints.

Lead free - orrible stuff.