Help! Control problems.

[Terrychef]

Hello, we have a E-scape bike with this controller, not working now. Power and assist lights came on then went out, several times this happened now nothing. Any help to fix or replace. Many thanks.

 

[saneagle]

That device has a direct connection to the battery, so if it doesn't switch on, it's not getting the required battery voltage. It has capacitors in it that can charge up from the battery and power it for about one second. Therefore, if it was flashing on, we can assume that it's connected to the battery to charge the capacitors, but straight away the battery is switching off. One of the functions of this device is to send power from the battery to the controller when you switch it on. The controller doesn't use much power itself. The power for the motor comes directly from the battery to the motor, and the controller works like a tap.

This is what seems to be happening: The control panel has power from the battery. It needs hardly any. When you switch it on, there would be a slightly higher demand for power for the controller, which could cause it to shutdown if the battery is weak/worn out or if there's a bad connection to the battery. The battery would also shutdown if there's a short circuit on those wires to and from the control panel.

With all that in mind, the three things that could be causing it are: 1. Knackered battery; 2. Battery connection issue; 3. Damaged control panel cable or corroded connector.

The circumstances around the problem would give a good clue to the cause. How did the problem start? Was everything perfect one day, then suddenly it started doing that? Think back to what happened before. Did you drop the bike? Did you go out in a rain storm? Had the range of the bike already reduced substantially?

 

[saneagle]

If it's the control panel itself that's faulty, which can happen, mainly when they get water in them, you can get your bike going again by bridging the red and the blue wires in the cable, which can be done with a paperclip if you have the block type connector at the controller end.

In order to help you further with the control panel and/or its connector, you need to give a lot more details about your bike, like photos of the bike and the connector as there are four variants of the control panel.

Also, you can make a massive improvement to your bike by fitting a modern controller and control panel for around £60.

 

[Terrychef]

That device has a direct connection to the battery, so if it doesn't switch on, it's not getting the required battery voltage. It has capacitors in it that can charge up from the battery and power it for about one second. Therefore, if it was flashing on, we can assume that it's connected to the battery to charge the capacitors, but straight away the battery is switching off. One of the functions of this device is to send power from the battery to the controller when you switch it on. The controller doesn't use much power itself. The power for the motor comes directly from the battery to the motor, and the controller works like a tap.

This is what seems to be happening: The control panel has power from the battery. It needs hardly any. When you switch it on, there would be a slightly higher demand for power for the controller, which could cause it to shutdown if it's weak/worn out or if there's a bad connection to the battery. The battery would also shutdown if there's a short circuit on those wires to and from the control panel.

With all that in mind, the three things that could be causing it are: 1. Knackered battery; 2. Battery connection issue; 3. Damaged control panel cable or corroded connector.

The circumstances around the problem would give a good clue to the cause. How did the problem start? Was everything perfect one day, then suddenly it started doing that? Think back to what happened before. Did you drop the bike? Did you go out in a rain storm? Had the range of the bike already reduced substantially?

Hi, just tried (my controller, very similar) on the bike and it's working perfectly so it seems like the controller is broken. Any ideas for a replacement please, we live in Spain. Many thanks.

 

[saneagle]

Hi, just tried (my controller, very similar) on the bike and it's working perfectly so it seems like the controller is broken. Any ideas for a replacement please, we live in Spain. Many thanks.

What device are you calling the controller - the control panel or the motor controller?

Still, you have given insufficient information to help you.

 

[Terrychef]

The small box on the handle bar with on/ off , power buttons.

 

[Benjahmin]

For clarity and to help things along.
The device on the handlebars is the display. The controller is elsewhere on the bike.
The display, the motor, the battery and any other items (pas, brake switches etc.) will all be connected to the controller. So follow all the cables and you will find the controller.

To find a new display you will need any numbers on it and make note of the connector type.
However, displays and controllers are normally sold as paired items and different suppliers may have proprietry programming that means a new identical looking display ( from a different supplier) may not work with your controller.

 

[sjpt]

Controllers can be quite hidden. For example, on our two ebikes one controller is in the motor, and the other in a compartment at the end of the battery cradle.

The controller/display terminology is rather confusing; almost nobody who comes new to ebikes gets it right.