Do we have a “Volt” bike representative among us?

[Muddy]

No obvious damage or fault

 

[Muddy]

Muddy,

There is a battery re-cell thread here:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/battery-replacement.32078/

Not sure a resell will help my problem, will phone jimmy tomorrow and see what he advises

 

[wheeliepete]

I think you deff. have a fault of some kind rather than the battery needing re-celling. It may be worth you giving the contacts on the battery a little tweek inwards to close the gap between them, as this could be the problem, but only if you feel confident to do so. It is difficult to advise this sort of action without any knowledge of your ability to understand what I mean, so you may be better to leave it someone who does to be safe. By the way, where are you based, someone local may be able to help you out.

 

[Nealh]

Li po pouch's not li on cells.
Undo the end screws and gently pull the end off if a wire is loose you may well notice it.
If it's not working then no harm will be done by looking.

In it's current state most likely not wise to mail/courier it.

Do you own a volt meter ?

 

[Muddy]

I think you deff. have a fault of some kind rather than the battery needing re-celling. It may be worth you giving the contacts on the battery a little tweek inwards to close the gap between them, as this could be the problem, but only if you feel confident to do so. It is difficult to advise this sort of action without any knowledge of your ability to understand what I mean, so you may be better to leave it someone who does to be safe. By the way, where are you based, someone local may be able to help you out.

Thanks for the help but I definitely don’t feel confident poking around, I’d rather it was someone clued up doing the poking

 

[Muddy]

Li po pouch's not li on cells.
Undo the end screws and gently pull the end off if a wire is loose you may well notice it.
If it's not working then no harm will be done by looking.

In it's current state most likely not wise to mail/courier it.

Do you own a volt meter ?

The guys in the bike shop took the bottom off and could see no loose wires or anything. It’s a sealed unit so needs a professional which absolutely isn’t me. If a hammer can’t fix it I’m stuffed haha
I have no meter or any electrical equipment

 

[Muddy]

After talking to the bloke I bought it from ( I hoped he could sort under warranty) tonight, it seems I might have the smaller battery (£330) new which seems a bit more tolerable
But. On website it sells standard for 330 and x large for 590, mines has large on it so no idea what I have. Fella says original invoice says standard...
he probably can’t do warranty as he already talked to fella in bike shop and told him he sold it
Why warranties don’t transfer with owners is beyond me

 

[Muddy]

I think you deff. have a fault of some kind rather than the battery needing re-celling. It may be worth you giving the contacts on the battery a little tweek inwards to close the gap between them, as this could be the problem, but only if you feel confident to do so. It is difficult to advise this sort of action without any knowledge of your ability to understand what I mean, so you may be better to leave it someone who does to be safe. By the way, where are you based, someone local may be able to help you out.

Meant to add, I’m in Dundee so unlikely I have anyone nearby

 

[wheeliepete]

Talk to Jimmy tomorrow and see what he has to say, I had a similar problem battery a while ago and it was the contacts on the key switch that were dirty and corroded.

 

[Muddy]

Talk to Jimmy tomorrow and see what he has to say, I had a similar problem battery a while ago and it was the contacts on the key switch that were dirty and corroded.

Yeah I will call him and see what he says. I take it he sorted it ok, how long was it away?

 

[wheeliepete]

No. I fixed that myself, but Jimmy has a good turn around time and keeps you well informed on progress of works.

 

[wheeler]

Meant to add, I’m in Dundee so unlikely I have anyone nearby

Electric Bikes Scotland in City Quay, Unit 2A, Camperdown St, Dundee DD1 3JA may be able to advise.

wheeler

 

[Muddy]

Electric Bikes Scotland in City Quay, Unit 2A, Camperdown St, Dundee DD1 3JA may be able to advise.

wheeler

They couldn’t help I’m afraid, they put me on the hunt for a battery company in Dundee who also couldn’t help. No one wants or knows how to open and repair batteries. I personally think it’s a missed opportunity for small businesses. Cheers anyway

 

[Woosh]

I personally think it’s a missed opportunity for small businesses.

only old designs are repairable.
Modern batteries are designed to be thrown away.
Previously, you can recell batteries because the pack is not completely stuck to the casing. Nowadays, after the battery is tested, they fill the whole interior with silicon sealant.
Only the BMS and connectors are replaceable. All welding and most soldering are covered in sealant.
It does statistically produce more reliable batteries.
The new EU guide will soon make it illegal to send a defective battery to the repair shop.

 

[Muddy]

only old designs are repairable.
Modern batteries are designed to be thrown away.
Previously, you can recell batteries because the pack is not completely stuck to the casing. Nowadays, after the battery is tested, they fill the whole interior with silicon sealant.
Only the BMS and connectors are replaceable. All welding and most soldering are covered in sealant.
It does statistically produce more reliable batteries.
The new EU guide will soon make it illegal to send a defective battery to the repair shop.

That just amazes me in so many ways. Seems our “green transport” might be quite the opposite

 

[Muddy]

I phoned jimmy today and you were all correct, what a nice bloke and really knows his stuff
I,ll send him my battery and see how that goes but after our conversation I’m confident he can fix it
Turns out he is a wizard and used to do all the repairs at hogwarts but asked it to be kept a secret so don’t tell anyone, some muggles love to gossip

 

[wheeliepete]

Seems our “green transport” might be quite the opposite

I think ebikes can be green transport when used on a very regular basis and as an alternative to a car. Commuting for instance. Those that get put on the back of campervans once a year and used for a few miles sightseeing, then returned to the garage/shed are not so. That is not to say they should not be used like that, but their material cost of production and then the waste they create when the battery has died after a few years use is higher than than any planetary saving they have made. I have a personal quest to try and save as many discarded bikes as I can, but it is not an easy task by any means, for so many reasons.
Glad to hear Jimmy came through for you and I hope he can save the day, and £600

 

[Muddy]

I think ebikes can be green transport when used on a very regular basis and as an alternative to a car. Commuting for instance. Those that get put on the back of campervans once a year and used for a few miles sightseeing, then returned to the garage/shed are not so. That is not to say they should not be used like that, but their material cost of production and then the waste they create when the battery has died after a few years use is higher than than any planetary saving they have made. I have a personal quest to try and save as many discarded bikes as I can, but it is not an easy task by any means, for so many reasons.
Glad to hear Jimmy came through for you and I hope he can save the day, and £600

Turns out I think. Have the £330 version but I’d stil at her fix it than dump it. Manufacturers likepanasonic who produce large amounts of batteries surely have a moral obligation to ensure batteries are as easy to repair as possible, to me it’s ridiculous to pick a e bike to reduce carbon footprint only to find they are considered disposable items. I’m pretty sure they contain some awful noxious stuff that won’t blend into nature when dumped

 

[Muddy]

Back to jimmy and his magical service, Mary phoned me to make sure all was ok and how to print label etc for collection on Monday so so far it’s a highly recommended service, thanks again all for pointing me in their direction

 

[wheeliepete]

It's not the cell manufacturers that build the packs, they just make the individual cells that are joined together to make a battery pack as we all have. Unfortunately ease of repair and conforming to safety requirements are not good bed fellows. Having built a few packs I can well see the problem. Glue the cells together and removing a dead cell is a nightmare. Using a grid cell holder which holds the cells firmly, but apart from each other is no better because the welded ribbon joining the cells holds the whole grid in place.