forza power problem

[captpringle]

It definately flashes six times. I measured the voltage going into the controller after the switch, still 41V. When I twist throttle it dips to about 36V before bike cuts off and voltage returns to 41V. Will try tomorrow to clean all connections again and see if I can check voltages when the motor is turning slowly.
Allister

 

[MR E]

The controller flashing six times indicates that it is not seeing the full voltage and therefore "assumes" a flat battery. I would guess the problem could still the wiring between battery and controller , and as I have experienced before , the wiring and connections may still look ok , but can still be a problem.
Just by moving the connectors , may clear the fault.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Cyclezee]

Allister,

Do you live near any other forum members who own an Ezee bike? I'm sure you don't know the answer to that, but it might be worth letting people know the first part of your postcode. Alternatively have a look at the Pedelec Map on Google.
Then someone they could try your batteries to eliminate any fault with them. If you live anywhere near Milton Keynes let me know.
One other thing, is there any chance water could have got into the controller?

J hn

 

[captpringle]

John
I live in South Lanarkshire in bonny Scotland, from the site my nearest member is about thirty miles away.
I cycle along country roads past local farms, Very wet roads, lots of puddles and since it is a big dairy farm not always full of just water! Liquid slurry is very hard on connections and chain, Like you I wonder if water has got into controller. Is it possible to open it up and is there any point ie if it is wet is it bust! What is cost of new controller ( my wife is starting to suggest thar a taxi would be cheaper(
Thanks for the input folks.
Allister

 

[Cyclezee]

Allister,
Have a look at this thread it might help http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/3023-wet-torq-help-wanted.html

I don't think you can do much with a faulty controller if that is the problem. You would have to ask Cyclepoint about the cost of a new one, maybe they would take into consideration the fact that you just bought a new battery and give a bit of discount?

J hn

 

[captpringle]

morning again
Well have replaced all the bullet connectors (does the designer of this bike drive with his head out of the window in the rain?). No change. Voltage into controller drops by about a volt when my wife lies on the floor and slowly twists the throttle and wheel turns very very slowly.
Cyclepoint contacting Ezee for help/advice.
Cheers will keep everyone updated, will be able to service the bike in my sleep after all this!
Allister

 

[captpringle]

pen the chapagne!!!

Well after cooking the controller for an hour at gas mark 2 (actually gently heated with fan heater in the house!!) and renewing the wire from the battery to the fist bullet connector (wire was very corroded) the bike works!!
Lots of cheers and fireworks.
Will now seal all the connections and try to make some sort of shield for the wiring.
Just a thought as a Chemistry teacher is the high current going through these wires speeding up the corrosion?
I build and fly model planes and we have similar problems. Should the wiring be heavier gauge or replaced as a matter of course?
A million thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. I wiil keep you updated as to how things go.
One last question would there be any harm in keeping the new battery as a spare, does it degrade even if not used?
Allister

 

[Cyclezee]

Allister,

That is great news
I hesitate to say this, but my Torq has been going great since I dried everything out and waterproofed the wiring with self amalgamating tape.

Batteries do deteriorate with age even if you don't use them. However your old battery is not going to last forever, so it may be wise to keep the new one. If not, I'm sure someone would be happy to take it off your hands for the right money Let me know if you decide to sell it.

J hn

 

[flecc]

I've also suffered from water in the eZee controller previously, but with different symptoms and a different signal indication on the LED, hence my rechecking that with you.

On previous history of January 2007 batteries it's surprising your existing battery is still working, perhaps the very low mileage has kept it alive. The new one will age regardless of whether used or not, so if possible, you might prefer to return it for credit or a credit note against later purchase.
.

 

[captpringle]

give me strength

Put the cork back in the bottle!
Bike ran for about three miles and totally died at the bottom of the mile long hill on the way to work. No power at all.
Bike still at work will recover it tomorrow with the car.
Back to the drawing board.
Allister

 

[MR E]

Hi Allister

Is this with the new battery , and are you getting the six diagnostics LED's again. Just wondering if you had disturbed another part of the wiring that is equally corroded?

I think it may be putting the bike upside down again and trying moving that wiring again.

 

[Tiberius]

Just a thought as a Chemistry teacher is the high current going through these wires speeding up the corrosion?
I build and fly model planes and we have similar problems. Should the wiring be heavier gauge or replaced as a matter of course?

Hi,

Heavier gauge won't be the answer, but one thing I have found is that once corrosion starts it can track a surprisingly long way up the wire. I have had to cut wires back more than a foot from a corroded junction in order to make a good connection.

Another thing to watch is that the handlebar electronics are sensitive to damp. On my Torq, I treated the boards with special conformal coating which stopped some of the problems I had.

Nick

 

[captpringle]

Hi bike totally dead this time no lights at all. Using old battery, was giving good power but lots of red lights going uphill. Will need to try wiring again but may need to wait till wekend, busy week at school.
As ever I will keep you posted. Certainly gave my old heart a workout cycling uphill for nearly a mile with no power! Almost had to lie down when I got to school.
Allister

 

[JamesC]

Top quality cable

John
I live in South Lanarkshire in bonny Scotland, from the site my nearest member is about thirty miles away.
I cycle along country roads past local farms, Very wet roads, lots of puddles and since it is a big dairy farm not always full of just water! Liquid slurry is very hard on connections..

Allister

Hi Allister
For the main current carrying cables on an ebike, this very flexible cable from Maplin (internet only) is excellent. It is very expensive at £6 per metre, but a metre goes a long way on a bike.

James

 

[captpringle]

we have motion again!

Well we have a working bike again. Took car to work yesterday to recover bike. (much to the amusement of my staff!). When I arrived home switched on bike and it worked. Guess the old battery is pretty goosed and had recovered while sitting at school.
Recharged old battery and set off for work this morning, it lasted 3miles and half way up the hill. Had new battery in rucksack which worked ok there and back. Hope this is the end of the saga and I can spend time in the wind and rain cycling to work. Would I look stupid with a full face helmet to stop my glasses getting so wet I am cycling blind?
Thanks again everyone it has been a big hassle but the support and help from the forum has been great and without it I suspect the bike might have stayed in the garage for the winter.
Allister
P.S.
Also enjoy all the technical stuff in other areas of forum.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hopefully that is the end of the saga Allister. On the positive side, as well as having a fully working bike, you are now and expert on it's workings

As for wearing a fullface helmet, I would expect the visor to mist up or rain not to clear from it due to the relatively low speed of cycling comapared to motor cycling

J hn

 

[Tiberius]

Hi Allister
For the main current carrying cables on an ebike, this very flexible cable from Maplin (internet only) is excellent. It is very expensive at £6 per metre, but a metre goes a long way on a bike.

James

Hi James,

That is pretty specialist and expensive cable. Its designed to be extra flexible and withstand repeated bending. This is achieved by using silicone rubber instead of the more common PVC as the sheathing, and by having a very large number of fine copper strands inside.

For most purposes on a bike, I would use heavier gauge ordinary cable. There might be an argument for something like this to cope with steering movements for a front wheel motor, but I don't know of any manufacturers doing it. (I could be wrong.)

Nick

 

[wotwozere]

What a load of rubbish

 

[joab]

Forum Rules

wotwozere please read the forum rules!