help with powerabike trike

[silversurfer]

Hi Folks, following some heart repairs I am keeping fit and annoying the locals on my (S/H ex. forum member's) tramcar sounding Torq, great fun.
My wife (who, 25 years ago used to have an Arial 3 trike/moped) would like to accompany me.
I recently picked up a Powerabike mk. 1; 36 volt SLA, 3 speed trike at a local auction. Unfortunately when I collected it I found there was no battery charger! So I stripped the case and charged the 12 v batteries individually with my car battery charger. The three wire throttle was broken so I substituted a similar one from a 'gifted' 24volt scooter.
BUT, as soon as the ign.key is turned the trike is off down the road (quite a shock first time I tried it!!!) No Matter what combination of the three wires I try it is no better. Even with the throttle disconnected it still runs full power when the key is turned.
I think the control module in the handle bar box may be faulty (perhaps why it ended up in an auction!). It is marked; 91 90S; 9S; wf (with a sort of B symbol on it's side).
Are these available, or is anyone breaking an old 36v SLA powerabike that I could try another board, (I am competent with a solder sucker/solder iron) assuming the 'experts' here agree my diagnosis.
I examined the circuit for the throttle on the PCB. The red wire goes into the board; the other yellow and green are just linked together via a tiny resistor?
Any ideas very welcome, thanks, silversurfer.

 

[pete22]

Hi Folks, following some heart repairs I am keeping fit and annoying the locals on my (S/H ex. forum member's) tramcar sounding Torq, great fun.
My wife (who, 25 years ago used to have an Arial 3 trike/moped) would like to accompany me.
I recently picked up a Powerabike mk. 1; 36 volt SLA, 3 speed trike at a local auction. Unfortunately when I collected it I found there was no battery charger! So I stripped the case and charged the 12 v batteries individually with my car battery charger. The three wire throttle was broken so I substituted a similar one from a 'gifted' 24volt scooter.
BUT, as soon as the ign.key is turned the trike is off down the road (quite a shock first time I tried it!!!) No Matter what combination of the three wires I try it is no better. Even with the throttle disconnected it still runs full power when the key is turned.
I think the control module in the handle bar box may be faulty (perhaps why it ended up in an auction!). It is marked; 91 90S; 9S; wf (with a sort of B symbol on it's side).
Are these available, or is anyone breaking an old 36v SLA powerabike that I could try another board, (I am competent with a solder sucker/solder iron) assuming the 'experts' here agree my diagnosis.
I examined the circuit for the throttle on the PCB. The red wire goes into the board; the other yellow and green are just linked together via a tiny resistor?
Any ideas very welcome, thanks, silversurfer.

If you get the DEALERS -Troubleshooting Guide Trikes manual from here:
Powabyke Support :: Download User Manuals

and open the manual with the password mentioned in this thread:

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/1078-old-powabyke-project.html

You'll find the possible reason/answer/solution to this problem:

Symptom
Turn on Key and bike goes at “Full Throttle”

 

[fcurran]

Its sounds like you need a new circuit board. Please contact you local dealer and we can get you back on the road again.

Regards

FrankC
Powabyke Ltd

 

[silversurfer]

Its sounds like you need a new circuit board.

Thanks guys for prompt reply, looks like I bought a lemon!!!
The internal battery connections were undisturbed so, reading the very helpful link to the trouble shooting manual, the main power (on the board?)has shorted/rev.polarity.
No sign of any burning on board, ( a friend said it would probably be a thyristor? whatever that is) but, as I am not competent with electronics, (a retired motor mec. by trade), looks like the bike is dead. I recon a new board, throttle and of course a mk 2, mini 4 pin 36v battery charger would amount to more than I bought the bike for.
I will check with Powerabike anyway, but I fear the worst, start looking for a donor bike on ebay !!! silversurfer

 

[Tiberius]

Hi Silversurfer,

You should be able to check the throttle fairly easily. AFAIUI if is is normal hall effect one, the three wires are 0V, 5V and output. The output should vary over a bit in excess of 1V to 4V as the twist grip is turned.

Nick

 

[silversurfer]

Hi Tiberius, thanks for tip. The original throttle was physicaly broken and the three wire throttle I had donated had different colour wires.
Not sure where I would measure the voltages as the motor runs as soon as I switch on, bit dangerous to try to test then.
To update, my friend said it is probably a Mosfet not Thyristor (my mistake in listening!) He recons he could fix it so if all the Powerbyke parts are too dear to justify the £100.00 I spent on the tryke I may let him try, or look out for S/H board or old 36v bike on ebay, I may also get a charger that way!
Thanks again for advice.... looks like another wet Prestigne weekend! silversurfer.