Newbie Help

[Ben Stone]

Hello,
I have been a proud electric bike owner for 2 years up until last year when I started having power problems with my ageing 2nd hand purchase.
Its an "Alien" bike, one which Alien manufacturers dont recognise the type of bike I have, hence my help requests here.
As the bike slowly died, i enlisted the help of a an old colleague who is an electrical engineer. He thought the issue was the battery and set about designing and replacing my old 24V10A Frog battery with a custom set of battery panniers with lead acid 4x 6V 12A Batteries bundled in.
Having connected the battery up, POP went the controller.
We did start to rectify the problem, only for my colleague to pass away before completing the work on the replacement controller.
I am really hoping someone with some experience on here can help me get my bike back on the road and finish the job my dear colleague so nearly completed.
The bike is wired up with motor and battery in situ, I think I need the correct controller to fix it.
Many thanks!
Ben

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You always get a pop when you connect the controller; however, if it vapourised the connector contacts and a lot of smoke came out of the controller, he probably connected it the right way round, which will damage the controller.

It might help if you say where you are, then anybody will know if they're close enough to help you.

 

[Ben Stone]

Hi there,
thanks for your quick reply.
I live in Wokingham Berkshire UK.
I am pretty sure the controller has blown.
Is it a case of sourcing and connecting a 24V 12a Electric Bike controller? Its just the connectors dont seem to match with that of the bike so i assume its a little more than that?
Thanks again,

 

[bigroy]

hi Ben if you could post a photo of your bike I am positive I could tell you what one it is.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

What makes you think that the controller's blown? Did you open it up and see something burnt?

If you want a replacement, take a photo that shows each connector and post it here. Please use this method:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/does-the-forum-picture-upload-work.15268/

 

[Ben Stone]

Hi guys, I must say I am blown away by the speed and help received so far - thank you! I have taken a couple of photos today and preparing to upload them now. Thanks again. If I can get the bike up and running again I am going to re-brand the bike in honour of my former colleague.

 

[Ben Stone]

 

[Ben Stone]

 

[Ben Stone]

There are 2 unseen RED and WHITE power leads connected directly to the blades of the battery connector. I

 

[Ben Stone]

 

[Ben Stone]

Photo of one side of the pannier battery pack kindly made up by colleague now passed. In total its 4 x 6V Batteries

 

[bigroy]

Hi Ben

Its an "Alien" bike, one which Alien manufacturers dont recognise the type of bike

that would be because it is not an Alienocean bike Ben
definitely not one of ours sorry.

 

[Ben Stone]

Thanks Roy, do you recognise the manufacturer at all? Do you have any idea as to what needs to be done to get the bike on the road again?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I was hoping to see the connectors on the controller!

Also, that rack won't take the weight of the batteries. You need one with a straight strut.

It looks like you have a brushed motor, but I can't confirm until I see the controller

 

[Ben Stone]

 

[Ben Stone]

"Brush Intelligent Motor Controller"

 

[Ben Stone]

In the meantime, I will have a look at purchasing a new rack....thanks!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Brushed controllers are not easy to find with pedal sensors. There's loads with throttle only for electric scooters. you can use anyone you want. Get them from Ebay for about £10.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24V-250w-Brushed-Controller-Box-FOR-Electric-Bicycle-E-bike-Scooter-/321222972888?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4aca6195d8

You won't find one with the correct connectors, so tou'll have to change them, They normally have a lot of extra connectors for lights and other things that you don't need. you only need to connect the throttle (3 wires), motor (2 wires) and the battery (2 wires).

I still think that there's nothing wrong with your present controller unless he connected it the wrong way, in which case it would make a bit of a bang. As I said before, a spark and a snap noise is normal when you connect.

 

[Ben Stone]

The opposite side to the controller has been cracked open to reveal some burnt out components and a terrible smell. There must have been an issue when connecting up the battery as you suggest.
I will have a look at sourcing a controller. I assume I need a 24V 12A Brush Controller? Is it easy to source and replace the connectors?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Don't take too much notice of the amps. Ideally you want something about 15 to 20 amps. Some controllers have the max current on them and some the rated current. If it says 250W, it should be about right.