No motor

[aroncox]

Well my new NiMH battery arrived today (hooray), it wasn't charged (boo) so I charged it up until there was a green light (hooray), I plugged it in the bike and a solid red light came on next to the key (hooray), a green light showed on the handlebars (hooray), I twisted accelerator and NOTHING happened (boo, boo, boo).

Anyone have any ideas (yes I did have it set to no pedaling required)? Could it be an issue with the accelerator (I thought the red light next to the key flashed if there was an accelerator problem)?

Any ideas on what to try next are much appreciated, meanwhile I'll email 50Cycles.

Aron.

 

[flecc]

Did the red light on the controller by the switch stay on Aron, or go off again after flashing quickly?

The only other thing is that the battery connections on the bike are dirty and need cleaning after being idle, as that can allow the controller light to go on but not give any drive.
.

 

[aroncox]

Nope, straight to red no flashing at all. I just checked the connectors look fine to me (a little bit of what looks like carbon on the bottom of one of them, but I cleaned them). So frustrating. I did take of the accelerator a while ago and put it back on to move the handlebars to a new angle, could it be something to do with that?

Thanks for your help, and so fast too!

 

[aaannndddyyy]

Have you tried pulling the brake levers on and off a few time maybe one of the cutout switches are stuck .

 

[flecc]

As aaannndddyyy says, and also plug and unplug that throttle connector again.

P.S. On second thoughts, the lever cutoffs give a 2 or 3 flash signal at the controller if it's those open, so they are ruled out.
.

 

[Ian]

I did take of the accelerator a while ago and put it back on to move the handlebars to a new angle, could it be something to do with that?

That is possible Aron, if the throttle sensor output was abnormal or disconnected the controller LED would flash an error code. However if the throttle gives a normal output but does not change, the controller will not detect that. Has the bike worked since the throttle was removed? If the twisting portion was pulled off the rest of the throttle it's possible the small curved magnet fell out, without which the throttle won't operate. Otherwise it's worth checking the plug & socket by the throttle and also those behind the bottom bracket under the battery platform. Just give them a good wiggle, no need to cut of the shrink tube covering them at this stage.

 

[aroncox]

Thanks everyone. Okay I unscrewed the accelerator twist grip and suddenly the motor started. But it cut out straight away. I repeated this a number of times (I had to turn it off with the key each time). The red light is now flashing 8 times once the motor has cut out.

Anyone know what that means?

 

[Ian]

8 flashes means a faulty hall effect sensor in the motor, re-seat the connector by the RH fork leg, the multi-way one with the thin wires.

 

[HarryB]

Hall sensors - check the main lead to the motor in particular the five pin plug.

 

[aroncox]

Now I can;t get it to switch on the motor at all, however I do think the 5 plug bit on the right-hand front fork feels loose and I'm sure I can feel at least one that isn't plugged in to anything.

Is this something I should undo myself and try to plug in or should I send it back to 50Cycles? Bear in mind that just a few weeks ago they put on a brand new motor, so I'm assuming if anything's become loose it's something they did then.

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[Ian]

There are 3 "bullet" type connectors under the sleeving as well as the multi-way connector, that is probably what you can feel. You could carefully cut away the sleeving to check and re-seat the connectors. but as the bike has recently been repaired you may prefer to contact 50cycles.

 

[aroncox]

50Cycles have been in touch already and they're going to pick it up which is a load off my mind. Hopefully I'll be back up and running soon and then trouble free for a good while. I can't wait to get my bike back, it's taken me more that two hours to get home on public transport twice this week, whereas it's usually a 50 minute bike ride.

Thanks again for all your help!

Aron.

 

[flecc]

7.43 pm you said you'd mail them, 9.47 pm you've posted that they've already replied and are acting.

I hope all those having a go at 50cycles see this and appreciate the unusual effort that company is putting into giving a good service.

How many businesses could even be accessed out of hours?
.

 

[aroncox]

Yes, I certainly can't complain about 50Cycles, it's really just been bad luck as far as I can tell, and perhaps a lack of understanding on my behalf of Lithium Technology.

They've been pretty good really, and much better than many other companies would have been, and I would never say people shouldn't buy from them, and would in fact recommend them.

However I do think an e-bike buyer needs to attempt to understand what it is they need, what technologies are involved and that e-bikes are not necessarily cheap to run. This forum is great for that, so I hope people can find it and read it.

 

[Chris]

Totally agree with your comments Flecc-I have just had an EM from Tim at 50Cycles.

Chris

 

[Ian]

I have to say that this is one of the finest examples of customer service I've witnessed.

Nice one 50cycles.

 

[HarryB]

Yes I had a 20 minute conversation this morning with Lloyd at 50cyles all about the battery problems and very helpful he was too.

 

[flecc]

Yep! Congratulations Scott and the team, you've much to be proud of.

I'm bookmarking the top of this page to post when another complaint seems somewhat unwarranted.
.

 

[HarryB]

Hi Harry

I believe we met yesterday.

We have a number of fantastic guys in 50cycles now that have really helped get the customer service to where we require.

Lloyd Manages our Technical Dept who has recently been over to visit Ezee and takes part in conventional downhill racing.
Tom is his assistant who is from Australia, does Iron man races for fun and also races mountain bikes.
James is our senior guy who Manages the office with regards to Demonstrations, Customer service and the Cycle to work scheme.
Chris is mainly responsible for dispatching, general logistical matters and demonstrates the bikes as well.

From being just myself and Tim in 2003 we are delighted with the diversity of the people that have joined us during this time.

Best regards

Scott

Scott

We may have met but not yesterday. Yes well done on the team but is it you or Tim who is trying to source the NiMH from Europe. Any news about them, then let us know!

 

[HarryB]

Hi

We are researching possibilities if we cannot get a regular supply of Nimh from Asia due to being let down on a number of orders of Nimh battery which is in obvious demand. Which maybe due to a red herring of cut out as discussed this week. Most of our customers have not experienced this but obviously we cannot ignore the few that have.

No promises of any Nimh at this stage as we discussed ( I think)

So you were not down our offices this week?

Regards

Scott

Hi Scott,

No not me and possibly because HarryB is a 'nom de plume' (actually my Grandfather's name RIP) it is a bit confusing. Real name is Hal which is not a secret. As for cut outs they are real enough and as you replaced a faulty battery in Feb this year and this is now unusable (as of yesterday and this is my first day on the tube). Perhaps you would like to show me that it (and even perhaps Flecc's collection of Li-ions) don't cut out by way of a demonstration on a Torq of your choice (I am sure we could find a slight hill). A central London location (Westminster) would suit me. I think this would put the matter to rest for me and an number of other folk.

All the best

Hal