Power cutout

[UrbanPuma]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone can shed some light on this issue. On a couple of occasions the throttle would not start. After switching the battery off then on again it works. Today, I came to a stop and attempted a throttle start and the motor was just juddering. After pedalling a few strokes the motor kicked in and bike was working again, but after about 4 minutes riding and using throttle, power ceased again. I started pushing the bike home and restarted the battery, which worked for a bit then cut again. Once home, I switched off and on and after few minutes all works again.

I checked connections to the controller, no burning smell or anything loose as far as I can see (Picture of connections attached). The only thing to mention is that my battery has approximately 6-miles left...maybe even less. Could this be why the bike keeps cutting out?

 

[Nealh]

With an intermittent throttle why not use the PAS ?

If voltage is low then sag when using throttle can cause cutting out when in use, but doesn't explain why the throttle wouldn't work from the off.
The fault could be a misaligned magnet in the throttle not correctly being read by the hall sensor or may be a wire break between it and the controller.

 

[vfr400]

Check that the motor connector is in all the way to the marked line.

 

[UrbanPuma]

I'll check what both of you have said and report back.

Thanks

 

[UrbanPuma]

With an intermittent throttle why not use the PAS ?

If voltage is low then sag when using throttle can cause cutting out when in use, but doesn't explain why the throttle wouldn't work from the off.
The fault could be a misaligned magnet in the throttle not correctly being read by the hall sensor or may be a wire break between it and the controller.

Sorry, I didn't explain properly - the power cut out entirely. I don't have much strength in my legs, but tried to pedal and there was no pedal assist...just normal bike mode.

 

[Nealh]

Sounds possibly like low voltage, though PAS should still engage.
Charge the battery and re- try .

 

[UrbanPuma]

Check that the motor connector is in all the way to the marked line.

Not sure what you mean, which line? Could you elaborate please?

 

[UrbanPuma]

Sounds possibly like low voltage, though PAS should still engage.
Charge the battery and re- try .

Yes, it engaged when I used the pedals a few times then motor kicked in...then I tried throttle and that worked. Then when riding it power cut but lights were still on I think

 

[Nealh]

How old is the battery ?

Not sure what you mean, which line? Could you elaborate please?

The two part motor connector traced from the hub motor (usually within 12"), the connector side from the hub will have an imbossed raised line with an arrow on it. The female side should push to the line and sometimes with a faint click as it fully engages.

 

[vfr400]

Follow the cable from the motor to the controller. Along the way anywhere, is there a cyclindrical connector, or are the onlt connectors a white block and three bullets at the controller end?

 

[UrbanPuma]

How old is the battery ?


The two part motor connector traced from the hub motor (usually within 12"), the connector side from the hub will have an imbossed raised line with an arrow on it. The female side should push to the line and sometimes with a faint click as it fully engages.

The battery is 8.5 years old, but I wasn't able to use the bike for the first 5 years. I'm posting pics of the motor cable below as. I can't see a raised line. Thanks

 

[UrbanPuma]

Follow the cable from the motor to the controller. Along the way anywhere, is there a cyclindrical connector, or are the onlt connectors a white block and three bullets at the controller end?

Please see pics, I can't see the line. Thanks

 

[vfr400]

Please see pics, I can't see the line. Thanks

You don't have the connector.

 

[Nealh]

At 8.5 years old one can assume it is past it's best, the battery may still hold a good voltage but the internal capacity & resistance are poor and both will lead to voltage sag and cut outs.

 

[UrbanPuma]

You don't have the connector.

Not sure what you mean vfr400. Isn't this the connector in the white circle?

 

[UrbanPuma]

At 8.5 years old one can assume it is past it's best, the battery may still hold a good voltage but the internal capacity & resistance are poor and both will lead to voltage sag and cut outs.

Yes, you're right. I charged it up last night and twisted throttle today, but there isn't much power there. Just after advice on which battery re-cell to go for.

 

[vfr400]

Not sure what you mean vfr400. Isn't this the connector in the white circle?

You don't have the connector that I mentioned before, so there is no line, no way it can be a problem and there's nothing to check with it.

Next time you get a cut-out, look at whatever you have on your handlebars that tells you the battery charge state. If the lights go out at the time of cut-out, it's a battery issue or battery connection. If they stay on uninterrupted, then the problem is somewhere else. That's the first thing you need to determine to get to the cause of your problem.

 

[Nealh]

Ebikbatteries.co.uk will arrange everything, for max capacity one will need 3500mah cells, which they will have a choice of 3 or 4. I expect Sanyo GA cells or Samsung 35E cells will be used for your needs

 

[UrbanPuma]

Ebikbatteries.co.uk will arrange everything, for max capacity one will need 3500mah cells, which they will have a choice of 3 or 4. I expect Sanyo GA cells or Samsung 35E cells will be used for your needs

Thanks, they are going to do it for me and have given me those options I stated above - either go with their OEM or Panasonic. I just don't know which to go for??

 

[UrbanPuma]

Thanks, they are going to do it for me and have given me those options I stated above - either go with their OEM or Panasonic. I just don't know which to go for?? Longer range or low power drain on shorter range.