Swytch failed after first ride.

WallyR

Just Joined
Feb 11, 2022
2
0
DT5
Hello everyone, my first post but not my first electric bike.

My Swytch kit for my Brompton arrived after the usual long wait and I quickly fitted it.
First ride went well, 12 miles, smooth and powerful.
Second ride, less than a mile and the front wheel started banging and shuddering. Switched off the kit and pedeled home.
I contacted Swytch and they got back quickly and I had to disconnect a cable in the power bag attached to the hall sensors.
This stopped the banging but this was not a fix.
Lots of emails back and forth getting me to re-plug things time and time again.
I got bored after a week of them suggesting the same things each time and I found a spare
battery controller bag on eBay. This fixed it so I need a new controller - yes?
Swytch are still not prepared to send me one and want me to do a video call.

Does anyone else have experience of Swytch switching off their assistance?

Richard
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,884
8,517
61
West Sx RH
I would be inclined to get a full refund as Swtych appear to be less then helpful at times, Woosh sell there own version of a Brommie kit and one will get a far better service and back up.

The noise you hear is an electrical sync one and sounds like the controller isn't recognising the motor correctly, with Halls and phases there are 36 possible wire combo's and often only a very few will work correctly. One could try this route but as an expensive bike kit one shouldn't have to and yes it is possible the controller is faulty.
 
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matthewslack

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2021
1,846
1,335
Hello everyone, my first post but not my first electric bike.

My Swytch kit for my Brompton arrived after the usual long wait and I quickly fitted it.
First ride went well, 12 miles, smooth and powerful.
Second ride, less than a mile and the front wheel started banging and shuddering. Switched off the kit and pedeled home.
I contacted Swytch and they got back quickly and I had to disconnect a cable in the power bag attached to the hall sensors.
This stopped the banging but this was not a fix.
Lots of emails back and forth getting me to re-plug things time and time again.
I got bored after a week of them suggesting the same things each time and I found a spare
battery controller bag on eBay. This fixed it so I need a new controller - yes?
Swytch are still not prepared to send me one and want me to do a video call.

Does anyone else have experience of Swytch switching off their assistance?

Richard
The video call lets them learn far more than any number of email exchanges and clarifies changes made and their effect. It should identify the issue and allow a solution to be agreed.

They seem to be trying quite hard to help, so it was me, I'd go along with it.
 
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WallyR

Just Joined
Feb 11, 2022
2
0
DT5
The video call lets them learn far more than any number of email exchanges and clarifies changes made and their effect. It should identify the issue and allow a solution to be agreed.

They seem to be trying quite hard to help, so it was me, I'd go along with it.
Thanks for your reply, I will contact them and post what happens next.
 

cimh

Just Joined
Apr 3, 2022
1
0
Hi I'm late to this thread but I fitted a Swytch eco to my old brompton a month ago and have been really impressed - some slight issues attaching front wheel as my 30yr old brompton forks are slightly different to the newer ones but Swytch were very helpful and soon sorted.

Loving the ride. Since stopping my London commute the Bromton tended to stay folded under the stairs. Now my superb gravel bike stands lonely in the garage while the Bromi has become my goto bike for most trips. I have depowered the kit in settings as level 1 was giving me more power than I needed (~140w). After reducing the power output in settings I think the system now gives out 120w on level 5 and 75w on level one. I am happy pushing out 100w with my legs. The extra 120w from Swytch gets me up all the hills I have tried so far.

My Bro has had a swytch for a couple of years and is also happy. Hopefully you wii get things sorted.

It is clearly much more basic than a mid drive (not possible on a brompton anyway) but it is light and a good way to add electric to an existing bike.
 

lightning

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2022
263
73
Sounds good. The O/P never updated their post so hopefully they got their bike sorted.