Hi guys. I just bought an electric tricycle on eBay that has "been sat outside for a while". It was dirt cheap and sold as untested so I wasn't expecting it to go first time. Hoping for some help to get it going
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6~0AAOSwYlRZMC9r/s-l1600.jpg
Charger works and lead acid battery read 37V, so happy with that.
It didn't come with keys (I'm not worried about it having been stolen because the sellers were really genuine, it was purchased for an elderly father two years ago and never used + keys lost), so I shorted out the key switch. Charge indicator lit up so I'm guessing that worked. Key ignition throttle is "Wuxing" brand and identical to this, https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1qwQrKpXXXXb2XpXXq6xXFXXXW/Wuxing-Brand-Ignition-Key-Model-48V-36V-24V-Electric-Bicycle-Twist-Throttle-Speed-Handle-Gas-Accelerator.jpg_640x640.jpg
But no wheel movement when throttle is twisted. So I've back probed the three big wires going from the control box to the hub motor. With idle throttle I get ~14 mV on each to battery's negative, then when I turn it it spikes up to something in the V range momentarily then drops straight back to ~20mV and slowly back to ~14mV regardless of whether I keep the throttle on. So for some reason it's not maintaining power.
I thought this could be:
1). Controller fault - inside the controller box looks to have kept dry with no signs of corrosion to metal contacts etc. Model is a YinYun e0207 36V350 although it also says 250/350W. I think my motor is 250W.
2). Motor fault - I've read these brushless DC motors have sensors inside to monitor what's going on. So I guess if something's wrong it's cutting the voltage. This seems most likely and most expensive too replace. Do I have much chance of fixing if I open it?
3). Wiring fault - The three big wires going to the motor travel along the bike frame separately to 5 smaller wire (which I guess are for sensors?). Then at the top of the fork, before entering the hub they're all consolidated into one wire and sealed with heat shrink which is a little loose. Perhaps moisture has ingressed and corroded terminals. Worth cutting it open? Slightly reluctant because I don't know how to reseal it waterproof.
4). Throttle fault. Seems unlikely but could be that the throttle is not maintaining the "Go" signal. Are they just simple potentiometers? It's got three wires coming out. Guess I could test V or R across it whilst on and off. =
So not sure really how to proceed with testing. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to isolate the problem?
Many thanks
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6~0AAOSwYlRZMC9r/s-l1600.jpg
Charger works and lead acid battery read 37V, so happy with that.
It didn't come with keys (I'm not worried about it having been stolen because the sellers were really genuine, it was purchased for an elderly father two years ago and never used + keys lost), so I shorted out the key switch. Charge indicator lit up so I'm guessing that worked. Key ignition throttle is "Wuxing" brand and identical to this, https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1qwQrKpXXXXb2XpXXq6xXFXXXW/Wuxing-Brand-Ignition-Key-Model-48V-36V-24V-Electric-Bicycle-Twist-Throttle-Speed-Handle-Gas-Accelerator.jpg_640x640.jpg
But no wheel movement when throttle is twisted. So I've back probed the three big wires going from the control box to the hub motor. With idle throttle I get ~14 mV on each to battery's negative, then when I turn it it spikes up to something in the V range momentarily then drops straight back to ~20mV and slowly back to ~14mV regardless of whether I keep the throttle on. So for some reason it's not maintaining power.
I thought this could be:
1). Controller fault - inside the controller box looks to have kept dry with no signs of corrosion to metal contacts etc. Model is a YinYun e0207 36V350 although it also says 250/350W. I think my motor is 250W.
2). Motor fault - I've read these brushless DC motors have sensors inside to monitor what's going on. So I guess if something's wrong it's cutting the voltage. This seems most likely and most expensive too replace. Do I have much chance of fixing if I open it?
3). Wiring fault - The three big wires going to the motor travel along the bike frame separately to 5 smaller wire (which I guess are for sensors?). Then at the top of the fork, before entering the hub they're all consolidated into one wire and sealed with heat shrink which is a little loose. Perhaps moisture has ingressed and corroded terminals. Worth cutting it open? Slightly reluctant because I don't know how to reseal it waterproof.
4). Throttle fault. Seems unlikely but could be that the throttle is not maintaining the "Go" signal. Are they just simple potentiometers? It's got three wires coming out. Guess I could test V or R across it whilst on and off. =
So not sure really how to proceed with testing. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to isolate the problem?
Many thanks