My ebike motor powers down randomly (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca to c/micromobility@lemmy.world

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Can anyone help me identify what’s going on? As I’m riding, the mid drive motor on my E bike sometimes starts making a whirring noise and then loses power. The console and lights remains on but the motor doesn’t give any more assist. When I turn the power off and back on, it works again. Does anyone know if this is more likely to be a battery issue or a motor issue?

I’ve taken it into a mechanic that specializes in E bikes already, but the business was brand new and, based on my discussions with them, I didn’t trust that they knew what they were talking about. I feel like, when it comes to E bike repair, it’s the wild west out there.

top 7 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] TrippySquidsman@reddthat.com 3 points 1 year ago

I'm definitely no expert but I've owned a mid drive for a few years. It could possibly be the nylon gears transferring power from the motor to the bike's gears- that happened to me early on. I'd go full throttle from a dead stop and eventually the gears sheared and binded.

Otherwise, depending on the actual sound it could be the driver fets or the motor itself. Can you post a short video or audio clip of it happening? Also does it only happen under load or can you trigger it with the back wheel off the ground?

[-] SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

The bike is in the shop for a separate reason but when it’s back I’ll test it out. What would it mean if it only happens under load or not?

[-] TrippySquidsman@reddthat.com 3 points 1 year ago

If it only happens under load, that would make me suspect the motor driver. It sounds like the circuitry isn't able to handle much current anymore, which would cause it to basically lock itself out for safety, until it's power cycled. Most likely such a scenario isn't communicated to the display.

[-] ickis@midwest.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Under load would refer to when you're on the bike and activating the motor vs lifting the rear wheel of the bike off the ground and activating the motor.

[-] _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

Check all the connections, sounds like a loose wire.

[-] FartsWithAnAccent@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Post pics, more details, and probably make sure your cables are securely connected.

[-] anothercatgirl 1 points 1 year ago

From what I heard, it's probably a proprietary bug in whatever manufacturer made your ebike. I think warranty service is your only option.

load more comments

this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023

14 points (100.0% liked)

micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility

2221 readers

39 users here now

Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, longboards, eboards, motorcycles, skates, unicycles: Whatever floats your goat, this is all things micromobility!

"Transportation using lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, especially electric ones that may be borrowed as part of a self-service rental program in which people rent vehicles for short-term use within a town or city.

micromobility is seen as a potential solution to moving people more efficiently around cities"

Feel free to also check out

!utilitycycling@slrpnk.net

!bikewrench@lemmy.world

!bikecommuting@lemmy.world

!bikepacking@lemmy.world

!electricbikes@lemmy.world

!bicycle_touring@lemmy.world

!notjustbikes@feddit.nl

!longboard@lemmy.world

It's a little sad that we need to actually say this, but:

Don't be an asshole or you will be permanently banned.