Alien gents power problem - Pedelec Forums

Aidytodd · #1 (**permalink**) 25th June 2009, 23:36

Hi new to here and received my 1st ebike less than a week a go, have only used it the last few days and evrything seemed fine with it until tonight, had just charged the battery back up and went about a 1/2 mile up the road then all of a sudden complete power failure. Came back home and checked the voltage coming from the battery and it says 39.7v when not connected to the controller. Once i connect the controller it shows 0.5v, does anybody have an opinion on whether this is the battery has failed or if its a controller problem. Have emailed bob but havent got a reply back yet. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Thomas

rog_london · #2 (**permalink**) 25th June 2009, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aidytodd

Hi new to here and received my 1st ebike less than a week a go, have only used it the last few days and evrything seemed fine with it until tonight, had just charged the battery back up and went about a 1/2 mile up the road then all of a sudden complete power failure. Came back home and checked the voltage coming from the battery and it says 39.7v when not connected to the controller. Once i connect the controller it shows 0.5v, does anybody have an opinion on whether this is the battery has failed or if its a controller problem. Have emailed bob but havent got a reply back yet. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Thomas

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like the battery is fine (otherwise you wouldn't be getting 39.7v) but you have a duff connection somewhere. If a quick look round and a check of all connections doesn't solve your problem, you really need to refer it back to your supplier. You shouldn't delve too deeply as it will be a warranty job at worst and any unnecessary poking about may jeopardize that.

If you don't get a timely reply do try the phone - in my experience many suppliers (not just of ebikes) haven't quite caught up with the business of reading and responding to emails in a timely manner.

Rog.

Aidytodd · #3 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 02:07

Only wanted to check see if i was getting power from the battery which i was, other than that havent done anything and dont plan to. Was just wondering if it sounded like a battery or other fault.

Thanks
Thomas

The Maestro · #4 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 11:31

Where are you measuring the voltage after connecting the controller to the battery?

drgcb · #5 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 11:35

The Alien 36V system (with the battery in the pannier rack) seems to suffer from battery problems. I've had the identical situation to you, with the voltage reading ok until plugged in, when it drops and won't function. This was in fact a battery issue (although I don't know exactly what).

The other thing to watch out for is the key switch mechanism failing. This has happened to me twice now (am on my third battery in a year!) and manifests itself as power cutting out going over road bumps, which can then be temporarily restored by turning the key off and on again . . . until the next bump. I have now taken the key switch completely out of the circuit.

Anyway, best to get Alien to sort it, as Rog says. They are pretty responsive by email, but the telephone number frustratingly seems to be a closely guarded secret. I had no problem getting them to send replacement batteries.

Best of luck getting it sorted.

Greg

Tubaman · #6 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 11:45

I`ve been (and still am) really impressed with my Alien 36V kit which I purchased in January 2009.

Only problem I have had, similar to this, was when I went over a large,sharp bump which dislodged the 3-pin kettle like connection that plugs into the battery.

Very easily sorted - I hope it simply ends up with being eg. a lose cable as it`s a really decent/well thought out kit.

Aidytodd · #7 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Maestro

Where are you measuring the voltage after connecting the controller to the battery?

At the terminals that connect the battery to the controller.

Think it is the same issue you had drgcb, have been in contact with bob from alien bikes and he also thinks its the battery, same as you, i havent a clue what it is though.

Many thanks for the responses
Thomas

The Maestro · #8 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aidytodd

At the terminals that connect the battery to the controller.

Think it is the same issue you had drgcb, have been in contact with bob from alien bikes and he also thinks its the battery, same as you, i havent a clue what it is though.

Many thanks for the responses
Thomas

Sounds like the Battery Management System is flaking out when something is connected to it and drawing power. I've also been through 3 36V Alien batteries but when I had a problem they all seemed to read less than 25 volts but would also return to normal if left for a while and then fail again after a few miles/meters. I did hear someone say that there was a bad batch of batteries a while ago and it was sorted now but I don't think it is. I can't even be bothered returning my latest battery. He does replace the batteries the instant you send one back no questions asked, and I did use to think what amazing customer service it was from an ebay seller, but after a while its just a joke. In my opinion his 36V kits aren't worth buying unless you are a very light user and don't mind if it fails at some point. The advantages of having a purpose build locking battery/rack is outweighed by the fact that the batteries are very failure prone. Just to make this a balanced Alien review, I've never heard aything bad about his 24V kits and they are a much neater fitting than the 36V kits.

Dynamic Position · #9 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aidytodd

Hi new to here and received my 1st ebike less than a week a go, have only used it the last few days and evrything seemed fine with it until tonight, had just charged the battery back up and went about a 1/2 mile up the road then all of a sudden complete power failure. Came back home and checked the voltage coming from the battery and it says 39.7v when not connected to the controller. Once i connect the controller it shows 0.5v, does anybody have an opinion on whether this is the battery has failed or if its a controller problem. Have emailed bob but havent got a reply back yet. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Thomas

Thomas,

The problem you describe might be caused by the power displayer on the handle bar. If it is possible for you to disconnect battery, disconnect the displayer then reconnect battery and test whether the bike will run. I am not familiar with your alien bike, but I have seen a circuit diagram for the 2009 Kit and it looks possible that a fault in this unit could crowbar the battery protection circuitry. I have presumed that the kit is very similar to the factory fitted version.

drgcb · #10 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 21:06

An interesting thought, Dynamic. I'm not sure if this makes any difference, but when I had a similar fault recently it was with a much simplified circuit with the original twist throttle (the same as on the Gents' Special with the battery meter on it) removed and a simple meterless thumb throttle fitted instead. If memory serves me correctly, I don't think it's uber easy to disconnect the battery meter independently anyway. In the case of my bike, the leads for the meter were soldered in separately from the standard three wire plug connector to the throttle.

Greg