Powabyke Carbon brushes

[stemil]

Does anyone know where I can obtain some carbon brushes for a Powabyke Euro?
The brushes are approximately 6mm sq and about 20mm long, I have just changed some but would like a spare set for our other Powabyke which I am sure are close to going as the bike is a year older than the ones I have just changed.
Unfortunately I did not measure the exact size when changing them and foolishly binned the remnants so now I have nothing to measure.
The electric transport shop tell me that they are a discontinued part and that their stock has been depleted.
If this is the case are there any alternatives which fit or can be made to fit?
And does anyone know the exact size so I can possibly find a suitable part from say a powertool for example?
Many thanks for any help or advice and shame on Powabyke if they actually have been discontinued.

 

[neptune]

I can not help you directly. But I am interested because I too run a Powabyke Euro [2002 model] I would imagine that even carbon brushes for power tools are only available from specialist suppliers. Another possibility is if you can find an old established auto-electrician who has old stock stuff from car heater motors, wiper motors or possibly dynamos. I stripped my hub recently for maintenance, and my brushes are about half worn.

 

[Blew it]

Try contacting Frank Curran, Sales Manager at Powabyke.


Powabyke
Gate 1 Trident Works
Marsh Lane
Temple Cloud
Bristol
BS39 5AZ
01761 568085
Powabyke, Electrically powered bikes : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

fcurran@powabyke.com

 

[stemil]

I sent them an e-mail a couple of days ago, just awaiting a reply after the Bank Holiday.
Looking at their range they still do a Lead/Acid 250w brushed motor Trike, so unless they have radically changed the design of the motor I can't see why they should not stock spare brushes?
I'll update this when I know the spares situation.

 

[stemil]

I can not help you directly. But I am interested because I too run a Powabyke Euro [2002 model] I would imagine that even carbon brushes for power tools are only available from specialist suppliers. Another possibility is if you can find an old established auto-electrician who has old stock stuff from car heater motors, wiper motors or possibly dynamos. I stripped my hub recently for maintenance, and my brushes are about half worn.

Hi neptune, did you check out the condition of the gearbox damper pinion rubbers and plates?
I have had to replace these twice now on each bike. They are apparently another unobtainable part.

 

[neptune]

@stemil.No I did not check these, as I did not know they existed. My maintenance was restricted to removing the left [non cable] side cover from the hub, removing the gearbox cover, which I think has six screws, cleaning out the old solidified grease, and putting new grease in . To check the brushes, I had to pull the whole assembly out of the hub. I believe that not all Powabyke brushed hubs are the same, because I think in some models you can remove both sides of the hub, but I am not certain. There is a good chance that all types take the same brushes. What are the symptoms of wear in these parts that you mention, and at what mileage do they fail? How did you manage to replace them if these parts are not obtainable? It would be worth ringing Frank Curran, but I think that the last time i spoke to him, they would only sell complete hubs, or wheels.

 

[mike killay]

I had a similar problem with a car heater motor. I went to an electrical wholesalers and bought some brushes that were far too big. It was an easy job to file them down to size.