Help! Bianchi bike with Sunstar s03 motor

[Flagoneye]

Hi there.

New here, and to ebikes, but not cycling. So, as requested, a bit on me and cycling ...

Back in my 30's and 40's I used to cycle a 24 mile round trip to work in all weathers. I also enjoyed social rides with mates and followed the Tour de France at many locations every year for 11 consecutive years. In 93 we did the Lands End - John O'Grouts in just over a week. When I gave up running due to hip pain I had a go at Time Trials but never got the endorphin rush that running gave me and gave up on it, and cycling to a degree. I'm a pensioner now but have been lured back with the gift of an abandoned ebike from my son. I'd ridden it when he bought it and loved it and I'm looking forward to some more leisurely "Old Git" cycling

So to my problem and need for assistance. The bike came with a dead battery. So I've bitten the bullet and bought a replacement with seat post carrier, charger and fitted it. When switching the power on the outer 2 red lights flash on the controller light, then the single middle one, then repeat for a minute and then go off. On the subsequent test ride I got no assist at all and no response from the controller.

I'm in the process of checking wiring for damage/corrosion or anything else obvious.
Any tips on the possible cause greatly appreciated

 

[Benjahmin]

We'll need some photo's of the bike. An all over one. Detail of the motor with any markings. A picture of the handlebar display and one of the controller (if you can find it) with any lettering.

 

[Nealh]

The Sunstar I believe is no longer produced ( I could be wrong ) ? The BBS 01 clone type drive I believe is 24v so spares or parts re likely to be hard to come by.
With out knowing the error codes for led lights one can only assume they will relate to either failed motor Hall sensors or mosfets.

With these motors now being obsolete the best likely route to get it working is to rewire the motor to an external controller box and display.

 

[Nealh]

If one searches on the www. one will find some info from empoweredpeople.co.uk who have revived this motor.

 

[flecc]

If one searches on the www. one will find some info from empoweredpeople.co.uk who have revived this motor.

Here's the link
.

 

[Nealh]

utube link as well.

 

[Flagoneye]

We'll need some photo's of the bike. An all over one. Detail of the motor with any markings. A picture of the handlebar display and one of the controller (if you can find it) with any lettering.

 

[Flagoneye]

Thanks for a swift response Benjamin. Herewith the pictures requested

 

[Flagoneye]

utube link as well.

Thanks for that Nealh. I spent the morning yesterday Googling and had found that one. It looks pretty daunting and a little beyond my tool kit and ability, but a start with a little assistance and coaching from the guys who made the video

 

[kwpe]

That looks like a 'Voltage 1' error. If still stuck, try the people who were the importers:

Electric Bike Sales

electric bikes uk, electric bikes near me, electric bike shop, electric bikes sale

www.electricbikesales.co.uk

 

[Flagoneye]

That looks like a 'Voltage 1' error. If still stuck, try the people who were the importers:

Electric Bike Sales

electric bikes uk, electric bikes near me, electric bike shop, electric bikes sale

www.electricbikesales.co.uk

View attachment 48698

Thanks kwpe, and agreed, the lights flash in that sequence which would indicate an E4 error code. Indeed the voltage on the original battery was 26v and 15 amphr the replacement 24v and 10 amphr was the closest match I could find. I'll see what the original importers can tell me. I'm a little wiser, so thanks again.

 

[kwpe]

Thanks kwpe, and agreed, the lights flash in that sequence which would indicate an E4 error code. Indeed the voltage on the original battery was 26v and 15 amphr the replacement 24v and 10 amphr was the closest match I could find. I'll see what the original importers can tell me. I'm a little wiser, so thanks again.

Sunstar's documentation didn't keep pace with product development (my higher-voltage battery and LCD display didn't feature in any of the info that I had with the conversion). Nonetheless, perhaps your dead battery was one of those here?

(If there's interest, I could try to find a backup copy of the whole document. Bike and docs have moved on to another owner.)

 

[flecc]

Indeed the voltage on the original battery was 26v and 15 amphr the replacement 24v and 10 amphr was the closest match I could find.

If your replacement battery is a Lithium one, it will still be a 26 volt one, just called 24 volt by convention since earlier chemistries were true 24 volts.

In truth both lithium ones will be nominal 25.9 volts, being the sum of seven 3.7 volt cells in series.
.

 

[Flagoneye]

If your replacement battery is a Lithium one, it will still be a 26 volt one, just called 24 volt by convention since earlier chemistries were true 24 volts.

In truth both lithium ones will be nominal 25.9 volts, being the sum of seven 3.7 volt cells in series.
.

Thanks for all that info. It's been invaluable and means .... PROBLEM SOLVED !!!!
Having acquired a multi meter and checking the voltage of the battery and charger it turns out I was sent a 36v battery, not a 24v as ordered. That's been returned and the correct battery sent. So simple and problem over thought BUT ... I've had my first spin, pedal assisted, this morning.
Thank you one and all