Motor Gone !!!!

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
Hi all.I went to work this morning on my Freego Eagle in heavy rain and all was well on my 10mile trip but this evening I went to ride home and it would not put the power down anyway I cycled back the mile I had gone and had a look in out cycle room ?? (sweating)and on its stand it worked OK with no problems but once off the stand and putting weight on the back wheel you could tell it wanted to go but wouldn't put enough power down to move the bike???? any ideas ?????,I was lucky to get a lift home and there were no busses and the next 3 days will be on my Marin Hybrid with high winds and heavy rain (again!!).If its the motor where is the best place to get one and who to build it in the Exeter area .
Regards Steve C :(
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
You've got water where you shouldn't oughta. It's a very common problem when riding in heavy rain.

Whatever you do, don't use full throttle until it's sorted. Hopefully, it's in the throttle or in the multi-pin connector to the motor, which are easy enough to dry out, but it could be in the motor shorting out the halls there depending on which motor they use. Do you know which one it is? It could also be in any of the connectors if you have one of those harnesses with a manifold at the front.
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
Hi d8veh. Ive tried all the connectors and regularly spray them with WD40 but tomorrow I will try the connectors and try to dry them out!!,when you say the throttle is that the throttle on the handlebars or in the controller !! But I will try them if I have time tomorrow as for the rest im lost but thanks a lot for the info
Regards Steve c
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
The throttle on the handlebars.You could try taking it off, giving it a good shake, and then stick it in the airing cupboard for a day. Anybody that's going to ride their bike with a throttle in heavy rain should seal the hall-sensor connections inside with silicone sealant or similar.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
If you get stuck, I probably have one I can lend you. In Exeter at some point tomorrow....
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
I know and was very greatfull but I was going to have a look at it today but I've spayed it all with WD40 early today. Steve c
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
Hi.I have had a look at it today and took the controller under the handlebars apart but all seemed OK as did the 21 pin connector by the back wheel I also took off the cover and had a good look at the control box near the crank but l was dry in there !!!.I also went for a little ride and it was OK for 50mtrs then stopped again. I also leaned hard on the saddle and used the throttle and it wanted to go but there was a groaning noise coming from the motor so is it the motor is stuffed or could be anything else (I will look at the throttle tomorrow.
steve c
 

Eaglerider

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 25, 2011
374
47
East Sussex
I also went for a little ride and it was OK for 50mtrs then stopped again. I also leaned hard on the saddle and used the throttle and it wanted to go but there was a groaning noise coming from the motor. steve c
Hi Steve, I had exactly the same symptoms when my controller packed up, which was also proceeded by a very wet ride. The problems were intermittent at first, but progressively got worse. I note that D8veh suggests to avoid full throttle if water gets in, and perhaps I blew my controller by doing just that. After fitting a new controller box, everything went back to normal and it's been fine for a few hundred miles since.
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
Thanks Eaglerider thats a help as a controller I think is a lot cheaper than a new motor and getting it fitted but I shall try the throttle tomorrow to see if that makes any differance.
Steve.
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
Hi.I took all the electrics apart yesterday and took the throttle off and dried it out then put it all back together but no good if its on its stand it works fine but if I lean on the saddle the motor groans and wants to go but seems to have not enough power!! so if it is the motor where is the best place to get a 36v x 250watt one and is there anyware in the Exeter area to fit it all.
Regards Steve C

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
If your motor runs OK with no load, it's probably OK. It groans when it loses sync with the controller,not because it's faulty.

With it half-working, the cause will be difficult to find. Did you look in the controller compartment to see if there was water in there? Have a look at your phase and hall connections there. You might even have to open the controller to see if water entered.
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
If your motor runs OK with no load, it's probably OK. It groans when it loses sync with the controller,not because it's faulty.

With it half-working, the cause will be difficult to find. Did you look in the controller compartment to see if there was water in there? Have a look at your phase and hall connections there. You might even have to open the controller to see if water entered.
I've opened the control compartment and no water and I sealed it with silicone so no water could get in.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
It's not good to seal it because it can fill up with water. Seal the top three sides, but leave the bottom unsealed so that any water that does come in can get out. Was it "sealed" before you had the problem?
 

steve.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2011
302
42
74
Exeter Devon
It's not good to seal it because it can fill up with water. Seal the top three sides, but leave the bottom unsealed so that any water that does come in can get out. Was it "sealed" before you had the problem?

Yes it was sealed well before it stopped cause the front wheel spray went right in there through the hole for the wiring loom and it was dry.
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
It sounds like replacing the controller would be a good move.
If it does not offer an immediate cure, then at least you will have spare which may come in handy in the future.
 

RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
4,732
2,312
WD 40 has insulating as well as drying properties so I would stop using it.

I think you can get some stuff for electrical connections, but using that is unlikely to be a reliable solution.