Hi, new on the site although I have read lots of threads in the last year as I researched electric bikes. Finally two weeks ago bought a Lafree Twist on ebay (2002 vintage). Bike is great - took it out yesterday and got 35miles on full pedal assist which is brilliant. Battery was showing all five charge bars full but I put it on charge anyway for 2 hours to ensure it was fully charged before going out. Both the charger (SP1 type from METCO) and the battery felt fairly warm towards the end. On the ride ran the battery down until the power assist was auto turned off. The battery is now on single bar and blinks.
Now the problem. When the charger is plugged in, it flashes 3 times (which I think means it is on standby getting ready to charge) and then nothing else happens. The charger stays at ambient temp and no charge is getting through to the battery. There is about 30v on the lead to the battery and I can measure the same voltage on the supply line within the battery compartment. There is about 28v between the positive supply and a lead to the thermister (?) (orange wire in the SP1 charger lead). The battery discharge terminals read 23.5v.
The battery is a Panasonic EKE007 20 cell 6.5Ah pack. Looks like it dates from May 2010 (05/10 written on the pack). The battery was on the bike before charging so would have been at 2 or 3 degC so have wondered whether this is the problem. Also whether somehow in the initial top-up charge the thermistor overtemp protection failed.
I have tried to use another battery charger for a 24v power tool but the output voltage doesn't exceed 22.5v so no sucess there.
Has anyone suggestions for what to do next ? Assuming it is the batteries I have damaged I am happy to start dismantling the battery pack.
Thanks
Brian
Now the problem. When the charger is plugged in, it flashes 3 times (which I think means it is on standby getting ready to charge) and then nothing else happens. The charger stays at ambient temp and no charge is getting through to the battery. There is about 30v on the lead to the battery and I can measure the same voltage on the supply line within the battery compartment. There is about 28v between the positive supply and a lead to the thermister (?) (orange wire in the SP1 charger lead). The battery discharge terminals read 23.5v.
The battery is a Panasonic EKE007 20 cell 6.5Ah pack. Looks like it dates from May 2010 (05/10 written on the pack). The battery was on the bike before charging so would have been at 2 or 3 degC so have wondered whether this is the problem. Also whether somehow in the initial top-up charge the thermistor overtemp protection failed.
I have tried to use another battery charger for a 24v power tool but the output voltage doesn't exceed 22.5v so no sucess there.
Has anyone suggestions for what to do next ? Assuming it is the batteries I have damaged I am happy to start dismantling the battery pack.
Thanks
Brian