Any e-Bike technical experts on here?

ThisIsWeird

About to buy a 'project' e-Bike, a non-runner. I know I know...

I'll be looking for guidance on how to check and test each main component separately.

Ta

Newcad

Basically the same as any other bike, apart from the motor and controls of course.

Try: https://reallygoodebikes.com/blogs/electric-bike-blog/repair-electric-bike

ThisIsWeird

Newcad said:

Basically the same as any other bike, apart from the motor and controls of course.

Try: https://reallygoodebikes.com/blogs/electric-bike-blog/repair-electric-bike

It has a motor?! :-O

Thanks - I'll check that out.

No 'sperts on here, then :-(

Moss5

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/
These people seem to be helpful.

ThisIsWeird

Let the fun begin

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That looks like a 2017 Benelli e-Misano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmn7OtQlVsM.

I don't know what happened to Benelli e-bikes, they may be defunct, or just the UK outlet, but they aren't easy to find on t'interweb.

It was a well spec'd bike in it's day, hydraulic brakes (even if the discs are the size of "shrinkflation" digestive biscuits) and Shimano components.

There should be an enormous  battery sticking out of the front downtube - do you have it?

ThisIsWeird

facade said:

That looks like a 2017 Benelli e-Misano

I don't know what happened to Benelli e-bikes, they may be defunct, or just the UK outlet, but they aren't easy to find on t'interweb.

It was a well spec'd bike in it's day, hydraulic brakes (even if the discs are the size of "shrinkflation" digestive biscuits) and Shimano components.

There should be an enormous  battery sticking out of the front downtube - do you have it?

I'd intended to add some details - sorry.

Yes, it's their e-misano model. I guessed it was an earlier one as mine has cable discs, but perhaps that was swapped at some point (that's fine - I'm more familiar with cables :-) )

The biggie with this one is that the battery unit (yes, I have it) was recently refurbished by a pro company, and should be in tip-top condition. It also came with a bag of parts, spare controllers, LCD display, sensors and stuff.

I wasn't after a leccy bike, but got sucked in by its looks :-)

Yes, seemingly very rare. Couldn't resist at £75. Should be a fun project...

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£75 is rather a bargain, they were over £1500 new.

It is just a pushbike with a motor in the rear hub. Hopefully the frame is designed for it, and there is something that acts as a torque bar rather than just the clamping of the spindle in the drop-outs.  

Straighten the derailleur hanger- they are always bent on a second hand 'bike (and most new ones too) and fit a new chain, the spec. was a KMC 9 speed, which come with a joiner link.

The electrics should have a cadence sensor on the crank, usually a pick up near the bottom bracket and magnets on the sprocket, or a little plastic disc on the spindle with magnets in.

There should be normally closed switches in the brake levers that open when you brake and cut the assistance. The controller won't power up with them disconnected they have to either work, or be jumpered across.

Then the assistance should only cut in when the crank is turning (and the brakes are off)..

So to test it, power it on (the controller should self-test and display zero speed and the pedal assistance level, or fail the tests with an error code- usually a wire is disconnected, like to the brake switches or cadence sensor) and set a pedal assistance level with the button for the controller.

Lift the back wheel and turn the crank slowly - the motor should cut in and run up to it's governed speed (15.5 MPH if it meets the EPAC rules, but it may pre-date them)

ThisIsWeird

facade said:

£75 is rather a bargain, they were over £1500 new.

It is just a pushbike with a motor in the rear hub. Hopefully the frame is designed for it, and there is something that acts as a torque bar rather than just the clamping of the spindle in the drop-outs. 

Straighten the derailleur hanger- they are always bent on a second hand 'bike (and most new ones too) and fit a new chain, the spec. was a KMC 9 speed, which come with a joiner link.

The electrics should have a cadence sensor on the crank, usually a pick up near the bottom bracket and magnets on the sprocket, or a little plastic disc on the spindle with magnets in.

There should be normally closed switches in the brake levers that open when you brake and cut the assistance. The controller won't power up with them disconnected they have to either work, or be jumpered across.

Then the assistance should only cut in when the crank is turning (and the brakes are off)..

So to test it, power it on (the controller should self-test and display zero speed and the pedal assistance level, or fail the tests with an error code- usually a wire is disconnected, like to the brake switches or cadence sensor) and set a pedal assistance level with the button for the controller.

Lift the back wheel and turn the crank slowly - the motor should cut in and run up to it's governed speed (15.5 MPH if it meets the EPAC rules, but it may pre-date them)

Thank you - that's good stuff.

Yes, I couldn't resist it at that price - I could sell the bits for a lot more, tho' that's not my intention.

I've heard of these torque bars, and will look at that later on, should I manage to get it running - it's to prevent the axle from spinning? 

The previous owner - not a slouch with bikes - couldn't get it to run, and spent a fair amount on it, like refurb'ing the battery, so there is summat amiss - I don't expect it to just fire up.

I got a new chain with it too :-)

Ok, the crank sensor. I'd have thought, with a bike built from scratch as an e-type, such sensors would be built in? I need to check that crank area carefully tomorrow. I was disappointed that he provided that after-market disc type sensor - I'm hoping it ain't needed. Ditto with the speed sensor - surely built in to the hub motor?

The hub is the well-known 8FUN by Bafang. The correct 36V and 250W jobbie. It has BF1604H60322-1 on it, but I cannot find any reference to this number anywhere. Any idea?

One of the bits that came with it is an electric thumb control - looks a bit like a bike bell, and you can push the thumb level a fair bit against a spring. What could that be? Could it be a direct speed control - ie just push to go?

The frame is a lovely design. The cutaway for the rear wheel, the swaged and fluted upper on the seat stay, even the aerodynamic seat post :-)

facade

I have a Rad e-bike with a Bafang motor - I expect that virtually all hub motors are Bafang.

I have a hand throttle that is disabled in the UK and forms a switch- probably what your switch is for.

When you press it the motor runs upto 4mph, so you can use it to power the bike whilst you wheel it uphill (for some reason they weigh about 500Kg and not even Superman could lift one, never mind push it uphill).

More usefully, you just lazily pull up in 4th or so, then when the lights change you jab that button, and the bike accelerates like a railgun to 4mph, and you just start pedalling and the assistance helps you get upto speed.

Yes the speed should come from the motor pulses.

There are plenty of e-bike controllers about, and kits on Aliexpress for not much money, as long as the motor & battery are ok.

ThisIsWeird

Thanks again.

Are you saying that these switches are not UK legal?