Postby ex925 » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:52 pm
Hi, guys, hope all went well for you on Drive Electric Day 2008. Mine was wet, but good, but ended in a bit of a puzzle. Any advice would be appreciated.
On Friday 031008, I had sprayed half a can of ignition-sealant over all the electric components. I had then tested the bike by watering it with a hose-nozzle set on 'soak'. I then rode 10 miles on it. No apparent ill-effects showed up.
On Saturday 041008, I was at my half-way point, 8 miles from home. I had been through two VERY heavy showers, and expected to reach home again without any trouble. After meeting up for lunch at Captain Jasper's with my better half, and Lucy, our Jack Russel, I set off on the return leg.
Thus far, I would have expected to have 15 to 18 miles remaining before needing to use lower gears, but within 4 miles, signs of vehicle energy supply fatigue were showing up. Normally, because the batteries are sold for golf trolleys, with much made about the ability to withstand 75-80% D.o.D., I have been able to let the volts run down to 20.5 on load and 22.2 to 22.5 free with good remaining performance and no apparent adverse after-effect. I have done this maybe twenty times, so far, in the four months I have been using this rig regularly, including Sparkford and Anglesey and some serious range and re-charge test-runs.
Yesterday, I ran out of power after another 2 miles, particularly so in the last mile, total less than 15 miles in all. Normal range up to now has been 22 to 26 miles, with use of low gears and reduced speed needed at the last 3-6 miles, depending on gradient.
What puzzles me is that the volts descended only as far as 21.0 under load and 23.7 free, yet there was not even enough power remaining to roll the machine forward without me. My best guess is that some moisture may have entered the controller. The batteries showed 12.3v. and 12.0v., respectively immediately on disconnection at the roadside.
If anyone has any views on what may be the problem, I would be grateful to learn.
Meantime, I'm looking forward to reading how others fared on Drive Electric Day, 2008.
All the best, from Ed. Gordon