hypertoric_amplituhedron
100 W
This has happened to me twice in a week, now! Riding 20~30 miles, then it stops working. Both times at night, and in the same area. The first time was the on/off switch plug had come undone. Easily fixable had I known more about what I was looking at.
But, this time (tonight, 30 min ago) it was the geared front hub motor screeching and grinding to a halt. Felt like someone slammed on the brakes. I was cruising along at 22~23 mph, and with no warning it seized up. A little smoke with electrical smell was coming out of the frame bag, so I opened it up. No wires torched or anything.
I think the controller blew up. Battery pack still has good charge at 3.8v, and all 14 parallel groups are good. So I think the expensive part is okay. The wire that comes out of the hollow axle got spun and yanked really tight, from whatever happened inside. Must have been pretty awesome carnage from what it sounded like. Something also happened with the bearing on the opposite side of the wire.
It was really hard to push if you walked it, and felt like a constant uphill in the granny gear if you pedaled it. So, the remaining 20 miles home was not feasible. A $16.80 taxi fare it is! Always carry cash, debit card, DL, and bungee cords as breakdown supplies. Not including your tubes, CO2, tire levers, multitool, wrenches, cellphone, snacks, water, etc.
And, I'll tell you what. Any day spent riding or solving a breakdown issue is far more entertaining than playing games on my computer. Reality is unpredictable and amazing, and it's about time I got back in to it.
I'm thinking a leaf 1500 DD front hub motor on a 700c rim, plus a 6 fet sinewave controller would be on its way shortly.
But, this time (tonight, 30 min ago) it was the geared front hub motor screeching and grinding to a halt. Felt like someone slammed on the brakes. I was cruising along at 22~23 mph, and with no warning it seized up. A little smoke with electrical smell was coming out of the frame bag, so I opened it up. No wires torched or anything.
I think the controller blew up. Battery pack still has good charge at 3.8v, and all 14 parallel groups are good. So I think the expensive part is okay. The wire that comes out of the hollow axle got spun and yanked really tight, from whatever happened inside. Must have been pretty awesome carnage from what it sounded like. Something also happened with the bearing on the opposite side of the wire.
It was really hard to push if you walked it, and felt like a constant uphill in the granny gear if you pedaled it. So, the remaining 20 miles home was not feasible. A $16.80 taxi fare it is! Always carry cash, debit card, DL, and bungee cords as breakdown supplies. Not including your tubes, CO2, tire levers, multitool, wrenches, cellphone, snacks, water, etc.
And, I'll tell you what. Any day spent riding or solving a breakdown issue is far more entertaining than playing games on my computer. Reality is unpredictable and amazing, and it's about time I got back in to it.
I'm thinking a leaf 1500 DD front hub motor on a 700c rim, plus a 6 fet sinewave controller would be on its way shortly.