Electric shock from throttle?

[MaximilianMM]

Hi there,

I have a rear hub 1000W conversion with pas and throttle.

Increasingly I have been aware when riding of a slight tingling in my right hand, that feels suspiciously like a small electric current.

That's where the throttle is, so I'm wondering if that's at all possible. It's obviously quite concerning.

I don't know if it's definitely that. It could potentially be some kind of repetitive strain nerve sensation, that's not impossible. However I only feel it when riding the bike, and only on my right hand. It could be that's just because the position aggravates the hand?! But it seems kind of unlikely.

Other relevant information - the charger recently short circuited and blew up when plugged in. The cable detached from the plug. The charger wasn't plugged into the battery at the time, and the socket switch was on at the time of plugging it in.

I now have a new charger. However I'm wondering if it's possible there is an issue with the bike electrics. I don't really know enough to investigate further.

Otherwise the bike works perfectly.

Does anyone have any thoughts? I'm a bit baffled.

 

[Comrade]

feels suspiciously like a small electric current.

Do you have a lot of experience with currents passing through your body to have memory of what it feels like? :lol:

Luckily, there is a very cheap device available to test your theory. A voltmeter. I personally think it's extremely unlikely that there is something wrong and that current is passing through a bike rider.

Current needs a path. Standing naked in a full bathtub holding a $5 toaster from Amazon with a fake UL sticker is one thing, but a fully clothed bike rider, it's a very remote possibility.

 

[MaximilianMM]

feels suspiciously like a small electric current.

Do you have a lot of experience with currents passing through your body to have memory of what it feels like? :lol:

Luckily, there is a very cheap device available to test your theory. A voltmeter. I personally think it's extremely unlikely that there is something wrong and that current is passing through a bike rider.

Current needs a path. Standing naked in a full bathtub holding a $5 toaster from Amazon with a fake UL sticker is one thing, but a fully clothed bike rider, it's a very remote possibility.

Not a lot, thankfully. But I've had small electric shocks before. I can tell it's something.

Voltmeter is a good idea, thanks.

 

[Chalo]

Does your throttle have a battery state of charge indicator or a voltmeter on it? If so, it has full battery voltage somewhere in it. If not, the "hot" wire is a whopping five volts.

Seems like a good time to break out your multimeter and go fishing for voltages.

Tingling in the hands and fingers is a symptom of poor bike fit, for what it's worth. It's easier to get when riding an e-bike, because you're not pedaling hard enough to lift weight off your hands.

 

[MaximilianMM]

Does your throttle have a battery state of charge indicator or a voltmeter on it? If so, it has full battery voltage somewhere in it. If not, the "hot" wire is a whopping five volts.

Seems like a good time to break out your multimeter and go fishing for voltages.

Tingling in the hands and fingers is a symptom of poor bike fit, for what it's worth. It's easier to get when riding an e-bike, because you're not pedaling hard enough to lift weight off your hands.

Cheers. No state of charge on the throttle. So I suppose that's reassuring.

Multimeter sounds like the way to go, but maybe it could nerve related...

 

[markz]

Are your hands wet?
Is there any bare wire showing
Throttles are low voltage low current, but I have had the Low-Brake E-Brake give me a little tingle but I had bare wire on the handlebar with a bit of sweat but I dont know what kind of current it uses, its a +5 to +12V to ground Low-Brake.

 

[dogman dan]

If this bike has flat bars, or nearly flat, you need to bend your elbows some while riding. You will pinch a nerve riding flat bars with elbows locked. Same if you ride the top of drop bars on a road bike.

So the type of bars and how you ride them makes it possible you feel tingling without any current. It can also present in just one hand, but it was usually both for me.

Another possible cause, the way you position a thumb throttle may have your right hand in a funny position, pinching the nerves in your wrist.

 

[MadRhino]

I feel the same until full throttle is reached. It is not electric, well it is but not from the throttle. It is from the brain, the same feeling that you have in your foot in the starting blocks waiting for the the gun shot.