I bought a Votol EM260 kit from electro and co to build up a KTM dirtbike. I was stupid and was welding on the frame with the electronics in the bike and now the controller isn't working. When I plug in the battery, it seems to pop the battery BMS every few seconds as the displayed voltage jumps between ~50V to ~20V and it smells like electrical arcing. Battery & BMS was checked out as all good. What can I do to troubleshoot? Is there a phone app to talk to the controller?
Votol EM260 Fried?
- Thread starter blong
- Start date
I'd check the wiring itself for damaged insulation where it touches the frame, anywhere in the system (but especiallay whereever it's clsoer to the welded areas).
arcing smells only happen when there's arcing, and that happens where theres compromizsed insulaltion or poor connections leaving a gap to be crossed.
arcing smells only happen when there's arcing, and that happens where theres compromizsed insulaltion or poor connections leaving a gap to be crossed.
Pull the controller out and power it via an external PSU if you want to test it. It will boot up from as little as ~12V. With a bench PSU set at 30V I'm seeing around 1 second at 0.5A (limited) for precharge and then it should stabilize at around 50mA. If yours keeps pulling power indefinitely, it needs repair 
Be very careful if the battery is turning off. Depending on your settings you might be pulling a lot during those few seconds, if there's indeed a dead short.
Be very careful if the battery is turning off. Depending on your settings you might be pulling a lot during those few seconds, if there's indeed a dead short.
Wiring all looks ok. Would this be an ok power supply to set voltage and check current?
I got a DC power supply. At 30V, it quickly stabilizes at ~0A with the bike's switch off. With the switch on, it quickly stabilizes at ~0.1A. Everything seems fine. I turned the volts up to 50V, then with a small throttle crack, the rear wheel turns fine. No issues. I can't give it more than a small throttle input since I only have a 150W power supply. So maybe I did just have a battery issue?
