After 10 days the Vectrix warranty elapsed, the charger dead ( Muprhy theorem)...In italy still unclear when the spare parts will be available again (some user are waiting more then 3 months for spare parts )....but concernig the price any thing is clear ,,the charger price in Italy is absolutelly crazy....
Do you have any symple electric schematic for charger 150V (no load) and 10A constant ?
We planned to install a power switch to isolate the pattery pakage from fuse during the recharging time by means this temporary charger.
We are aware this is a not good solution but at least we could partially recharge the battery and use the V for small range, waiting for a better solution.
Thanks for your help
Maybe he can help you.
When you price out a battery, charger, and controller together, $9,000 for the bike seems like a bargain! ;-)
Best of luck with finding a replacement.
I expect that if the company were still vibrant, they would do a "good will" warranty replacement, since it was that soon out of warranty, but as it is, there's no access to parts, or a company representative for authorization. This is a moment that we will all dread from here on out. It's also a heavy price to pay for being "early adopters".
Give us a description of the fault and the quoted price, please.
How do you know that your charger is "dead"?
Most importantly, why do you believe that the bike would run with a dead charger? Is it running now? As far as I can determine the charger is deeply integrated into the function of the VX-1 during riding as well as during charging. Unless proven by an "experiment", I would not assume that charging with an external charger will fix your problem. A VX-1 might not run if the charger is dead, even with a full battery. But it might, I don't know yet.
For a discussion (not much of it, yet) of a simple, but maybe dangerous charger have a look here: https://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11785
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
it depends on the part of the charger that has failed - sometimes they run, sometimes not!
As your bike is an early one you should have had a "newer" charger fitted when the battery was reworked. If you strip the unit you should see what has been replaced/reworked as most earlier chargers failed at some point and were rebuilt and used in a service exchange manner. When you remove the charger do not drop the spacers on the two lower mounting bolts......
Hi Mik
The fault is the charging doesn’t start and the symbols red battery and yellow mechanic key blinking. Nevertheless the Vectrix is running.
I know the charger is broken because the dealer tested it via diagnostic sw . The price is 2430 Euros.
I’ve already check the two fuses inside the charger but they are good.
The charger stop work after the main fuse was replace.
Strange situation with my bike Electro,
The charger failed. all dead no lights or fans, but when riding it bars would go up and down (like vacumn gauge in car)
depending on power drain, I disconnected (unplugged)then connected the battery packs, and charger worked again as normal
one can get lucky?
Peter
HI. in Barcelona one Vectrix's charger was broken due to accidental overvoltage. The replacement of the charger was made for 1500 euros aprox. If you are interested, I can give you further details.
Hi Peter
I have exactly the same behavior !!! I'll try to disconnect the battery today evening....hope this can resolve the problem.
sound like its had a surge to the charger..
after reconnecting the wires from main battery??
Hi Elektro
I called Vectrix UK yesterday and they taell me that they are still hanging in there and they are still taking calls, offering technical advice and some parts supply.
There are 3 people still employed and they seemed very upbeat.
They wouldnt let on what the future held for them but seemed very hopeful .
Just very well informed
deto. nise people there very helpfull .watch this space vectrix lives on sorted........kev
Dear Friends
Unfortunately the battery disconnecting procedure was not successful for my charger...It still dead....I'm currently negotiating, here in Italy, for a 2nd hand vectrix damaged (due to car accident) for a spare parts cannibalization .
Meanwhile I want buy this charger http://www.newkellycontroller.com/product_info.php?cPath=31_50&products_id=562 ,only for temporary period.
What do you think, may I use it ? For sure it can't replace the genuine one.I want use it directly on battery package, after the fuse disconnection and only for partially recharge (1h max )
@Rebel :thanks for positive news..please can you tell us which number to call?
that 144v kelly charger will give a finnishing voltage of around 170v.
you would be better off with this charger, as the finnishing charge voltage would be around 144v:
http://www.newkellycontroller.com/product_info.php?cPath=31_50&products_id=561
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
Hi Matt, do you know how many A at 140V for the charger you suggested ?
thank
That charger appears to be a standard 3-stage charger.
So the charge current would be the rated 10A, until pack voltage reaches the max voltage (which would be around 144v), then it would change over to constant voltage until current falls below some value.
i have yet to use this particular charger, so the settings may be a little different.
the specifications would however appear to better fit your Ni-mh pack (with supervision, left un-attended, this lead acid charger will ruin a ni-mh pack).
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
Hi Elektro,
Someone ripping someone off if you ask me.
The price of a replacement charger in the Vectrix parts list is $1526 or 1070 Euros.
Yes, there may be some taxes and carriage on that and, no doubt, some dealer profit but just how greedy can everyone get?
From 1070Euros to 2400Euros is one hell of a profit/cost/tax margin.
The Vectrix might be Environmentally friendly but the system sure isn't Wallet friendly.
Hi Elektro
The number is +441962717769.
they may be able to help, seemed to do the trick with Kev .
Just very well informed
Why don't you just open up the charger, have a look, identify the failed component and repair it?
Any electronics repair technician with the knack should be able to figure out if it is fixable.
You might find it is dirt cheap!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!