On my way home from work today the strangest thing happened -- the fuel level LCD (17-bar battery status gauge) appeared to become an efficiency gauge. When I accelerated strongly the bars dropped dramatically from 17 to 3! But when I let off of the throttle and went into regen braking the bars all came back. I immediately pulled over and turned the bike off and back on, but this continued to happen. If I accelerated gradually a few bars would disappear, then reappear when I leveled off at a stable speed. The effect was directly proportional to the amount of acceleration and this continued during my ride home (20 miles). The bars didn't drop off as I rode, but continued to indicate the level of acceleration all the way home. I can't believe this was some sort of bizarre coincidence -- rather I wonder if I somehow found a feature that shouldn't have been activated.
I turned the bike off and on a couple of more times later, but to no avail. How do I put it back?! The only other think I noticed was that the estimated range gauge was always at zero miles.
I plan to charge overnight and see if it somehow resets itself tomorrow.
Anyone else experience this?
P.S. for Prius drivers -- this is exactly like the efficiency gauge on the Prius when the LCD display varies with acceleration from the 'Eco' to the 'Power' portion of the gauge.
That is exactly how the new Zero bike "fuel" gauge works too!
Adam - Denver, CO
2007 Vectrix VX-1 charged with the power of the sun = zero carbon footprint
It now appears that this pattern was a sign of something much worse. When I plugged in to charge tonight... nothing. The bike appears to be dead. I looked in the manual to see if I could check the fuses, but the manual says that fuses have to be changed by the dealer. Darn. I just got 6K miles on it too....
I guess I'll be calling Vectrix service tomorrow -- we'll see what happens. Technically it's still under warranty until August, 2010 ....
something new for us all to look forward to :)
Was it still showing the same level of fullness or "efficiency" at the end of the 32km ride as at the beginning?
I think I have seen a similar, but much less detailed description of Vectrix gauge behaviour before, but cannot remember where. Or someone might have told me about it - I'll make some enquiries.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
I had this happen to me when my battery charger died If I'm right the only fix will be a replacement charger sorry for bad news regards rob white
rob white
If the charger fails the motor controller takes over the fuel gauge. But, it only displays the voltage not the remaining SOC.
This exact fault happened to me a year ago, I thought my charger was blown again, I disconnected the battery blue connectors and reconnected (not recommended without the limiting resister) and all was back to normal. From what is described your bike needs a hard reboot.
regards
Peter
I thought that it sounded like the battery voltage under current draw!
That is what I get to see on the Vectux M-BMS when I switch it to the 102s battery voltage setting.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Yes, it was quite strange, when I pulled into the driveway after riding 20 miles on the freeway and I slowed by regen-braking, the bars zipped right back up to 14 or 15 bars. When I parked it the gauge read (and still reads) 14 bars. At this rate I should be able to go 100+ more miles ;-)
I've never take the Vectrix apart; I wouldn't know where to start, although I'm sure I could find a lot of info here on this forum. First I'll wait to see how Vectrix responds to my request for service. I called them today and got their answering machine in the service department. The recording says that they will respond within 48 hours, so I should have some answer soon.
If, for some reason Vectrix doesn't fix it, I'd like to try this "hard reboot". How did you do it without this resistor? Or do you have one? Is this limiting resistor something I can buy or is it a Vectrix proprietary device?
Thanks for the advice!
Hi X Vectrix,
how does the battery voltage map to the bars when running in that mode?
is it linear, each bar representing a fixed unit voltage?
what voltage is represented by 17 bars?
what voltage is represented by 1 bar?
cheers,
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
Well I didnt use the resistor I just unplugged the batt cable waited 5 mins and plugged it in again.(on the advice of a Vectrix serviceman)
It worked.
The limiting resistor I use today is simply a 45watt light globe, (soldered wire to it). Join that between the two batteries, when the glow dies out, connect the cable
The meter just goes up 16-17 when you regen and down to around tree bars on acceleration, didnt study it too close, as I was concerned I stuff charger.
Matt
Roughly 135V at full bars and 110V at no bars.
Hey Mik,
What is a 102s battery voltage setting?
Hey X Vectrix -- did you work for Vectrix before? Do you agree that it looks like a bad charger? Is this a difficult repair? Just curious... I'm trying to be patient -- I know that the new guys are busy, but it's been 10 days since I called (7 business days)... still waiting for my 48 hour reply ;-)
It is the 102-cell-serial (=whole battery) setting on the Manual-BMS which I concocted into the Vectux.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Well the charger is definitely not putting data on the CANbus if its not driving the fuel gauge anymore. This could mean several things, but the fact that the charger doesnt power up when plugged in either is a bad indication. (there is an AC/DC and DC/DC converter, so if there is no power in both situations it probably means something downstream of both has popped). Unfortunately, there is not much you can repair inside the charger.
Interesting post.
My bike has done 11 000 km, generally good. New software this year, and a new battery. Not because of battery state, but by a faulty temperature sensor inside.
- But now it's behaving as described above. - Fuel gauge act like some kind of voltmeter. -Low under accelleration, almost full at regen, or at rest. Voltage says 134 volts, fuel gauge is one below full. Charger is not (completely?) dead, it will start, but stop at once. - Because of voltage rising?
Tried to disconnect the big battery plug for hours. - No difference.
Is this a faulty charger? Can i replace it myself? - Long way to dealer.
the voltmeter fuel guage happens when the motorcontroller is no longer receiving anything from the charger through the CAN bus.
the charger shutting down almost right away would suggest the charger isn't connected to the CAN bus at all, as it requires the cell temperature data reported by the battery management boards.
in short: either the chargers CAN controllers are dead, of the connection is loose.
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
Thanks Matt, for a good answer :)
I dismantled the covers and checked plugs. They are the rounded, "pig-tail" type. - Bike was bought summer 2008.
Plugs are fine, but the sealing where cables go into the charger has come loose, so water would have an easy way in. - Look a little cheap, with lots of silicone around rubber sealings.
Anyway, now I know what's wrong. Hope dealer will agree to send a pre-programmed charger.
Thanks again!
Johan
Got a new charger, of a different kind. The new one might be a little bigger, and has an external fan. Can't see the plugs now, think the round ones are replaced. On power-on, charging increases in steps, instead of gradually, as before.
Johan
It's the new runke charger. The plugs are hidden in the upper side, to prevent water exposure. If you had round plugs, your vectrix must be one of the early ones. Can you check date of build and serial please? it may contribute to the vectrix production chronology.
UPDATE: I found a picture of the new charger:
I'm not sure, but it seems that the impellers are different...
Thanks, and you are right, this look like my charger.
My bike was made in December 2007. Guess serial is VIN/NIV: SZCAASRW0WAA00302.
Mileage is 11200 km.
- Got a little worried one day. After start of charging the temperature meter indicated 60 degrees celcius for maybe 20 seconds. Then it went back to normal, which was only 5 that day. Hope there is no issue with sensors, or the new charger.
Thanks! and very Interesting!
Your bike was one of the may 2007 units that were retooled in Poland and officially produced in december 2007.
http://www.voltforum.cat/voltforum/YaBB.pl?num=1257251983