I have been experiencing a problem with flashing battery and temperature warning lights, which causes my Vextrix NiMH to refuse to charge, even when the bike has been un-used in subzero Celsius for days. This usually only happens when it is humid (which here in the UK has been the case since last spring due to constant rain). I have tried sealing the connector and the temp sensor itself as suggested on this forum, but the problem still exists. Eventually I will install The Lairds software which, I have read, solves the problem.
In the meantime however, I chanced upon a simple workaround which may be of help to other owners with this problem:
Symptoms: Vectrix refuses to charge when displaying flashing battery and temperature lights - speedometer needle goes round, fans come on for, somewhere around 10 - 20 seconds, then the charger turns itself off.
Cure:1: Switch off the red kill switch on right hand handlebar / throttle. 2: Switch on ignition key. Dashboard lights up but with no flashing battery / temperature lights. 3: Switch mains switch to charger lead off and then on again while ignition is still switched on. 4: Switch off ignition. 5: Charging starts as normal.
This has worked 5 times in a row for me.
Hope this is helpful
Hubcap
Well, a couple of things spring to mind but neither straight forward. First would be to connect a laptop running the diagnostic software and see what that reveals. Not much use if you haven't got a lap top let alone the software but more so the PCAN cable (tho I can hire you one! :) )
Second would be to strip the bike a bit further than you did in December and see if there is anything obviously adrift with the wiring as that seems the most likely issue to me. You can download a copy of the workshop manual from here... http://websd-vectrixscenecom.webs.com ... but you need to join (registration only) and then access Member Resources.
You could also try EFS to see what they think - I don't expect they charge for a telephone call.
Regards, MW.
Regards, Martin Winlow
Isle of Colonsay, Scotland
evalbum.com/2092
Hi would be interested in hiring the cable, I'd like to install the lairds software.
Keep it shiny side up!
Either the lairds code or an earlier version of the vectrix code will solve the problem as both are not dependant on the temp sensors.
On the wiring front - the temp sensors and boards are purchaseable from vectrix IF you can get hold of them. They never respond to emails. Actually i lie, they do respond to the first email and then subsequent ones seem to be ignored. But that is another story.
I have noticed wires can easily break off the temp sensor boards so it might be worth getting the batterys and sensors out and off and giving it a good go through.
Just my 2c
Cheers
Chris
Hi Hubcap - I have PM'ed you. MW
Regards, Martin Winlow
Isle of Colonsay, Scotland
evalbum.com/2092
Hi Hubcap - I have PM'ed you. MW
Regards, Martin Winlow
Isle of Colonsay, Scotland
evalbum.com/2092
Hi HubCap,
this is a great post which I just found as I am in exactly the same situation.
Unfortunately I can´t get it to work, my charger still quits charging once the red lights come on.
Here is my current firmware situation, is that any different from yours?
All my temp sensors show 60° C and I checked a few of them and they seemed to be ok.
Any further ideas?
Best regards
Erik
A more complete sequence:
1: Ignition OFF
2: plug in charger
3: charging starts, red lights on
4: red lights cause charging to stop
5: red kill switch off
6: Ignition ON(no red light this time)
7: Un-plug charger
8: plug in charger
9: charging starts no red lights
10: charging continues
Keep it shiny side up!