Today my Vectrix died while accellerating from the traffic lights.
All the symptoms point towards a blown fuse, lost all power, speedo stuck at the speed I was doing (45km/h) as it died and zero reaction from rebooting.
It happened in Amsterdam and the bike was towed to the nearest Vectrix dealer.
But I had the 125 Amp fuse replaced by the Dutch importer at the time that I bought the bike so it had a 200 Amp fuse!
My bike has done almost 40.000km on that fuse.
I have to wait for the dealer to open the bike and have a look, so I am not 100% sure that the fuse has blown but if it did than beware that also a 200 Amp fuse could blow!
As soon as I know more I will post it here.
Well now, if a 200A fuse would blow in a 125V (just for example) VX1, that would be an electrical power of 25kW. I thus assume such a fuse would have valid reason to blow if over 200A ran through it.
But until the dealer's verdict is out all speculation is futile...
My rides:
2017 Zero S ZF6.5 11kW, erider Thunder 5kW
I have a VX-1 Li+ and the 200A fuse blown only after 10.000km.
Do such meltable fuses age? Trickle-dissipate matter, so-to-speak? This all sounds rather strange to me...
Up till now I have only heard of aging circuit brakers...
My rides:
2017 Zero S ZF6.5 11kW, erider Thunder 5kW
Did you get any feedback from the dealer for the reason why it was blown or did they just replace it?
No damage to the Motor Controller?
Once you go EV, Gas is history!
The motor controller fuse blown some month before the main fuse.
They have replaced it with no explaination and the replacement is not covered by the garanty !!
Typically a 200A fuse is rated to carry 200A, not blow at 200A. Rule of thumb is that the fuse will blow at DOUBLE (approx) the current rating so approx 400A for a 200A fuse, 250A for a 125A fuse. These ratings are modified for the thermal slow blow fuses that are fitted to Vectrix but it's a good rule of thumb.
If the 200A fuse has failed, it may also be down to mechanical failure due to mounting stress and or vibration from road riding, rather than over-current alone.
Drew
Even a 200A fuse might get damaged when the battery is reconnected without proper use of an inrush current limiter.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Yesterday I picked up my bike, the dealer replaced the fuse and reconnected the battery (using an ICL) and the bike came back to life!
He believes the fuse failed due to the mechanical stress from riding across tramrails, poor pavement, etc. here in Amsterdam. So if your fuse is nearing or beyond 40.000km and ride in the same circumstances be prepared for a fuse failure...
While the dealer waited for the fuse (3 weeks!) he also replaced the head bearings as they were worn. I would recommend everyone to check their head bearing after 30.000km. It is real easy to check: jack up the bike to have the front wheel in the air. Then turn the steering slowly from left to right. When you feel a "dent" in the centre position it is time to replace the head bearing.
On my ride back home I immediately felt the difference, I am glad as it corners as new again.
While I was waiting for my bike to be repaired I had a loaner bike, a Kawasaky Versys. Man that was back to the stone age! Noise, smell, nervous gas response, shifting. Riding electric for nearly 4 years has changed how I feel about motorcycles :-)
Once you go EV, Gas is history!
Ok guys, today after 5 years of faultless riding and an embarrassing 29.000 miles my fuse blew! At least it shows all the symptoms dark dials, speed is frozen at 30mph (the speed I rode when it happened). I switched off and on with the key lock but still, all systems off, no lights, scales or anything. Luckily I was near home so I could push the bike back home.
I didn't take the bike yet apart so I can't be 100% sure it is the main fuse but the symptoms match, it happened when I accelerated and I never had my fuse replaced aka still have the 125Amps.
My Vectrix is now 5years old, has the latest stock firmware and the original batteries (which run wonderfully averaging 38miles per charge in mainly urban area).
Now the questions: Where do I get the 200amps fuse here in the UK? I googled a bit but the
- Bussmann FWX 200a seems to be stocked in the US and on eBay it will take 37£ and about 2-4 weeks of delivery
- Littlefuse L25S200 again seems it be even less available in Europe
- Edison E25SF200 meep, no find :-(
Thanks to Mik's work on the collaborative-handbook I found the How-To by oatnet to replace the fuse here: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=17071&start=30#p335632
All seems to be fairly straight forward and I think I could manage the fuse swap myself. So the bit missing is to find a fuse here in the UK.
Anyone with recommendations where to source a fuse reasonably cheap and quick?
Norman
Sure sounds like the fuse, amazing that you made it 29.000 miles on the 125amp fuse!
I did some googleing when I was waiting for my own bike to be repaired to see if I could find the fuse myself. If you order via the official UK dealer you probably also face the 3 weeks waiting. But give them a call, they may still have stock.
Via Google (on the part number) I noticed some companies had stock, best thing is to call and be sure before you order.
E-Bay is also an option, especially any "buy it now" auctions. But shipping costs may be high.
Good luck!
Once you go EV, Gas is history!
double post
Once you go EV, Gas is history!
Replaced my original 125A. main fuse about two years ago. 2008 VX-1. Interesting part of the story is that it failed while decelerating (re-gen). 200 AMP replacement was available here in the US for about $64 bucks at W.W. Grainger. Been running fine since. Used ICL during replacement per Mik's suggestion. Worked Great.
I'd give David Gibson at EFS (Emissions Free Solutions) a call if you haven't already. If you're reasonably tech-savvy then replacement at home is certainly possible so long as you pay close attention to the use of an In-rush Current Limiter (ICL) when you come to bolt it back together! It's very important.
Best wishes,
Drew
Drew
Today my beloved Vectrix was repaired. I followed Drew's advice and called Emissions Free Solutions. David from EFS was most helpful when i contacted him last week Friday. He immediately came back with advice and a repair appointment. Today he came around and installed the new fuse.
Now I should be fine for the next 20.000 miles. I kept the old 125amps fuse as a milestone. The first repair on my 5years old Vectrix.
Thanks again to all of you leading me into the right direction.
Norman
Hello Tom5007,
I haven't the dimension for the 200A Fuse but you can found something like this for repair:
http://fr.farnell.com/ge-power-controls/tf200a/fuse-hrc-200a/dp/178453?whydiditmatch=rel_default&matchedProduct=fusible+bushman+...
or on this page:
http://radiospares-fr.rs-online.com/web/c/?searchTerm=fusible+bushman+fwx+200A&sort-by=default&sort-order=default&view-type=List
the ref:
156-8737
Cooper Bussmann
DD200M315
good repair.
Archi13
Hello Tom5007,
I haven't the dimension for the 200A Fuse but you can found something like this for repair:
http://fr.farnell.com/ge-power-controls/tf200a/fuse-hrc-200a/dp/178453?whydiditmatch=rel_default&matchedProduct=fusible+bushman+...
or on this page:
http://radiospares-fr.rs-online.com/web/c/?searchTerm=fusible+bushman+fwx+200A&sort-by=default&sort-order=default&view-type=List
the ref:
156-8737
Cooper Bussmann
DD200M315
good repair.
Archi13
hello,
I think that this fuse can be compatible:
http://fr.farnell.com/cooper-bussmann/deo200/fusible-industrial-200a-415v/dp/1615078
with a drill and after to hole and cut to a good dimension.
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/51147.pdf