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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. (A Schwinn zone
5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. (2 X 12V @10A-hr.) But I’ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. (What, me throw something out?) 4 x 6V @12 A-hr. I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. (It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) So I figured with three I’d have 18V which should be enough. And it is, it runs fine. (maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here’s the problem. There’s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven’t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I’d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. And then I’m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I’ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. |
#2
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:40:53 -0700, George Herold wrote:
Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. (A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. (2 X 12V @10A-hr.) But Ive got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. (What, me throw something out?) 4 x 6V @12 A-hr. I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. (It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) So I figured with three Id have 18V which should be enough. And it is, it runs fine. (maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now heres the problem. Theres an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I havent found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So Id like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. And then Im hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. Ive done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. All I can think to suggest is that you trace wiring and see where the wires from the handlebars comes into a box with the wires between battery and motor. -- My liberal friends think I'm a conservative kook. My conservative friends think I'm a liberal kook. Why am I not happy that they have found common ground? Tim Wescott, Communications, Control, Circuits & Software http://www.wescottdesign.com |
#3
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
George Herold wrote:
Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. (A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. (2 X 12V @10A-hr.) But I’ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. (What, me throw something out?) 4 x 6V @12 A-hr. I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. (It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) So I figured with three I’d have 18V which should be enough. And it is, it runs fine. (maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here’s the problem. There’s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven’t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I’d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. And then I’m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I’ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. integrated controller in the motor? Jamie |
#4
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On Jun 6, 5:37*pm, Jamie
t wrote: George Herold wrote: Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. *(A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. *(2 X 12V @10A-hr.) *But I’ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. *(What, me throw something out?) *4 x 6V @12 A-hr. * *I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. *(It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) *So I figured with three I’d have 18V which should be enough. *And it is, *it runs fine. *(maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here’s the problem. *There’s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven’t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. *So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I’d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. *And then I’m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I’ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. *Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. *The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. integrated controller in the motor? Jamie- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I think that's what it must be, several (three or more) wires head into the motor housing. It's says Currie Electro Drive on the aluminum cover but no numbers. There are four screws holding the alum. cover to the motor. Of course I can't take one of them off without taking the whole back end apart. :^( George H. |
#5
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On 6/6/2013 9:34 PM, George Herold wrote:
On Jun 6, 5:37 pm, Jamie t wrote: George Herold wrote: Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. (A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. (2 X 12V @10A-hr.) But I’ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. (What, me throw something out?) 4 x 6V @12 A-hr. I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. (It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) So I figured with three I’d have 18V which should be enough. And it is, it runs fine. (maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here’s the problem. There’s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven’t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I’d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. And then I’m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I’ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. integrated controller in the motor? Jamie- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I think that's what it must be, several (three or more) wires head into the motor housing. It's says Currie Electro Drive on the aluminum cover but no numbers. There are four screws holding the alum. cover to the motor. Of course I can't take one of them off without taking the whole back end apart. :^( George H. So, take it apart. Did you forget where you posted. :-) |
#6
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On Jun 6, 9:42*pm, Tom Biasi wrote:
On 6/6/2013 9:34 PM, George Herold wrote: On Jun 6, 5:37 pm, Jamie t wrote: George Herold wrote: Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. *(A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. *(2 X 12V @10A-hr.) *But I ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. *(What, me throw something out?) *4 x 6V @12 A-hr. * *I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. *(It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) *So I figured with three I d have 18V which should be enough. *And it is, *it runs fine. *(maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here s the problem. *There s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. *So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. *And then I m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. *Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. *The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. integrated controller in the motor? Jamie- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I think that's what it must be, several (three or more) wires head into the motor housing. *It's says Currie Electro Drive on the aluminum cover but no numbers. *There are four screws holding the alum. cover to the motor. *Of course I can't take one of them off without taking the whole back end apart. *:^( George H. So, take it apart. Did you forget where you posted. :-)- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Yeah yeah... A project for my son and I this weekend. George H. |
#7
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On 6/7/2013 9:54 AM, George Herold wrote:
On Jun 6, 9:42 pm, Tom Biasi wrote: On 6/6/2013 9:34 PM, George Herold wrote: On Jun 6, 5:37 pm, Jamie t wrote: George Herold wrote: Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. (A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. (2 X 12V @10A-hr.) But I ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. (What, me throw something out?) 4 x 6V @12 A-hr. I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. (It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) So I figured with three I d have 18V which should be enough. And it is, it runs fine. (maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here s the problem. There s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. And then I m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. integrated controller in the motor? Jamie- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I think that's what it must be, several (three or more) wires head into the motor housing. It's says Currie Electro Drive on the aluminum cover but no numbers. There are four screws holding the alum. cover to the motor. Of course I can't take one of them off without taking the whole back end apart. :^( George H. So, take it apart. Did you forget where you posted. :-)- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Yeah yeah... A project for my son and I this weekend. George H. Good luck. Help is here. Tom |
#8
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
The low-voltage cutout is more of a feature than an inconvenience. Since the
original SLAs had a higher voltage rating, the old, used, lower rated ones will likely only give a short duration of running time before the cutoff level is reached. You may be able to modify the controller to operate in a different range of voltages, but the way circuits are made today it could be unlikely. Curtis is another manufacturer of a lot of bike/scooter mobility controllers, and may be a source of useful specs and other technical info wrt the controller and motor. BTW, discharging lead-acid batteries into an over-discharged state will generally cause damage that will significantly decrease the useful life of the batteries. That might not be an issue with the old used batteries, run 'em till they die, but generally all batteries are damaged by over-discharging them. If the controller is also the charging circuit, there would be an issue of trying to charge an 18V pack with 24V. -- Cheers, WB .............. "George Herold" wrote in message ... Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. (A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. (2 X 12V @10A-hr.) But I’ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. (What, me throw something out?) 4 x 6V @12 A-hr. I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. (It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) So I figured with three I’d have 18V which should be enough. And it is, it runs fine. (maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here’s the problem. There’s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven’t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I’d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. And then I’m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I’ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. |
#9
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On Jun 7, 1:07*pm, "Wild_Bill" wrote:
The low-voltage cutout is more of a feature than an inconvenience. Since the original SLAs had a higher voltage rating, the old, used, lower rated ones will likely only give a short duration of running time before the cutoff level is reached. You may be able to modify the controller to operate in a different range of voltages, but the way circuits are made today it could be unlikely. Curtis is another manufacturer of a lot of bike/scooter mobility controllers, and may be a source of useful specs and other technical info wrt the controller and motor. BTW, discharging lead-acid batteries into an over-discharged state will generally cause damage that will significantly decrease the useful life of the batteries. That might not be an issue with the old used batteries, run 'em till they die, but generally all batteries are damaged by over-discharging them. If the controller is also the charging circuit, there would be an issue of trying to charge an 18V pack with 24V. Thanks Bill, Well we took the motor apart this weekend (only a few minutes of work) and indeed the electronincs is built in to the motor.. but it's all potted in the base, and buried underneath the rotor. I guess the 'easy' solution is to buy another battery. I was thinking that the voltage cut-out is really too low for 24 volts. Since we could run the thing for a while with just 18 Volts... If we get another battery I'll warn my not to drain it all the way down. George H. -- Cheers, WB ............. "George Herold" wrote in message ... Hi guys, I scored an electric scooter on trash day. *(A Schwinn zone 5) Of course the SLA batteries were toast. *(2 X 12V @10A-hr.) *But I’ve got two old power wheels from when the kids were younger. *(What, me throw something out?) *4 x 6V @12 A-hr. * *I charged up the old batteries but found one of those was dead also. *(It refused to have any charge pushed into it.) *So I figured with three I’d have 18V which should be enough. *And it is, *it runs fine. *(maybe 10mph on a flat.) Now here’s the problem. *There’s an electronic speed control (hidden somewhere.. I haven’t found it yet.) And there must be a low voltage cutout in the controller. *So when the current draw drops the battery voltage below some point the controller cuts out. So I’d like to find out first where the speed control is hidden. *And then I’m hoping I can hack it and drop the voltage cut-out. I’ve done a few web searches, but I mostly find sites where they want to sell me something... nothing useful. *Any hints on finding schematics for something like this would be appreciated. As a side note: I took apart the thumb throttle control on the handle bar and discovered only a pot. *The sad news is that it looked like a little trim pot... I guess those last a bit longer than their 200 rotations spec. Thanks George H. |
#10
Posted to sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.basics
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Electric scooter speed contoller
On Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:57:56 -0700 (PDT), George Herold wrote:
[...] George, I'm coming into this conversation a bit late, but I did notice these sites which might have spare parts should you need them: http://www.electricscooterparts.com/ http://www.monsterscooterparts.com/zone5.html A message he http://scootersparts.net/index.php?m...th=392_416_439 offers some advice: "Some of these Parts for Schwinn brand electric scooters will also fit your S-150, S-200, S-300, S-350, S-500, S-750, Stealth ST-1000 and many more. In most cases parts are interchangeable for all models and styles of Schwinn, Currie, or Mongoose electric scooter" From another site: "Schwinn, i-zip, e-zip, GT, and Mongoose scooters are all the same scooters, just re-badged for marketing purposes. All of these brands are produced by Currie Technologies..." and a lead to: http://www.currietech.com/ http://www.currietech.com/help-and-support/ http://www.currietech.com/dealers/wi...re_Parts_Lists Hope something in all this helps... Frank McKenney -- There is a wistful myth that if only we had enough money to spend-- the figure is usually put at a hundred billion dollars--we could wipe out all slums in ten years, reverse decay in the great, dull, gray belts that were yesterday's and day-before-yesterday's suburbs, anchor the wandering middle class and its wandering tax money, and perhaps even solve the traffic problem. But look what we have built with the first several billions: Low-income projects that become worse centers of delinquency, candalism and general social hopelessness than the slums they were supposed to replace. Middle-income housing projects which are truly marvels of dullness and regimentation, sealed against any buoyancy or vitality of city life. Luxury housing projects that mitigate their inanity, or try to, with a vapid vulgarity. Cultural centers that are unable to support a good bookstore. Civic centers that are avoided by everyone but bums, who have fewer choices of loitering places than others. Commercial centers that are lack-luster imitations of standardized suburban chain-store shopping. Promenades that go from no place to nowhere and have no promenaders. Expressways that eviscerate great cities. This is not the rebuilding of cities. This is the sacking of cities. -- Jane Jacobs, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" -- Frank McKenney, McKenney Associates Richmond, Virginia / (804) 320-4887 Munged E-mail: frank uscore mckenney aatt mindspring ddoott com Replacement 24 volt 3pin Thumb Throttle for Schwinn, etc. http://www.thesuperkids.com/scs1mompgt20.html |
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