2019 radrover coasting problem.

[DennisBrackins]

Hello: my name is Dennis Brackins, I'm a 74 year old male. I live in Saratoga Springs New York and and spend the winter in Boynton Beach Florida. Here is my problem:
When I'm using pedal assist (PAS) or using the throttle. When I stop pedaling or let go of the throttle and try to Coast, the bike will Coast for about 2 seconds and then come to an abrupt slow / stop. After it does this for a couple of times it will blow a fuse.

I've cleaned and checked and double-checked all electrical connections, everything seems fine. Other than the above the bike seems to be working okay, it pedals as it should and the throttle works as it should, but when you let go and try to Coast, the bike will come to an abrupt slow / stop. I'm baffled.

I've had the bike for a little over one year. It's basically unusable at this time.

 

[Tars Tarkas]

Can you get the bike off the ground, like in a work stand? Are the wheels spinning freely? Wild speculation here, but maybe brakes need adjusting or something is rubbing and your motor is overheating, hence the fuse. Could be motor problems too.

TT

 

[DennisBrackins]

Can you get the bike off the ground, like in a work stand? Are the wheels spinning freely? Wild speculation here, but maybe brakes need adjusting or something is rubbing and your motor is overheating, hence the fuse. Could be motor problems too.

TT

I checked the brakes and wheels are spinning freely, no rubbing. The engine does not overheat. If I just stayed pedaling and using PAS everything works just great, but as soon as I start to Coast, Bingo an abrupt slow/stop.

 

[J.R.]

Hello: my name is Dennis Brackins, I'm a 74 year old male. I live in Saratoga Springs New York and and spend the winter in Boynton Beach Florida. Here is my problem:
When I'm using pedal assist (PAS) or using the throttle. When I stop pedaling or let go of the throttle and try to Coast, the bike will Coast for about 2 seconds and then come to an abrupt slow / stop. After it does this for a couple of times it will blow a fuse.

I've cleaned and checked and double-checked all electrical connections, everything seems fine. Other than the above the bike seems to be working okay, it pedals as it should and the throttle works as it should, but when you let go and try to Coast, the bike will come to an abrupt slow / stop. I'm baffled.

I've had the bike for a little over one year. It's basically unusable at this time.

I don't own a RR, but it sounds like the hub motor clutch is not functioning properly and the gears in the hub are still engaged internally while coasting. Clutch stuck in drive.

 

[MartsEbike]

Sounds a lot like Regen braking to me.... But I don't have any experience with radrovers so not 100% sure.

 

[harryS]

If you lift it off the ground and turn it by hand, does the rear motor spin with the same level of force in either direction? Being a geared motor, it should spin free in the forward direction but there should be more resistance going backward because now you have to fight the motor. You'll feel it and probably hear the gears whining in reverse.

The behavior sounds like the motor is not freewheeling as it should when you coast. There is an internal clutch that might get stuck. That in itself will not appreciably slow the bike, but there could be an electronics issue going on that is invoking regenerative braking in the controller. Rad sells a direct drive bike with regen braking. Maybe they use the same controller with programming to turn it on/off.

Regen is never used on a geared motor because it freewheels, but let's say it's happening. If regen were working, because of the gearing, there's tremendous braking force. Also tremendous regen current, the kind that blows a fuse.

 

[DennisBrackins]

I don't own a RR, but it sounds like the hub motor clutch is not functioning properly and the gears in the hub are still engaged internally while coasting. Clutch stuck in drive.

Thank you.

 

[DennisBrackins]

If you lift it off the ground and turn it by hand, does the rear motor spin with the same level of force in either direction? Being a geared motor, it should spin free in the forward direction but there should be more resistance going backward because now you have to fight the motor. You'll feel it and probably hear the gears whining in reverse.

The behavior sounds like the motor is not freewheeling as it should when you coast. There is an internal clutch that might get stuck. That in itself will not appreciably slow the bike, but there could be an electronics issue going on that is invoking regenerative braking in the controller. Rad sells a direct drive bike with regen braking. Maybe they use the same controller with programming to turn it on/off.

Regen is never used on a geared motor because it freewheels, but let's say it's happening. If regen were working, because of the gearing, there's tremendous braking force. Also tremendous regen current, the kind that blows a fuse.

thank you, sure sounds like that maybe the problem or something very similar. Radrover is looking at the problem but has not got back to me yet. I will inform the Forum when I get the answer. Thank you.

 

[legsofbeer]

the bike will Coast for about 2 seconds and then come to an abrupt slow / stop. After it does this for a couple of times it will blow a fuse.

Sounds like the motor is somehow activating a regeneration mode while coasting, though the stock hub drive should not have that capability. Or maybe it is shorting out something. Which fuse blows, the 40 amp main output fuse, or the 5 amp fuse (which I think is inline with the charging port)?

Regardless, the good news is that there are plenty of aftermarket size conformant hub drives available for $250 or less, all of which are considered upgrades from the stock motor. BTW, there is a dedicated radpower bikes forum here that may be of use to you, https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/rad-power-bikes/

 

[DennisBrackins]

Sounds like the motor is somehow activating a regeneration mode while coasting, though the stock hub drive should not have that capability. Or maybe it is shorting out something. Which fuse blows, the 40 amp main output fuse, or the 5 amp fuse (which I think is inline with the charging port)?

Regardless, the good news is that there are plenty of aftermarket size conformant hub drives available for $250 or less, all of which are considered upgrades from the stock motor. BTW, there is a dedicated radpower bikes forum here that may be of use to you, https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/rad-power-bikes/

Thanks for all your help. Radrover has decided to send me the controller and if that doesn't work they will send me a new motor. Even though my bike was not under warranty there will be no charge. I have had very good relations with Radrover and and I am quite impressed with their customer service.. Again, thank you for all your help.

 

[ebikemom]

Great to hear that Rad is on it. Let us know how it turns out!!

 

[Terry777]

Thanks for all your help. Radrover has decided to send me the controller and if that doesn't work they will send me a new motor. Even though my bike was not under warranty there will be no charge. I have had very good relations with Radrover and and I am quite impressed with their customer service.. Again, thank you for all your help.

That's awesome to hear your bike company is looking after you, especially since you warranty is out. I wish all companies were like that. Hope your fixed soon!