Crackling noise from ebike battery!!!

[paul f]

Hi all,

I am new to the ebike world, I bought an ebike at Christmas and all has been going fine until yesterday! In a nutshell... I was riding along and all of a sudden I lost power for around 10 seconds and the display was showing the voltage going up and down, literally from full to empty, full to empty over and over again, meanwhile the digits for the voltage where dropping then climbing.
I was completely gob smacked! Then tonight I switched everything on just to test it again and again the same thing. This time the bike is just sat still. I then heard a crackling sound coming from either the battery. It is a Hailong 3 battery with a switch on the side to power it on and off. The crackling only begins when both battery and speed controller are on together, if the battery is switched on without controller then there is no crackling from battery.
I haven't dropped my bike or got it soaked in the rain or anything else that might have caused the issue. Its just suddenly appeared.

Can anyone help I'm very confused and concerned also.
Thanks in advance,

Paul.

 

[rich c]

You don't have that battery pack in any buildings do you?

 

[harryS]

I wouldn't keep it in my house either. Maybe in my BBQ grill on the deck.

I hear a lot about those Hailongs getting loose in the cradle, and also about water getting under the cradle and corroding the contacts. You may want to take a look at them.

If you don't see anything there, I'd still be wary about the battery wanting to ignite.

 

[paul f]

Luckily it's kept in an outhouse at the bottom of the garden.

 

[rich c]

If it's an electrical crackle, there should be an electrical smell from a particular area. If it's water in a connector, not so much.

 

[harryS]

I once had water inside my controller. Heard it sizzling. Electrolysis going on. Stopped it before it boiled off the copper.

 

[paul f]

Do you guys have any suggestions what I could do to resolve the issue?

 

[rich c]

What's the controller look like? Plastic or aluminum case that has screws on the end? The aluminum version can be taken apart. Repeat the procedure where you can hear crackling. Smell the battery and controller. Use a long screwdriver like a stethoscope. Put the metal tip on the controller and put the handle in your ear. Noise will be transmitted through the steel of the screwdriver. Then put it on the battery housing and repeat.

 

[J.R.]

Do you guys have any suggestions what I could do to resolve the issue?

Hi Paul
It out of concern of fire you're getting so many warnings. When you say controller I think you mean the display. When we say controller we mean the box between the drive motor and the display. Try to find exactly where the crackle is coming from, and under what conditions, using the advice the others noted.

Is the crackle coming from

1. The battery
2. The display
3. The controller

You'll have to narrow it down as much as possible to get some help. Post as much info as possible. Pictures are sometimes helpful.

 

[paul f]

Hi all, I will be checking bike tomorrow. Everything has been put on hold for me lately with being part of our NHS here in the UK. I have a full day to myself tomorrow so I will check in with an update.

Regards

Paul.

 

[tomjasz]

UPP, poor build standards but cheaper batteries. There have been several fires attributed to their packs. I have two, I always charge in a steel ammo can, latched but the water seal removed and rubber gaskets lining the holes I drilled for wire from chargers.