Ecotric Seagull Issues

[UrbanR0502]

I purchased an Ecotric Seagull from the manufacturer and it was still under warranty when riding the display and pedal assist stopped. I have been working with customer service and they have sent me a new battery and a new controller. We were able to start up the bike and the display was fine; however, within 10 miles the same issue occurred. I have taken it to three bike repair shops and they have been unsuccessful in assisting me. In your forum has anyone else experienced this problem?

Reply

 

[Robspace1]

Yes, about 4 months ago on my Seagull. I was riding along and it just died. I had to peddle that beast about a mile. So, they first sent me a new contol unit, which I installed. The battery had a blown fuse also. They sent me a new battery as well. I wired the controller wrong, mixed two colors, and it would not work. I found the problem, and now it works great. Did you check the fuse? There is just one, and it's impossible to find a replacement. Ecotric has none, and they kept sending me the wrong size. The correct fuse is a ceramic 30 amp-250 volt, mini fuse-20 mm. (3/4 inch). This is a super rare fuse. You won't fnd one online or anywhere else. BUT, I just found a source for a replacement. It's glass, not ceramic, which is fine, and they will be coming in a two weeks at Electricscooterparts.com. Buy some before their gone! So, if you used a multimeter and the fuse is good, and you installed the control box wires correctly, and you have checked the volts of the new battery (48) and it's good, then I have no idea what the problem could be. If it's still under warranty I would send it back before the 18 months is up. Just get a new one. Mine is just over one year, still under warranty. Hope that helps.

 

[UrbanR0502]

Yes, about 4 months ago on my Seagull. I was riding along and it just died. I had to peddle that beast about a mile. So, they first sent me a new contol unit, which I installed. The battery had a blown fuse also. They sent me a new battery as well. I wired the controller wrong, mixed two colors, and it would not work. I found the problem, and now it works great. Did you check the fuse? There is just one, and it's impossible to find a replacement. Ecotric has none, and they kept sending me the wrong size. The correct fuse is a ceramic 30 amp-250 volt, mini fuse-20 mm. (3/4 inch). This is a super rare fuse. You won't fnd one online or anywhere else. BUT, I just found a source for a replacement. It's glass, not ceramic, which is fine, and they will be coming in a two weeks at Electricscooterparts.com. Buy some before their gone! So, if you used a multimeter and the fuse is good, and you installed the control box wires correctly, and you have checked the volts of the new battery (48) and it's good, then I have no idea what the problem could be. If it's still under warranty I would send it back before the 18 months is up. Just get a new one. Mine is just over one year, still under warranty. Hope that helps.

Thank you so much for your reply. I was beginning to think it was just me. I did replace the fuse because I asked them to send one along with the controller. But I need to buy more and will. Ecotric would not take my bike back even though it was on warranty and I had bought it at the factory so I was going to pay the $250 for a third battery but after discussions they sent me a new one free of charge. I guess three is the charm. It worked. I have debated buying a fourth one just in case but instead have looked at bikes with repair shops that are closer. I have read everything you can imagine on lithium batteries and they are touchy so we just need to be aware that on these bikes peddling when we are five miles out is going to be tough. Thanks again for getting back to me.

 

[harryS]

I hear Ecotric support consists of a guy in CHina answering emails. Still, they sent you two batteries and a controller. They didn't make any money on this sale,

With that style battery, same as on my Ecotric fat tire 20" folder, the places to look when a display winks out are
-fuse, but if the battery has an LED gauage and it kights up, fuse is OK.
-vertical battery plugs under the battery. May have gotten wet and corroded.
-red/black wires under the above connector. They may be loose.
-display connector plug.
If all are good replacing controller amd display is next option.

I blew a battery fuse from owner neglect. I found a replacement at Ace Hardware, in the aisle where they sell all those hard to find fasteners and widgets in drawers. Probably not

 

[Robspace1]

Wow-$250.00 for the battery. They must have been willing to sell it to you at their cost. It sells for $399.00. I just checked. If you can get a new one at that price, get it for backup. So, you did get the bike going right? Great. It's normally the control unit or battery. Your lucky to have found a shop to work on the electrical. Most shops only work on the ones they sell only. I'm about 800 miles from the Ecotric Oakland outlet, so I'm not going there for repairs. Harry, are you sure these bikes both use the right fuse? Is yours the tiny 20 mm. 3/4" long, ceramic? Is it 30 amp, and 250 volts? I checked Ace first, as well as every other electrical parts store in the area. Nobody carries them. I even contacted the biggest fuse maker in the US, Bussman, and they don't make them. That fuse in from Europe or China and probably no longer available. If you found some, please tell me where to get them. (Ecotric has none of the mini ones, just the 1.5 inch. and they won't fit) I have a new source for another type that will work, but not the same as the one with the bike.

 

[UrbanR0502]

I hear Ecotric support consists of a guy in CHina answering emails. Still, they sent you two batteries and a controller. They didn't make any money on this sale,

With that style battery, same as on my Ecotric fat tire 20" folder, the places to look when a display winks out are
-fuse, but if the battery has an LED gauage and it kights up, fuse is OK.
-vertical battery plugs under the battery. May have gotten wet and corroded.
-red/black wires under the above connector. They may be loose.
-display connector plug.
If all are good replacing controller amd display is next option.

I blew a battery fuse from owner neglect. I found a replacement at Ace Hardware, in the aisle where they sell all those hard to find fasteners and widgets in drawers. Probably not

This was very helpful. Thank you so much. The rear light was still lighting up so I made the mistake of thinking the battery was working. Yet, I took it to two bike shops and neither one discovered the battery issue. Finally, had the battery tested again and the gentleman noted that sometimes ION batteries will have enough juice to light the rear light.

 

[harryS]

Mine is like 1.25" long. Maybe they just look like similar batteries.

How about these low quality bits. probably OK for ebikes. 5x20 assorted, but includes 30A. I bought a similar kit off amazon, but only goes to 20A.

200 x Fast Blow Glass Fuse Car Truck Motorcycles SUV Boats 5x20mm 0.5-30A Puller | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 200 x Fast Blow Glass Fuse Car Truck Motorcycles SUV Boats 5x20mm 0.5-30A Puller at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Robspace1]

They do look like but mine has no gauge on it. it also has a built-in tail light. The lcd control panel shows the battery use. It has 1000 w. I wish those longer fuses would fit the fuse holder. I want them onboard in case of power shut down. I'll post a photo soon.

 

[rjl257]

I hear Ecotric support consists of a guy in CHina answering emails. Still, they sent you two batteries and a controller. They didn't make any money on this sale,

With that style battery, same as on my Ecotric fat tire 20" folder, the places to look when a display winks out are
-fuse, but if the battery has an LED gauage and it kights up, fuse is OK.
-vertical battery plugs under the battery. May have gotten wet and corroded.
-red/black wires under the above connector. They may be loose.
-display connector plug.
If all are good replacing controller amd display is next option.

I blew a battery fuse from owner neglect. I found a replacement at Ace Hardware, in the aisle where they sell all those hard to find fasteners and widgets in drawers. Probably not

I also am having a hard time finding the fuse replacement. I see the ceramic fuse has been discontinued and there is a glass alternative that supposedly work

 

[Robspace1]

I am now being told that the glass fuse gets too hot when they blow and can be a fire hazard and may arc on these batteries. The ceramic is cooler when it blows. I am looking for a good answer on this.

 

[rich c]

I am now being told that the glass fuse gets too hot when they blow and can be a fire hazard and may arc on these batteries. The ceramic is cooler when it blows. I am looking for a good answer on this.

It blows almost instantly. Does the glass not contain the melting link? It doesn't explode like a bomb. These batteries are very stable unless they are punctured or damaged in an accident. They don't outgas. If a glass fuse blowing can cause a fire hazard, every car built before 1970 should have burnt up.

 

[Robspace1]

The ceramic fuses are kept cooler when they fail and will not arc. This is why they come with the batteries. Now, I was just told by a specialist that the fire hazard is low and the glass will work, but the ceramic are safer. So, either will work, but ceramic is better, as it stays cooler. Your choice. The problem is finding the ceramic fuse in my battery is impossible. 20mm ceramic 30amp 250 volt. I may have to go with the glass version. I will also get a backup battery soon. I hate being left stranded with this big beast. lol

 

[Robspace1]

rich c-I just got this fuse info and wanted to share it with you and others:

ElectricScooterParts.com​

Thu, Jun 3, 11:52 PM (10 hours ago)

to me

Hello Robert,

I can not thank you enough for bringing this subject to my attention because it has got me to do independent research at fuse manufacturer's websites and electrical engineering forums and from what I have read there are truths that glass fuses may not be suitable for replacing ceramic fuses, however, causing fires is not one of those truths.

Every electric bike battery case that I have seen has a bakelite fuse holder which is virtually meltproof and fireproof so if a fuse gets hot during use or when it blows I do not think that could ever get past the bakelite fuse holder to catch a battery pack on fire.

Before I go any further I want to share the great news that this has got me to look for ceramic fuses again and I just found a distributor for 30 Amp GMA Ceramic Slow Blow Fuses and I ordered a sample box of them that will arrive in around two weeks. They are quite a bit more expensive than the glass fuses so the price of the 30A ceramics is $1.95 but the good news is that I found and ordered them and we should have them in stock soon. https://cart.electricscooterparts.com/30-amp-gma-ceramic-slow-blow-fuse

Back to glass vs ceramic, I read that some ceramic fuses have a higher instantaneous breaking current than glass fuses. The overseas fuse distributors that we have do not list or know the instantaneous breaking current of their fuses so I am not able to confirm this with our fuses. For example, if our slow-blow glass fuse has a lower instantaneous breaking current than the bike's original ceramic fuse then it might blow earlier than the ceramic fuse does, which would lead to more frequent fuse blowing, or in the worst-case scenario may lead to very frequent fuse blowing. The only way to tell if the glass fuses will be suitable to replace the ceramic is to try them and see what happens.

I went ahead and put the glass fuses back in stock but the listing no longer says that they are a suitable replacement for ceramic fuses, so our customers will have to do their own research and make that determination on their own if they are replacing ceramic with glass.

Since we will be getting ceramic 30A fuses soon I do not know if you want to keep your glass fuse order open, or if you want to cancel it and wait for the ceramic fuses to arrive.

Please let me know if you would like to keep your glass fuse order open, or if you want to cancel it and wait for the ceramic fuses?

Thank you.

Best regards,
Chris
ElectricScooterParts.com Support Team

 

[Robspace1]

And just now I got more fuse info:

ElectricScooterParts.com​

7:20 PM (2 hours ago)

to me

Hello Robert,

Thank you for appreciating my concern for safety.

During my latest research, I found that the ceramic fuses are T30AH250V and the glass fuses are T30AL250V.

The T stands for Timed (slow-blow). The H stands for High breaking current. And the L stands for Low breaking current.

So the slow-blow ceramic fuses have a higher breaking current and the slow-blow glass fuses have a lower breaking current. For this reason, ceramic should not be replaced with glass and glass should not be replaced with ceramic. I never thought there was so much to learn about fuse but there is.

The 30A ceramic fuses that I ordered are definitely 20mm long and not 30mm long. They are the 5X20mm size.

I will go ahead and switch your order over to the 30A 5X20mm ceramic fuses and ship your order as soon as they arrive.

Since you have been the catalyst for me finding these fuses and adding them to the site, there will be no extra charge for switching your order from the glass to the ceramic fuses.

After the ceramics arrive and we ship your order, we will send the tracking number to your email.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Chris
ElectricScooterParts.com Support Team
So, that seals it for me. The ceramic last longer under heat and overload stress this less likely to fail under load. This is why the battery ships with ceramic and not glass. Glass will work if that's all you have, but you may get left stranded.

 

[rjl257]

thanks. temporarily out of stock.... but great info as always

 

[Robspace1]

thanks. temporarily out of stock.... but great info as always

I just spoke to him yesterday. He just ordered the ceramic type and expect them in 2-3 weeks. Sorry, should have stated that. When I first contacted this company last month they ordered the right size fuse for me, but in glass. He thought they would be a substitute for the ceramic. Now, he learned that the ceramic is the best choice for the battery fuse, (cooler) so he ordered those. You can get the glass if you like, but I prefer the ceramic as they will not blow out as fast as the glass.

 

[rjl257]

I'm on the waitlist when they come in I'm going to order a few to have on hand

 

[Robspace1]

good idea for sure. Don't get left stranded with these bikes. They are no fun without power! I'm going to be getting the Seagull back rack and then a second backup battery to store there.

 

[Robspace1]

Before you buy any fuses you should wait and check the fuse in the battery they send you. Some come with the longer 30mm type and not the 20mm type like mine. They are not interchangable. Different size holders.

 

[MartsEbike]

I mis-read the title as Erotic Seagull Issues

Thought to myself you've got the wrong forum here pal