Bad Controller ?
 

I got caught in pouring rain the other day and I covered my throttle for my E-Bike with a plastic bag, but that didn't seem to help. I switched out the throttle with one I've never used.. I get the same really rough/grinding sounding sound coming from the motor.. It only does this when it gets caught in heavy rain storm.. I let it dry out for a few days and it just works normally on it's own. I can't figure out what the problem is.. I have everything sealed up the best I can, yet it seems water got in somewhere..

It's been a couple days since I got caught in the rain and it's still acting up. Sometimes the motor will turn and other times it won't... I know it's not the throttle, as I have a new one I switched out. It's not the battery, as I tested it with another with same result. It's either the controller or the motor. Maybe something isn't right with the motor, and controller is preventing it from turning ? Sometimes I can get it to turn if I unplug the motor cable and battery, and then plug it back in again. When it does turn it makes this loud grinding sound. I made a audio recording of when it was running last night.

Here is the file, and I'm applying full throttle the entire time: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9nkdt4xjv3...20011.m4a?dl=0

We had issues with my wife's e bike after it got rained on. I gave the controller a good flush with WD40. and the problems cleared up right away.

I would try that, but I don't know how get the cover off it. Whenever I try to unscrew it's screws, they simply snap off at the head. I could try with WD40 externally on the outside, see if that helps. Is it safe though, to use WD40 on it ?

Water displacement that is the WD.. though maybe a spray Electronic contact cleaner will be useful if the contacts dont let the circuit close.

Yeah it seems something is shorting out. I ran my voltage meter on the exposed wires to my throttle, and when I applied the throttle the voltage took a nosedive. Which I found strange. So you do think it's the motor or the controller that got water in it ? I had the cover open about 1/2 inch to let the inside of it to air itself out in hopes any water inside will dry out.

The first place to apply the WD-40 is the screws, so you can remove them without damaging them. When you get them out, grease the threads before you replace them.

The motor internals may be rusting due to water getting inside them. When the motor overcomes the rust, the parts gradually polish themselves and run smoothly again, until the next rain when the cycle repeats itself. For the same reason, car brakes make a grinding noise the day after a rain. It stops when the rust has worn off.

Solution: Spray WD-40 inside the motor on all moving parts. Allow the WD-40 and any remaining water to evaporate. Then close the cover and apply clear silicone caulk to any potential gaps where water could enter.

Ok I will have to try that. It does make sense though, as the rain was coming down almost sideways. It also explains why it was running fine in the rain, then later on didn't want to work right. Expect this one time it started right away. Why would it work then not work though ? Is that the controller sensing something, or is it the sensors in the motor ?

There is also an e-bike sub forum here where you might get more attention to your dilemna.

-SP

Well I can't pm someone to have it moved, so the only other option is to make a new thread.

Seems that did the trick. Gave it a good spray with WD40, let it dry out abit. Then I turn on the big 3500 watt heater and aimed it at the wheel. That further dried out things. However, it seems to wobble more than it did. I think it could be related to one of the screws not being tight and stripped.

I spoke little too soon. It does turn now, but it's not going as fast as it should and it's very woobly. Not sure why.. So I took the screws off both sides to create a air gap, then gave it a good spray down with WD40. Going to let it sit overnight and see how it is tomorrow.