Left hand motor dead, or dying....

Cleaned my board for the first time today, took the battery out to make sure everything was safe. Put it all back together and the remote reads, ''Battery Error''. The right hand motor works but the left one doesn't.

After some jiggling stuff around I notice that if I push the left hand wheel it kicks into action and makes a chugging sound the exact opposite of smooth, it's like rolling over those grills they put on roads to prevent cattle from using them.

Not sure what has happened, notice that the sealant on the inside is pretty dodge and also the UART connector on the battery is a bit off looking but this seems like a motor issue. Not sure if a full break down will clear things up, wondering if anyone has any advice cause its not looking, sounding or feeling good.

Hope I can upload a vid. Will try.

 

The battery error is usually the UART cable not connected properly.
Try switching the two motors over. Ie both the yellow motor plugs and the hall plugs. See if the opposite motor then has the problem and if the problem motor then functions correctly.
If it does then it's the motor controller and not the motor.

 

Lame. Its the MC. Can't see anything wrong with it though.

The motor also judders when standing on the board. Guessing its a function to prevent use while its in need of repair.

Whats the usual step from here? A new MC?

 

So the problem switched motors?
Email evolve. It's easy to switch out the motor controller

 

Yeah, it switched sides. The reverse also became the forward, was interesting. Weird it would just crap out like that though, I mean its a sports board, its gotta take some rough and tumble.

 

I had this same issue. You probably got a little bit of water in the on/off switch. It's kind of a piece of junk. Unplug your On/Off switch from the motor controller and re-plug it back in.

 

I wonder if it's the first time its happened to anyone....

 

To clarify, I had the same "Battery error" message in the remote. The wheels would only move slowly, but they never switched directions

 

Oh no, it switched directions when I swapped the cables over. Just a lame obvious observation comment, makes sense that they'd do that.

Will try the on/off switch thing before buying another controller, gonna have to do up the sealant also. Was pretty lame.

 

That's what fixed it for me. I agree, wish it was a bit more weatherproof. My deck cracked, and the replacement deck came with a new switch so I was able to plugin my backup switch as a tester. After I plugged in the backup switch it worked, and when i plugged the main switch back in I haven't had any problems.

 

Would suggest evolve made use of those plastic blister things electronics use to prevent water exposure over switches.... a battery cover with lips like a lid that inserts into a groove in the deck to then be screwed down to isolate the compartment... etc

 

Thanks for the help guys... tried again this afternoon, board wasn't reading battery error but still wasn't working, figured I'd take the MC out completely... heres a pic....

Obviously going to need a new one, thing is nothing touched the MC, no water touched it at all.... was a bit dirty in there, dust and grit etc also notice the other component is missing a piece. Is odd. Was just broken.

The stuff coming out of the one thats blown isn't the heat sink paste, its hard and moulded onto the part, doesn't look like anything else on the others.

Think the controller was dodgy all along, riding it I've not been getting decent distances was hoping to use the app and evidence it before this happened.

Think I'm owed a new part

 

Those look like they shorted out for sure. Looks like a lot of dust got in there. I found my motor wires pinched against the heat sync and the deck causing dust to enter from underneath. Were yours pinched?

 

Nah but it was really dusty in there, is what initially drew me to remove it.

Going to get some of that nanotek spray and seal the lid.

Is the MC expensive?

 

You should still be covered under warranty. Call evolve they should sort it out

 

Stick a single really thin strip of adhesive closed cell foam all around on the deck around the battery compartment before you put the lid back on. It will stop stuff getting in there including water, dust, sand.

 

Evolve says its water damage a new board is £200

Told them it doesn't explain the chipped component and they've asked me to send it in. Doubt this will end well.

Kinda tempted to see if I can turn it into a modded device, swap everything out. New controller and motors if needed, hook up a new battery... would be the costly part.

Need to isolate the controller, really shouldn't be so easy for an all terrain board to tap out like that. Sucks.

 

Update: MC sent in last week. Had a feeling that they're going to tell me its been lost, that they didn't get it in. Emailed today and I think they're struggling to find it. Sent it franked 1st class signed for, working in a business unit where all mail is picked up in batches. If something goes wrong the return address should have it sent back, will flag it up with the Royal Mail and track it. Notice other companies (Enertion) offer a years warranty that can be extended for $99 a year.

Very tempted to freak it out, change the battery and MC etc if I can find one that handles range well. Would miss the gearing on the GT though. Offered Evolve £100 instead of £200 for a new part considering the damaged component that water damage can't explain.

Will see how it goes... bit annoyed as I've already had to buy another remote after a fall, would be good to test the damaged remote with a new MC as visibly there's nothing wrong with it, just doesn't connect. Also thinking of not buying a new MC but getting the components in and seeing if it can't be fixed, depends on how deep the damage is to the PCB.

 

Any news on that topic?