[trikes] replacement for Bion-X
Juergen Weichert
juergen at acclivity.ca
Tue Jun 23 11:10:27 PDT 2009
The BionX warranty is 2yrs on the system and 1yr on the battery. I
suggest pressing the dealer for a full system review/replacement
because if he didn't replace the console and it is still acting up
obviously the system isn't fixed. When working correctly it is a great
system.
I have had the failure you have reported and it was traced to a faulty
control console.
They need to contact BionX service to obtain a Return Authorization.
Juergen
On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM, Bob Morris<roblmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
> Juergen and Giles
>
> Thanks for the replies.
>
> I believe that the Control Head unit has never been replaced. I did sent
> it back to the dealer with the battery in one of the various exchanges, but
> they sent the same one back.
>
> You are correct about the 26 vs 20 hub motor setup. I did lace it up after
> discussing with the dealer (apparently he did not know this would be a
> problem). I can't remember the details, but it operated very strangely --
> so I changed back to the old motor and then the dealer finally sent the
> correct 20" wheel and motor assembly.
>
> My wife had such a bad experience with the BionX system on a recent trip
> that she said to remove it from the trike. But after the first ride without
> it, she realized that as troublesome as it is; it is better than no assist.
>
> I don't know what to think about the warranty now. Since it has been about
> 1.5yrs since the original purchase, I figured the warranty was gone.
> Perhaps since it has never worked properly, I can use that argument for
> extending the warranty.
>
> I mounted the battery transversely, immediately behind the seat on the
> frame. Considering my wife's riding style I don't think that weight
> distribution is a problem. Mounting the battery on the top of the boom
> seemed to be too obtrusive and the ground clearance underneath the boom did
> not look adequate. I have seen a WW Tour with the battery mounted on the
> back of the seat and to one side, but I did not like this because the CG was
> higher and offset compared to what I had done
>
> I will contact the dealer again, and see what can be done first. I
> suggested a few times to the dealer to do a full system change-over, but
> they never agreed to this.
>
> I will admit that when the BionX operates properly, it is a worthwhile
> system.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 8:42 PM, Juergen Weichert <juergen at acclivity.ca>
> wrote:
>>
>> Considering you spent good money for a BionX system and it is still in
>> warranty I strongly suggest having the system made "as good as new" by
>> BionX.
>>
>> Your dealer should be able to have the warranty wheel come back in the
>> same size as your own. If you have laced a 26" wheel into a 20" hub
>> you have a speed problem as the 20" version and the 26" versions have
>> different RPM characteristics.
>>
>> Based on your description of the problem I strongly suspect a problem
>> not in the wheel but in the control console. Some systems made about
>> the time you bough yours have experienced similar problems. It might
>> even require having the whole system (motor, battery and control
>> console) components sent back to BionX for evaluation and repair.
>>
>> This system is too much of an investment (and too good a system) to
>> remain on the shelf. At least if you have it repaired you can recoup
>> some of your investment if you choose a different system because it is
>> in high demand and holds its value well.
>>
>> It will be hard to find a more suitable system or a lighter system
>> that your PL-350 (though there are some light ones available none have
>> quite the "package" of the PL-350). One challenge to overcome might be
>> how/where you mounted the batteries. This can affect overall trike
>> balance and/or handling.
>>
>> If your dealer (always your first step) is not able to resolve these
>> issues under warranty please feel free to send me your serial numbers
>> off-list and I will see what I can do regarding BionX service
>> replacements.
>>
>> Juergen
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM, Bob Morris<roblmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > I am looking for a replacement for pedal-assist unit made by Bion-X. I
>> > installed the 350 watt unit on a Wizwheelz TT-3.6 about 1.5 years ago
>> > for my
>> > wife. I got what info I could from internet sources to make a decision.
>> > No
>> > one in my area (Raleigh, NC) sold pedal-assist at the time. I was
>> > encouraged that I had made the right decision when I saw that Wizwheelz
>> > offered the Bion-X as on option on their Tour model a while back, but
>> > now I
>> > don't see this option on their web site.
>> >
>> > Problems are:
>> > The system locks-up and cannot be reset unless battery is disconnected.
>> > Sometimes it resets within a minute, but it can take as long as 8
>> > minutes to
>> > reset. The lock-up, I think, is caused by an overload -- perhaps using
>> > the
>> > throttle when running too slow. Recently, got into mode running at
>> > 18mph,
>> > and there was no control for several minutes -- quite dangerous.
>> >
>> > Like about BionX
>> > 1. It is a complete system. Not too difficult to install on the TT-3.6
>> > --
>> > even though it was never designed for this.
>> > 2. It does mostly function as indicated -- when working correctly.
>> > 3. Regen mode actually does charge the battery.
>> > 4. The ability to set differing levels of assist.
>> > 5. It will get you up some hills and allow keeping up with faster
>> > riders.
>> >
>> > Do not like about BionX
>> > 1. Heavy. Lifting the trike onto a carrier is not easy. Weight bias
>> > to
>> > rear.
>> > 2. Poor customer service from the factory. They mostly do not answer
>> > e-mail
>> > inquiries.
>> > 3. Hub motor is so large that for a 20" wheel the space between rim and
>> > motor makes it very awkward to use a pressure gauge or a typical tire
>> > pump.
>> > 4. Drag caused by hub motor -- even with system off.
>> > 4. See problems above.
>> >
>> > Purchased from a dealer in Utah who has been very helpful considering
>> > the
>> > distance. The battery and hub motor have been replaced and the problem
>> > remains. I think the battery was replaced twice. A new motor was sent
>> > with
>> > 26" wheel -- so I got stuck having to move the motor to a 20" rim.
>> >
>> > I remember that Ian of Greenspeed commented on the BionX some time ago.
>> > I
>> > believe he said Greenspeed were selling the units as an accessory, but
>> > customers had problems. After a while the Bion-X factory became too
>> > difficult to deal with, and they no longer sell them -- I saw this
>> > message
>> > after I had already purchased one.
>> >
>> > I have seen other reports on e-motor assist forums indicating numerous
>> > problems with BionX. I seem to be the only one experiencing the system
>> > "lock-up" problem.
>> >
>> > I would like to find a unit where the motor coupled into the drive-train
>> > of
>> > the trike without doing a lot of custom work. I realize that with
>> > these
>> > systems the regen feature is gone if you keep the freewheel hub. Also,
>> > most
>> > likely there is no way to provide differing levels of assist as you can
>> > with
>> > a hub motor. Maybe I am wrong on this -- let me know.
>> >
>> > Bob
>> > Cary, NC
>> > GS-GTO, WW-TT3.6, Trek Fuel100
>> > --
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>> > sponsored by http://www.HuPI.org/
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>> > subscription.
>> >
>
>
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