Should my motor be making this noise?!?
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Rolling Blunder
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Should my motor be making this noise?!?
Hi folks--
I'm brand new to the forum, and I'm looking for a little advice regarding the Wilderness Energy BL-36 I just installed on an old cruiser. Everything seems to work just fine, and I'm having a blast commuting on my newly electric bike. But I've got a sound coming from the hub motor that concerns me. It's a slight rattle, kind of like a marble is knocking around inside. It's not particularly loud, and as I said, everything works. But I don't have anything to compare this motor to--is this small noise normal, or do I possibly have a problem here?
Any advice is appreciated!
James
I'm brand new to the forum, and I'm looking for a little advice regarding the Wilderness Energy BL-36 I just installed on an old cruiser. Everything seems to work just fine, and I'm having a blast commuting on my newly electric bike. But I've got a sound coming from the hub motor that concerns me. It's a slight rattle, kind of like a marble is knocking around inside. It's not particularly loud, and as I said, everything works. But I don't have anything to compare this motor to--is this small noise normal, or do I possibly have a problem here?
Any advice is appreciated!
James
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Rolling Blunder
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No, actually. Good point. It's only when I'm riding. Makes me wonder if it has to do with the extra weight when I get on it. I just rode into town and back for lunch (without the battery onboard) since my initial posting, and the noise wasn't very loud at all. But it's definitely there.
I'll recheck this point in a few minutes, and also see if it happens when it's rolling without me on. The bike is an old, very heavy Columbia, so lifting it and spinning is quite a challenge unless the battery isn't strapped on!
I'll recheck this point in a few minutes, and also see if it happens when it's rolling without me on. The bike is an old, very heavy Columbia, so lifting it and spinning is quite a challenge unless the battery isn't strapped on!
Last edited by Seamus42; 07-18-08 at 12:04 PM.
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Rolling Blunder
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Okay--here are my results:
lifting bike and spinning wheel=no noise
walking bike=no noise
riding=noise
Total weight related, perhaps?
lifting bike and spinning wheel=no noise
walking bike=no noise
riding=noise
Total weight related, perhaps?
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I too am having a problem with noise, but yours sounds different from mine.
I had posted a while back and am still in the process of clearing my problem. But my noise it there
unloaded as well.
I posted the sound and pictures in the thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=431610
I am certain it is in the wheel bearing itself, and at the end of the month I will ship the wheel to the
dealer to check, as the controller has been eliminated as a problem.
Look at the troubleshooting section from another dealer here:
https://www.ebikes.ca/troubleshooting.shtml
Good luck!!
I had posted a while back and am still in the process of clearing my problem. But my noise it there
unloaded as well.
I posted the sound and pictures in the thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=431610
I am certain it is in the wheel bearing itself, and at the end of the month I will ship the wheel to the
dealer to check, as the controller has been eliminated as a problem.
Look at the troubleshooting section from another dealer here:
https://www.ebikes.ca/troubleshooting.shtml
Good luck!!
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Does this noise happen all the time, or only while using the motor actively?
Some are simply noisy. A lot of brushless hub motors tend to make a vibrating/rattling/buzzing noise while accelerating or working hard, and only quiet down near top speed or while being used in a light fashion.
Also check your spokes. I haven't heard the noise yours is making, but from the description of "marble rattling around inside", my Crystalyte 408 sounded a bit like loose marbles during a time when some spokes worked loose and were flexing and clicking against the casing rapidly.
If it is occuring at all times, your diagnosis of bearings is probably right.
Some are simply noisy. A lot of brushless hub motors tend to make a vibrating/rattling/buzzing noise while accelerating or working hard, and only quiet down near top speed or while being used in a light fashion.
Also check your spokes. I haven't heard the noise yours is making, but from the description of "marble rattling around inside", my Crystalyte 408 sounded a bit like loose marbles during a time when some spokes worked loose and were flexing and clicking against the casing rapidly.
If it is occuring at all times, your diagnosis of bearings is probably right.
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Does this noise happen all the time, or only while using the motor actively?
Some are simply noisy. A lot of brushless hub motors tend to make a vibrating/rattling/buzzing noise while accelerating or working hard, and only quiet down near top speed or while being used in a light fashion.
Also check your spokes. I haven't heard the noise yours is making, but from the description of "marble rattling around inside", my Crystalyte 408 sounded a bit like loose marbles during a time when some spokes worked loose and were flexing and clicking against the casing rapidly.
If it is occuring at all times, your diagnosis of bearings is probably right.
Some are simply noisy. A lot of brushless hub motors tend to make a vibrating/rattling/buzzing noise while accelerating or working hard, and only quiet down near top speed or while being used in a light fashion.
Also check your spokes. I haven't heard the noise yours is making, but from the description of "marble rattling around inside", my Crystalyte 408 sounded a bit like loose marbles during a time when some spokes worked loose and were flexing and clicking against the casing rapidly.
If it is occuring at all times, your diagnosis of bearings is probably right.
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I've also experienced this, as well, only when I'm on the bike. My first thought was bearings, but the spoke suggestion makes perfect sense (I hope it's the spokes). I'll check that and let you know what I find.
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Someone almost certainly did, but unfortunately neglected to inform the forum. This is exceptionally common and hopefully you find it extremely irritating and resolve not to do it yourself.
Does your bike have spokes, or a cast or solid wheel?
Does your bike have spokes, or a cast or solid wheel?
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It does have spokes. I came across that video on youtube where someone takes apart a motorhub and discovers that magnets are moving, and allegedly they are not supposed to. So he puts some super glue to prevent them from moving. It might be it. the video also shows how easy it is to get inside, so I might just do it on a weekend to see if I can solve the problem.
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If I were you, A, I would check the spokes first since if the magnets are "loose", the bike should not run smoothly. I had a similar noise after riding my DD rear hub a few times, and tightening all the spokes about 1/4 of a turn (AIR) eliminated the noise. I've had to tighten them once more during the three years that I've had the system. Twelve gauge spokes which are used on many Chinese wheel builds are notorious for becoming loose with use.
Last edited by 2old; 07-31-18 at 10:51 PM.
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Definitely check the spokes before taking motor apart. Loose magnet usually makes a rubbing, grinding sort of noise rather than a plink or ping.
Also I would suggest a good epoxy rather than Super Glue, which would not work well, IMO.
Also I would suggest a good epoxy rather than Super Glue, which would not work well, IMO.
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Rolling Blunder
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Just now got a notification about this post from 10 years ago! For what it's worth, I never did figure it out. Just put up with it until I sold the bike about 8 months later (with noise fully disclosed to new owner!).
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Appreciation all around!
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