Seamus42

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

karma

does it make the noise when you lift it off the floor and spin it by hand?

Seamus42

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!

Seamus42

Okay--here are my results:

lifting bike and spinning wheel=no noise
walking bike=no noise
riding=noise

Total weight related, perhaps?

liksmuzic

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!!

Abneycat

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.

valdez

I agree. Check the spokes. Mine just did this to me 2 days ago. I started to hear a pinging noise, thought it was electrical, but then noticed it only happened under acceleration. Didn't happen coasting or under constant speed. I lifted up the back end and hit the throttle and noticed a wobble in the back wheel. I then checked the spokes and found they were quite loose. Normally I do hear a whirring/slight clicking noise when starting off, but the pinging sound came from the loose spokes.

ianrodness

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.

antitheist

I recently bought foldable ebike Ancheer 20" wheels, exactly same symptoms. Did anybody figure out what it is?
cheers

Nelson37

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?

antitheist

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.

2old

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.

Nelson37

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.

Seamus42

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!).

antitheist

I am very grateful to you Nelson37 and 2old, you were absolutely right, it was the spokes. Tightened them, noise is gone.
Appreciation all around!