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Bionx repair - where to begin?

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Old 10-12-22, 09:15 AM
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jimh12345
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Bionx repair - where to begin?

A friend has a bike with a BionX add-on system, from years back. It's become intermittent (sometimes doesn't deliver power, and may cut out on a bump) and I'm going to try and diagnose it. I have some electronics background, now I need a starting point.

First - is this a good forum in which to ask for help?

Second - I know there were many BionX systems. Where do I find the model number and other identifying information?

Third - I also know BionX is long gone. Are there any sources for schematics?

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Old 10-12-22, 09:44 AM
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https://www.bionx.ca/about-us/

​​​​​​https://www.amegoev.com/e-parts/bionx-parts/

​​​​​​https://erowbike.com/bionx

​​​​​​https://www.facebook.com/groups/2373073794
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Old 10-12-22, 09:44 AM
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Connection integrity? Pedal Rotation Sensor? Controller? Those are what I would start with.

You may want to ask a moderator to move your post to the e-bike forum.
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Old 10-13-22, 02:01 PM
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Jeff Wills
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Originally Posted by jimh12345
A friend has a bike with a BionX add-on system, from years back. It's become intermittent (sometimes doesn't deliver power, and may cut out on a bump) and I'm going to try and diagnose it. I have some electronics background, now I need a starting point.

First - is this a good forum in which to ask for help?

Second - I know there were many BionX systems. Where do I find the model number and other identifying information?

Third - I also know BionX is long gone. Are there any sources for schematics?
A good friend is a e-assist installer and service person who works for a shop that used to carry Bionx systems. He's said this a few times: walk away.

When Bionx went out of business, all support stopped including access to software downloads. None of it was saved or transferred to a third party. Since the Bionx system depended on software in the drive, battery, and charging system any part of that could be corrupted and there's no way to fix or update it. Even if you have the software tools already, there's no way to tell if a given software package will work with your hardware.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
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Old 10-13-22, 03:39 PM
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Old 10-13-22, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Wills
A good friend is a e-assist installer and service person who works for a shop that used to carry Bionx systems. He's said this a few times: walk away.

When Bionx went out of business, all support stopped including access to software downloads. None of it was saved or transferred to a third party. Since the Bionx system depended on software in the drive, battery, and charging system any part of that could be corrupted and there's no way to fix or update it. Even if you have the software tools already, there's no way to tell if a given software package will work with your hardware.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
I'm hoping to find that classic intermittent connector that can be managed with contact cleaner, tie wraps, or worst case, replaced with something new - and yes that would be a challenge.

So far I've seen the system reset often on rough roads. Nothing obviously loose so I'm shock mounting the battery on some good dense foam and will see if I get lucky with that.
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Old 10-13-22, 05:51 PM
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One reason why shops will pass on some service jobs is that if things go bad they will "own" the results. As in the customer blames the shop and can expect the shop to make the customer's "loss" good with either a working bike or a payout. I hope that friend is more understanding than some I have dealt with. Andy
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Old 10-13-22, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
One reason why shops will pass on some service jobs is that if things go bad they will "own" the results. As in the customer blames the shop and can expect the shop to make the customer's "loss" good with either a working bike or a payout. I hope that friend is more understanding than some I have dealt with. Andy
Yes I am all too familiar with that dynamic. I was very clear that all I'm going to do is try and find the problem. Little to lose at this point because the intermittency has caused him to stop using the bike.
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Old 10-14-22, 09:04 AM
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You might call ebikesca (Grin) in Canada. They have worked on the BionX system pretty extensively, and may be of assistance. Their owner, Justin, is brilliant (IMO).
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Old 10-15-22, 10:10 AM
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This system has the RC3 controller and DS3 display. If I see the DS3 spontaneously reboot, does that necessarily mean the RC3 rebooted as well?
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