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[ravensremix]

I tried diligently searching for this issue and posted on Reddit, so please forgive a new user if I have failed to find the solution on these forums.

I have a new to me 2014 SR with power tank, I should get about 202 miles on a full charge. From purchase I only saw 98-102 on the dash. The battery gauge drains in accordance with this range.

However, recently when I connected the app I noticed it seems to give the TRUE readings on range, but matches the battery status. Is there some way the power tank could be hooked up but the bike be ignoring it?

I called Zero about it but they just said take it to the dealer. If this is a common issue or easily fixed with a switch or loose wire somewhere I'd be MUCH obliged.

[Richard230]

The Power Tank that was installed by my dealer right after I bought my 2014 S also was not noticed by the bike's MBB and did not show a proper range estimate after being installed.  My dealer contacted Zero and they sent up a factory technician to the shop who said that the PT had a defective BMS and he replaced the PT with a new one.  Even then he couldn't get things to work properly and discovered that a wire connector had a couple of bent pins that he said was likely damaged during assembly at the factory. Once he straightened the bent pins of the connector, the PT came on line and the bike has run great since then. That year I managed to travel 140 miles on a single charge. But just barely and at a average speed that I would estimate was about 40 mph. However, at no time did the range estimator ever indicate a range of 202 miles.  My recollection is that Zero claimed something like a 183 mile range at city speeds for the 2014 S PT model, but I never saw that range on the display, either. The greatest range estimate I recall seeing was around 150 miles.

[ravensremix]

That's exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for. I'll see if I can get some answers next time I see the dealer, even if I'm way out of warranty.

I may be conflating that 202 with some other figure, but I'd like to see what Zero has on their page here:

https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s/2014/specs.php

My dash seems to always reflect the non-power tank numbers no matter what.

Thank you kindly!

[DonTom]

I have a new to me 2014 SR with power tank, I should get about 202 miles on a full charge. From purchase I only saw 98-102 on the dash. The battery gauge drains in accordance with this range.

Only expect that 202 miles if going a very steady 25 MPH or so on level ground.

Very roughly, you will get about half the range every time you double the speed.

With my 2017 SR, with power tank, in the mountain roads around Auburn, I am a fairly slow rider (perhaps average 35 MPH with some hills) and can expect around 140 miles or so, which is  pretty much an all day ride out there.  So I am happy with my range from one charge.

Try some slow steady riding on near level ground  for a while and see what it says. Stay off the freeways and other fast roads while checking. For an hour or more, if possible. You will most likely see your range gauge  INCREASE as you ride longer at a slower speed,  at first. This is because your range left counter takes into consideration how you have been riding. Therefore, it can show an increase in range after a few miles of slow riding.

Also, see how long it takes to fully charge. If it takes as long as spec says it should, it kinda shows all your batteries are connected.

When I had my ZF6.5 in Cottonwood, AZ, almost all my riding was at around 20 MPH. That bike is rated at about 75 miles city, but my display said at least 120 miles, because of the very slow speed limits. Your miles left gauge takes into consideration how you have been riding to show the miles left.  Ride fast and hard, it will show very low in a few miles. Ride very slow and easy and the opposite happens. You should be able to get better than that 202 if you can stay at around 20 MPH steady.

Don't expect regen to help much. Just stay at a steady slow speed as much as possible and watch  the big difference in your miles left gauge.

IOW, my guess is you have nothing wrong.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

Thinking about your question last night I will add that although the Zero technician blamed the problem on a bad PT module BMS (which is attached to the side of the battery box, if I recall correctly) that was not communicating with the bike's central computer, my current suspicion is that the actual problem might have been the result of the bent pins in the connector not transmitting the PT info to the MBB. My PT was the first one installed by my dealer's shop technician and I wouldn't be all that surprised if he managed to mash the connector's pins when he was trying to install the PT. The Zero tech was a really nice guy and I am sure that if he had any similar thoughts he was too diplomatic to mention them.

No doubt there is some way to check for the proper operation of the PT, but it might be more worthwhile to start checking the electrical connectors between the PT and the bike's central computer. There couldn't be too many of them. 

[Electric Cowboy]

This is possible with cells that have aged differently or one of the buggy firmwares.

You can see it via the bms serial terminal when it happens too.