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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Lecram on July 02, 2019, 06:14:12 PM

Title: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Lecram on July 02, 2019, 06:14:12 PM
When I charge the battery with the onboard charger, the battery does not charge above 87%. With the yellow quick charger, it charges until 100%.

It has the power tank. I read the log files and both batteries are doing well.

What is wrong?
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: NEW2elec on July 02, 2019, 08:17:10 PM
That seems to be the sure sign that the onboard is just about gone.  You can use your quick charger to do the job until another solution is found.
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Richard230 on July 02, 2019, 08:59:23 PM
I had the exact same problem with a 2014 S.  Replacing the on-board charger with the new version fixed everything and it is now charging back to 100% and 117 volts.  :)  An $800 fix and a relatively easy 1-2 hour one-person replacement with the help of NewZeroLand's video.
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: DonTom on July 02, 2019, 09:01:35 PM
When I charge the battery with the onboard charger, the battery does not charge above 87%. With the yellow quick charger, it charges until 100%.

It has the power tank. I read the log files and both batteries are doing well.

What is wrong?
The voltage/current capacity is dropping on the on-board charger. The fix is to replace the on-board charger on the bottom of the bike.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Lecram on July 03, 2019, 04:49:30 AM
Thank you guys. I will bring it to the dealer next week and will see what happens
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: DonTom on July 03, 2019, 05:35:37 AM
I had the exact same problem with a 2014 S.  Replacing the on-board charger with the new version fixed everything and it is now charging back to 100% and 117 volts.  :)  An $800 fix and a relatively easy 1-2 hour one-person replacement with the help of NewZeroLand's video.
You mean this video? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFHQgTOMxO8)

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Richard230 on July 03, 2019, 06:23:41 AM
Yes, Don. That is the video we used to remove the original charger.  Installing the new one was the reverse of that process. The only hard part is reconnecting the charger's connectors to the bike's wiring. Tough on the fingers and quite fiddly. But I think there were only two or three connectors, total.
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: DonTom on July 03, 2019, 07:33:37 AM
Yes, Don. That is the video we used to remove the original charger.  Installing the new one was the reverse of that process. The only hard part is reconnecting the charger's connectors to the bike's wiring. Tough on the fingers and quite fiddly. But I think there were only two or three connectors, total.
Is it possible to get inside of the charger, or is it all sealed up tight and impossible to work on?

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Neuer_User on July 03, 2019, 06:59:05 PM
Yes, Don. That is the video we used to remove the original charger.  Installing the new one was the reverse of that process. The only hard part is reconnecting the charger's connectors to the bike's wiring. Tough on the fingers and quite fiddly. But I think there were only two or three connectors, total.
Is it possible to get inside of the charger, or is it all sealed up tight and impossible to work on?

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Completely sealed.
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Richard230 on July 03, 2019, 08:01:07 PM
I do feel kind of bad about not knowing how to recycle or re-purpose the old charger. I guess you could saw it apart and remove its guts, but then I wouldn't have a clue what to do with the parts.  Right now the old charger is sitting in my daughter's garage awaiting a dump run.   :(
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: DanielCoffey on July 03, 2019, 08:23:42 PM
Interesting point. It depends on what facilities you have for e-waste disposal but that would be the bin it should go in.
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: DonTom on July 03, 2019, 09:35:04 PM
I do feel kind of bad about not knowing how to recycle or re-purpose the old charger. I guess you could saw it apart and remove its guts, but then I wouldn't have a clue what to do with the parts.  Right now the old charger is sitting in my daughter's garage awaiting a dump run.   :(
I feel kind of  bad about the fact that they make so many things these days impossible to repair--all because it's not possible to get inside of them.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Auriga on July 03, 2019, 10:06:50 PM
Not really about getting inside of them. A lot of automotive parts are filled with a water repellent filler or potting material, instead of relying on a waterproof container. These chargers fall into that category. And most of the pictures of failed ones I've seen on here aren't a simple parts replacement, but are charred and massively damaged. So not cost effective either.
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: DonTom on July 03, 2019, 10:55:21 PM
Not really about getting inside of them. A lot of automotive parts are filled with a water repellent filler or potting material, instead of relying on a waterproof container. These chargers fall into that category. And most of the pictures of failed ones I've seen on here aren't a simple parts replacement, but are charred and massively damaged. So not cost effective either.
Yeah, I realize many things these days are not possible to work on, but I was hoping that wouldn't be the case with these.

But I still wonder what it is that fails inside the charger that lets it still work but only  to a lower voltage.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
Title: Re: 2015 DS does not charge above 87% with onboard charger
Post by: Israel on July 12, 2019, 04:51:49 AM
Zero appears to have a business model of grossly marking up a poorly deigned charger meant to fail.