2014 Brammo Empulse R not taking a charge

[EddieM]

Hi everyone. New to the site
I just purchased a 2014 Empulse R that has been sitting in storage for 2 years uncharged.
The bike will not take a charge on the batteries.  I read on the forums here that there is a smaller battery that may need to be charged to let the whole thing start. 
My question is where is this battery plug that I can connect to? Is it the small white connector under the seat with the two small bullet style ends?  (Kinda looks like an older battery tender end.)  If so, Do I just put 12 volts to it from a battery for a bit to let it charge? And how do I know which is pos and which is Neg?

Thank you so much.  There seems to be a lot of very helpful ( and smart) people on here. 

[HadesOmega]

I don't think there is a 12v auxiliary battery on the Empulse.  It runs off the dc dc converter connected to the main battery.

[KaFr]

Brammo Empulse has only seven BPM 15/90 battery modules, no other battery to charge.
If it has not been charged for two years, the modules are most likely in sleep mode. Each battery module has full discharge protection. It's called Over-discharge interlock.

You may bring them back to life, but you must choose a special charging procedure for each module. You may need Brammo diagnostic software and hardware.

If you don't succeed, I know a man from Germany who owns seven spare BPM 15/90 modules  and Brammo SW / HW.

[Leander]

It is possible to charge each of the 7 modules seperate with a 4s(eries) Lipo charger to get them up enough. it is a tedius process.
also check the fuses. and the charge unit cable in the bike.

[cybergodzilla]

I built a charger using two of the following 54.6V chargers connected in series. The doubled voltage generated was enough to charge all 7 modules at the same time. Connected to the Negative terminal under the seat and Positive terminal next to the motor controller/contactor. An Electrical Genius on the Forum, suggested this to me and it worked in my case.

Safest 54.6V 2A Charger Lithium Ion Battery For Electric Scooter Bicycle E-bike (EBAY)

CyberG

[invoke performance]

Hello I just save this thread I currently also have a empluse that wont charge however i have the B40 BMS idle mode issue. I have also isolated the culprit to battery module #7 due to the fact the green status LED stays solid green when the bike is powered on instead of the normal interval blinks. Additionally on the battery voltage status I'm showing on 87V when the battery is actually 101v so it appears to be missing the BMS information from that module. Does any one have any ideas how it restart a module in idle mode?

[Leander]

I have seen a picture or diagrame once somewhere that indicated a reset jumper/switch on the bms in the module.

[KaFr]

Hello invoke performance,

here are some tips from the Empulse owner for fixing error B40:

87V mean open circuit voltage
3.1V per cell.

The cells within a module are probably different beyond the tolerance limit.

Probably the modules with each other too.


I would do the following:

A) Charge all modules to 15.6V.

That is then 3.9V per cell.

Charging can be done with a power adapter.
Check the voltage frequently.


If the onboard charger still does not charge:

B) Open module 7.
All you have to do is unscrew the top cover.

The individual voltages of the cells can be measured on the screws.

If the difference is too big:
Charge the cells individually to 3.9V.

[KaFr]

Here is a picture of an open battery module:

4s9p Module (7 Modules in series)

1st. cell voltage could be measured between Screw 9-8.
2nd. ...... 8-7.
3rd. ....... 7-6.
4th. ........6-5.

[invoke performance]

Fantastic! Thank you so much for explanation. I will do the following and post the results.

[invoke performance]

Hello i charged my #7 module to 15.56v and it still would not communicate with the BMS. So i attempted to open the top cover to see inside but it was very difficult. Is the top cover glued down? I don't want to damage the plastic housing to much.  Thanks in advance

[KaFr]

I think you can open the battery module without worrying about damaging the seal.

By the way, nice video:

[EV promise]

Great video KaFr,  watched and liked some of your other vids too. Not putting Brammo or Zero in the titles has robed you of views. Really shows how to recover from a shut down battery.  Left parked for a month, mine lost 30% of battery. Disconnected the main plug now.

[KaFr]

The author of the video is invoke performance, so he deserves thanks for it all. I hope that he will also film the disassembly and repair of the battery module.

I'm also going to make some videos when the winter is over and the weather is better for rides on my Victory Empulse TT.

[invoke performance]

I think i will try one more thing before i open the battery seal. im going to attempt charge the battery up to 15.6 which is 3.9 per cell and film the results. Because based on my past experience slow 2.0a charge rate allows enough time for the battery to exhibit a self balance effect across the cells.