Please please please help me find a new charger for my ebike.
January 26, 2024 6:51 PM Subscribe
I have a rare Italian ebike that I love. The charger has broken and no longer charges the battery. I've taken it into my local bike shop who used to sell this model and they've confirmed this is the issue. The problem is that the company no longer exists, so I can't contact them for a replacement.
I know nothing about batteries.
Here is a photo of what's written on the charger and what the plugins look like
How would I go about trying to find one of these on the internet? If you can find one and link it below, even better!
There is a transit strike looming where I live, so I need to be able to ride this noble steed to work soon, if possible, so any help would be much appreciated!
I know nothing about batteries.
Here is a photo of what's written on the charger and what the plugins look like
How would I go about trying to find one of these on the internet? If you can find one and link it below, even better!
There is a transit strike looming where I live, so I need to be able to ride this noble steed to work soon, if possible, so any help would be much appreciated!
Best answer: The model number of the charger, QF-P90A, is probably the most telling thing here. Do you have a VELLO bike? VELLO have a QF-P90A e-bike charger for sale with the same specs. (If you have an American or different country plug than the one VELLO is selling, you likely could just use your existing wall cord with the "mickey mouse" 3 prong adapter, just plugged into the replacement brick.)
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 7:04 PM on January 26 [2 favorites]
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 7:04 PM on January 26 [2 favorites]
There are three elements you have to consider when replacing a charger:
a) voltage
b) plug that goes into the wall
c) plug that goes into the thing being charged
Everything else is pretty much irrelevant, in my experience. Note that I am not an electrician, just someone who's had a lot of electronics over the years.
I'd take a look at this and make sure you choose the right country which solves problem b, above. I believe a and c are a match. If you think it's right, I'd order 2 and use one as a backup or a second location.
posted by dobbs at 8:16 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
a) voltage
b) plug that goes into the wall
c) plug that goes into the thing being charged
Everything else is pretty much irrelevant, in my experience. Note that I am not an electrician, just someone who's had a lot of electronics over the years.
I'd take a look at this and make sure you choose the right country which solves problem b, above. I believe a and c are a match. If you think it's right, I'd order 2 and use one as a backup or a second location.
posted by dobbs at 8:16 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
The key is whether that "charger" is just a dumb power converter, or a smart battery charger. I bet it's the former, and you just need to find something with the same output voltage (and same output plug). So any 33.6 Volt DC power brick would work. Finding the right output plug (to fit the bike) would take some trial and error.
As noted above, you might just find a power brick with the right voltage and plug. But if not, you can surely hack something together. Something that probably won't fry you bike's battery :)
posted by intermod at 8:37 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
As noted above, you might just find a power brick with the right voltage and plug. But if not, you can surely hack something together. Something that probably won't fry you bike's battery :)
posted by intermod at 8:37 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
I'd take a look at this and make sure you choose the right country which solves problem b, above
The charger itself can take 100-240V AC, so the only thing that the selection on Ali does is send it off with the right power cord, US, EU, UK or AU. If you haven't thrown out the cord from the old charger it's irrelevant what you select.
I wish they had an option None At All. I've got a crate full of power cords from all kinds of powered devices (not just from Ali) that came with one. A large crate.
posted by Stoneshop at 1:08 AM on January 27 [1 favorite]
The charger itself can take 100-240V AC, so the only thing that the selection on Ali does is send it off with the right power cord, US, EU, UK or AU. If you haven't thrown out the cord from the old charger it's irrelevant what you select.
I wish they had an option None At All. I've got a crate full of power cords from all kinds of powered devices (not just from Ali) that came with one. A large crate.
posted by Stoneshop at 1:08 AM on January 27 [1 favorite]
find something with the same output voltage (and same output plug).
And at least the same output current as the original. That's 2A, or when it lists output power: 70W.
posted by Stoneshop at 1:12 AM on January 27 [2 favorites]
And at least the same output current as the original. That's 2A, or when it lists output power: 70W.
posted by Stoneshop at 1:12 AM on January 27 [2 favorites]
People at the endless-sphere DIY ebike forum might be able to help if you post there.
posted by crime online at 5:11 PM on January 27
posted by crime online at 5:11 PM on January 27
I'm curious if there are any charging control electronics on the battery itself, as this is very much just an AC to DC converter. The only thing it doesn't seem to tell you on the label is whether it's centre-positive or centre-negative on the DC end.
It seems like you can buy replacements for around €100 per the links other folks posted of other QF-P90A charger links.
I'd be careful when charging this, and not leave it unattended. Modern e-bike charging systems have some rather important safety circuits to prevent the kinds of charging situations that cause fires.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 11:01 AM on January 28
It seems like you can buy replacements for around €100 per the links other folks posted of other QF-P90A charger links.
I'd be careful when charging this, and not leave it unattended. Modern e-bike charging systems have some rather important safety circuits to prevent the kinds of charging situations that cause fires.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 11:01 AM on January 28
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