Lectric XP Lite Battery Install Problem

[Steve Hanley]

Has anyone had an issue inserting the battery into the frame? I removed mine to test it with my multimeter but when I tried to put it back in, it sticks out about 4 inches. There seems to be a metal "shoe" inside near the steering head that seems designed to align the battery properly and the end of the battery seems to be hitting it, which keeps it from sliding all the way in.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a solution? The battery in my wife's bike, which is a twin to mine, slides in and out easily but when I tried inserting her battery in my nike, it had the same problem, so the problem is not the battery, it's something to do with my bike. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HumanPerson]

Mornin Steve, Welcome to the forums!

 

[Annieolnie]

Hi, I don't know this bike, but looking around on the internet, people do have this problem. One thing to check is that the key mechanism is working properly and the pin is retracting the way it should. You have probably done that. The one interesting thing I found was that some people turned the bike upside down and then the battery slid in, this obviously isn't a solution, but it is something to try as a stop gap.

 

[Steve Hanley]

Thanks. I had thought of doing that but haven't tried it yet. Will let you know if it helps.

 

[Steve Hanley]

My new battery arrived today. I compared it with the old battery and realized the plastic piece on the end had become detached from the battery housing and fell inside the frame rail when I removed the battery from the bike. Once I tipped the bike up, the broken piece slid out and I was able to install the new battery with no issues.

I am relieved but find it troubling that part of the battery housing came off when I removed the old battery. It is difficult to see inside the frame rail without a good flashlight! I am also disappointed that Lectric does not participate in any battery recycling program. Most of its competitors do.

 

[Atavar]

Your local recycling center should be able to accept batteries for recycling. I know ours does, even in this semi-rural small town.
Just drive in and drop it off. Here there are no fees.

 

[Steve Hanley]

Thanks. Yes I have contacted my local facility and will be dropping off the old battery there later this week.

 

[Annieolnie]

Glad you got it resolved. A number of people have had this problem. I wonder what bits of plastic are living in their frames. Lectric should at least consider an inspection port.

 

[Steve Hanley]

In this case, the plastic was the end plate of the battery pack. When the problem first occurred, I didn't have a flashlight handy and I thought what turned out to be a plastic piece was a metal guide to keep the back end of the battery from rattling in the frame. That confused me until I shone a light down there -- or up there. Orientation gets confusing when the bike is folded!

But it's all good now and the Lectric rep I have been emailing with told me would bring the broken piece to the attention of her supervisor.

The take away is that if you try to insert your battery after removing it and it stops with a "thunk" with about 4" sticking out of the battery compartment, look to see if the the black plastic piece has broken off the end and fallen into the space for the battery. If so, find a way to tip the bike up while folded and the broken piece should slide right out.

 

[JerryB]

Welcome......I have a XP 2.0.....have removed battery several times....never had this problem.....hope I don't. Glad you got it fixed.....ride safe.