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Micromobility is here to stay, and it’s changing how we experience urban life for the better. With Unagi’s membership program, you can enjoy all the benefits of a top-tier electric scooter without the sky-high price of ownership or the inconvenience of ride-sharing.
We’re excited to celebrate Unagi’s 5th Anniversary, and we want you to join the fun! To thank you for your support, we're hosting an exclusive $10,000 Airbnb giveaway. No purchase necessary—just enter for your chance to win! Hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/4/2024!
In today’s fast-paced world, finding an efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation is crucial. E-scooters offer a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate urban landscapes. Unagi stands out not only for its superior design and performance but also for its affordability and unmatched rental program.
While e-scooters have been gaining popularity due to their convenience and relatively low cost, they have been getting more attention lately for another reason: battery fires. It's important to understand the potential dangers associated with the battery technology that lies at their core.
In South Carolina, electric scooters exist in a sort of legal gray area. There's no statewide legislation that specifically addresses them.
Understand which personal electric vehicle is best, the choice between an electric bike or electric scooter might already be made for you by some critical factors, including portability and storage capacity.
I've been tinkering with electric scooters for a few years now, both out of necessity (they're my main mode of transport), generally my hobby, and out of curiosity. What I've learned is that these machines, while seemingly simple, are actually intricate systems with multiple points of potential failure—especially wiring, sensors, batteries, controllers, and rarely the motor itself. Some issues are obvious, while others are sneaky and hard to spot. The tricky part is figuring out which you're dealing with.
Let's walk through the troubleshooting process step by step, starting with the simplest checks and moving on to more complex issues. By the end of this, you'll either have your electric scooter running again or know exactly what kind of help you need to seek.
Before diving into the scooter's innards, let's rule out some obvious culprits:
Many electric scooters have a "zero-start" or "kick-to-start" feature enabled by default. Manufacturers include this as a safety measure to prevent accidental acceleration. This means you need to manually kick off and reach a certain speed before the electric motor engages. Most electric scooters have a settings menu you can access through the display or companion app. Look for a setting called "Zero Start" or something similar, and turn it on if you'd prefer to have the motor engage right away.
At times, the electric scooter may mistakenly sense that you're pressing the brake, which cuts power to the electric motor. This is a safety feature, but it can malfunction. Check under the brake lever for a small button (this is the brake lever switch). Press it with your finger to release it if it’s stuck, and see if that allows the electric scooter to move again. If this solves the issue, you may need to adjust the brake lever or replace the sensor if it continues to get stuck frequently.
Give your electric scooter a thorough once-over, checking for any visibly disconnected wires or loose components. Pay special attention to the areas where the handlebars connect to the body and along the folding mechanism, as wires can sometimes get pinched or disconnected during folding and unfolding.
Yes, even if the display comes on. Many electric scooters have just enough reserve power to light up the screen, but not enough to drive the motor. Try charging it overnight.
These are the things most people check first, and rightly so. They're common minor issues and relatively easy to spot. But if you've ruled these out and your scooter is still stubbornly stationary, it's time to dig deeper.
If the throttle is faulty, your electric scooter will not signal the motor to move.
Check that the throttle is securely plugged into the controller. Wiggle the connection while trying to accelerate--if the electric scooter responds intermittently, you've found your problem.
Open the throttle assembly and check if the magnet has fallen out of place or shifted. The magnet is usually held in the lever by a press fit and glue, but it can become loose, misaligned, or even fall out. The throttle won't work properly if the magnet is not positioned correctly relative to the Hall sensor. Too close, and the electric scooter may accelerate unexpectedly; too far, and it won’t move at all.
Some electric scooter models display power changes or indicate how much power is being drawn when you press on the throttle. If there’s no change in power, the throttle could be defective. As for error codes, an Error 03 code on most electric scooters typically relates to a faulty throttle.
You can check the throttle’s voltage output if you have a multimeter. Typically, throttle wires are color-coded: red (5V), black (ground), and white or green (signal). To test:
If you don't see the voltage change or the readings are significantly off, it likely indicates a faulty throttle that may need to be replaced.
If those quick checks don't solve the problem, the battery is the next suspect:
Even if you just charged it, double-check that the electric scooter battery is actually full. Some chargers can fail without obvious signs. If you have a voltmeter, you can check the battery voltage directly. A fully charged lithium-ion battery should read around 42V for a 36V system or 54.6V for a 48V system and 84V for a 72 V system. If it's significantly lower, your battery might be failing. Look for any signs of swelling in the battery pack - this is a serious safety issue and means the battery needs immediate replacement.
Your electric scooter battery might show a full charge, but under load, the voltage could drop below the controller's minimum threshold. If you have a multimeter, measure the battery voltage while trying to accelerate. A significant voltage drop could indicate a weak scooter battery. This is especially common in older lithium-ion batteries or those that have been subjected to extreme temperatures. A healthy battery should maintain most of its voltage under load.
The BMS monitors and regulates the battery's performance. If it detects anomalies—like overcharging, overheating, or voltage irregularities—it can shut down or limit power to the motor. If your battery isn’t charging or discharging properly, shows imbalanced cell voltages, experiences sudden power cuts, has no power output, or appears to overcharge or never reach full charge, the battery management system (BMS) might be at fault.
To check for a BMS issue:
Additionally, you can try a BMS reset. Some units may enter "sleep mode" or trigger a protective cutoff. To reset, disconnect the battery for 10-15 minutes, then reconnect. If the system works after the factory reset, the issue may have been a temporary trigger.
Cold temperatures can significantly affect battery performance. If the battery gets too cold, it might not deliver enough power to move the electric scooter, despite turning it on.
To inspect the battery, you'll likely need to open the deck. This is also a good opportunity to check the network of wires connecting the scooter's battery, controller, motor, and various sensors. Vibrations from regular use can loosen connectors over time, and a disconnected wire might disrupt the flow of electricity, preventing the motor from receiving power. Corrosion from moisture exposure can also affect connections, especially in humid or rainy environments.
When you twist the throttle, you should hear a faint hum or noise from the motor, even if the electric scooter isn’t moving. If you hear nothing, the motor may not be receiving power, or it may be damaged. Here are things that might be off:
Since the Hall sensor is responsible for detecting the rotor's position and sending signals to the motor controller, a failure in this sensor disrupts the motor's ability to function correctly. The Hall sensor acts like an electronic "switch" that gets triggered by the magnetic field generated by the motor’s rotor. As the rotor spins, magnets embedded in it pass by the sensor, which then sends signals to the motor controller, allowing it to precisely control the power going to different motor phases at the right time.
If a Hall sensor fails, the motor might still run but may experience issues like rough performance, jerky or stuttering motion, reduced power or torque, poor acceleration, noisy operation, or even failure to start at all.
Replacing the hall sensor can be quite a challenge, especially if you're not familiar with the process. In that case, it's often better to take your scooter to an electric scooter repair shop or consider replacing the entire motor if the repair seems too complicated or costly.
Electric scooter motors typically have three phases, which means they use three separate wires (or phases) to deliver power to the motor. If one phase is disconnected or damaged, the motor might "twitch" or vibrate erratically instead of spinning smoothly. The motor might attempt to operate but will struggle due to the imbalance created by the missing phase.
Inspect the wires going into the motor for damage. You're looking for three wires of equal thickness. If one looks different, disconnected, or shows visible signs of damage, such as fraying or cuts, that's your problem.
If you still can’t identify the problem, you can try a few more tests to reach a conclusion.
Completely disconnect the motor from any power source to avoid electrical shock. Set your multimeter to measure resistance (Ω) to check for continuity and resistance across the motor wires. The resistance values should be low and roughly equal across all pairs (typically between 0.5 and 2 ohms, depending on the motor).
If your multimeter reads close to zero ohms between any two phases, it indicates a short circuit between the phase windings, which means the motor will need repair. If the multimeter shows a very high resistance or "OL" (Over Limit), it means there is an open circuit, indicating a break in the winding or a disconnection, which also requires repair.
You can also set your multimeter to continuity mode (which will beep if there’s a connection). Test each phase wire to the ground wire (or the motor’s body/frame if there’s no dedicated ground). There should be no continuity (no beep) between any phase wire and the ground. If you hear a beep, it indicates a short circuit, meaning the wire may be damaged.
If you don’t have a multimeter, you can try another 'continuity test' by shorting the phase wires. Make sure the motor is disconnected from the battery. If shorting (connecting) the phase wires together makes the motor harder to turn, it indicates that some electrical connection exists through the windings, suggesting good continuity.
In rare cases, the motor's internal windings can burn out. This usually requires replacing the entire motor. Signs of this include a burning smell, visible damage to the motor casing, or the motor being excessively hot after a short period of use.
While not an electrical issue, worn-out bearings can cause enough friction to prevent the motor from turning. Disconnect the motor and try spinning it by hand. It should spin freely without any grinding or catching.
The brain of your electric scooter might be fried and can cause all sorts of strange behavior. This is trickier to diagnose without some testing equipment. But here are some signs to look for :
Some controllers have built-in temperature sensors to prevent overheating. If the controller gets too hot, it may shut down to protect itself. Let the electric scooter cool down and try again. If this happens frequently, you might need better ventilation for the controller or to reduce the load (like climbing fewer hills). It might also be that the controller heat sensor has failed; it might incorrectly think the controller is too hot and refuse to send power to the motor.
These are the power transistors that regulate the voltage and current supplied to the motor, controlling its speed and torque. They can fail due to overheating or power surges. If you're comfortable opening the controller, look for any components that appear burnt or discolored.
The large capacitors in the controller can fail over time, especially in hot climates. Look for any that are bulging or leaking.
The controller manages the flow of electricity between the battery and the motor. If it’s faulty, it might stop sending power to the motor. Use a multimeter to test for continuity between the controller's motor phase wires (output voltage from the controller to the motor). If there's no continuity, your controller might be fried.
Modern electric scooters have various safety systems that can prevent movement:
Many electric scooters have brake sensors that cut power to the motor when the brakes are applied. If a brake lever gets stuck or a sensor malfunctions, the electric scooter might think you're constantly braking, disabling the motor. You can also inspect the brake sensor button (usually under the lever) to make sure it isn’t being continuously pressed. You can bypass the sensor temporarily to see if this is the issue.
Many electric scooters have built-in speed limits. If this system malfunctions, it might prevent the electric scooter from moving at all. Check if there's a way to temporarily disable this feature for testing.
While we've focused mostly on electrical problems, don't overlook mechanical issues:
If the wheel bearings seize up, the motor won't be able to turn the wheel. Try spinning each wheel by hand to check for any resistance. Noisy or stiff bearings indicate that they may need to be replaced or lubricated.
A mechanical issue with the brake lever might apply the brakes to the wheel, which won’t stop the motor from running but will prevent free movement of the wheel. Check for any physical obstructions and ensure the lever returns fully when released. Additionally, if the mechanical brakes are too tight, they could be preventing the wheel from turning. Check the brake pads and adjust them if necessary.
A bent axle or misaligned wheel could cause enough friction to prevent wheel rotation and affect overall mobility. Inspect the electric scooter for any signs of physical damage.
Yes, your electric scooter has software, and like all software, it may have bugs. You can try to fix these issues by following these steps:
There's always the time-honored tradition of giving it a good whack to see if that helps. (Just kidding—please don't actually do that.) Sometimes, though, the universe does have a sense of humor. Anyway, there are a number of electric scooter repair stations that offer professional assistance, so you won't miss out—they are in a better position to handle these repairs.
However, if you decide to attempt repairs yourself, keep this tip in mind: Before disconnecting or removing any of the scooter's components, always take clear, detailed photographs. These visual records will prove invaluable when it's time to reassemble the electric scooter, ensuring everything goes back in its proper place.
In the U.S., most states don't require a license. For those that do, they usually just ask for a regular driver's license or a learner's permit.
Yes, you can bring an electric scooter on a plane, but it needs to have a lithium battery smaller than 100 watt-hours, which most don't.
Manufacturers advise against riding electric scooters in the rain. The main reasons are: water can fry the electronics, make the ride dangerous, and void your warranty.
“Is my scooter legal?” is a question many are increasingly asking. The micromobility industry is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting in the world—with promises for...in addition to abundances of the basics of time and money savings. And with this pace of innovation comes a struggle for regulation to keep up.
So, you're thinking about joining the electric scooter revolution, huh? You've seen those sleek and stylish scooters zipping around town, effortlessly gliding through traffic, and you can't help but wonder: Are electric scooters easy to ride?
In this guide, we'll break down what defines a lightweight electric scooter, why you should choose one, and the top features you should look for.
Want to get the most out of your electric scooter battery and extend your riding adventures? We've got you covered with our comprehensive guide full of maintenance tips and best practices.
*Disclaimer: Unagi, INC. has used best efforts, but does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the below findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States or internationally. Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin…
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