A Different Kind of Shock. Electrical shock from the handlebar on a Turbo Levo.

[B0bb0 M]

Has anyone experienced an electrical shock to their hands from the bars when riding an ebike. At first I thought it was my imagination but after several occurrences I reluctantly concluded it was an electrical shock. I was on a Turbo Levo Gen 2.

 

[Mikerb]

more likely static?? maybe associated with type of clothing worn?

 

[B0bb0 M]

more likely static?? maybe associated with type of clothing worn?

Possibly, but nothing unusual about my clothing nor any change from what I typically wear. Don’t recollect ever hearing of clothing causing static shocks on an analogue bike.

I gather the Levo has a 48 volt battery so maybe faulty insulation could result in all the metal parts being live at 48 volts. Even so it seems unlikely I’d feel a shock while underway.

 

[Joecrow]

Bit of a mystery this, I don't think it can be static, I have never had a static shock on any of my e-bikes or indeed any bike (including the many motor bikes I have owned over the years). 48v is can certainly be felt particularly with wet or sweaty hands but have to wonder where the circuit would be when riding as I assume you have rubber or similar insulating material grips? You could try testing it by putting your tongue on an area of exposed metal which should certainly let you know if it is live even at 48v, your call on that though and definitely don't do it if you have a charger connected!

 

[Fangs2k]

The Levo Gen 2 is a nominal 36v system, but anyway, were you riding under power lines at the time?

Might be worth having a poke about the bike with a multimeter switched to voltage DC, see if you can find any leakage?

 

[RustyIron]

Has anyone experienced an electrical shock to their hands from the bars when riding an ebike.

Considering the fact that you need a complete electrical circuit, and that your other "point of contact" on the bike is the saddle, just to be safe, you might want to consider investing in a pair of insulated rubber riding shorts.

 

[B0bb0 M]

we frequently ride under powerlines in Whistler but wouldn’t that affect hikers more readily then bikers? Analogue bikers too? Yet it is unheard of as far as I know.
will carry a multimeter for the next few rides and take the suggestion from Tooks.

thanks Rustyiron for the suggestion, but they don’t work for me for numerous reasons.

 

[Streddaz]

Has anyone experienced an electrical shock to their hands from the bars when riding an ebike. At first I thought it was my imagination but after several occurrences I reluctantly concluded it was an electrical shock. I was on a Turbo Levo Gen 2.

No, I can't say that I have. I would have thought that the voltage going to anything on your bars was pretty low, so to get a shock off it is quite unusual.

 

[Sherman]

It has happened a few times to me riding under powerlines on a very dry summer days. The spot is on a rocky hill and the powerlines are relatively low there. Got slight electric shocks from grip's metal end caps.

When it first happened I thought there was something wrong with the bike. But I found out it happens to others too so no worries.

 

[salko]

The Levo Gen 2 is a nominal 36v system, but anyway, were you riding under power lines at the time?

Might be worth having a poke about the bike with a multimeter switched to voltage DC, see if you can find any leakage?

When I ride under the power lines I can definitely feel the buzz, it even gave me a painful shock into my butt through the saddle rails if I was wearing perforated trousers and the grass was wet ...

 

[B0bb0 M]

Mystery solved. Thx all

 

[Just gan]

Mystery solved. Thx all

Biggest shock I got was the price of a Ebike