Alta Error Codes

[datadog]

The fact that there's history of similar contactor problems on other electric bikes (not sure if it's the same part) is even more disturbing as Alta "should have known better". Also, even a proven part will be unreliable if it's mismatched to the system it's incorporated into. I'm no EV bike historian, but from my limited exposure my impression is that the Alta's bus voltage is considerably higher than most other OEMs. The chosen contactor along with any pre-charge/voltage switching components and algorithms would need to be qualified for this environment. Something went wrong somewhere . . . . .

Out of almost 1000 bikes, I think I saw three instances of contactor weld. That's not really too terrible.

 

[Bloak]

Is the code/message still in?
If not, could be a one off instance. Ride and monitor.

 

[Mark911]

It's not the fact that the part failed but that it failed on a new bike. Contactor "welding" or sticking is typically a degenerative condition caused by repetition. If the vendors infant failure rate is 3/1000 then they're performing to spec I guess.

 

[ageess]

hi guys my Alta says now in the display ...............service 9 v starter battery..........................and no error code, what do i have to do ? Where can i find the 9v battery ? Any ideas ?

 

[snydes]

Energizer Ultimate Lithium 9v

 

[OneLapper]

hi guys my Alta says now in the display ...............service 9 v starter battery..........................and no error code, what do i have to do ? Where can i find the 9v battery ? Any ideas ?

ageess, the 9vdc battery can be purchased online. Its possible that you can find it locally.

The video above describes the process

 

[wildman240]

I was just about to post the same video.

 

[OneLapper]

All three of us were going for the same video. Snydes beat us to it! He must have gotten a good nights sleep last night.......

 

[snydes]

No, it means I spend entirely too much time here. Can’t wait for riding weather...

It’s been coming up a lot lately. I guess we should all keep one of these 9v batteries on hand.

 

[datadog]

Make sure the battery is exactly the same model. L522 lithium. Lowe's usually stocks them.

 

[leeo45]

At 1:48 the video states that you must connect to the diagnostic laptop after replacing the 9v battery and reconnecting the main battery. Is this only if the firmware is not up to date or anytime the 9v battery is replaced?

 

[datadog]

Alta always recommended that the dealer hook up the laptop anytime any work was done. Just standard procedure. I think you can replace the battery (if that is indeed the problem) and codes will go away on their own. The batteries are designed to endure 10 years of normal use. If owners are seeing batteries fail now, there may be a parasitic drain that will cause the problem to reoccur more frequently than normal. That's where more diagnosis was recommended when the 9v failed.

 

[wildman240]

Make sure the battery is exactly the same model. L522 lithium. Lowe's usually stocks them.

I think Target has them too.

 

[ageess]

Thx for the video and answers , will the battery not be charged threw the sytem or while driving or with the charger in progress ?

 

[OneLapper]

It is not a rechargeable battery. It needs to be replaced periodically.

 

[ageess]

okay, i asked because this message occures after two hours work on the light unit, with sometimes ignition on for 15min etc , so that means once it is below 9v or decharged it need to be replaced ?

 

[datadog]

okay, i asked because this message occures after two hours work on the light unit, with sometimes ignition on for 15min etc , so that means once it is below 9v or decharged it need to be replaced ?

There is a threshold, and I can't recall what the voltage is, where the ACM will issue the warning on the dash. If it is present, the battery should be replaced. There usually is some condition present that is causing the battery to drain, so it's important to determine what that is. Once the voltage drops below a second threshold, the bike will not key on.

 

[bluefxstc]

Anyone know if the video about removing the HV battery is available? I didn't see it on Alta's YouTube channel or in the video section on the forum, but may have missed it. Might be nice to have a maintenance video section, just an idea.

 

[leeo45]

Anyone know if the video about removing the HV battery is available? I didn't see it on Alta's YouTube channel or in the video section on the forum, but may have missed it. Might be nice to have a maintenance video section, just an idea.

ALTA Main Battery Removal/Installation

(These videos are 'unlisted' on the ALTA YT channel)

As a reminder to anyone who hasn't been part of the previous discussions on this topic, the connectors on the HV battery are not intended to be disconnected/reconnected on a frequent basis.

 

[datadog]

Anyone know if the video about removing the HV battery is available? I didn't see it on Alta's YouTube channel or in the video section on the forum, but may have missed it. Might be nice to have a maintenance video section, just an idea.

We did one. Don't know why it's not there.