Bosch Powertube 625 died after 1 charge!!!!

[TaylorTowers]

Anybody else had similar problems with their Bosch Powertube 625? I charged the battery fully, went for my first ride (Orbeaa Wild - great bike) then i come to charge it again and all is going well (green lights on). When I remove the battery from the charger and put it in the frame, absolutely nothing. Dead. No signs of life. I've tried resetting the battery, charging it again and again, charging it via the plug in the bike, but nothing. Is this a common problem? Who else has experienced similar battery fates? Was it warrantied ok?

 

[GrahamPaul]

Anybody else had similar problems with their Bosch Powertube 625? I charged the battery fully, went for my first ride (Orbeaa Wild - great bike) then i come to charge it again and all is going well (green lights on). When I remove the battery from the charger and put it in the frame, absolutely nothing. Dead. No signs of life. I've tried resetting the battery, charging it again and again, charging it via the plug in the bike, but nothing. Is this a common problem? Who else has experienced similar battery fates? Was it warrantied ok?

Yup. Loads of threads on here about it. You need to disconnect the battery from the charger before disconnecting the charger from the mains. According to Bosch, it's a safety feature.


Bosch Powertube Battery Charge Management - EMTB Forums

Bosch battery issue - EMTB Forums

(BTW, this seems to only happen the first time you charge the battery. Afterwards, the disconnection order doesn't seem to be important.)

 

[Beekeeper]

I’ve got 2 Bosch powerpack 500 batteries. One of them does this annoying behaviour from time to time. Swapping the battery into another bike still does not solve it. Have to reconnect a charger to the bike for a second to kind of Defibrillate it ?
Certainly unplugging the charger from the battery first does help but even then it happened on one occasion. Not had it happen for a while now fortunately.

 

[TaylorTowers]

I've checked the manual regarding the battery. It doesn't specifically say that the charger must be removed before its unplugged from the wall. If this was so critically important to the health of the battery you would think they would make a song and dance about it?

How can such a safety feature kill the battery? I've repeatedly tried to charge it now to the point where i've concluded its useless and im hoping to fall back on the warranty.

 

[GrahamPaul]

I've checked the manual regarding the battery. It doesn't specifically say that the charger must be removed before its unplugged from the wall. If this was so critically important to the health of the battery you would think they would make a song and dance about it?

How can such a safety feature kill the battery? I've repeatedly tried to charge it now to the point where i've concluded its useless and im hoping to fall back on the warranty.

Yup. Crazy, isn't it? Bosch's technical author must have had too good a lunch one Friday

Try contacting Bosch's helpline directly at this link. They may be able to help a bit better during the lockdown if your LBS is closed. They've always answered me within 24 hours, including during the current situation. They're pleasant and helpful. They might have a "simple fix" for you.

 

[Errol1098]

I know this sound obvious but have you hit the power on / off button on the main battery body putting into the frame and that's why it doesn't work? we have two bikes and I was charging them in the frame but I decided to remove them just so I knew how and on one it went back fine and worked with the second put it back in and nothing it was dead I pulled it back out and noticed the power button flicked it on and works again and never a problem again no matter what order i disconnect the charger.

 

[GrahamPaul]

I know this sound obvious but have you hit the power on / off button on the main battery body putting into the frame and that's why it doesn't work? we have two bikes and I was charging them in the frame but I decided to remove them just so I knew how and on one it went back fine and worked with the second put it back in and nothing it was dead I pulled it back out and noticed the power button flicked it on and works again and never a problem again no matter what order i disconnect the charger.

There's no power button on either my 500Wh nor 650Wh Powertube. I guess there may be other designs out there.

 

[deksawyer]

There's a button on my 500w power tube, when you press it, it lights up the charge indicators. I don't think there's an on/off switch as such.

 

[GrahamPaul]

There's a button on my 500w power tube, when you press it, it lights up the charge indicators. I don't think there's an on/off switch as such.

That made me check. I've got them both here. Definitely no switch anywhere...

 

[deksawyer]

Look again. See the small circle with a line in the middle, on the side?

 

[GrahamPaul]

Look again. See the small circle with a line in the middle, on the side?

Well, you can see why I can't see it... if you see what I mean

I shoved a small rod down the gap and, loh!, there is indeed a button which activates the lights.

 

[TaylorTowers]

I know this sound obvious but have you hit the power on / off button on the main battery body putting into the frame and that's why it doesn't work? we have two bikes and I was charging them in the frame but I decided to remove them just so I knew how and on one it went back fine and worked with the second put it back in and nothing it was dead I pulled it back out and noticed the power button flicked it on and works again and never a problem again no matter what order i disconnect the charger.

Ive tried to reset the battery with this button, holding it down for 10 and 30 seconds, but there is still no signs of life.

 

[RaleighLizard]

Anybody else had similar problems with their Bosch Powertube 625? I charged the battery fully, went for my first ride (Orbeaa Wild - great bike) then i come to charge it again and all is going well (green lights on). When I remove the battery from the charger and put it in the frame, absolutely nothing. Dead. No signs of life. I've tried resetting the battery, charging it again and again, charging it via the plug in the bike, but nothing. Is this a common problem? Who else has experienced similar battery fates? Was it warrantied ok?

Yes, new to the forum and found it by googling this issue, had bike delivered on Wed with 2 bars, short ride then removed battery to charge, when full put on bike and nothing since, have tried the tips mentioned in this thread and some others but still nothing, and cant get any contact with the dealer either, did speak to someone at Bosch UK but other than the soft reset it was a case of try to get hold of the dealer.

 

[TaylorTowers]

Yes, new to the forum and found it by googling this issue, had bike delivered on Wed with 2 bars, short ride then removed battery to charge, when full put on bike and nothing since, have tried the tips mentioned in this thread and some others but still nothing, and cant get any contact with the dealer either, did speak to someone at Bosch UK but other than the soft reset it was a case of try to get hold of the dealer.

We have the right to reject the bicycle and receive a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act (assuming you're in the UK) if the bicycle shop isn't playing ball. I notified the shop a week ago now, and Istill have the battery with me, which isn't ideal. You really need a good warranty with an eBike and I wish I purchased locally, as main order warranty is a bit of a slow faff; ive had this bike two weeks and ridden it once.

 

[Seralia]

Hi, I also just purchased a new bike with the Bosch PowerTube 625. Used it twice in 3 days, worked perfectly - even travelled 30 miles on the second trip and only used around 25% of the battery. Put it on charge and the next morning it was dead. Took it to the nearest Bosch service centre today and they confirmed it was completely dead. Couldn’t event get any diagnostics on it. They said I’ll get a replacement within 2-3 days.

 

[Tonycube]

Anybody else had similar problems with their Bosch Powertube 625? I charged the battery fully, went for my first ride (Orbeaa Wild - great bike) then i come to charge it again and all is going well (green lights on). When I remove the battery from the charger and put it in the frame, absolutely nothing. Dead. No signs of life. I've tried resetting the battery, charging it again and again, charging it via the plug in the bike, but nothing. Is this a common problem? Who else has experienced similar battery fates? Was it warrantied ok?

Hello there.
This is strange and uncanny similar experience to mine.
Rec my new stereo 140 tm.
was 30% charged which is how they are shipped from Germany I believe.
So I charged to 100% and did took off charge as soon as it reached 100%.
Then did a careful 20 mile and 2500ft of climbing .
The battery had only lost 30% as was showing 70% FAB.
Ride Was great as both my knees are shot.


The next day my invisiframe came so I removed battery and display and gave it a careful handwash.
Fitted the invisiframe and finished off my knees LOL.
Then put battery and display back on and the trouble starts.
Buttons doing randam things and display stuck in off.
Battery now showing 0%
So dealer sends new button and display.
Buttons now work but display does not connect to battery.
So dealer says factory reset display and batteryand take it for a ride to see if the battery comes to life.
But dit not solve the prob.
Dealer sent courier for bike and they are now waiting for bosch to send them a new battery.
So back on my cannondale lefty rigid so god help my knees.
Hope this helps as we have the identical problem.
Tonycube

 

[Hodor]

Anybody else had similar problems with their Bosch Powertube 625? I charged the battery fully, went for my first ride (Orbeaa Wild - great bike) then i come to charge it again and all is going well (green lights on). When I remove the battery from the charger and put it in the frame, absolutely nothing. Dead. No signs of life. I've tried resetting the battery, charging it again and again, charging it via the plug in the bike, but nothing. Is this a common problem? Who else has experienced similar battery fates? Was it warrantied ok?

Exactly the same problem, found this by googling for solutions. Only ridden the bike a couple of times and twisted my ankle when lockdown started. Only just been able to consider going for a ride, put the battery on charge, three of the five lights were done and the fourth flashing, so left it to charge. Came back, all lights off. Removed it from the charger, fitted to bike - nothing. Holding power button does nothing, fitting and removing does nothing, putting back on the charger does nothing.

You would think that for a several hundred pound battery Bosch would make them a bit more reliable.

Im hoping that the place I bought it from will swap the battery out for me without having to wait for Bosch to turn around a new one - i.e. I give them my old battery, leave with a new one and they can sort out the return to Bosch. Though Im guessing things wont go that smoothly and Ill be without for a while. Really, really cheesed off.

 

[Hodor]

Hi, I also just purchased a new bike with the Bosch PowerTube 625. Used it twice in 3 days, worked perfectly - even travelled 30 miles on the second trip and only used around 25% of the battery. Put it on charge and the next morning it was dead. Took it to the nearest Bosch service centre today and they confirmed it was completely dead. Couldn’t event get any diagnostics on it. They said I’ll get a replacement within 2-3 days.

Can I ask how you found the local service centre and whether you had purchased your bike from them? will they swap out the battery for anyone not just people who bought the bikes from them?

 

[Seralia]

Can I ask how you found the local service centre and whether you had purchased your bike from them? will they swap out the battery for anyone not just people who bought the bikes from them?
[/QUOTE

Can I ask how you found the local service centre and whether you had purchased your bike from them? will they swap out the battery for anyone not just people who bought the bikes from them?

I searched on the Bosch ebike site for dealers: Dealer search – find eBike information, advice, test rides you don’t need to have purchased the bike/battery from the dealer, they effectively act as a Bosch outlet. Typically, once the dealer/Bosch service centre has confirmed the battery is dead (they have Bosch diagnostics kit) Bosch will send a new battery without waiting for the existing battery to be sent back. Bosch service centre have been very good. The only reason I haven’t got my new battery yet is because the dealer I took my battery too made an email error and Bosch didn’t get the request (they apologised)!

 

[Tonycube]

Exactly the same problem, found this by googling for solutions. Only ridden the bike a couple of times and twisted my ankle when lockdown started. Only just been able to consider going for a ride, put the battery on charge, three of the five lights were done and the fourth flashing, so left it to charge. Came back, all lights off. Removed it from the charger, fitted to bike - nothing. Holding power button does nothing, fitting and removing does nothing, putting back on the charger does nothing.

You would think that for a several hundred pound battery Bosch would make them a bit more reliable.

Im hoping that the place I bought it from will swap the battery out for me without having to wait for Bosch to turn around a new one - i.e. I give them my old battery, leave with a new one and they can sort out the return to Bosch. Though Im guessing things wont go that smoothly and Ill be without for a while. Really, really cheesed off.
Hello there.
My bike dealer has 3 shops and the battery was sent to the wrong shop so now the battery hopefully is on its way to the correct shop.
Then they have to fit the battery and diagnose to see if there is other things damaged when battery played up.
I have got everything crossed that its ok but my next ride on this bike is going to be very nervous.
good luck from Tony.
PS there was two warranty cases for the bosch 2020 batteries in this one shop alone that i know about.
Probably more thats why i am nervous.
Got a £4700 front wheel in my garage at the mo and the shop has had the rest of the bike for two weeks.

 

[Hodor]

I searched on the Bosch ebike site for dealers: Dealer search – find eBike information, advice, test rides you don’t need to have purchased the bike/battery from the dealer, they effectively act as a Bosch outlet. Typically, once the dealer/Bosch service centre has confirmed the battery is dead (they have Bosch diagnostics kit) Bosch will send a new battery without waiting for the existing battery to be sent back. Bosch service centre have been very good. The only reason I haven’t got my new battery yet is because the dealer I took my battery too made an email error and Bosch didn’t get the request (they apologised)!

Thanks, the bike shop I've bought the rest of the families bikes from is registered as a bosch dealer so hopefully they will be able to assist.

Its sods law that the one bike I didnt get from them as they didnt stock that model is the only ebike and the only one that I need support for. Doh!

 

[Tonycube]

Thanks, the bike shop I've bought the rest of the families bikes from is registered as a bosch dealer so hopefully they will be able to assist.

Its sods law that the one bike I didnt get from them as they didnt stock that model is the only ebike and the only one that I need support for. Doh!
Hello again.
I live in south wales and normaly support my local bike shop but because of the virus I could not get my size cube stereo 140 locally so got it from Plymouth.
They have been trying to help in all honesty and I think they will sort it for me.
Its not their fault regards the battery so I am being xtra understanding because of our lockdown.

 

[Seralia]

Was it Certini you bought the bike from? I only ask because they are near Plymouth (Plymouth postcode) and that’s where I got mine from!

 

[Hodor]

No, bike depot I think. Normally use JE James.

 

[Tonycube]

Was it Certini you bought the bike from? I only ask because they are near Plymouth (Plymouth postcode) and that’s where I got mine from!
yes it was Certini

 

[Hodor]

Well my local bosch service centre refused to even look at it because I didnt buy the bike from them. Bought loads of bikes from them in the past, just not this one, so guess that counts for nothing.

So wont be touching JE James cycles again for anything.

 

[Seralia]

Well my local bosch service centre refused to even look at it because I didnt buy the bike from them. Bought loads of bikes from them in the past, just not this one, so guess that counts for nothing.

So wont be touching JE James cycles again for anything.

Wow, terrible!

 

[urastus]

This is really disturbing. I would have thought that bosch or shimano would have been a safe buy. I can't get over how bad emtb is - motors, batteries, speed sensors.

 

[Hodor]

This is really disturbing. I would have thought that bosch or shimano would have been a safe buy. I can't get over how bad emtb is - motors, batteries, speed sensors.

In the contact I had with bosch I mentioned it seemed a common fault and they advised "they are working hard to fix this."

Whether that is an admission they are aware of this as a common fault I dont know..

Anyway Bosch themselves are sorting a warranty, just got to send them pics and video etc and they will ship a new one to my chosen bosch service centre. Unsurprisingly I havent chosen the one that didnt want to deal with me.

Now to find somewhere with a battery in stock that I can buy and use as my spare while this one gets sorted...

 

[MPJ]

Is this always on the 625 battery or are there also similar reports on the 500 battery as well?