Check the charger and cable

A quick look at the charger, its mains lead and its output cable finds most charger problems before they become a fire risk. Do this every week, and every time charging fails.

Safety

• Unplug the charger from the wall before you handle the cable or plug.
• Never open the charger box. There are high voltages inside, even after unplugging.
• A damaged cable, cracked case or melted plug means stop using the charger. Do not tape it up.
• Use only the original charger or one the manufacturer approves (Ather). A charger with the wrong voltage or connector can overcharge the battery or damage the BMS.

You need

• Good light and a dry cloth.
• The owner's manual for the charger light codes.

Steps

1. Unplug the charger from the wall and from the bike.
2. Read the label on the charger. Check the output voltage and connector match what your bike or battery label says. If they do not match, do not use it.
3. Look along the full mains lead: cuts, crushed parts, bare wire, kinks, burn marks. Check the wall plug pins are straight and not discoloured.
4. Look along the output cable to the bike: same checks. Pay special attention where the cable enters the charger and the plug; this is where it bends most.
5. Look at the bike-side plug: bent, pushed-in or burnt pins, melted plastic, dirt, water.
6. Look at the charger case: cracks, swelling, burn marks, a smell of burnt plastic. Check the vents are clean.
7. Plug into a working wall socket with nothing else on it. Watch the lights and listen for the fan, if your charger has one. Compare with the manual.
8. Connect to the bike. Check the lights change to "charging". After 10 minutes, carefully feel the plug and charger case. Warm is normal; too hot to hold is not.
9. If you can, try a known-good charger of the same model. This tells you quickly whether the charger or the bike is at fault.

Check your work

• No damage found on cable, plug or case.
• Lights show the normal "charging" pattern for your model.
• Plug and charger only warm after charging for a while.

If it did not fix the problem

• Damaged cable or plug: Charger cable or plug is damaged.
• Fault light or no light: Charger shows a fault light or stays off.
• Charger is fine but battery does not charge: Diagnose a charging fault.