Battery problems?

I have been riding the Innergy a bit more recently. It is easier now our youngest is at school.

Yesterday I encountered something that may explain the problem I mentioned in the 'First Thousand Kilometres' post.

I use two batteries - one to get me into town, one to get home. If I am in town long enough then I simply charge the battery - saves me carrying the second one.

Yesterday I rode in on one batter and everything was perfect. I changed to the second before riding home. On the way home the motor did not work at all.

The display showed full power, the lights were working, but the battery was not providing power to the motor. I rode the 30km home and the battery was still showing full power. On the way home I removed the battery and control unit on a number of occasions in the hope that it was just a connection/communication problem. I switched the pannier from one side to the other - perhaps it was interfering with the sensor? I pedalled very hard and very soft. All to no avail.

Given that the bike was working perfectly with one battery and not with the other, I strongly suspect the battery is the problem. This battery is not old, not overused and always treated with care. I have called the Gazelle distributors for Australia and will send the battery to them for checking. I will let you know when they give me their verdict.

Previously I suggested that the problem of no assistance may have been due to an axel mounted trailer upsetting the rear-dropout mounted sensor. Now I can suggest an alternate hypothesis - a malfunctioning battery.