Anyone know why I would be getting sparks in between my wheel pulleys and motor mount?

General Discussion
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For me it looks like a spark between belt and motor mount, maybe static energy? That’s weird!

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IMG_0630.JPG1560Ă—780 194 KB
That’s so cool! I want this too!

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@rich

Just put it back on the bench, spark is definitely coming from the wheel pulley not the belt.

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That’s what I think as well. Maybe it gets build up because of the idler which causes extra friction in the belt itself?

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I can hear it snap with every spark fwiw, and there’s a little bit of electrical smell too.

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wow. wish someone could explain the details more. it looks just like a van de graaff generator and maybe it’s the dissimilar material in the pulleys that are the cause.

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What is your idler made out of? Nylon? Rubber belt? I think you might have a little van de graff generator on your board there.

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@lowGuido

Idk, I’d have to ask @Nowind

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I love this shit … noone ever build such a cool feature in a eMTB

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Wanna have this too :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Tensioner is out of plastic… i think its POM

http://www.maedler.de/Article/14087200

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lol, maybe you could use it to recharge your batts :laughing:

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Can confirm you have a Van de Graff generator.

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Thanks for the feedback here guys. So, I’m assuming this is nothing I need to be concerned about?

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You might be concerned if your riding off-road, especially if your riding around dry grass or bushes.

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@Namasaki

Shit, yeah I didn’t think about that. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from occurring?

Not doing a lot of off road, but some. Definitely very dry here.

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A layer of kapton tape on the mount side facing the belt, should stop the sparks

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@scepterr

Thanks I’ll pick some up.

So what is it about my belt drive that’s making it spark like this? Just out of curiosity.

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Something…lol. The kapton tape will insulate the mount so it shouldn’t spark, but the spark might move somewhere else

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I’ll give it a try and report back.