Total EV Merida PC-500 Pedelec Electro Magnetic Powered Bicycle
Merida 500 Specs:
Type: E-hybrid (pedal-activated) electric bike
Weight: 64 lbs (bike 47 lbs + battery case 17 lbs)
Charger: Smart charger plugs into standard 110 / 220VAC. Up to 4. 5 hours charging time.
Battery: 24V, 9AH SLA (sealed lead-acid) , quick release battery pack.
Motor / Gearing: 240W continuous (390W peak) motor drives through Shimano Nexus internal 4-speed hub. 15-19 mph.
Frame: Aluminum. 15″ size, step thru model only
Brakes: Front V-brakes. 500 and 550: rear band brakes.
Wheels: 26″ alloy rims.
Lights: Headlight, and rear light powered by rim generator. (500 and 550 only. )
Accessories: Fenders. Rear rack (500 and 550 only) . Front basket (500 only) .
It's Not Working 
May 13, 2009 at 2:56 pm |
I have the 500, bought second-hand with about 5 miles on the bike. So far a front tire and tube, overinflated and blownout, is all it has needed and about 900 miles on two Schwinn odometers, one dropped and run over. The batteries are delivering enough energy to allow 25 mile plus trips with a 100% battery use on the way home, sometimes. See http://visforvoltage.org/forums/electricrides/bicyclesandpedelecs/merida for more on this bike and modifications.
May 19, 2009 at 7:54 am |
emm.. really like it
January 31, 2010 at 9:19 pm |
I’ve had one for about five years. Great bike. Actually a 550 with front suspension forks. Right now I am pondering what to do about batteries, since the original SLA’s, which have died, were custom made and no longer available. Equivalent off the shelf batteries don’t fit at all. The bike is probably worth the investment in nonophosphates which would fit, but I’m also thinking some smaller 7aH SLA’s might be adequate for my needs.
February 1, 2010 at 10:07 am |
Check out your local battery store and see the Merida modifications. There are some images of battery box mods somewhere on the V is for Voltage forum files, but I can’t find the link. Here’s the completed battery mod, instructions elsewhere on the site: http://visforvoltage.org/files/u80/modified_merida.gif
August 19, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Great modification for the battery box! What did you use for the casing? I thought I could fit two 12V 9AH batteries into the original case (instead of the 4 original 6V 9AH ones), but there is a problem with the size! So I am looking into doing something like you did to your bike…
April 17, 2010 at 1:21 pm |
I have gone thru 2 batteries . Lead acid batteries in 3 yrs without using it much. I need a new battery and would like to know where I can get one. I live in Salmon Arm BC Canada.
April 17, 2010 at 5:54 pm |
With 3 rides this 4th season of ownership, the staying power of my original batteries is quite surprizing. The original owner only put “like 5 miles” on it but said “kept it on the charger all the time. I’ve not reviewed my logs for trends – not sure what to look at, but have considered buying a new set = 36v, supplementary Lithium XXs, or doing the modification suggested on the discussion board at http://visforvoltage.org/forums/electricrides/bicyclesandpedelecs/merida
May 2, 2010 at 7:41 pm |
so i have a total EV 1 bike that the battery is dead and i don’t know where to find a battery can i get some information and a location if possible?
Thanks to all Collin
May 27, 2010 at 11:33 am |
I just got a total EV 500, nice bike though it has no battery does anyone know what type of battery it takes and where can i get one?? I would like information and where i can get the battery.
July 8, 2010 at 1:04 am |
I own this bike and it is quiete reliable, however, doen not give enough mileage (30 Km max).
I bough an IWOA (chineese) 60 volts 14 ah. Gives me 60 km distance at 44 km/hour. Went three summers with the batteries (1600 km).
I use one for short distance and one for long distance.
July 22, 2010 at 10:50 pm |
Hi, I just bought this bike 2nd hand. I have no manual for it. Does anybody know where I can get one? I am also curious about battery charging and care. I lost power on some hills (until I turned off the battery and then turned it back on). I fully charged it, but only rode about 7 miles total today with the battery on. (4 miles straight after letting it sit with the key off for several hours). It lost steam @ the end of the 4 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks.
August 19, 2010 at 6:50 pm |
The battery modification of the battery box is detailed on the viforvoltage.org site, a resource. Here is a link to get you started in the forums:
http://visforvoltage.org/forum/2562-merida-modifications
August 21, 2010 at 11:50 am |
Electric Bikes Northwest rebuilt my battery. I don’t know what shipping would cost – http://electricvehiclesnw.com/
August 16, 2013 at 2:40 pm |
Hello … I have this cycle and. I have. Some questions vause i have not the manual ….
Ok.and thanks for response
– How can o turn on the lights ? No found the switch or how the sistem to turn on the lights … ?
– a auxiliar batteri may be user to long. Distances ? Or. Only one hour.
– this technologuy rechatged wirh pedaling ?
Thanks. And greetings
July 3, 2014 at 3:11 pm |
The light is powered by a generator turned by the sidewall of the tire, just like the old days. Thought through putting LEDs in connected to the battery, but rarely bike at night so let that project go. There are lots of variables with the amount of power able to be drawn from batteries. The drain depends on how much and how hard you pedal. The battery is not recharged by pedaling.
December 2, 2013 at 9:52 am |
I have two power cycle a 500 and a 550 I need controler form both
bike. please email if you know were I can get them .
April 16, 2014 at 12:36 pm |
I have 2 EV 500 bikes that are almost brand new with manuals. I do not have the charging cord. Can anyone comment on what these are worth?
March 21, 2015 at 7:23 pm |
I would be willing to purchase a copy of the manual. davebradley1@juno.com
September 12, 2015 at 7:42 am |
hello ryan: I have 1 ev50 bike. it stopped working properly this summer. the bad news is that you cannot get parts for t his bike. therefore the bikes are worth nothing. I would sell them and purchase a bike you can get parts for.
July 3, 2014 at 5:30 am |
[…] https://richlew.wordpress.com/total-ev-merida-pc-500-pedelec-electro-magnetic-powered-bicycle/ […]
October 31, 2014 at 12:25 pm |
I bought one of these bikes secondhand. It’s a TEV 500. It makes a loud clicking noise if you try to pedal vigorously, and does not have much power. The other parts on the bike make a lot of noise. I put in brand new top of the line 12V 7Ah motorcycle batteries, but did not see any gain in speed or battery range, Sigh…
March 23, 2015 at 12:57 am |
I solved the battery replacement problem by putting one 12v/12ah battery inside the case and “outboarding” the other one on the bike rack right behind the seat. About two feet of heavy lampcord connects them. Lots more longevity with these 12ah batteries.
The bike worked fine for the first year but has since gone all wacky. Motor kicks in whenever pedals are touched, even slightly, which sometimes causes bike to lurch forward and at other times just causes it just to crawl slowly along, making a kind of sputtereing noise. Lately it’s been mostly sputtering with occasional lurches which makes me think there must be a bad connection somewhere. Probably should check out the sensor but have idea where it is.
November 18, 2015 at 12:16 pm |
One of my bikes has an extra switch that allows bypassing the pedal pressure sensor. Just moving the crank a tiny bit allows “Turbo Power” to kick in. This was a modification I found on V is for voltage. Sounds like you wired past it your system.
March 30, 2015 at 8:03 pm |
Anyone know where the sensor is? Quite a large controller in there, with many wires. LED power indicators and beeper both quit a long ago.
April 13, 2015 at 12:55 pm |
I have 2 EV 500 bikes that were left to me from a family member. They are essentially brand new. However, I don’t have the charging cord for them. I do not have a use for these bikes. Can anyone offer any advice what they think these are worth?
November 15, 2015 at 7:03 am |
looking to buy battery housing and cables
could also take batteries if working
TEV 500 bike
if you have them?
August 24, 2015 at 4:30 pm |
hello
looking for replacement battery housing
battery woks fine but housing cracked
for TEV 500 bike
thank you
August 25, 2015 at 7:27 pm |
thank you they will only sell both
September 1, 2015 at 8:33 am |
i have a merida power cycle just like the bike shown here. this summer I have a problem. I put new batterys on the bike. the bike works fine ,peddles easily until I go up a slope or hill. then the power assistance goes away. any help here
thanks
September 1, 2015 at 4:47 pm |
What is the power meter reading ? Does your choice of gear have the appropriate pedal pressure response when you first start out ?
September 12, 2015 at 7:50 am
my power reading says “full charge’ . no the gears seem out of ‘wack’. example is that 4th gear is very difficult to turn even on level ground. if I put the gear into 1st gear the peddling is great. nice and easy; as soon as I hit any type of grade; I loose the peddling assistance. tanx
November 18, 2015 at 12:23 pm |
There are gear related sensors and the motor only assists when the pedals have pressure and you are below the speed range of that gear. Something close to 1st=8MPH 2nd=10MPH 3rd=12MPH and 4th =14 to 18 MPH. When my batteries are low, power assist is irregular. It is much easier to feel the difference in assist when pedal pressure varies.
September 12, 2015 at 5:53 am |
Jus bought a used tel550 total ev bike came without battery how do I hook up 2 2 12v batteries no clue
September 12, 2015 at 8:49 am |
Best bet is to buy a battery pack from largo scooters.
March 21, 2016 at 7:59 pm |
How do I order a battery
March 24, 2016 at 1:17 pm |
I have three battery packs, each modified to accept a longer battery. A local e-bike specialist cut the case, wired the batteries so it charges and key switch works and secures to frame properly. http://www.human-electric-hybrids.com/ gets you to his website, ordering is slightly more demanding to explain how, but why to look locally seems to be a friendly fad that carries weight these days.
March 24, 2016 at 5:46 pm |
I am in Britain. Just bought this bike at an Auction rather blindly. The bike is brand new and never been used. However it looks like it has been seating somewhere for years and water has find its way to some parts of the bike. Some parts are missing like the pedals, front basket, front and back lights. The battery is there in a box and the charging cable. Handle bars are disconnected but rusty. I have no use for this Bike as i thought its a full electric bike which can go like a motor bike without pedaling. If there is anyone in England interested in it you can name your price and come to collect in Coventry
July 18, 2016 at 9:15 am |
Hi Stephen
Does the electric assist on the bike work when pedalled. Are the batteries in good condition? If yes, I may be interested. I live in Coventry too! Let me know
December 6, 2016 at 3:28 am |
Hello Stephen,is your bicycle sold?
May 27, 2016 at 1:26 pm |
I replaced the battery on my Merida PowerCycle 550 Electric bike with two sealed batteries from M&B Battery. (web site: http://www.mbsbattery.com) I used two Power-Sonic PS-1282 that were 12 volts each. I did it myself. It was a tight fit in the case but it works. There was a slight gap in the case at the top of the case that I used duck tape to secure. The problem was the batteries were just slightly larger than the original batteries. Cost with shipping was $80.39. Before you take out the old batteries make sure you study the wiring as you will connect the new batteries that same. 5/27/2016
June 15, 2017 at 10:18 pm |
Looking to buy a used one. Wondering if this bike can handle a 600 meter elevation gain on one charge. Anyone?
July 19, 2017 at 1:21 am |
I’ve got 4 of them brand new without battery I found some battery but I think it’s something inside like sensor doesn’t work and I don’t know where to find parts for it.if any1 knows any website that will be helpful thanks
August 16, 2017 at 11:36 pm |
have you founds a parts connection yet? I can find nothing and I need a battery case.
July 19, 2017 at 9:27 am |
Well, received my Merida about a month and a half ago, worked just fine until the motor controller quit working on me, found one person in Jersey who has a replacement, but thinking about rewiring in a standard motor controller from like a scooter into the leads from the battery and such, I’m not necessarily mechanically savvy by any means, but electronics I am quite decent. I currently have 2 batteries with Keys for mine, and plan to upgrade to Li-Ion cells when I have the funds. Currently I have it on where I flip the key and the motor engages from the stock battery, probably not the wisest, but it works for the painful AZ heat wave we’ve had as of late
August 24, 2017 at 12:37 pm |
I live in bc Fraser Valley area looking for place to get new batteries any suggestions
August 25, 2017 at 10:12 am |
Largo scooters used to sell them but they went out of business. You will probably have to track down who bought their inventory or have the old one rebuilt.
April 26, 2018 at 8:54 pm |
I just bought a PC500. The key won’t turn when inserted into battery pack. It is stuck in the OFF position. I have tried turing both ways with and without pushing it in. Help!
May 2, 2018 at 10:01 am |
Make sure the battery pack is fully inserted. Turn the key with the pack off the bike and notice the locking pegs that must seat themselves when on the bike.
August 18, 2018 at 9:12 am |
Thx Richlew. Turns out i got my keys mixed up. Lucky to have 2 packs. I ended up putting 2 x 12V 5Ah batteries in each pack. Gets me up the steep hill to work. Planning a winter tune up in my livingroom flow. Perhaps expand one of the packs to fit PS 12v 9Ah. Would be nice to increase speed somehow. I paid $300 and then $30 to rebuild 2 battery packs. I am so happy with this bike!!
August 19, 2018 at 9:59 pm |
Bought the Merida PC500 second hand, assuming I could get batteries. After much research, the best I could do was PS General Purpose Powersonic PS-1282S – 12 Volt/8 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Batteries through Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ZR5Z6/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which my husband made fit as best he could (almost fit the case – but ended up using large tie-wraps to keep the case shut). Charged it up no problem, took it for a ride and it worked great. Didn’t use it for another 2 weeks so put it back on charge, but it never got past 3/4. Took it for a spin and it the assist would never kick in (when turned on the battery level does light up). Can’t figure out the problem now as it is beyond us. Anyone care to chime in as to what the problem might be?
August 20, 2018 at 8:33 am |
Sadly, one of the battery plates may have broken and made an internal short circuit that drains the pack of both charge capacity and storage. Once you’ve altered the case you experience deeper learning about batteries.
October 3, 2018 at 2:54 pm |
Anyone has one for sale, my controller is not working? I am in Vancouver BC.
October 3, 2018 at 4:32 pm |
You might get lucky searching for controllers. People have substituted off-the-shelf controller boards, I read a long time ago. Piece of experience from wiring in accessory batteries: The controller board is a separate power feed.
Might prove helpful to someone else if you say a little about how you diagnosed down to the controller board.
December 26, 2018 at 11:20 am |
Do you still need a controller ? I have a Merida PC 500 for parts that looks like it’s never been used, still has the “nibs” on the tires. I cut the front of the battery box to make room for batteries and no key for the lock. I’m in New York state.
January 25, 2019 at 12:44 pm |
Are you still looking for a controller? If so, the Habitat ReStore in Grand Forks BC has a Merida PC500 in their storage – unable to sell as the batteries are dead (long story – but if you want to contact me I could give you further info).
October 20, 2018 at 12:03 pm |
I bought one of these bikes for my daughter but only have one key. Does anyone know how to get an extra key?
October 20, 2018 at 2:53 pm |
One is good. I keep it in the lock unless parked and leaving. Care just like a car key then. Lost track of the duplicate but hardware stores do pretty complicate key duplicating if you want insurance.
November 14, 2018 at 2:10 pm |
hello my name is Steve. I’m looking for parts for my Merida PC 500. Specifically the ignition switch and key if you know of somewhere I can pick up the key assembly I have bought the bike used and it didn’t have a key so I need to replace the whole mechanism. If you could call me at
November 14, 2018 at 4:09 pm |
You could take the lock core, or the whole case if you can’t extract it, to a locksmith and they can make a key or replace the core. I just put a new core in my mailbox. It cost less than $6.
November 14, 2018 at 9:37 pm |
I had to replace the whole charging mechanism for that problem