If your new Onewheel making noise, don’t panic! The whirring sound from the motor is 100% normal. It comes from the motor design, all brushless DC motors will have this sound and it’s mostly noticeable on the Onewheel when standing still. The motor is working to keep you balanced and the sound you hear is coming from that.
The sound you hear, whirring, clicking, or creaking at low speed is from the transition of the stator’s poles between the fixed magnets. You hear every movement inside the motor.
Different Onewheel Motor Noise, Grinding, and Squealing
Hub Motor Grinding Noise
Grinding noise usually comes from two different scenarios. If the noise comes during rides when you pass the board’s limit the simple stop, the safety feature of the Onewheel, kicks in to keep the board in control.
You can also feel a grinding notion in the motor combined with the chatter. It can also happen when you are hitting bumps and the wheel skips a bit.
If the grinding noise is consistent during the ride at a slower speed it can be debris stuck between your footpad/fender and/or metal frame. The debris will scrape against the wheel and motor creating a grinding noise. It usually happens that leaves and small sticks get stuck if you ride in the autumn.
Squealing Noise From Motor
The squealing noise is another typical noise coming from the electric motor and it’s normal. The noise is high at a pitched frequency so depending on your age you might not hear it. People are losing the possibility to hear high frequencies when they get older.
This is the reason why many dogs don’t like the Onehweel, if interested read more about Why do dogs hate Onewheels (Dog attacks).
Again though no worries and this is just normal operation of the motor working. What you should look for is if the board changes sound after a while and it’s still under warranty, then I would recommend you to contact the support.
A whirring Sound from a Hub Motor
The hub motor, the critical component in the Onewheel, can sometimes produce a distinct whirring sound. This sound is often a result of the motor’s operation but can also indicate potential issues that need attention.
The hub motor’s whirring sound is typically caused by the high-speed rotation of the motor’s internal components. As the motor spins, the interaction between the stator (the stationary part) and the rotor (the rotating part) can create a whirring noise. This sound is often more noticeable during acceleration or when the motor is under heavy load.
However, an unusually loud or irregular whirring sound could signal a problem. It might indicate issues such as misalignment of components, wear and tear on the motor’s bearings, or a loose magnet inside the motor. In such cases, it’s advisable to consult with a professional or a service center to diagnose and rectify the issue.
If the motor changes sound profile it’s most likely because the hub motor screws getting loose. Otherwise, be happy and float on, it’s normal that your board makes sounds!
