Recently Bought Used 167 - Curious About Battery

[cbphl]

As the subject states, I recently bought a 1 1/2 year old Segway with a claim of less than 10 hours of use. The Segway arrived yesterday, certainly appearing to have little to no use and I promptly powered the device all evening. When I attempted to use the Segway today, it powered up in assist mode, but then powered down when I attempted balance mode. Based on the manual's suggestion, I disconnected the internal cords, and then reconnected. The Segway now appears to be working fine. So, with that said, my question is: Is there any battery reconditioning that I should perform prior to any consistent use? If so, what does that consist of? Finally, although the use of the Segway appears to have been limited, has the fact that the Segway has mostly sat idle for a year-and-a-half compromised the battery life in any way? The gentlemen who I purchased the Segway from indicated that device was plugged into an outlet the entire time he has had the device; certainly questions I should have asked prior to buying a Segway. Note: to the best of my knowledge, the prior owner appeared to be honest and forthright.

[mrleisure]

Many Segway newbies have difficulty getting the machine into balance mode. Your natural inclination is to hold the red(or blue) mode button too long, which is how you shut off the machine. I've had people who really struggled with getting the thing into balance mode, even when I was right there coaching them- "OK, now stop pressing, OK, let go! <Dee Doo Doo> alright, you've shut it off again."

This has nothing to do with the battery. Once you get your SegLegs and start going for longer rides you'll learn your range, which is almost the same thing as battery condition.

Two words of advice- Tire Pressure!

http://www.wingnut.com/images/redkey-web-logo-100px.gif (http://www.theredkey.net)

[cbphl]

I appreciate the advice. However, it wasn't the position of the Segway. I performed a warm re-boot and it has worked fine since. I just hope that this won't be a habit. Also, I spoke with a Segway representative today and she versed me on standard battery maintenance.

[Sal]

Do you know how the Segway was stored in it's 1 1/2 years of life? Was it consistently plugged in? If so, there is really no maintenance you need to do apart from gliding down to zero once every four to five weeks. and then having the Segway fully recharge.

Some other tips are to wait for the batteries to cool before plugging the machine in, an hour at least, 3 is best.

Another is never ever try and restart the machine if and after all energy is at zero. It may start, but this can damage the batteries.

Cheers!

-Sal

Think Different
www.apple.com

Segway Chat Member since July 2003
Segway Owner since August 2003

[cbphl]

Interesting. So once I return home, after riding the Segway for a bit, I should wait to plug it in? To date, I've immediately plugged my Segway in once I returned home. If this is not standard practice though, I will wait.

[bystander]

Welcome cbphl,

You may have received user manuals with your used HT. There was a "Battery Care Booklet" produced back in June 2004 and there is more information in it about extending battery life.

Check out this page at Segway LLC:

http://www.segway.com/support/docs/

This is the battery care booklet:

http://www.segway.com/support/docs/battery_care_booklet.pdf

There are also updated user manuals containing the new 2005 models.

You may also want to consider contacting Segway LLC to register yourself as the current owner.

Also, since you are a new segwaychatter, you are probably still on moderation probation. It should clear up after several posts or several days.

[BarnyFife]

Yes you should let the machine cool down before charging and it will take on a better charge, I place a fan in front of the power base during the first hours of charging.