Solved the design flaw!

[Heino]

I was always amazed about the placement of the charging leds on my trusty Segway. It forced me to get on the ground to check whether the machine is charging or not.
(I once did not check and discovered the next day it hadn't charged...Murphy's law)

Just for the looks of it I recently tried one of those old transparent power cords that came with the first iMac's and guess what: you can check the leds through the plastic of the cord, even when you are standing. The leds give the whole base of the powercord a nice green shine when lit.

Solved my problem. Works great!

On my p-series: "Take the long way home"

[segtownmst]

Thats a great idea! I will have to go switch mine out from one of my imacs and start using the clear one.
Amazing how such a stupid problem is such a big deal and a hassle. Good simple solution!

[BarnyFife]

You know the story behind that don't you?
When the engineers sent the drawings to the vendor for that part they did not notice that it was upside down, and they manufactured thousands of them, so they used them, I do not know why they do not change it for the newer builds unless they still have so many in stock. Remember that they built the factory to handle the assembly of 50,000 machines/month and they probably bought a large quanity of this low cost part.

[amturnip]

quote:Originally posted by Heino
I was always amazed about the placement of the charging leds on my trusty Segway.Doug Field explained, "we ended up with a number of last-minute changes in the power supply as the result of having to switch suppliers late in the game, and it's the only way we could make it all fit." http://segwaychat.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6686

[terryp]

Or his tongue-in-cheek explanation that whoever approved it didn't realize that they were looking at the print upside-down.

Seems to me that anyone who can't bend over to check the LEDs once in a while is about as lazy as we're sometimes accused of being.

Segway - What's holding you up?

[wwhopper]

I think this is just another Apple/Mac pat on the back session.

But like the Segway & Apple products (though I do not use them) - Good Design lasts FOREVER!

Will W Hopper
DCSEG Member
SEG America
The Premier Gliding Organization!
http://www.SEGAmerica.org
Washington DC - The Most Segway Friendly City in America!

[KSagal]

Two questions or comments...

1. I don't find the need to lay on the ground. I just look at the light from about 6 or 8 feet away and a few feet off center to the cord. I have never had to duck or crawl... Maybe I am at an advantage because I use a simple block of wood that keeps the platform level instead of pitched back like if it was on the parking stand...

2. The clear cord is a nice idea. What about those of us that have real computers? Is this cord available on it's own?



Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[segtownmst]

The having to lean over one in a while is not a matter of being lazy for me. Its about plain hassle and design flaw. In well lit rooms there are times I have to actually get on my knees and look closely.
Has anyone expirimented with a small mirror/reflective device underneath the light? Just an idea - might be a bad one. :)

[william collins]

I searched all over the net and Ebay for Clear power cord for ImAC.. FOUND NONE ...SO WHERE DO WE GET THIS ITEM (DON BIG FINGERS ALWAYS HITTING THE CAPS LOCK) I'd love to disable it

There is no Mistake as Great as that of always being Right-- live with love and care, upon the level and by the square

[cmonkey]

How about a section of fiberoptic cable? Ziptie and hot glue a small 2-3 inch section to your power cord and fray the open end. Should be easy to see then.

I love my magic carpet!

[KonaSegway]

:-)

http://www.konasegway.com/fiber2.jpg

http://www.konasegway.com/fiberoptic.shtml

Aloha,
Sam

[roro]

Instead a free Garmin GPS they should add a free Imac with every new Segway.

Rob

[KSagal]

Jonathan Gleich (MacGeek) moved his to a position above the cord. I am sure if you bug him appropriatly, and offer him significant compensation, he would modify yours as well.



Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[blingbling]

I use a inspection mirror that the mechanics use telescopic arm that allows me to see under the plug.

blingbling
www.libertywealthsystems.com/0511-9821