RBM Howto?

[yosgof]

At the entrance to my apartment building there are three stairs. My I180 negotiates these stairs in Power Assist mode with a tiny twist of the grip and just a bit of pull on the handle bar. Absolutely effortless.

No matter what I try I can’t get the i2 to do the same in RBM mode. If I don’t pull it up it just stands there leaning against the first stair. If I pool it up a bit (while standing above it) the wheels just start spinning until it goes into the standby mode (red LEDs). I end up just pooling in on the stairs.

Getting it down the stairs is also a problem. I can’t keep the lean steer flat in the center and as soon as it’s slightly off the center the whole base starts wiggling and twisting. Again the only option is to slowly ease it down in standby and full load on my back.

Any suggestions from experienced owners?

[snake1111]

i can only imagine you have very slippy stairs. when it rains i have the same problem. when its dry no problem. so no, no solution here, appart from tires with more grip...

[JaredHT]

If I don’t pull it up it just stands there leaning against the first stair. If I pool it up a bit (while standing above it) the wheels just start spinning until it goes into the standby mode (red LEDs). I end up just pooling in on the stairs.

Getting it down the stairs is also a problem. I can’t keep the lean steer flat in the center and as soon as it’s slightly off the center the whole base starts wiggling and twisting. Again the only option is to slowly ease it down in standby and full load on my back.

Any suggestions from experienced owners?

I haven't had any probs in RBM, it may be a bit hard to describe, or it may be what you're already doing, but here's my suggestions.

Going Up: Try to dip down as you pull up. He're what I mean, if you just pull, the machine will naturally lean a little bit, and RBM will drive it forward, this often results in wheels spinning. Slowly (the first few times) tilt the machine forward...as you feel the machine start to torque forward, pull it up!

It's kind of a two process thing, but it's just like PowerAssist Mode, where you had to drive forward AND lift. I've found that once you get the timing down, it gets easy quick.

Going Down: You don't have to keep the LS Frame straight. In fact about half the time, I walk it down side-to-side. Just make sure, if you choose that style, you're keeping your angle soft enough that you're not grounding out the bottom of the battery.

Also, if you just want to go straight down, i've found that a little bit goes a long way with RBM. Try having a softer touch. If you're lined up straight with the stairs, you should be able to just slightly tilt back and you'll be fine.

LOL, Clear As Mud, eh?

[yosgof]

LOL, Clear As Mud, eh?

Jared, actually I do think I got it. I will try it next time.

Thanks!

[SegwayDan]

I've noticed this myself. To back up what Jared said, if you think about it, the main reason the tires slip is that the vertical force of the wheels turning (trying to lift the machine) is greater than the horizontal force of the tire being pushed sideways against the step. So the trick is to apply more pressure SIDEWAYS against the step so that the tires' traction can increase and hold better against the step. If this traction can be maintained, the machine has plenty of power to do most of the vertical lifting.

[KSagal]

I agree with the rest. It seems that there is enough climb in your method to take the weight off the bottom of the tire, (making it slip and spin) but not enough to actually climb the step...

One of my more famous solutions is that I found grippier tires. My photo galleries are full of them...

I now use Ketts (Chen Shin Trials tires) on both my E-167 and my i2.

[yosgof]

I've tried it today. Couldn't manage it. I've tried pushing the machine without applying any vertical force - only a horizontal tilt. The i2 either just sits there or at a point just starts spinnig the wheels. Zero vertical lift. The stairs are too slippery.

It would seem I'm stuck with pulling the machine up those stairs :(.

[KSagal]

At least for my part, your correction is in the wrong direction.

You stated that you used less vertical force, and more horizontal...

I would use very little horizontal force (leaning, pulling, what have you) and more vertical...

It is kind of like you are equating the better climb with the faster moving tire. I have found that I get more grip on the tire to the vertical rise of the step with a very slow moving tire.

If you care to try again, I would use only a little horizontal pressure, and mostly lift. On the next step, use just slightly more horizontal pressure, and same lift, untill you get to a point where the machine is helping you the most and slipping the least.

It may not be as good as you want, but it may be better than a dead lift.

By the way, I have found that I usually use a similar technique on my e-167 and often bring it up stairs in balance mode, and control the motors with a tilt of the handlebar, rather than in PA with a twist of the grip...

[GadgetmanKen]

You might check your tire pressure. It might be a little high making the tire stiffer. If you lower it a bit, I think it might grip better. Would that be a solution, or not?

Also, it could be a environmental problem. I can only guess there is a lot of sand there and your tires could be dusty, or sandy, and not getting enough traction because of it. Try rinsing off the tires first, then dry secondly. Just a guess. Steven may know about that stuff, being from the same area, sort of.