oh wow

[polo_pro]

As some folks will say around here, I've seen alot of remarkable things (and done a couple myself). I love to visit the bigger dealers to see how they run their operation.

Well today, I saw another first. 30 off board chargers (all mounted an in operation) at a local tour operation running 20+ segways (mostly on NiMH). I did ask them about power capacity of the building's wiring, and they informed me that they do have to be careful about what's turned on when. 8^) 8^) 8^)

Another neat sight was their "quick change" technology. This wasn't just a neat idea...it was a proven technology. Though I must say, I'm not sure I'll be adopting it. You're basically trading stripping one screw hole out for stripping another screw hole out in the platform.

ps - If folks want more info about their quick change technology, just reply here and I'll provide more details (assuming the tour operation is ok with it).

[hellphish]

Posting for more info.

[yosgof]

What's their system for keeping tabs on the health of each battery?

Serial numbers? User's experience?

[polo_pro]

Yes, I got your rims Hellphish...cost $0! So get those tires!

As to determining which batteries were in what state of charging, they used colored tape and post-its with timestamps. In fact, they'd just implemented this system due to some screw up (because NiMH will read full when they aren't in some situations). I kinda thought they'd have something a bit more sophisticated given that they change out batteries 5 times a day and any of four people might be handling the batteries. They certainly can't afford to mess up, because a whole tour of half a dozen people is affected!

Of course, with this said, I've never done "battery management" on long distance glides. But I've always had less than half a dozen pairs to handle. On this upcoming Dubai glide, there may be as many as 50 pairs that'll be even more complicated than what I saw. I'll definitely have to implement some type of system to make sure only charged batteries get on segways. We'll be doing 100 miles a day and can't afford an extra half hour because of screw ups with battery changes, eh?

[quade]

I'll definitely have to implement some type of system to make sure only charged batteries get on segways.

In the broadcast industry (another industry that lives and dies on rechargable camera batteries), the standard for most houses is to put a piece of 3M paper tape (http://www.studiodepot.com/store/index.cgi?cmd=view_category&parent=1016-1104&id=1138) over the contacts after charging. Some facilities go so far as to write the date the battery was taken off the charger on this piece of tape.

This way the batteries can't be used without removing the tape and a battery without tape is automatically considered uncharged whether it's actually charged or not.

More modern batteries have built in indicators that serve much the same purpose, but still, placing a piece of tape over the contacts is a sure fire way of knowing whether or not to "trust" it.

No. Ya don't press the tape onto the actual metal contacts, but rather just across the plastic offsets. Sticking the tape to the actual metal contacts would (after a time) gunk them up.

One other thing, if you have a large number of batteries, number them and keep notes as to how they're performing. When one starts to go south, remove it from the rotation.

[yosgof]

Having the same problem with camera batteries (for some shoots I might use up to six rechargable bats) I use a simple elastic band over the contacts.

Has band - will work.

I find it more reliable than 3M tape as elastic bands don't slip off as easily.

[polo_pro]

Thanks for the suggestions, Quade and Yosgof!

[bvelke]

ps - If folks want more info about their quick change technology, just reply here and I'll provide more details (assuming the tour operation is ok with it).
Were you referring to something other than the battery rotation scheme? If so, I'd be interested to hear some details.

Thanks.

-Bob

[BillPaxton]

Yes, I got your rims Hellphish...cost $0! So get those tires!

I'll bring you a set of shengs to SF or mail if you want - I have a spare set (need tubes tho) if you want. also for $0.

[jryan]

Hey Yossi, I love the Ostrich by the way!

Jeremy Ryan

[polo_pro]

Were you referring to something other than the battery rotation scheme? If so, I'd be interested to hear some details.

Turns out they recently started selling their quick change kits on ebay. They only work for NiMH batteries though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Segway-Custom-Quick-Change-Battery-Straps_W0QQitemZ230179339782QQihZ013QQcategoryZ473 51QQcmdZViewItem

ps - Thx for the offer BillPaxton, but I'm good. I got spares...it was Hellphish that needed them, and he's found some since then.