Battery Memory and Errors

[4Seg]

Three of us local St. Louisians headed to Creve Coure Lake today. We were just as charged up as the HTs were and ready to go. This is a new park for us and we were excited about venturing out of the city.

We unloaded, mounted, and headed down the path around the lake when not even a quarter of a mile went by and 60 percent power remaining!!! This is the second time this occurred and suggests the batteries might have memory; but it behaves differently than traditional battery memory.

Luckily, there was a pavilion that was in use on Friday night and the power hadn't been turned off. I plugged in and sat for 20 minutes. The delay took a bit out of our enthusiasm; however, the time gave us a bit time to talk about the SegwayFest and all the activities. (Thx Brooster for the show info).

I performed some push tests today too. It's pretty easy to get back 5 percent quickly, but better take a cold water with you, it is a work out. Who says the HT gives you no exercise?!

The Seg is on charge after every use, religiously. I usually travel down to the forty percent level before recharging. My normal Seg venture takes me down to that level and I find it quite suspicious how quickly the remaining power came down to that level for the second time since I received the unit Feb. 27th.

After the twenty minutes of charge and watching the power level on the other two Segways (on the same path as mine), I also noticed my remaining power level went down almost the same as the other two Segways after the "zap" down to 40 percent. At that point we had only traveled about two miles with no fast starts nor fast stops.

The last 20 percent lasted about as long as you would expect; however, I did receive an error. (full circle and wrench)

This is what the error means.

"There is an unknown fault in the power base. This is most likely a critical component or connection failure. Call service."

The error triggered at an odd time. I was not moving, just standing.
The second time this has happened. Now, as the error suggests, I will be contacting service tomorrow.

I ask this: How many times has this happened to you? Have you experienced the apparent battery memory problems?

oh?! I do not want to suggest the batteries have a memory problem (because of the error in the power base) -- I am saying the way the problem behaves like memory. If there is a power base problem, shouldn't the problem be indicated when it's being charged up too? This way I'm not stuck out somewhere looking for power.

The next question. Has anyone ever had the power base error occur when charging?


--Five months, 500 rides, 1000 glides, and not one single mishap--the HT is awesome -- I recommend it to anyone who is able.



be keen, keep clean, glide green.
http://www.stlsegway.com
Help support FIRST http://www.usfirst.org

[Brooster]

Hi Mike,

I've had platform fault indications and safety shutdowns the last two times I've ridden in the rain. Working with the LLC to resolve the problem ... we'll see what happens.

Brooster

[toybuilder]

Hmmm, I wonder if that safety shutdown is caused by it getting so wet that it grounded the key port... See http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3787.

Joseph

http://www.pasadenasegway.org/
A bicycle in 1897 cost $25 ($2,200 today adjusted for inflation).
A Ford Model-T cost $850 in 1908 ($75,000 today adjusted for inflation).
(Can anyone point me to historical prices of horses?)

[pam]

I've not had any problem in the rain, but I've always been careful to protect the keyport - either with the poncho draped over the bars, or a wide piece of tape over the keyport and display.
Pam

[Sunday]

Okay Wayne, make everyone a keyport cover and improve the charging port cover too:)


Mark Sunday

[opti6600]

I see to it that I always go out in the rain, especially when it's heavy. I've never had any issues with the keyport glitching out, or safety shutdowns. If you do, I'd recommend checking the o-rings on your battery screws, especially the two center ones.

---------
Let's just take the safety labels off of everything and let America's problem sort itself out.

[BenBethel]

Try a complete and total discharge, then charge it all the way up. I think I hold the record for most mechanical/electrical problems on the HT. I had 3 or 4 instances where I was just standing there and it started to BEEP BEEP BEEP really loud at the base, then shook, then shut down. This also happened while riding twice...

Segway replaced the entire power base.... but it happened again and they sent me a brand new, unused HT!

Then, this one had the control stick replaced because the rubber bumper kept popping off, and it was also making a horrible grinding noise at high speeds. Also, while standing still it shook a lot - I couldn't keep it steady. I sent it back at their request. They said I had bad bearings in the motors, one of the tilt sensors was out, and the batteries weren't holding their charge properly. So, they replaced the necessary parts and then fine tuned it better than any other ht they've ever tuned, so they said, and sent it back. It really does work like a charm now!

It's a great product with great service... and as expected, there are some issues... but it's worth it!

Ben

www.benbethel.com

[PoloAk]

Mike,

I've had a devil of a time with my batteries. Sometimes, they'll show full charge, I'll head out, and all of a sudden they are 60% depleted for a short jaunt. Other times, the same trip won't even cause the battery indicator to change. So after a little investigation. . .

I found that often the electrical cord they gave us will NOT sit in the recharging port correctly. If it's not pushed in completely, it takes a lot longer to charge-if at all. I'd check a couple of times while it's supposidly recharging to see if it's completely plugged in or if it's loosened and is not in full contact.

That's all i've got for ideas about the batteries!

Kelsey

"A closed mouth gathers no foot."

[4Seg]

Thanks everybody. Today after a good night's (full) charge, I was back gliding to work. Today was interesting. After the ordeal yesterday, I was able to go to work and back using 20%. That's never happend. IT'S USUALLY 40%!!! Maybe the batteries were in a bad mood yesterday from lack of attention for three days. ;) (oh, by the way, I also gave 6 demos before returning home.)



be keen, keep clean, glide green.
http://www.stlsegway.com
Help support FIRST http://www.usfirst.org

[emanresu]

The segway has been a real disappointment in terms of battery use. The hot weaher hasn't made it any better. So much hype, so little performance. Don't get me started on the goofy charge indicator. They spent more time on the Brave New World rhetoric than they did on engineering.

[opti6600]

Emanresu, could we hear more constructive advice and less bitching and moaning, please? Thanks!

I'll just cite again Ask Segway's recommendation to unplug and then plug in the IEC cord to give the charging computer a quick reset, and hence alleviating any issues with surface charging.

---------
Let's just take the safety labels off of everything and let America's problem sort itself out.

[emanresu]

Oh, then- "The Segway will operate 10-15 miles on a charge and everything's great in Iraq." How's that?

[Poindexter]

quote:Originally posted by emanresu

The segway has been a real disappointment in terms of battery use. The hot weaher hasn't made it any better. So much hype, so little performance. Don't get me started on the goofy charge indicator. They spent more time on the Brave New World rhetoric than they did on engineering.


You are right Emanresu, the Segway is a piece of junk.

I just happen to be a scrap metal dealer in Tennessee. Seeing that you are also in Tennesse, I have a special deal for you. I will come to your location, anywhere in the state, and cart away your useless Segway at no charge.

Cut your loses and get rid of that scrap pile. Forget the object of your disapointments and save a little space in the landfill.

Post here on how I should get in touch with you. Would this Saturday be a good time for me to come pick up your segway?

"Anyone who wants to be a New Urbanist has never been Old Urbanist." Michael Poindexter (critic)

[opti6600]

Pointdexter has a pretty good deal there, I'd take it! :P

---------
Let's just take the safety labels off of everything and let America's problem sort itself out.

[MagiMike]

Emanresu gave his honest opinion ( which does differ from mine) and all he get's is flames and sarcasm. Oh My....

[opti6600]

Mike, the only flaming I'm doing to emanresu is the sheer repetition of his complaint. Every time someone has a problem, it's a moan from emanresu's direction saying that "well...it's a piece. i hate it." and generally it's something remarkably close to that. Trust me, I don't mind somebody voicing out their opinion on these things, but there's a point from which normal opinionated comments differ from sheer trolling.

---------
Let's just take the safety labels off of everything and let America's problem sort itself out.

[GlideMaster]

Poindexter if emanresu dosen't like his glider I would be glad to drive all the way from Chicago and take it off of his hands and that way you wouldn't have to interrupt the daily flow of your business. I specialize in relieving people of their Segways that they don't want. [}:)][:o)][:O]


quote:Originally posted by Poindexter

quote:Originally posted by emanresu

The segway has been a real disappointment in terms of battery use. The hot weaher hasn't made it any better. So much hype, so little performance. Don't get me started on the goofy charge indicator. They spent more time on the Brave New World rhetoric than they did on engineering.


You are right Emanresu, the Segway is a piece of junk.

I just happen to be a scrap metal dealer in Tennessee. Seeing that you are also in Tennesse, I have a special deal for you. I will come to your location, anywhere in the state, and cart away your useless Segway at no charge.

Cut your loses and get rid of that scrap pile. Forget the object of your disapointments and save a little space in the landfill.

Post here on how I should get in touch with you. Would this Saturday be a good time for me to come pick up your segway?

"Anyone who wants to be a New Urbanist has never been Old Urbanist." Michael Poindexter (critic)

[4Seg]

Warmer weather has helped significantly, for the obvious reasons; but I'm never out in anything over 95 -- the humidity is just a bit much. Regardless of the temperature, if someone wants to get a rid of a Segway, KEEP ME IN MIND! (Guess I have to start my rental and reseller business somehow. ;0)


be keen, keep clean, glide green.
http://www.stlsegway.com
Help support FIRST http://www.usfirst.org

[god1138]

No, no. All of you have it wrong.

If there's an extra Segway involved, my poor, depraved, wonderful wife needs an HT to lovingly call her own as she really does miss out on all the fun I have. She pines for a time when we may be free to glide together, instead of her having to follow behind me on foot!

Just think of all the hard-working, sweat-pouring, laborious people (like, my wife, for instance) out there who don't know what it's really like to glide in tandem together! Isn't that a crying shame... even IF the batteries are a "real disappointment" and the HT suffers from too much "Brave New World rhetoric"???

DONATE YOUR USED SEGWAY TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM! It's a damned fine tax-write off and you too can make a difference in someone's life... namely, Mrs. God.

; )>




-Robert
"BORN TO GLIDE"

[citivolus]

It may be that emanresu has bad batteries. My first set absolutely sucked and I'd get only 3 or 4 miles on a charge. Some days were so bad I'd use up 20% going from one end of my driveway to the other and that's less than 100 meters. I called Segway and sent them the batteries. They tested them, told me they failed and they're sending me a new set. Yeah, they're ok in my book. If your range is sub par let Segway know.

--
swiftly flying

[ElectraGlide]

The range I get from my batteries is also pretty low...today for instance I made a trip of 2.2 miles after the batteries were plugged in for 4 full days. The ride was not at limiter speed, but at the end of the 2.4 miles the battery level indicated about 1/2 used. Lets say there's a little more left, well that still only takes me about 5 miles on a 4 day charging....even rounding it way up to a 6 mile average I think thats far too low. I've tried the charging tricks but dont seem to get much from them.

Steve

[dexter]

ElectraGlide there seems definitely something wrong there, I would call Segway. I go to work comfortably (about 11 miles) with enough charge left (about 2 bars) to not worry about getting "stranded". At least 6 hours of charge at work gets me home just as securely. The only think I do is be sure to stay off the limiter.

The battery gauge on the Segway is definitely NOT "linear". When I glide to work it shows full or one blinking for almost half of the trip. Then it starts to run down quickly. If you are losing bars after 2.4 miles when not on the limiter or other "charge eaters" then I think something is defective.

Dave C.
me: www.idexter.com
work: www.idealjacobs.com
play: www.nyline.org

[Deviant]

Then my batteries might be damaged as well. I don't think my HT is or was ever capable of 8 miles. I have done the replug trick, but not the battery swap.

Maybe Sid Viscous can let me know if I could open my battery cases ("Nope, they're sealed!"?) to test each individual cell. ??

[toybuilder]

Whoa. I make 2 miles at 8-9 mph on the flats and only the first bar is blinking. Methinks it's time to ask Segway to get the batteries checked.

http://www.pasadenasegway.org/
A bicycle in 1897 cost $25 ($2,200 today adjusted for inflation).
A Ford Model-T cost $850 in 1908 ($75,000 today adjusted for inflation).
(Can anyone point me to historical prices of horses?)

[BenBethel]

Out of curiosity, you don't happen to be using the black or yellow keys, do you? Do you feel the speed limiter pushing you back, ever? Try riding to the point that you're never leaning forward much. I use the red key, and glide mostly without hands for 2.4 miles to work, then 2.5 miles to the gym, then home - a total of almost 10 miles per day, and I still have 2 solid bars left! And this is in 110 degree Phoenix heat! My only thing that I can think of is that I'm on the red key, and I barely put a lean into it so that I'm always at 12.5mph but never at the speed limiter... or at least not often.

If that doesn't help, you should call service. They'll send someone out. I know the rep that's come to work on mine has stated that the postal units have issues with batteries in the heat - they last about half as long as they're supposed to - but I believe he was talking overall life of the unit. Something like having to be replaced after a year, which scares me but makes sense - even super heavy duty car batteries seem to last only about 18-24 months max here in Arizona.

Ben



www.benbethel.com

[citivolus]

I'd say anyone not getting close to 10 miles per charge should be talking to Segway. I'll go one further and say at least 10 if you have a fairly sane commute, meaning reasonably flat with just a few stops. I think one of the problems I had was due to excess heat building up in the batteries. Once, after running the batteries dry to the point of stick shake, I left it sitting for a few hours and found that the gauge showed 3 bars. I was at my brothers house giving demos and didn't have to push it but a few feet so the only thing I can figure is that some cells got hot which upped the resistance.

--
swiftly flying

[jrmiller]

Hey "Eman." ... check with Neelix, I bet he wouldn't mind putting up with your modern mechanical marvel of motion as I call it. JR