YABQ - Yet Another Battery Question

[cereal]

I received my HT-I last Thursday and have 'conditioned' the batteries per the instructions. I glided to work for the first time today and loved every minute of it. I went from a full charge in the morning down to 2 bars for a 5.51 mile commute (flat - no hills) - full 12.5 MPH. When I got to the office, I let the batteries cool down a bit and then recharged (about four hours to cycle). For my ride home, the battery meter did not drop below the halfway mark (3 bars) and then while opening my gate to the house, the meter went up to a blinking 4 bar reading, and then to a solid 4 bar reading.

I understand that the reading is an estimate and not too acurate. However, I feel that the conditions were pretty much the same from my morning ride except for maybe a 10 deg F difference in outside temperature. Either my riding has improved in half day or my meter is off a bar or two.

My question to the group is: Can a segway get 11 - 12 miles on flat terrain while chugging along at a full 12.5 MPH? I understand that you can get increased milage at slower speeds but I have yet to find a post regarding what I may expect at full throttle.

Are my readings in the norm?

Thanks!!!

[ElectraGlide]

I get the best range from my batteries in the high 70's to mid 80's temperatures. The colder the temp , the less range you will have, and it is a very noticeable difference. Also keeping off the speed limiter helps extend your range....Rule of thumb, "the slower you go - the further you go".
When trying to maximize range avoid jackrabbit starts and stops. The machine will run all afternoon if you are just standing around with little travel. Break in those batteries properly, wait for them to cool before re-charging and they will perform nicely.

Steve

[dexter]

Another consideration is the regenerative braking. If the trip to work is primarily uphill and the trip home is downhill on average then that could explain the difference.

I've also learned that riding style has a huge influence. Not just top speed (although that is a factor) but how smoothly you start and stop and it seems (possibly) also finding a good "downhill" speed that can maximize the regeneration. As you gain more experience, riding for battery conservation will become very natural. I can "zoom" around all I want on short trips and when I have a longer trip in mind I find I naturally ride to conserve battery.

>>My question to the group is: Can a segway get 11 - 12 miles on flat terrain while chugging along at a full 12.5 MPH?

In terms of speed I think that if you ride at or near the speed limiter you will definitely lower your range. It only takes a bit below that to get good range though. I don't have any speed sensor on mine so I don't know what my "conservative" speed is but based on travel time I think I am averaging 10-11 mph and I can go 11 miles with two bars of battery left. In terms of "feel" I don't feel as if I am traveling slowly, just that I am not near the threshold of the speed limiter.

Above observations are from when the weather was more summerlike BTW, I haven't tested range in the cold yet.

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

[stevew]

Also you'll usually get better range after fully recharging from a deep discharge. I believe Segway recommends a full discharge every 10 charge cycles or so, after batteries are fully conditioned of course.

[Sid Viscous]

"Either my riding has improved in half day or my meter is off a bar or two."

Your meter is not a gas gauge, don't look at it that way.

"feel that the conditions were pretty much the same from my morning ride except for maybe a 10 deg F difference in outside temperature"

10 degrees is a big difference. What was the humidity difference? All things that can make a difference.

As dexter said. What's the altitude at work comapred to home. That will show you which is more predominatly uphill, als makeing a difference.

The gauge is only an aporoximation of how long you have left. When it gets down to 2 bars all bets are off. You might have 3 miles, or 3 minutes or 30 ft.

[Chapinville]

I get about 7.5-8 miles on level ground at full speed

http://members.cox.net/katelyn.moore/segwaywheelsmall.jpg

[cereal]

Thanks to everyone. You've answered my questions. I feel that I'm in the norm with performance.

Thanks a bunch!

[ions82]

So, are most of these numbers the same for the different versions of software? Is the range usually about the same but readings on the meter differ? Either way, I'm hoping to get a used machine with 11.0 software. I think I'm going to need a little more than 7-8 miles.