Is this normal? Segway noises...

[Hauptagon]

I'm new to owning, as I'm sure many of you know now, but I've just recently become really aware of all the sounds the motors and gearbox makes on my 1-year old segway (I haven't owned for a year; it's used). For example, when standing still, when gliding fast, when gliding uphill and when transitioning from an uphill to a downhill slope (going into regenerative braking), I've become particularly aware of the noise it makes -- not to say that it's loud by any stretch of the imagination, it just seems louder than a couple days ago when I bought it. I suspect it's just my mind finally becoming used to the machine and noticing things that went unnoticed when I was acquainting myself with it, but I'm also sure that it's natural for it to become louder with age, as people are noticing with how quiet the new i170s are. I wouldn't think it would become louder so quickly. I suppose I'm just looking for reasurance that I just hadn't noticed this before and that it's just my imagination.

Unfortunately, however, I have noticed a slight (semi-related) problem. When gliding fast up a steep hill, I'll occasionally hear a higher pitched huming noise that seems to come from the left gearbox. In one instance, I was really leaning into it to see how fast I could go uphill (not recommended, I know), and the high pitched noise came and got louder until the whole unit swerved to the left. It didn't swerve alot, but it wasn't my turning the control that did it, and I had to step off just as it happened. I didn't fall, but it was enough for me to step off quickly (I didn't let the seg go) -- it just spooked me.

Opinions please. Is this something that happens on steep slopes sometimes? This particular slope was fairly steep.

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." -From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

[mrleisure]

I'd advise you to relax. It seems to be fairly common that new owners convince themselves something is wrong with their machine and then later learn that the noises or whatever else is happening is normal. This was certainly the case with me, and others I know.

In my case I was certain something was wrong with my machine because of what I call the "bug zapper" sound that one transmission would occasionally produce. It's well over a year later and nothing ever came of it. I was also convinced that my machine was pulling to one side, which turned out to be me unknowingly favoring one leg over the other.


The Un-official Segway Battery FAQ
http://www.seg-nh.com/SegwayBatteryFAQ.htm

[KSagal]

You need to let the machine and rider (you) get more aquainted...

The first noise issue is relative to the frequencies involved. When it was new to you, you hadn't yet tuned your ears to the internal sounds. On the first several rides, you hear the crunch of the tires. After a while, it's the crunch of the gears that you hear. Don't ignore, but don't sweat it either. Just monitor the sounds, and keep a mental log of what sounds "normal" for your machine.

The second and subsequent turning issue could be a few things, in my opinion.

First off, it has been my experience that broken things rarely fix themselves, so do not worry, if it is broken, you will have the opportunity to deal with this again.

You may well have been over anxious, and by leaning hard forward if you were just a bit off balance you may have ground looped yourself.

I find that leaning on the control shaft/handle bar is kind of like turning up the speakers too far. It seems like you're making it louder, but because of over modulation, it's just noiser, not louder.

When you lean against the pushback, you feel like your going faster, but I have a speedometer on mine, and all that leaning and pushback doesn't really net you much speed, if any at all.

I often run with only one side bag, or holding one of my kids on one side, or anyone of many reasons for there to be uneven weight on the wheels. That is the way it is sometimes. The machine can handle it, but requires you help it to track straight. (either with steering corrections or by leaning)

Keep riding, keep paying attention, keep experimenting, and most importantly, Keep having fun!

Karl Ian Sagal

[BarnyFife]

Mrleisure, I still get the bug zapper sound, did your go away? Mine seems to do it more in cooler weather and at random times.

[mrleisure]

I'll still get a very infrequent "zap!" out of my lesser-used machine. As if following Murphy's law, this only seems to happen at the worst possible moment- such as when explaining to machine to the Mayor or whatever.

I have recently been re-assured by well-informed buddies that the zap sound is no cause for concern. I don't worry about it anymore, and my guess is that you probably shouldn't either.


The Un-official Segway Battery FAQ
http://www.seg-nh.com/SegwayBatteryFAQ.htm

[Hauptagon]

Despite everyone's reassurances, I've decided that there's definitely something wrong with my seg.

After riding it at speed for about a half hour, the left gearbox will become louder until the whole left wheel slows down *alot* for an instant, causing me to swerve to the left (sometimes violently). It does this repeatedly unless I glide quite slowly (around 5mph, I'm guessing), and it doesn't seem to be a problem when going downhill. It almost seems like a gear is slipping or something under too much pressure, making the left wheel lose power. I'm fairly certain it's the gearbox, not the motor, and it's definitely the left side alone. I noticed both gearboxes were quite warm to the touch, but I supposed this is normal.

This problem reached it's climax at the end of a glide to the doctor's and to get some food today. When I was coming up on my house (near the top of a long hill), just as I came near my driveway the segway almost fell forward, without me leaning into it or anything! I was moving slowly, about to slow down (I was going less than 5 mph), and the whole thing just fell forward and than seemed to catch itself. While on it, it felt for that instant as though the machine had switched out of balance mode (like standing on a turned off segway and expecting it to balance) and than turning back on. I'd thought perhaps the floor sensors weren't activated, but that's never been a problem -- in fact it often has "sticky mat" syndrome.

I'm running the 11.0 software (I didn't want the upgrade), and as this seg was originally purchased in August of last year, I'm wondering if this is one of the one's that had been recalled. I think I should call segway, what does everyone think? I'm just reluctant to call because I know they would also want to upgrade it to 12.0, which as I said I don't want.

[W9GFO]

Have you verified that there is nothing caught in between the wheel and gearbox? First thing I would do is remove the wheel. Check to see that everything looks normal, check all bolts for tightness. I would also compare how the left side feels compared to the right by turning, wiggling and pulling by hand. Verify air pressure too.

If you don't find anything that you can correct, call Segway. Perhaps they will agree to leave your software alone.

As far as I know, anything that doesn't have V 12 software was recalled.

Rich H

[Hauptagon]

That's what I thought. Ok, a new question: I had already tried taking the wheel off like you suggested, but was unable to "unseat" it from the gearbox as the manual says. The manual wants you to hit the outside wheel with a rubber mallet to unseat it, but after multiple failed attempts, I just screwed the bolt back in. Am I just not hitting hard enough? Can someone please explain if there's a trick to this?

[W9GFO]

No mallet needed. Just hit it sharply with the heel of your hand on the outside of the rim. It may take a few tries, keep trying. Once you "get it" you'll see that it's a piece of cake. Make sure the nut's off though.

Rich H

[Sal]

Another helpful hint in addition to Rich's is having a hand pulling up on the wheel from the bottom as you're hitting the wheel with the mallet. The recoil helps to unseat it.

Furthermore, if you turn the wheel a little bit after each mallet hit, it makes unseating a bit easier as well.

Once the wheel is off, it becomes easier and easier to take it off the gearbox.

-Sal

Think Different / Answers that Matter
www.apple.com / www.lilly.com

[mrleisure]

Hey Justin- As far as I'm concerned, you have to hit the wheel pretty damn hard sometimes to get it off the spindle. Don't be afraid to beat on it a little if that's what it takes.

The Un-official Segway Battery FAQ
http://www.seg-nh.com/SegwayBatteryFAQ.htm

[W9GFO]

If that does't work, take off the lugnuts and ride around a while. I guarantee they'll come off! Sharp, fast turns will accelerate the process.

You might want to wear a helmet. :D

Rich H

[Hauptagon]

quote:Originally posted by W9GFO

If that does't work, take off the lugnuts and ride around a while. I guarantee they'll come off! Sharp, fast turns will accelerate the process.

You might want to wear a helmet. :D

Rich H


Mmmmmm, I think I'll go with hitting the wheel with my hand ;)

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." -From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory