Battery Screws - Size

[SF Segway Tours]

Does anybody know the thread count and size of the 4 machine screws that secure the battery to the platform? I am trying to source a supplier.
We want to change from the Hex head hardware to a stainless screw with a phillips head.

Thanks

Brian Huber
San Francisco Electric Tour Co

[Florida Ever-Glides]

Brian,

The hex screws provided by LLC are designed to maintain the 'waterproof' integrity of the batteries. Segway Pete started to use his own 'easy on - easy off' and when they got wet at SegFest the machine died...

If you use a 'slow speed' driver you should be able to change batteries in a minute using the provided hex screws... Good luck...

Tom Jacobson
http://www.floridaever-glides.com

[Stan671]

I purchased a T-handle hex wrench with a long shaft that fits down the battery hole easily. This works very nicely and better than a phillips because the screw stays on the end of the hex wrench to get it into and out of the hole.

Stan Dobrowski

[Segway City]

They are 5mm x 0.8mm x 16mm socket headed cap screws. Of the 16mm length, approximately 7mm is the shoulder of the battery and 9mm is thread.

The caveat in any replacement exercise is: can you meet or exceed the manufacturer's tolerance and specs with the replacement. In this case, as long as the torque value is maintained, the fastner type has no bearing. Also, repeated removals and replacements will abraid the gaskets, so regular inspection of these is a must. Finally, the platform is not much more than sophisticated pot metal, and the threads can and will fail over repeated removals and retorqueing.

A better idea would be replacement of the screws with studs and barrel nuts, such as: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/ak/Fasteners/Nuts/Barrel_Nuts_fam/index.html Since 5mm studs are slightly larger than a 10-24 bolt, it would be simple to die a 5mm stud to 10-24 and torque a barrel nut on it, flush with the battery case bottom so no clearance would be lost.

[Stan671]

I though the platform was made out of cast aluminum.

Stan Dobrowski

[Segway City]

Not quite cast aluminum, but an alloy. It's strong, but threads the size of 5mm bolts can easily be damaged, just like the pot metal used on old autos was. My point was really that, once stripped, putting new threads in is difficult, so saving the threads by using a stud is a wise alternative.

[wayne]

I'm curious why anyone would need different screws or ways to change batteries faster unless they have two sets and they go for long distance glides having to change over.
I've had the batteries off my I series once and that was just to take a look at the set-up. I did do it a few times with my P series when I was having trouble with it not wanting to run full speed.
I had my skidplate (and studs) hold on my batteries at one time but since I realized I didn't have to take them off but once a year or so I put the screws back in.

Now if LLC ever got wise they would make them snap on and off for the ones who did change batteries.


Seg-On
Wayne

[pam]

Well, I'm not sure I'd want snap on-off batteries. Just for me. AFAICS, to make them sufficiently secure that contacts were guaranteed when the HT was at speed and going over bumps and obstacles, they'd have to snap in REALLY tight. And I can't open half the jars in my cupboard right now. I'll stick with the screws (which probably are also more time consuming for a thief to remove LOL).
Pam

[terryp]

quote:Originally posted by Segway City

Not quite cast aluminum, but an alloy. It's strong, but threads the size of 5mm bolts can easily be damaged, just like the pot metal used on old autos was. My point was really that, once stripped, putting new threads in is difficult, so saving the threads by using a stud is a wise alternative.

Maybe someone from the 10MPH team can tell us if they noticed any stripping of threads after the hundreds of battery swaps they did.

Segway - What's holding you up?

[wayne]

Pam,

I don't know how it is in FL. but here they won't take the time to take off an item, they will take the whole thing and discard what they don't want later.

FYI
It is a good idea to put Anti-Seize on the screw threads that hold the batteries in.
This keeps the aluminum from welding to the screws causes them not to come out or snap into when trying to remove them.
Even good for the wheel nuts.
I use this on all my race car bolts.

http://www.saftlok.com/safteze/antiseiz/

Can get at almost any auto parts house.


Pam, this may be something that could be some use on the TIPS page.


Seg-On
Wayne

[pam]

You're right! Thanks, Wayne. I will get it up. I'm moving a little slow. Did a face plant on Friday and with the drugs am not at full tilt. As usual, I got distracted, looking over my shoulder, and ran upon a planter that had a 3" concrete wall around it - Saw it at the last second and thought I might be able to compensate with a lean and on one wheel, but my bronco wasn't able to balance on a tip. The only damage to the HT was scraping of my vinyl on the fenders. I took a bit more - broken bone in right foot (right where a tendon comes in) and massive bruising and swelling on the left side of my face. The glasses will have to be replaced. But other than loopy on Darvocet, I'm doing good. Since it's rainy, just as good to stay home. And spring break is next week, so I'm ok. It's the flight to Seattle on Friday, home on Sunday, that will be interesting. I don't know if I can get the ortho to give me a walking cast, and crutches are such a PITA.
Pam

[Segway City]

quote:Originally posted by wayne

I'm curious why anyone would need different screws or ways to change batteries faster unless they have two sets and they go for long distance glides having to change over.I kind of assumed that this was a tour operation that cycled battery packs a couple times a day by his "San Francisco Electric Tour Co" signature. If the turnover was 8 HTs at 4 minutes per, that's 30 minutes of swapping, however many times per day. If it was lessened by 1/2, it could save a couple of hours a week in labor. Makes sense where neccesary in a fleet operation.

[Zorba9]

Pam,
Hope you are feeling a little better today and are on the mend! You are one of the oldest (longest using) HT riders out there and have given 1000's of demo's in the last 2+ years. Your faceplant ranks up there with Brooster's a year ago in seriousness. Goes to show that even the best gliders out there can take a spill if inattentive. Are you still using your helmet these days?

KOG

Zorba9.....

[Sal]

Pam,

Please rest and get better. Being a pharmacist, as well as a person who has been on Darvocet many times... it's some really good stuff! ;)

Planters these days move quicker in front of us than in the old days when they were stationary!

I remember I thought I could squeeze in between a couple of planters (trying to show off last summer to a group of eaters sitting on an outside patio), well, I made it about 5 inches in and the Segway was sandwiched.. I bucked back and forth after my coaxing wasn't getting me anywhere, but I was lucky enough not to do a faceplant. Since then, I have been much more conservative with judging my width. Makes me want a P series!

Anyway, be well, and get well!

-Sal

Think Different
www.apple.com

[terryp]

We're very sorry to hear of your fall, Pam, and hope you heal quickly. I'll glide a little more carefully today, thinking about you.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Seattle, and that our weather cooperates with whatever you have planned.

Segway - What's holding you up?

[pam]

Thanks for all the good wishes, guys. I'm going to try to make it to the orthopedic doc today. I'm actually doing well, just look like the dickens. No, no helmet (and I've been thoroughly chewed for that one LOL).
Focus, focus, focus.
Pam

[QuadSquad]

hi Pam,
sorry to hear of your fall,but as they say it's an ill wind that blows no good. From your description you officially qualify as one of us (disabled) if only on a temporary basis. But even if you have a temporary disability, you're still protected. You should be able to use your Segway to assist you in getting to your plane have it stowed onboard and brought to you at the door of the plane once you arrive in Seattle. I think you'll find it will make your trip much more pleasurable.

E-mail me if you need any tips.

[Stan671]

Wow, Pam. I'm sorry to hear about your fall. I am glad to hear, though, that you are on the mend. Take care and feel better. I will be a little more careful when I am riding.

Stan Dobrowski

[pam]

Just back in from the orthopedist - who spent a long time asking me why people couldn't just walk places (ever want to tell a doctor their cosmology is just too darn narrow??[:P]).

But he says it's the anterior ligament, not the bone and has me in a walking boot, which is a good thing. I'm tired and going in to take a nap (wimp that I am, thank ghod for spring break!) - Just wanted to let you all know that the foot wasn't in as bad a shape as the ER first mentioned.
Pam

[terryp]

Hey Pam,

If an HT would help you get around while you're in Seattle, you're welcome to borrow my p. Just let me know.

Segway - What's holding you up?

[pam]

Thanks, Terry. I'm actually going to be in Puyallup (or however it's being spelled these days LOL) == and only for in on Friday, Saturday and out on Sunday. Short trip. Someday when I'm really looking at the area for a possible move, I'd love to get together.
Pam

[terryp]

quote:Originally posted by pam

Thanks, Terry. I'm actually going to be in Puyallup (or however it's being spelled these days LOL) == and only for in on Friday, Saturday and out on Sunday. Short trip. Someday when I'm really looking at the area for a possible move, I'd love to get together.
Pam

That's still the correct spelling. It's the pronunciation that's hard for visitors! I was down there a couple weeks ago for a hamfest at the fairgrounds.

Getting back to the original topic, Andy of Alaska Segway informed me that the battery screws are M4 x .7 x 16mm, and that the holes in the base have stainless steel heli-coils in them. Just another example of Segway quality. This info came directly from LLC. So swap batteries to your heart's content!

Segway - What's holding you up?

[SF Segway Tours]

Thanks for the pointers on screws and batteries..

Being a tour company we change batteries 3 times a day on each unit.. so speed and not damaging the batteries are both important.

I’ll be interested to hear from the 10mph group as well.

The heads / hex fitting on the supplied hardware will not hold up to repeated removal and replacement. We are having luck with a correct size stainless machine bolt (Replacement speed is better) using a drill with a low torque setting to keep damage to a minimum.

The fixed stud with barrel nut /cap is our next project.


Brian Huber
San Francisco Electric Tour Company