1) Sealed Lead Acid $165
It's the least expensive, and can withstand being left in a hot car trunk, but it weighs 20 lbs and hasn't the lowest capacity of any of the batteries. A 180-lb person will get about 8 miles out of this battery on a level surface.
2) Lithium Ion (single capacity) $695
More expensive than the SLA battery, but only weighs 6 lbs. A 180-lb person will get about 12 miles out of this battery on a level surface.
3) Lithium Ion (new) $1295
The mostly costly and the highest capacity. Hardy Huber (TravelScoot owner) weighs 240 lbs and he gets 22 miles continuous driving on a level surface. He says it's only 2 1/4 pounds heavier than the single capacity.
I own all three batteries. My favorite for most trips is the single capacity lithium ion. It's lightweight and works well for me in most situations. I bought an SLA so I could leave it in the trunk of my car. I use it when I'm out and about and need my scooter, but hadn't planned ahead and brought the lithium ion battery. I bought the new lithium ion battery because
If I could only own one battery it would be the single capacity lithium ion. There is a huge difference in weight between the SLA and the lithium ion and I feel it EVERY time I lift it in and out of the trunk of my car. Ask me after this weekend and "Mac Daddy" will probably be my favorite.
The "Mac Daddy" Lithium Ion TravelScoot Battery
(Mac Daddy: Biggest and Baddest)
New battery charger
The (original) single capacity sitting in front of the new, higher capacity battery
Posts
I too bought one of the "gold brick" double Lithium Ion batteries. I took it for a test drive last night in Home Depot.
ReplyDeleteI love Home Depot for its wide isles and smooth floor lol I found isles that had no people or objects in the way and "floored it" down and back (Yes I slowed down at intersecting isles) but I needed to test out my new battery.. and besides it was fun :) I spent an hour doing this and actually doing some shopping and the battery worked flawlessly.
The other reason I was at Home Depot was to purchase a voltage meter. I had a recent "scare" with my Lithium Ion battery (the regular one). I came home after doing some shopping for a friend of mine who is in assisted living. I used the scoot in the store and the assisted living center. The battery had been fully charged before I left that day.
I plugged in the battery before I went to bed and woke up expecting a green light on the charger. Instead there was a flashing red light on the right side and solid red on the left.
So I unplugged the battery and the charger and tried again. I kept getting flashing red on the charger meaning the battery wasn't charging.
I of coursed went into panic mode at the thought of being without a battery and emailed Hardy and Elizabeth in a flurry of emails. (sorry!)
I wanted to buy another Lithium Ion battery thinking my battery was bad, but all of the Lithium Ion batteries were in transit from Florida to Washington state (TravelScoot is moving!). But Hardy did have one of the new double size Lithium Ion batteries available so I purchased it.
Well it turns out that it was not my Lithium Ion battery it was the charger that was bad. (yea!) In order to find this out I had to buy a voltage meter to test my battery after charging it on the new charger that came with the double sized Lithium Ion.
After running the double sized Lithium Ion battery around I plugged it into the charger that came with the regular Lithium Ion battery to make sure it was the charger that was bad, it was.
Long story (very long sorry!) short. My battery charger went bad. If you plug in your Lithium Ion battery (in the correct sequence) and keep getting a flashing red light on the charger, don't panic it could just be a bad charger.
Also during this time of "omg no battery panic", Hardy sent me a "kit" to make my own SLA battery with so I would not be without a battery (Hardy is awesome). I purchased the batteries to make it with locally. I will keep the SLA battery in my trunk for emergencies.
I plan on making a video on "How to make your own SLA emergency battery" over the weekend and hope to have it posted soon.
I feel MUCH more comfortable knowing I can find the parts I need around town to make my own battery and be back in Scootin business in one day.
Cynth, this needs to be a post so people who are subscribed by email can read it too. I can't wait to see your newest video!
ReplyDeleteWhile the machine says 320 pound, I take it that 400 plus people are using it successfully from your post. No problems?
ReplyDeleteDean, the simple answer to your question is yes, but you may email me privately about this if you'd like. My email address is elizabeth@ifisher.com.
ReplyDelete