Anyone has experience on DIY batt repairs?

[edugimeno]

Hi there.
So rry if this has been asked before, I checked some pages down and couldn't find it.
I have experience in repairing different battery packs from different appliances, finding the shorted element, find the proper type for replacement, solder, etc...

Last week a friend told me that his segway is broken cause his friend borrowed it for some months and left it discharged for too long, so now it would refuse to start up

I've seen some videos about the battery inside, the control board, etc, but with not much detail.

Has anyone here ventured into "home repairing" this block? Does it have regular 18650 batteries in it? What other info do you guys know about it?

Thanks in advance!!

[Pescador12]

Originally Posted by edugimeno

Hi there.
So rry if this has been asked before, I checked some pages down and couldn't find it.
I have experience in repairing different battery packs from different appliances, finding the shorted element, find the proper type for replacement, solder, etc...

Last week a friend told me that his segway is broken cause his friend borrowed it for some months and left it discharged for too long, so now it would refuse to start up

I've seen some videos about the battery inside, the control board, etc, but with not much detail.

Has anyone here ventured into "home repairing" this block? Does it have regular 18650 batteries in it? What other info do you guys know about it?

Thanks in advance!!

Which Segway? The newer ones use Lithium batteries with a fairly unique chemical mix. They are from Valence and are 26650 configuration, not like the more common 18650. It looks like the cells are roughly $8 each from Valence.

See page 3 of this thread for Civicsman's post on the manufacturer.
http://forums.segwaychat.org/showthr...t=34643&page=3

You might be better off effort and cost wise, looking into one of the battery repair services. I think there are a couple of businesses on here that handle that.

[edugimeno]

I just contacted my friend and he said it's an I2. Does that use the 18650 or 26650? Either way I would honestly try by myself, so I would appreciate any hint to this task if anyone has accomplished this before.
Thanks Pescador12!

[Don M]

Originally Posted by Pescador12

You might be better off effort and cost wise, looking into one of the battery repair services. I think there are a couple of businesses on here that handle that.

Cheaper yet might be to try to revive them yourself

http://forums.segwaychat.org/showthr...battery+revive

Don

[airdale]

Originally Posted by Don M

Cheaper yet might be to try to revive them yourself

http://forums.segwaychat.org/showthr...battery+revive

Don

And if you dont know what your doing?....Were talking DC power!

Everyone trying to reinvent the wheel when there are reputable companies that do this full time for a living, and are very reasonable in cost!

How much would that ER room visit cost?

[edugimeno]

Originally Posted by airdale

And if you dont know what your doing?....Were talking DC power!

Everyone trying to reinvent the wheel when there are reputable companies that do this full time for a living, and are very reasonable in cost!

How much would that ER room visit cost?

Reinvent the wheel? Do you know how much does a 18650 battery cost? I do know how much a repair service costs for these batteries. I've saved myself LOTS of money by repairing battery packs by replacing individual cells that were broken, instead of buying a >$100 new pack or using a refurb service.

I've fixed all sorts of batteries and electronics boards in the last 35 years. Who ever doesn't know what they're doing should be using their service, whoever knows what they're doing should be safe to do this.

If I didn't know what I'm talking about I wouldn't even be bothering getting into this. I just haven't dealt with the specific Segway battery pack before, but there's always a first time. My friend is bringing his over in a few days

[airdale]

Originally Posted by edugimeno

Reinvent the wheel? Do you know how much does a 18650 battery cost? I do know how much a repair service costs for these batteries. I've saved myself LOTS of money by repairing battery packs by replacing individual cells that were broken, instead of buying a >$100 new pack or using a refurb service.

I've fixed all sorts of batteries and electronics boards in the last 35 years. Who ever doesn't know what they're doing should be using their service, whoever knows what they're doing should be safe to do this.

If I didn't know what I'm talking about I wouldn't even be bothering getting into this. I just haven't dealt with the specific Segway battery pack before, but there's always a first time. My friend is bringing his over in a few days

Then go for it buddy!!!!....Why are you even asking questions on a open form then?( should be asking on a battery forum).....Good luck to you and I hope you never get in between the - side with any type of load behind it!

Far as I know a new battery is $900.....an ER visits far more, and if you get any burns or your heart stops, I'll guess it will cost a little more!

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by edugimeno

Hi there.
So rry if this has been asked before, I checked some pages down and couldn't find it.
I have experience in repairing different battery packs from different appliances, finding the shorted element, find the proper type for replacement, solder, etc...

Last week a friend told me that his segway is broken cause his friend borrowed it for some months and left it discharged for too long, so now it would refuse to start up

I've seen some videos about the battery inside, the control board, etc, but with not much detail.

Has anyone here ventured into "home repairing" this block? Does it have regular 18650 batteries in it? What other info do you guys know about it?

Thanks in advance!!

I don't know your experience level, nor do I know the battery interior, so on that level, I cannot offer you more than you already know.

What I can say is that the symptom you indicated is often repairable by resetting the battery.

The segway I2 has a design factor that will deplete on battery below the low voltage floor of the charging system. If you leave it unplugged for too long, typically one battery (usually the rear) will fall below acceptable levels.

It will be much easier to first try to restore the battery to a chargeable voltage, before you do try to dis-assemble and repair a battery that may not have a mechanical fault.

There are two companies that offer a restoration device for rent or loan of one sort or another that I know. I have had good luck with both.

I suggest you speak with Jason Able at MTO battery. His company has both a battery restoration device, and can also completely rebuild (and often does) the segway battery. He may, or may not give you the details as to the interior of that battery. It is his business, so he may not want to tell you too much of the interior of that battery, but he can tell you of the level of difficulties you are likely to encounter.

Good luck. Be careful.