Just picked up an XT in NY.....
 

Hi All,
My name is Mike and I just picked up a used Segway XT. I am located near Watkins Glen, NY. The XT did not come with batteries so I need help. I would like to test the XT somehow before spending a ton of money on batteries only to find out more is wrong. Is the anyone in NY state or PA that would be willing to put their batteries on my XT to see if it works? Is there another way to test it?

Do I need li ion batteries for the XT or will it run on the older nimh packs? I see some marginal nimh packs on eBay cheap and if it does work I am up to the challenge of setting up Lipo to run it with the nimh cases.

Thanks in advance Folks!

Mike

I talked to Rick Bennett and he was a great help. I cannot use the nimh packs with my XT due to programming differences. I did, however, find out that there is absolutely ZERO risk of damaging someone’s batteries by trying them on my Segway.

I am willing to travel a ways to find out if this machine will run before I spend 1500 bucks on new batteries. I am at 14865. Is there anyone willing to help out with this?

Thanks All,

Mike

I have a Generation 2 i2 With recently rebuilt batteries. If they will work for your test and you're sure the test won't harm my batteries, send me a PM and we can set something up.
I'm in Breinigsville Pa., 3 hrs 29 min/207 miles south of you.

NiMH or Li-Ion
 

Hi

You may fit either NiMH or Li-ion to an XT.

They all came originally from the factory with Li-ion, for range reasons.
However they will function with NiMH batteries, just with a lesser range.

Use low tire pressures on loose sand, but a bit higher pressures are fine on a sidewalk etc, and you will dramatically improve the range.

Good luck

Thank you. Rick says it can’t hurt the batteries in any way. I would like to wait a bit and see if anyone closer happens to reply.

Thanks again, Mike

Interesting info. I knew about tire pressures. I am an avid off-roader so that’s second nature to me.

Rick Bennett says the NIMH batteries won’t work. Not trying to start an argument or anything, just trying to find out for sure.

If i can use NiMh packs to test I will take them apart and run LiPo like my ebike to rebuild them.

Mike

Rick is very experienced, and very knowledgeable.
However he is mistaken on this item.

I have used NiMH batteries on XT machines.

I cannot suggest too strongly, do not mess with batteries unless you really know what you are doing.
Li-Po cells can burn and burn badly if not handled properly.
Heck they have even been known to burn when handled properly.

Seriously make sure your fire insurance is up to date and your health insurance too.

Perhaps contact MTO if you want to re-cell a NiMH pack.

That is awesome news! Thank you!

I do have experience with Lipo batteries with my ebikes. My last bike ran a 14s2P pack for a total of 32ah. I read about someone using the NiMh packs with small LiPo packs successfully so I would like to take that one step further and put a larger ah pack in my backpack for longer range and ease of remote charging with my balance charger.

About the insurance.....I only work with LiPo outside of my home and they are stored properly in either a toaster oven or a Nomex lined battery bag.

It may be a bit redneck but I could easily just run a power inverter from my LiPo pack to charge the NiMh Segway packs on the machine wherever I end up. I know, conversion losses and extra weight. But it would be a cheap trial.

I wonder if a Segway will operate while the charger is plugged in?????

Thanks!

Mike

No, the software recognizes the charging process, and will not start.

Michael

Thank you. That is what I assumed. Will the NiMh batteries charge properly on an XT?

Mike

Yes, sure will.

That's the beauty and elegance of the way the original Segway machines were made.
The charging system is software controlled, so that NiMH, Li-ion or yet to be announced batteries could be charged ( all that was needed was a software update ).

There was a really good team on that project !

If i chip in?

I have two xt machines and they both work fine with lithium or nimh batteries, they also charge correctly as the charging process is controlled by the battery nit the segway, as far as charging is concerned the segway us just an on demand power source.

The only thing that may happen is under extreme load the nimh will drop more voltage due to a slightly higher internal resistance....but honestly I've never noticed and I ride mine hard.

Awesome info! I just placed an order for a pair of working nimh batteries for a hundred bucks. Can’t wait for them to arrive so I can try out my XT!

What kind of range do you get with the nimh packs?

Thanks, Mike

The XT lives! Thanks all for the help!

I have taken apart everything including the base cover off and checked every connection I can get to. I have been charging the batteries constantly and am thinking they are finally getting balanced out. I unplugged it earlier to drag into the house as we had to leave. On the way in it got jarred around pretty good potentially knocking a stuck sensor loose....maybe. I decided to try the key again and it made a slightly different noise. I tapped the key several times, it made weird noises and the screen went to orange/yellow. I pushed the button and it went to balance mode! The batteries are weak as I get errors and stick shake when I make it turn hard that points voltage sag. But it works!

Now I know it is worth investing in li ion packs for it. Now I want another for my wife. I think an I180 with a bit more aggressive tires will be perfect for her.

Thanks again All, Mike