i180 choices

[kstinius]

I have a red i180 (Li-Ion) purchased new from Capital Segway (Washington DC) in 2005. I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet and cannot walk any great distance. We took the Paris Segway tour in October 2005 and I was sold! My wife and I got a lot of use out of ours, but it's still in very good condition, clean, never crashed, etc. The Segway made my life in DC a lot better and I was able to ride around our neighborhood, downtown, etc.

I last rode it in November 2011, then moved with it to Myrtle Beach SC in March of this year. Right before I packed for the move, I noticed the charging lights were not on, but didn't have time to pursue it.

In April I figured out the batteries had stopped charging. Last week I finally had it checked out at the local Segway dealer here in Myrtle Beach. He says it's working properly - he tested it with working batteries - and just needs two new batteries for $2000 to get back on the road. I guess after 6 years of riding, that's reasonable. Segway never said how long the batteries would last.

Because our situation is substantially different here in Myrtle Beach, I'm considering selling the i180. I'm retired now and can't really afford $2K to get it running again, plus the terrain is completely flat here and I can ride a bicycle, even with peripheral neuropathy, and I need the exercise.

The question is whether I should try to sell it as is, with a certification from the dealer that it is AOK, or invest $2K in batteries and sell it for enough to get at least that money back. I have been watching some sales on eBay to get an idea. Shipping charges seem to vary quite a bit, $100 to $300.

I have read the non-conclusive discussions about refurbishing the batteries. I have also seen used batteries on eBay... there's a risk there, too.

Anywa, that's an introduction and I'd be interested in any advice in the battery area. I'd love to have the beast ack on the road, but it has turned into a luxury item for now.

Regards,
-stephen