Getting around on a couple of U1 batteries
My health is deteriorating to the point where I need a mobility scooter just to make it into my local VA Hospital for check-ups (and throw more pills at my symptoms). I won't go into those details as they are OT (and if you want to yak about that, please do that offline, you know all my address). So, here is the deal, I needed a mobility scooter that could handle my size and weight (I am not a small person, and while I have lost a good chunk of weight, I am still carrying around too much). Though I do not weigh that much at this point, I targeted a mobility scooter that has a 350lb carrying capacity (that tends to make it a bit more robust in design). I have a choose between a 3 wheel and a 4 wheel models. The 3 wheel weighs slightly less. Here is one vendor selling them http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-Phoenix-3-Wheel-Scooter-Electric-Battery-Vehicle-Drive-PhoenixHD3-/370790913021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5654dc53fd The 4 wheel model seems to offer a little more driving stability (?) over the 3 wheel model. Here is one vendor selling them http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drive-Heavy-Duty-4-Wheel-Mobility-Scooter-Phoenix-HD-PhoenixHD4-Cart-Vehicle-/251255467832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7ffe2f38 Both have no-flat rubber tires (years ago, when I busted a leg and was driving a used e-cart to get around, flats were a big problem for me). Also, both have 2 PbSO4 12V U1 agm batteries that should give me a range of about 15 miles at 5mph. Either scooter comes with a slow charger that takes overnight to complete its cycle (ouch). I do not plan to run/drive this out on the street, unless I had to. I planned to have a trailer hitch mounted on my ice (98' Escort ZX2 sedan), which I would hang a personal mobility carrier off of. But after talking to a local trailer and hitch expert, he said though the carrier and scooter weight combined were less than 200lb, the leverage of hanging off the back would likely damage the frame. I mentioned that I also saw that were personal mobility scooter trailers. He said that would not be a problem but they were a bit of a hassle (to navigate). I told him I would go back and do some more research on some personal mobility trailers and contact him later to install the hitch (his work load was full that that time anyway, but I do need to continue to move forward on this project). I found many wonderful personal mobility scooter trailer designs, but sadly, those were made in the UK, thus would be incompatible with CA laws/regs, and wiring/connectors. I had to narrow it down to a few heavy, clunking looking U.S. made designs that I was sure the CA DMV would allow me to license. Here are a couple trailer links to gander at http://www.discountramps.com/power-wheelchair-trailer/p/MAG-UWT/ http://www.allelectricscooters.com/Trailer.htm I would also like to explore how hard it would be to yank the U1 batteries and charge them not in the scooter, but separately. Some time the weather rains, and though I may have the scooter covered, it might be asking too much to have it plugged in during that time. Lastly, after the decisions have been made, I wanted to explore what li-ion U1 battery options I could have. PbSO4 U1 batteries are not going to last. It might be wiser to spend a little more for a li-ion U1 battery that has more capacity. I realise it would mean a different charger. Here is one vendor http://store.starkpower.com/12V12Ah-U1-StarkPower-ULTRA-Lithium-Ion-Starter-Battery-FREE-CHARGER-_p_62.html vs a PbSO4 agm U1 battery http://www.ebay.com/bhp/u1-scooter-battery I have not finalized yet on anything, I am still gathering data (but I need to accomplish this). Well, that is my project. Those that want to comment on the EV part of this, I look forward to your posts on my project (you can send your OT posts directly to me, so we save evdl bandwidth, thanks). {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Electric-mobility-scooter-project-tp4669220.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
