snaker wrote:I am still vague about how to switch the power source from the add-on to the battery box. Is that done automatically or manually? E.g if the gauges loose the first green light (means the add-on is closely drained), does the battery box automatically become the power source in replace of the add-on? Or do you manually unplug the add-on and then plug the connector to the battery box?
Hi - You dont have to switch anything - the Lead batteries in your chair is connected to the ADD ON pack from one Cable you have to make and add to the Lead batteries in your chair - - then with the ADD ON outside your chair - you connect them together and leave them that way - thats it -
it becomes ONE BIG Battery this way - -- you will Charge the Chair from a Charge cable you will make and leave connected to the ADD ON battery - with that charge cable you connect it to the PL 8 - charger to charge - thats it -
Like BM said - you can use a Cell monitor - and maybe you should use one anyway just to know - i havnt on the ADD ON with the LEAD - i go by the joystick gauge - this may not be accurate - But once you loose all your greens - you should go home and charge - Dont try to ride it into the RED - that may be too low - you dont want any Cell groups to drop low enough to damage the cells - so having a Cell monitor - you can check them if your concerned
i will be making one also - and can use on either chair to check them -
i have done 25 miles with the lead and ADD ON - and not hit the RED - i was in the orange down a few bars but still in Orange - thats about done if you are worried and dont have a cell monitor - once you loose all your greens - Charge up - at this point - you shouldnt be low enough to damage the cells
if you push it past the orange into the RED - then you may - i did about 18 miles before i lost the first Green bar - using my phone App - but you know once you loose the first Green bar - the rest follow much faster - it hangs in there much better than with Lead alone - but everything comes to a end sooner or later - you have to find that spot for yourself - every chair - setup will be different - you may get 27 miles out one setup and 22 miles out of another -
when you do it - you can run it till you loose the greens keeping track of the miles used - then you have an idea more or less -
You dont have to unplug anything from eachother - - Shirley Ran his for 5 years no cell monitor and had no issues - so i followed his advice and did it also -
it will depend first on using a Brand new set of MK Gel 24 with the 30ah ADD ON - you should be good for many years - it will also depend on your chair - riding style - etc, follow the steps to group the cells best you can - to give your self the best chance for success -
after doing every thing Correct and best it can be - theres ALWAYS a chance - you get a Bad cell or Bad set of Gels - etc, - no one can help that -
but to get the best start at it - start fresh - brand knew - make the ADD ON best you can - - use a Cell monitor to be safe and learn your limits -
thats the best start you can have - 99% you be happy with the results -