• Progress?

    From Timatmarford@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jul 8 12:29:00 2025
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E
    bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the
    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

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  • From Jeff Layman@21:1/5 to Timatmarford on Tue Jul 8 13:50:52 2025
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E
    bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the
    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

    If they're the same model can you swap the battery from the working one
    over to the one which doesn't? It seems the simplest thing to try first.

    --
    Jeff

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  • From Timatmarford@21:1/5 to Jeff Layman on Tue Jul 8 18:16:55 2025
    On 08/07/2025 13:50, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E
    bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the
       number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

    If they're the same model can you swap the battery from the working one
    over to the one which doesn't? It seems the simplest thing to try first.

    Good plan.

    I'm still harvesting Ragwort so the scooter job is on hold. I'm curious
    to learn if the group have direct experience.

    One job is going to be levelling the access to the bridleway and
    lubricating the gate latch. Deemed unnecessary while it was just
    hindering our battery powered cyclists:-)


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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Andrew@21:1/5 to Timatmarford on Tue Jul 8 23:33:46 2025
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E
    bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the
     number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

    Would that be you, or the dinner lady ?? :-)

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Theo@21:1/5 to Timatmarford on Tue Jul 8 23:19:07 2025
    Timatmarford <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 13:50, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E >> bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the >>    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

    If they're the same model can you swap the battery from the working one over to the one which doesn't? It seems the simplest thing to try first.

    Good plan.

    I'm still harvesting Ragwort so the scooter job is on hold. I'm curious
    to learn if the group have direct experience.

    No specific experience, but a bit with cheap Chinese e-bikes which often use the same part ecosystem. They're probably fairly simple things - battery
    (+BMS if lithium) - controller - motor.

    Basic stuff:

    1. Check battery volts. If low charge it, if it won't charge battery or charger are bad. Check for internal fusing.

    2. Check volts get to the controller. If not, check fuses, connections,
    etc.

    3. Check motor resistance. If there's two wires, it's a DC brushed motor. Three wires = three phase. Six wires = brushless DC: three phase plus three Hall sensors (can usually tell the Hall sensor wires as they're slimmer than the motor wires). The motor wires should have a similar number of ohms
    between each one (not milliohms or kilohms).

    4. Check the brakes. The brake levers will typically have switches which close when the brake is pressed - this should inhibit the motor, so a stuck brake lever would likely mean no drive.

    5. Check the throttle. Often they're a simple pot with 0V, 5V and a wiper. Check the wiper volts changes from (near) 0V to (near) 5V as you turn the throttle.

    6. Check signals coming out of the controller. Check volts between
    different pairs as you turn up the throttle. If there are Hall sensors, a failed sensor could prevent motor drive - may be able to probe them with a multimeter but better to scope them. If there's a display, look for error messages or lights.

    7. Check for voltage sag as power is applied. Could mean a bad battery or
    poor wiring.

    Theo

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  • From Timatmarford@21:1/5 to Theo on Wed Jul 9 08:05:15 2025
    On 08/07/2025 23:19, Theo wrote:
    Timatmarford <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 13:50, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E >>>> bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the >>>>    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

    If they're the same model can you swap the battery from the working one
    over to the one which doesn't? It seems the simplest thing to try first.

    Good plan.

    I'm still harvesting Ragwort so the scooter job is on hold. I'm curious
    to learn if the group have direct experience.

    No specific experience, but a bit with cheap Chinese e-bikes which often use the same part ecosystem. They're probably fairly simple things - battery (+BMS if lithium) - controller - motor.

    Basic stuff:

    1. Check battery volts. If low charge it, if it won't charge battery or charger are bad. Check for internal fusing.

    2. Check volts get to the controller. If not, check fuses, connections,
    etc.

    3. Check motor resistance. If there's two wires, it's a DC brushed motor. Three wires = three phase. Six wires = brushless DC: three phase plus three Hall sensors (can usually tell the Hall sensor wires as they're slimmer than the motor wires). The motor wires should have a similar number of ohms between each one (not milliohms or kilohms).

    4. Check the brakes. The brake levers will typically have switches which close when the brake is pressed - this should inhibit the motor, so a stuck brake lever would likely mean no drive.

    5. Check the throttle. Often they're a simple pot with 0V, 5V and a wiper. Check the wiper volts changes from (near) 0V to (near) 5V as you turn the throttle.

    6. Check signals coming out of the controller. Check volts between different pairs as you turn up the throttle. If there are Hall sensors, a failed sensor could prevent motor drive - may be able to probe them with a multimeter but better to scope them. If there's a display, look for error messages or lights.

    7. Check for voltage sag as power is applied. Could mean a bad battery or poor wiring.

    Thanks Theo. They have a pair of 12V batteries fitted. Not looked
    further yet but E bay offers lead acid batteries as replacements.

    I'll try swapping working ones for old as suggested and see if that
    sorts anything.

    Not top of the jobs list!

    Theo

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  • From Nick Finnigan@21:1/5 to Timatmarford on Wed Jul 9 23:46:39 2025
    On 08/07/2025 18:16, Timatmarford wrote:

    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the >>>    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    "You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of the following applies:
    you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability or medical condition" ...

    https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules


    One job is going to be levelling the access to the bridleway and
    lubricating the gate latch. Deemed unnecessary while it was just hindering our battery powered cyclists:-)

    "Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 can be used:
    on pavements and other pedestrian areas
    on cycle tracks"

    https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules/classes

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Timatmarford@21:1/5 to Nick Finnigan on Thu Jul 10 12:08:12 2025
    On 09/07/2025 23:46, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 18:16, Timatmarford wrote:

    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce
    the
       number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    "You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of
    the following applies:
        you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability
    or medical condition" ...

     https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules

    I had seen that. I feel an 80 year old with a metal knee might comply.
    It doesn't appear to call for certification. Highway use would be
    limited to road crossings.


    One job is going to be levelling the access to the bridleway and
    lubricating the gate latch. Deemed unnecessary while it was just
    hindering our battery powered cyclists:-)

    "Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 can be used:
        on pavements and other pedestrian areas
        on cycle tracks"

    https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules/classes

    I think they meet the requirements for class 3. Up to 8mph.



    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Spike@21:1/5 to Timatmarford on Thu Jul 10 13:39:35 2025
    Timatmarford <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 09/07/2025 23:46, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 18:16, Timatmarford wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:

    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have >>>>> purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce >>>>> the
       number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    "You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of
    the following applies:
        you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability
    or medical condition" ...

     https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules

    I had seen that. I feel an 80 year old with a metal knee might comply.
    It doesn't appear to call for certification. Highway use would be
    limited to road crossings.

    One job is going to be levelling the access to the bridleway and
    lubricating the gate latch. Deemed unnecessary while it was just
    hindering our battery powered cyclists:-)

    "Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 can be used:
        on pavements and other pedestrian areas
        on cycle tracks"

    https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules/classes

    I think they meet the requirements for class 3. Up to 8mph.

    From that same link…

    Quote:
    Vehicle tax, registration and insurance

    Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in ‘class 3’ or not in a class must be registered with DVLA.

    You do not need to pay vehicle tax if your vehicle is registered with DVLA
    as a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.

    You may also need to insure your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, depending on its weight.
    Unquote

    --
    Spike

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Timatmarford@21:1/5 to Theo on Thu Jul 10 14:52:03 2025
    On 08/07/2025 23:19, Theo wrote:
    Timatmarford <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 13:50, Jeff Layman wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have
    purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Death of elderly neighbour made them redundant. The suppliers seem to
    operate a *no trade in* business model and there are many available on E >>>> bay etc.

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the >>>>    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    Now to sort out why the older one doesn't work:-)

    If they're the same model can you swap the battery from the working one
    over to the one which doesn't? It seems the simplest thing to try first.

    Good plan.

    I'm still harvesting Ragwort so the scooter job is on hold. I'm curious
    to learn if the group have direct experience.

    No specific experience, but a bit with cheap Chinese e-bikes which often use the same part ecosystem. They're probably fairly simple things - battery (+BMS if lithium) - controller - motor.

    Basic stuff:

    1. Check battery volts. If low charge it, if it won't charge battery or charger are bad. Check for internal fusing.

    2. Check volts get to the controller. If not, check fuses, connections,
    etc.

    3. Check motor resistance. If there's two wires, it's a DC brushed motor. Three wires = three phase. Six wires = brushless DC: three phase plus three Hall sensors (can usually tell the Hall sensor wires as they're slimmer than the motor wires). The motor wires should have a similar number of ohms between each one (not milliohms or kilohms).

    4. Check the brakes. The brake levers will typically have switches which close when the brake is pressed - this should inhibit the motor, so a stuck brake lever would likely mean no drive.

    5. Check the throttle. Often they're a simple pot with 0V, 5V and a wiper. Check the wiper volts changes from (near) 0V to (near) 5V as you turn the throttle.

    6. Check signals coming out of the controller. Check volts between different pairs as you turn up the throttle. If there are Hall sensors, a failed sensor could prevent motor drive - may be able to probe them with a multimeter but better to scope them. If there's a display, look for error messages or lights.

    7. Check for voltage sag as power is applied. Could mean a bad battery or poor wiring.

    Batteries seem OK although one was discharged.

    Symptoms... all operator controls: lights, indicators, horn work OK.

    Attempting forward /reverse movement brings up a faint (my hearing)
    alarm tone and no movement.

    Big strip-out for further investigation so not a high priority.

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  • From Nick Finnigan@21:1/5 to Timatmarford on Fri Jul 11 08:50:58 2025
    On 10/07/2025 12:08, Timatmarford wrote:
    On 09/07/2025 23:46, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 08/07/2025 18:16, Timatmarford wrote:

    On 08/07/2025 12:29, Timatmarford wrote:
    While the rest of the world is adopting battery powered cars, I have >>>>> purchased (second hand) 2 mobility scooters!

    Walking is not currently a problem for either of us but might reduce the >>>>>    number of short vehicle journeys to the village shops.

    "You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of
    the following applies:
         you have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability >> or medical condition" ...

      https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules

    I had seen that. I feel an 80 year old with a metal knee might comply. It doesn't appear to call for certification. Highway use would be limited to road crossings.


    One job is going to be levelling the access to the bridleway and
    lubricating the gate latch. Deemed unnecessary while it was just
    hindering our battery powered cyclists:-)

    "Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs in class 2 and 3 can be used:
         on pavements and other pedestrian areas
         on cycle tracks"

    https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules/classes

    I think they meet the requirements for class 3. Up to 8mph.

    The actual legislation does specify bridleway as well, and does not
    require the physical disability to give trouble walking.

    https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1970/44/section/20

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