new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
Devin
it is:
Lithium Polymer (therefore not intrinsically safe) but...
-37 V
-8 AH
-296 Wh
-3.6 lbs
- $369.95
- 40 amp discharge rating
- includes charging BMS
------------------
2 of these packs in parallel would give you:
37V, 16AH, 592Wh, 7.2lbs, $739.90, 80amp discharge rating
2s2p (4 packs) configuration would give you:
74V, 16AH, 1184 Wh, 14.4lbs, $1479.80, 80amp discharge rating
2s4p (8 packs) configuration would give:
74V, 32AH, 2368Wh, 28.8lbs, $2959.60, 160amp discharge rating
Devin
Nimbuzz
please send me two packs for 72v 16ah and I will test them for you.
Devin, Did you get your nimh from Batt Space? And, if so, did you have
good service from them?
Waranty?
Nice find -- The Chinese are going for it!
Thanks,
Al
Devin
you could get either 72V 8ah or 36V 16ah
Devin
BATTERIES
You must read these safety instructions and warnings before using or
charging your batteries.
Lithium Polymer and Li-ion batteries are volatile. Failure to read and
follow the below instructions may result in fire, personal injury and
damage to property if charged or used improperly.
By purchasing Lithium Polymer and Li-ion battery, the buyer assumes
all risks associated with lithium batteries. If you do not agree with
these conditions, please consider Nimh or Nicd battery or return the
battery immediately before use.
Li-Ion and Polymer battery & packs may explode and cause fire if
misuse or defective. We require all Li-ion batteries & packs buyers
must be professionals and have capability to handle emergency.
Must follow our instruction exactly which is listed on batterypace.com
product page to control charging and discharging current.
When charging Battery Pack, please put battery in a fire proof
container. Please don't leave battery pack and charger on the wood
material or carpet and unattended.
Must keep Li-Ion & Polymer battery pack away from children.
If you build your own battery pack by our battery module, please make
sure to charge each module separately by using our smart charger. The
purpose is to keep each battery pack balanced during charging. The PCB
inside will protect this module only.
Never make wrong polarity connection when charging and discharging
battery packs. Always double check polarity of battery's connector to
make sure red wire to red wire and black wire to black wire.
Test battery properties is your own responsibility. Please test Li-
Ion battery you bought from us before using or sell to your customer
to ensure battery can be operated preperly and safely in your device.
Please click here to learn what is UL safety test standard for Li-Ion
battery / pack. For more information, please contact Underwriters
Laboratories directly.
Must report your applications, charging and discharging rate if the Li-
ion / polymer battery pack is over 14.8V, we won't ship it out without
this information. Please download, fill the form and fax back to
510-525-4728. Attn: BatteySpace-Tech
We DO NOT responsible for any damages and consequences damages caused
by misusing and modified battery pack.
General Guidelines and Warnings
1) Use specific Lithium Polymer/Li-ion charger only. Do not use a NiMH
or NiCd charger - Failure to do so may a cause fire, which may result
in personal injury and property damage.
2) Never charge batteries unattended. When charging LiPo/Li-ion
batteries you should always remain in constant observation to monitor
the charging process and react to potential problems that may occur.
3) Some LiPo/Li-ion chargers on the market may have technical
deficiencies that may cause it to charge the LiPo/Li-ion batteries
incorrectly or at an improper rate. It is your responsibility solely
to assure the charger you purchased works properly. Always monitor
charging process to assure batteries are being charged properly.
Failure to do so may result in fire.
4) If at any time you witness a battery starting to balloon, swell up,
smoke or hot, discontinue charging process immediately, disconnect the
battery and observe it in a safe place for approximately 15 minutes.
This may cause the battery to leak, and the reaction with air may
cause the chemicals to ignite, resulting in fire.
5) Since delayed chemical reaction can occur, it is best to observe
the battery as a safety precaution. Battery observation should occur
in a safe area outside of any building or vehicle and away from any
combustible material.
6) Wire lead shorts can cause fire! If you accidentally short the
wires, the battery must be placed in a safe area for observation for
approximately 15 minutes. Additionally, if a short occurs and contact
is made with metal (such as rings on your hand), severe injuries may
occur due to the conductibility of electric current.
7) A battery can still ignite even after 10 minutes.
8) In the event of a crash due to bad shipment or other reason, you
must remove battery for observation and place in a safe open area away
from any combustible material for approximately 15 minutes.
9) If for any reason you need to cut the terminal wires, it will be
necessary to cut each wire separately, ensuring the wires to not touch
each other or a short may occur, potentially causing a fire.
10) To solder a connector: Remove insulating tape of Red wire and
solder to positive terminal of a connector, then remove insulating
tape of Black wire and solder to the negative terminal of connector.
Be careful not to short the wire lead. If you accidentally cause the
battery to short, place it in a safe open space and observe the
battery for approximately 15 minutes. A battery may swell or even
possibly catch fire after a short time.
11) Never store or charge battery pack inside your car in extreme
temperatures, since extreme temperature could ignite fire.
Charging Process
1) Never charge batteries unattended.
2) Put battery in the fireproof container and charge in an isolated
area, away from other flammable materials.
3) Let battery cool down to ambient temperature before charging.
4) Do not charge batteries packs in series. Charge each battery pack
individually. Failure to do so may result in incorrect battery
recognition and charging functions. Overcharging may occur and fire
may be the result.
5) When selecting the cell count or voltage for charging purposes,
select the cell count and voltage as it appears on the battery label.
As a safety precaution, please confirm the information printed on the
battery is correct.
a. Example: The label on a 2-Cell battery pack in series will read
charge as 2-Cell (7.4V), or may cause fire. You must select 2-Cell for
charging.
b. Example: The label on a 3-Cell battery pack in series will read
charge as 3-Cell (11.1V), or may cause fire. You must select 3-Cell
for charging.
6) Selecting a cell count other than the one printed on the battery
(always confirm label is correct), can cause fire.
7) You must check the pack voltage before charging. Do not attempt to
charge any pack if open voltage per cell is less than 3.3v
Example Do not charge a 2-cell pack if below 6.6v
Do not charge a 3 cell pack if below 9.9v
8) You must select the charge rate current that does not to exceed 1C
(one times the capacity of the battery). A higher setting may cause
fire. The below chart is calculated at 1 x capacity of pack.
Example 2000 mAh: Charge below 2.0 Amps. We strongly recommend
using our Li-ion battery charger to charge our batteries.
4800 mAh: Charge below 4.8 Amps
5500 mAh: Charge below 5.5 Amps
6150 mAh: Charge below 6.1 Amps
Storage & Transportation
1) Store battery at room temperature between 40 and 80 degrees F for
best results.
2) Do not expose battery pack to direct sunlight (heat) for extended
periods.
3) When transporting or temporarily storing in a vehicle, temperature
range should be greater than 20 degrees F but no more than 150 degrees
F.
4) Storing battery at temperatures greater than 170 degrees F for
extended periods of time (more than 2 hours) may cause damage to
battery and possible fire.
Caring for Battery
1) Charge battery with good quality Lithium Polymer charger. A poor
quality charger can be dangerous.
2) Set voltage and current correctly (failure to do so can cause
fire).
3) Please check cell voltage after the first charge.
Example 1-Cell: 4.2V (4.15 to 4.22)
2-Cell: 8.4V (8.32 to 8.44)
3-Cell: 12.6V (12.48 to 12.66)
4-Cell: 16.8V (16.64 to 16.88)
5-Cell: 18.5V (18.30 to 18.60)
4) Do not discharge battery to a level below 3V per cell under load.
Deep discharge below 3V per cell can deteriorate battery performance.
5) Use caution to avoid puncture of the cell. Puncture of cells may
cause a fire.
Operating Charging Temperature:
32 to 113 degree F
Discharge: 32 to 140 degree F
1) Let battery cool down to an ambient temperature before charging.
2) During discharge and handling of batteries, do not exceed 160
degree F.
Battery Life
Batteries that lose 20% of their capacity must be removed from service
and disposed of properly. Discharge the battery to 3V/Cell, making
sure output wires are insulated, then wrap battery in a bag for
disposal.
Product Warranty
Product warranty is limited to original defects in material and
workmanship. Warranty does not cover collateral damage. Due Misuse,
abuse, incorrect charging and other inappropriate use of this product
are not covered under warranty.
Nimbuzz
<< Warning
Please note this battery is for R&D use only and NOT for individual
customers. We are not responsible for any damages or losses caused by
misusing (included but not limited to: mis-charging, mis-discharging,
any changes of this battery pack, mis-assembling batterypacks...)
Please never discharge the battery pack beyon its Max. rating
Must read before place an order. Please download fill the form and fax
back to 510-525-4728. Attn: BatteySpace-Tech.
For safety warning please see the link here http://tinyurl.com/39522j
>>
But that's OK -- I admire them for putting it out there now and giving
guys like us a shot at it while everyone else is saying we will have
lipo batts in 2010 or something!! The test data looks sophistcated to
me -- but I do not be an engineer.
Actually I would be willing to chip in say $50 via paypal if we were
all to chip in and buy a pack or two for Doug, Knoxie or ? (your name
here) to test. I'd rather do that than risk the whole wad. Anyone else
in?
Al
M750X
C-lyte I'd better go and get to work on!
Nimbuzz
received them? from mar...@aol.com on 2/20
Nimbuzz
deerfencer1
in the cost of the charger, so given all the caveats by BSpace, I
think I'll take a rain check on these and wait for more feedback from
Paul on those new blue packs he's testing for Mark.
Other things that leave me less than enthused about these BSpace
lipos:
1) No warranty
2) No BMS
3) 14-gauge output wire seems seriously underspecced for 40A rating
4) 1A charger = 10 hour charge time, way too slow for anyone looking
to do extended mileage.
Larry
Devin
Nimbuzz
but he is saying they are actually 12 and Knoxie is saying they are 10.
Devin
pack...
L-A-commuter
one packs come in an aluminium box which accounts for the extra lb or
2. also,.... the next shipment of point one packs are supposed to
weigh in at about 9 lbs or so. (is there an E.T.A. on the next
shipment doug?)
It seems at the moment that the point ones are the standard to beat.
The point 1 is in it's 3rd generation and as good as the blue pack
looks,... it's a 1st generation product.
all power to b-space, i hope they develop it into a reliable battery
with BMS and an upgraded charger tho.
DAVE
ebay-S-frame-sans-motor-cuzza-the-rain
plasmadust
with the new external BMS.
We did failure analysis on the few batteries we had problems with in
the past, and non of the cells were the problem. It always was
something in the BMS. One little 10 cent part or a (I hate to say
this) cold solder joint, and you loose a cell.
Now the BMS is swappable, so at least we can T/S that much.
My next wish list item is a mountable enclosure with key switch and
built in replaceable fuse.
Oh, we are waiting on delivery of the next gen. of Li nano, that the
mfg. swears will be cost competitive with PbA bats in production qtys.
We'll see.
DC
Devin
-37 V
-8 AH
-296 Wh
-3.6 lbs
- $369.95
- 40 amp discharge rating
- includes charging BMS
when you look at these statistics, what strikes me is this is
basically the equivalent of an original TF hub battery (8ah vs 8.5ah),
but it only weighs 3.6 lbs instead of ~25 lbs, and costs about half
the price...
as long as charging is done in safe place, etc, this battery could be
used in an ultra-minimalist electric bike.... for example a road bike
with a small hub motor, 20amp controller, and 3.6 lbs battery...
Devin
Devin
which means you need a "Brain Drain" or "Watts Up" to monitor
discharge and prevent low voltage / overdischarge...
the cells are rated at 5C continuous and 10C pulse - 40A continuous
and 80A pulse for an 8Ah cell
plasmadust
LiPolymer batteries.
At last check with all National and international records, I find not
one reported incident with this chemistry.
Do not get me wrong here. I have twenty years of battery testing and
data on LiIon batteries, and would not even consider them for any
application where there is high current or temperatures.
The problem with the LiIons is what the chemistry is. They have cobalt-
oxide or manganese-oxide in them with a wet cell design. This is an
accident waiting to happen in my opinion, if you try to use this for a
traction battery in motive applications.
I will have to repost the technical data sheets on the particular
battery we deal with here. It was on the old TF group. This is tested
and listed as "non-flammable, non-explosive" and certified for air
cargo transporting. Something you can not do with LiIon batteries.
If you have data to the contrary, please forward to me, the U.N.
commission on INTERNATIONAL AIR CARGO SAFETY, the U.S. Dept. of Energy
and all other interested persons and agencies.
If this is a safety issue, we all need to know.
DC
Devin
"Lithium Polymer and Li-ion batteries are volatile. Failure to read
and
follow the below instructions may result in fire, personal injury and
damage to property if charged or used improperly...
Li-Ion and Polymer battery & packs may explode and cause fire if
misuse or defective. We require all Li-ion batteries & packs buyers
must be professionals and have capability to handle emergency...
Nimbuzz
the Battery Space site. I think they are brave to offer high power
Lithium to the general public but felt compelled to protect themselves
with the 'rant' in case of quality control or user abuse issues.
Al
Richard Papa
I don't have any specific links to cases of LiPolly exploding (Have not
looked) but have been told it happened to a well known mfg during a test.
Sorry I can't add more but this has happened and all due to "Over Charging".
This is why these packs need individual cell monitoring/balancing and some
good cut-off programmed in.
No disrespect Doug but at least some of these LiPolly's do have problems and
the RC forum should have a few cases (single cells) if anyone wants to
research.
I am not saying your packs are dangerous as you seem to have a good BMS and
record so far (Great stuff really). Not sure if your pack/charger have over
volt cut-off (Sounds like they do?) but the cheaper BS packs do not. Plus
it's the chargers that seem to be a problem is some cases. This is just
common sense to me and we must be cautious on new packs/claims.
At least BS are being up front about their own particular packs which is a
good thing to me. But this should not take anything away from your packs
though. They have a first class record so far!
Sorry my friend,
Rich
Cliff Howard
> No disrespect Doug but at least some of these LiPolly's do have problems
From the Wikipedia:
"Overcharging a Li-Poly battery will likely result in explosion and/or fire"
Richard Papa
join this group and look for some more. Maybe I can lour a Saft guy too?
Rich
plasmadust
from.
What I can tell you is that the LiPoly batteries we have dealt with
never exploded or burned in the over charge testing. We went to 4X
cell voltage for 72 hours and nothing happened. In the over current
test they first swelled a bit, then went open circuit. NEVER CAUGHT
FIRE, NEVER EXPLODED.
I know there has been some videos out there of sparks and flames
coming out of cells that were over-driven (judging from the gauge of
wires they used) and I seriously question that there where any of them
that were LiPoly dry cells.
The warnings at Battery Space are generic and pertaining to LiIon
batteries in particular.
If they have a LiPoly that can do what they warn against, then my
suggestion would be to not buy it as they clearly do not know what it
is they are selling in the first place.
No disrespect intended, and please, we ain't trying to talk up or down
any battery here. The point is that the dept. of disinformation is
working over time on this issue, and facts are getting way too
distorted.
Richard, can we retrieve the safety sheets that were posted on the old
site.
If not I can start re-posting in the files section here.
DC
Paul Knox
Look folks this is so silly and I am so tired of repeating myself on this
point that I am not going to say this again, go to Wiki or wherever you like
and look up the Properties of a lipo battery and read about the chemistry of
the battery and how it differs to Lithium Ion.
The now infamous battery fires in the dell laptops and the huge recall were
down to a contamination issue in manufacturing of the batteries and the
batteries in question were Lithium Ion not Lipo. Like DC says there have
been no reported fires with packs like these, none sure there are naysayers
over on PA that claim to have seen them but they never come up with any
proof.
Nimh Nicad and even Lead if abused can catch fire guys, If you over charge
any of these batteries they are in danger of going up. All of the packs Doug
and Me have been testing so far have BMS and I have had no problems or
issues at all, infact the BMS in the Point-1 packs is so quick to act it
shuts the pack off before the fuses blow! and it protects the pack if you
have a cell go, I know as one of my packs did this.
If people continue to naysay and make statements that aren't true about
these batteries which represent a huge step in the e vehicle evolution, we
are going to slide backwards, so please guys get your facts straight before
you all post, there are a lot of lurkers on these boards and mis information
spreads like wild fire (excuse the pun) sure Lipo can burn, so can anything
if abused.
Doug also mentions the safety issue in flight as well, do you honestly think
any airline would let you stash these things in the cargo hold if there was
a danger that they would combust, Lithium Ion sure but not Lipo for all the
reasons Doug explains, (see salt based polymer in wiki)
With any battery of high capacity it pays to be careful, however there is
just as much likelyhood that a cell phone battery would ignite as an e-bike
battery, it only takes a small spark to start a fire.
Lets be sensible folks and if you can get out there and try them, you wont
switch back to what you had before I can assure you of that.
Cheers
Knoxie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cliff Howard" <22c...@verizon.net>
To: <Tidal...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 7:10 PM
Subject: [TF] Re: new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
>
Richard Papa
We were not talking about Doug's packs or yours? We were referring to the BS
packs!
I already said a good BMS is essential and have one mfg (Optibike) who told
me their LiPolly caught fire due to a bad one. I don't update my members
with mis-information for the fun of it. Sorry Craig for putting you in it,
Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Tidal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Tidal...@googlegroups.com] On
Richard Papa
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209187
Rich
Nimbuzz
was to not show the source of the post #5 warning. It is from a link
on the Battery Space page for the specific pack that started this
thread. This pack has no BMS and if the quality control were to be
compromised perhaps there could be a problem so they have added this
warning to protect themselves -- seems simple to me and no reason for
any upset.
In this current world of battery development I'm very happy that Doug
found the Point One packs!! Mine gets used hard and performs
flawlessly.
Uncle Al
M750X
Nimbuzz
the NY Times about Librarians, teachers, professors, schools and
universities that will not accept Wikipedia as a source for research
or facts. Wikipedia is considered a good starting point for continued
research in areas but has been declared by itself to not be confirmed
or proven knowledge or facts because anyone can add to it. I could add
to Wikipedia that anyone who uses a Lipo battery will turn pink with
purple polka dots and it would be added to the data base.
Unc Again
Richard Papa
superior to anything available due to the BMS and quality construction. But
the BS packs look very suspicious and people should know!
Saying that Li-Polly is SAFE is not fair to the reader as there are MANY
examples of this not being the case. However, we are the first to find the
safest packs around. And we have had NO problems after a year of testing!!!
(Just tell it how it is). So should people rush out and buy a BS pack
because it's cheaper? what do you tell people?
Cheers,
Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Tidal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Tidal...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Nimbuzz
Sent: 23 February 2007 21:09
To: TidalForce Forum
Subject: [TF] Re: new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
Richard Papa
It's always a good idea to post any spec or testing data you have done on
this forum. If you can't do it yourself, I will be happy to do it for you.
Just send me what you want up.
Also, I want to add that I am very proud of what you have brought for all of
us. Your LiPolly packs are first class and I would use one anytime! But I
would not try a BS pack (which is what I think you are saying?) as they
don't have the built in safety you have.
So in that, I find we have to warn our readers of the differences. I also
appreciate petrol (GAS) can burn and it's a great example that if you
compress any large amounts of energy into a confined space (anything with
energy) it can have adverse effects. But that is not what this topic is
about.
Hope I have been fair and clear of my view on this (Not that it counts for
much),
Rich
Devin
...which is why I don't store gasoline inside my apartment...
Joe
It's good for some stuff but always needs double checking with independent sources.
Best,
Joe (mobile)
-----Original Message-----
From: "Nimbuzz" <mar...@aol.com>
Date: Friday, Feb 23, 2007 4:16 pm
Subject: [TF] Re: new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
deerfencer1
because it's cheaper? what do you tell people? >>
Even from a price perspective the BS packs aren't really cheaper than
Doug's if you add the cost of a decent charger and a BMS. Given the
horrible reputation of the early lion packs out of China (ask Justin,
Doug, or Craig about their experiences), I'd be extremely leery of
these new BS lipos until they have been out for a good long while--and
have had a BMS added. I personally think BSpace is being negligent in
not including a BMS with this pack as they are well aware of how
important it is.
Larry
Devin
Richard Papa
proven before I would risk it. Far to many complaints about their work (for
me anyway). And if they do have a BMS I still would not risk it.
D, go and try a pack then (LOL)
Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Tidal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Tidal...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Devin
Sent: 23 February 2007 21:59
To: TidalForce Forum
Subject: [TF] Re: new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
guys... there is a bms
Devin
Nimbuzz
that's worth. I don't know why several of us here read the page and
thought it had no bms?? What are the specs of the bms?
Like you say D -- this pack is light!
A
I'm also up for more reviews of Knoxie's further use of the blue pack!
Devin
hey rich, what's "CQ"? =)
deerfencer1
On Feb 23, 5:21 pm, "Nimbuzz" <mary...@aol.com> wrote:
> I'm glad to hear they have a BMS and it looks good -- for whatever
> that's worth. I don't know why several of us here read the page and
> thought it had no bms?? What are the specs of the bms?
>
Al,
I think some of the confusion may have been due to the fact that it's
a partial BMS that does NOT protect the cells from overdischarge
according to BSpace.
<<Warning: Hi-Power Li-Polymer pack dose not install PCB for
overdischarging protection. You must have enough knowledge on Polymer
Li-Ion battery before use.
Always use a quality smart charger to recharge Hi-power Li-Po batter
packs
Never discharge battery pack below 2.0V per cell.
Please recharge battery immediately after use>>
The next question is, does their BMS do cell balancing or does it only
protect the pack from overcharging? If the latter, that's not real
impressive IMO.
Cousin Larry
Devin
in tin foil, attach some wires and call it a battery...
Nimbuzz
first I gotta go get 10 lbs of refried beans and some tequila... I'll
get back to ya!!
Richard Papa
I thought you said these packs have no BMS?
Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Tidal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Tidal...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Devin
Sent: 23 February 2007 22:27
To: TidalForce Forum
Subject: [TF] Re: new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
Richard Papa
What I would like to see is the bare cells (as they are so cheap) put into a
quality pack! Then we can get excited. But their disclaimer is great and
worrying at the same time. I also know you had problems with their NiMH
pack and had to change them, plus we have read numerous reports on the
forums with disgruntled BS customers. But that's the price of low budgets
I'm afraid.
I would stick with an EV Tech pack if I was in the market for one.
Cheers,
Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Tidal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Tidal...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Devin
Sent: 23 February 2007 23:01
To: TidalForce Forum
Subject: [TF] Re: new lithium offering from Batteryspace...
Paul Knox
I know you weren't talking about Doug's batteries? I have been reading the
threads you know?
That is why I replied to this particular point on the fires? and when I talk
about mis information its mainly on PA not on here? read my post again.
We can all get out facts wrong Richard as it appears the BS pack does have a
BMS, I just think people need to check before they post that's all, I never
said you updated anyone with mis information? however there is a lot of it
about mainly on other forums though which is why I stay here and on endless
sphere.
That wasn't even directed at Craig its just a general post really and almost
should have been a thread on its own but I don't want to get drawn in to a
battery argument with people as its their choice what they use and or bring
in to their houses at the end of the day.
I know Devin is cautious about the fire risk and rightly so as he lives in a
flat, however id bet there are also people who smoke in their flats right
next to him, bet they don't share the same concern.
My wish is that people didn't get the chemistries confused here and didn't
lump automotive batteries in aluminium boxes with good BMS alongside
pranksters on you tube overvolting and over charging little 4V RC packs just
to get hits on the site, that's all.
You can all wait for mainstream suppliers to bring out high performance Lipo
packs but I don't think you would like the price, I would much rather go
with what's available now and I wouldn't use them or have them near my house
if I thought there was a fire risk.
Paul
Devin
pack and had to change them"
exactly... when there was a problem, they exchanged it... and taught
me how to avoid ever having the same problem...
they may butcher the english language, but they have smart, helpful
people and I think offer a good product, for the price, as does Doug.
Maybe I'll get one pack and test it and then Al can have it... maybe
we'll split the cost... it seems like a single 3.2lb $380 pack should
be pretty plug and play with either XLyte of TF and offer perhaps 6
miles of range or so... though the TF makes me worry about REGEN,
especially where AL rides up and down a big mountain.
optibike
piece of, well, you know. We got it from some no-name manufacturer
and tried to push it a bit beyond its limits. So far, we have not had
any problems with the performance of the Li-Po packs we are using.
:) CW
Richard Papa
We know the Li-Polly this group are testing is indeed the best around and no
problems reported after a years worth of testing. I don't know how many
point one packs are out there but it's a lot! At the same time, we need to
be careful when NEW packs arrive and not get too excited until they are
tested in the field.
This is why I feel I sometimes (right or wrong) need to warn the group when
new stuff comes along. I get a lot of off-list asking what packs to try and
it get's difficult shifting through the hype. Opti does not come into this
though as you are already a trust worthy company. You guys are the most
ethical I have come across!
Good luck and great to hear from you.
Cheers,
Rich
Btw, how about an Opti update for the group? Any news on your PDA interface?
optibike
Lets see- We have been invited to the Stanford Cool Products Expo in
April where we will be unveiling an Optibike upgrade that will pretty
much be the coolest thing I have ever seen. I will be headed out to
Palo Alto for the expo and I am looking forward to meeting our fellow
exhibitors (only about a dozen), including the brilliant minds from
Tesla.
We have taken delivery of the first Optibike frames for 2007 and will
be shipping product in the next 3 weeks. We got a ton of interest in
the PDA upgrade that we announced in our newsletter, in fact, one of
our customers in LA happens to be a PDA interface programmer and will
be working with us on further development. We feel honored to have an
Optibike customer/ genius on board with this new project.
Some bad news: Someone has to head out to Maui in May to visit with
our new dealer (Scott @ Rip Current Cyclery) and deliver a few bikes.
I guess I will have take this one.
We are on track to deliver 125 Optibikes this year, and to roll out
some new features that promise to be really rad.
Happy almost spring.
Craig W.
Optibike
deerfencer1
Thanks for the update--and condolensces on your Maui sojourn--Hawaii
is hellish duty for sure <g>.
Looks like you'll be in good company at the Stanford show:
http://coolproductexpo.stanford.edu/
Congrats on what looks to be a breakout year for you guys--truly great
news! Wonderful to see a small, cutting edge innovator like Opti start
to take off.
Best to you, Jim and your growing crew in Boulder. I couldn't be
happier for you guys. Exciting days in the e-bike industry for sure!
Larry