None, it's a tiny micro switch, set deep in the part of the lever which doesn't move, the part that clamps around the handlebar - it acts almost the instant you touch the brake lever. I've a switch in series with it for now.
Mobility scooters
- Thread starter Harry Bloomfield
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None, it's a tiny micro switch, set deep in the part of the lever which doesn't move, the part that clamps around the handlebar - it acts almost the instant you touch the brake lever. I've a switch in series with it for now.
Done and working...
Rather than make a hole in a panel for the switch, I made a bracket out of some soft plastic, and fixed that on an existing panel bolt, and added a little toggle switch. Just below my left hand, so handy for disabling the interlock when needed.
Rather than make a hole in a panel for the switch, I made a bracket out of some soft plastic, and fixed that on an existing panel bolt, and added a little toggle switch. Just below my left hand, so handy for disabling the interlock when needed.
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I saw a guy on one of these- looked like DIck Emery in his leathers.
A Lidl bit off putting. ABout £3750
A Lidl bit off putting. ABout £3750
Mobility scooters seem to be less robustly constructed today, the wheels are tiny, and seem to be designed for flat surfaces. I remember the shop rider Cadiz from twenty years or so ago. Big fat tyres that effectively acted as suspension, and a very controllable throttle, that allowed you mount a kerb.
It has a current trip, similar to an MCB, in the main circuit, and an 'ignition switch', steering lock similar to a motorbike.
I think you would be suitably impressed with this - large alloy wheels, spring and damper suspension, a very robust looking ladder chassis, very effective lights, indicators, stop lights, mirrors, hydraulic discs brakes at the front, drum at the rear with handbrake. It has three speed settings, 4mph, 8mph, then an illegal in the UK a 16mph setting, for the 1000w drive motor. Rather oddly, on a downhill slope, it can just freewheel, so it can easily go a lot faster than the set speed.
Unlike my deceased partners old Rascal, which I began making use of, the new one doesn't slow down any on the hills, it just keeps going at the full set speed.
Yes I picked up on your “mod”, sounds impressive. But I see far fewer people in mobility scooters- on the road or on the pavement- than I used to
Quite a lot around here, I suppose it depends on the local area. Where I live is a compact area, where all the facilities, local shops and supermarkets, are within a 1mile range.
I've just had it stuck, trying to get via an untried route, to our local Tesco. It's quite a drop down from the public footpath, to Tesco's car park/shop level, so they have a flight of stairs, and a zig-zap slope for prams, mobility scooters, with four tight bends. I got completely stuck on the last turn, just not enough space to get around. I had to get off, and lift the front end, around the final corner. The model has a reputation, for having a wide turning circle. Yesterday, I improved slightly on the factory setting, by readjusting the steering stops, to get a little more turn.
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What like the ones in the post above yours?!
the great idea off a big red button is in moments off turmoil and confusion '''even panic iff we have health related issues the answer is instant to the casual observer its also more practical to the operator iff a heart attack a stroke or other health issue causing drastically reduce mobility as the action requiring no more than sufficient weight on a large button including the limp mass off a unconscious unfortunate person with zero motor ability slumping forward stopping the situation
on some occasions even iff for a few seconds we may not have rotary skills available or the general motor skills available to turn a switch off so we need to admit we are just as great people as we have always been but additional help from others and added safety features will keep us safer
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Can you replace the 4/8mph switch with a two pole so you can have "8mph,interlock active" and 4mph,interlock inactive"
I'm struck that manoeuvring through tight spaces etc you only need to be in 4mph mode
A big red button on mine, may not help much - Some scooters are designed with an electronic brake, the accelerator, turns the brake off. Mine is of the design where you have to use the brake levers, to stop it, otherwise it freewheels. It uses a brushless, 3-phase motor.
Whether set to 4, 8, or 16mph on the switch, it makes no difference to trying to manoeuvrer. The setting only limits the maximum speed it gets up to. It uses soft-start, applying the power and acceleration gently, up to the limit. The problem seemed to be, the soft start system was time based, from when the throttle is opened, but the time ignored the brake inhibiting power being applied to the motor. As it was - rear brake on, open the throttle, gradually release the brake, and by that time, the soft-start, could be set to apply much more power to the motor, with the result that it could jerk the front wheels off the ground.
The switch I've added, in series with the rear brake lever, allows the brake to be lightly applied, with the left hand, whilst at the same time opening the throttle with the right hand. I just need to remember to switch it off and on, manoeuvring, versus normal operation. At manoeuvring/inching speed, you can feel the 3-phase motor, 'cogging' slightly.
Just a shame the designers, never considered there might be a need to be able to use brake and throttle, on a hill start.
