PT Pro - Winter Guide for your Segway PT

Here are the most important tips and tricks to bring their Segway PT safely through the cold season

As soon as the first leaves fall from the trees and the temperatures drop, Segway PT riders start thinking about how and if they want to use their Segway PT in the winter. Our PT Pro Team is often asked how best to get the Segway PT through the winter. We want to answer these questions here and tie with a lot of information about the Segway ver PT.

Whether you're braving the elements on occasional Segway PT winter trips through snow and slush, or you're putting your Segway PT into storage until spring to winterize it, the following advice will help you get your Segway PT through the cold season in the best way possible.

Winterratgeber PT Pro Segway PT
Winterratgeber PT Pro Segway PT
Winterratgeber PT Pro Segway PT

Think about next spring now:

For detailed technical or safety information about your Segway PT, always refer to your Segway PT Reference Manual (Gen II, p/n 20602) or Segway PT Owner's Manual (SE, p/n 24010). You are also welcome to visit our website at www.ptpro.de for more information. There you will not only find the original user manual for the Segway PT (i2, x2, Gen 2, SE) for download, but also numerous professional tips and tricks on how to care and maintain your Segway PT. But also which wear parts should be changed regularly on the Segway pT, so that you can enjoy your personal transporter for a long time. You can even read here how to replace these spare parts. Detailed service instructions are available for download. Likewise, you can easily and conveniently order the Segway PT spare parts and accessories online at PT Pro.

You want to have your Segway PT in storage during the winter?

Basically:

To experience no nasty surprises in the spring, or to be able to start immediately with the first rays of sunshine, it makes sense to subject their Segway PT before storing in the fall of an all-around check (Coupling), elastomers, broken attachments such as Fascian etc.). Either you have enough expertise to do this yourself, or you use one of the favorable winter - service packages we offer. So their Segway PT comes without stress for you and us well through the winter and can be used immediately in the spring.

How it's done!

  • Protect your Segway PT from negative external influences
  • Always store it in a dry environment, at a minimum temperature of 10°C or more. (Optimal temperatures are 15°C and above)
  • Clean your PT with a damp cloth and then dry it with a dry cloth after
  • Remove the battery (coin cell) from the Infokey.
  • Charge your batteries completely (be sure to handle them correctly)
  • If you are storing your Segway PT for more than a month, remove the fully charged Batteries - remember to store the Batteries above 10 degrees. Regardless, the batteries must be temporarily charged at least every 3 months to prevent deep discharge
  • If the storage temperature is below 10 °C, do not charge the batteries immediately for intermediate charging. First bring them to a temperature above 10°C, then you can connect them to the charging current. This serves to optimize the life and ensures consistent performance of the Li Ion batteries (Segway batteries)
  • Fill the tires at least to the prescribed tire pressure. Optimally + 0.2 to 0.5bar
  • Protect your PT from dust with a tarp. But make sure that no moisture can accumulate under the tarp
  • Important. Check tire pressure before your first ride in the spring after storage

If this method of storage is too inconvenient for you, we advise you to at least consider the most important points to avoid damage to your Segway PT when it is stationary.

  • Always store your Segway PT in a warm and dry place
  • Always leave the Segway PT plugged in
  • Regularly inspect the Segway PT
    • Disconnect from power, turn on and activate
    • Then turn off, and reconnect to power (good guideline is to do this 1 time per week.)
    • A timer that briefly disconnects the Segway PT from charging power, and then recharges it, is a good tool to leave the Segway PT unused for longer periods of time.
    • Important. If the Segway PT has been standing unused for an extended period of time, you must check the tire pressure before your first ride! Fill the wheels with the correct tire pressure and they pay meticulous attention to the same value on the right and left.

The simple solution for your Segway PT

If this method of storage is too inconvenient for you, we advise you to at least consider the most important points to avoid damage to your Segway PT when it is stationary.

  • Always store your Segway PT in a warm and dry place
  • Always leave the Segway PT plugged in
  • Regularly inspect the Segway PT
    • Disconnect from power, turn on and activate
    • Then turn off, and reconnect to power (good guideline is to do this 1 time per week.)
    • A timer that briefly disconnects the Segway PT from charging power, and then recharges it, is a good tool to leave the Segway PT unused for longer periods of time.
    • Important. If the Segway PT has been standing unused for an extended period of time, you must check the tire pressure before your first ride! Fill the wheels with the correct tire pressure and they pay meticulous attention to the same level on the right and left.

After a long standstill incorrect charge level display on the Infokey?

If the Segway PT does not display the battery charge level correctly on the first tour after standing for a long time, do not panic. The Infokey may need some time to request the current data of the Segway PT. Once it has done so, it will be able to display it correctly. This should work after a tour, or after one discharge and one charge - cycle each, again accurately.

So Segwayfahren makes fun even in winter!

  • Important! Start your Segway PT in the warm and let it run briefly turned on and activated (above 10 ° C). Only then go outside in the cold. This greatly increases the range for the winter ride and protects your batteries.
  • At low temperatures from below 15 degrees, the range of the Segways PT or the batteries automatically decreases. The colder it is, the less range the Segway PT can cover. Below 0° degrees, the range of a full Battery charge drops to less than half. By starting in a warm environment, you can counteract this and significantly increase the range.
  • After winter rides, allow the Segway PT to dry and acclimate in a warm room above 10 ° degrees before recharging. Make sure there are no damp spots around the charging port before plugging in the Segway PT.
  • Important. Do not clean your PT with water jets, but use damp cloths and remove any salt residue.
  • Always take the Infokey with you into the warm and keep the Infokey during winter driving e.g. in your trouser pocket. At lower temperatures, the button cells of the key often fail if they are no longer completely full. By keeping the temperature constant, you can protect the Infokey button cell (Infokey battery). If the Infokey goes out but the Segway PT is still on, remove the battery from the Key, warm it in your hand, and then reinstall it. The Key should also be warmed in your hand or pocket. This will briefly provide power and the Segway PT can be turned off or on. Replace the coin cell (battery) at the next opportunity. Pay attention to the Infokey battery for good quality and the minimum shelf life!
  • Tire Air Pressure:
    • Consider that the air pressure in the tire decreases when the temperature is cold and increases when the air in the tire warms up.
    • Provide a good tire with winter tread adapted to the conditions. Fill the tire pressure according to the circumstances, or lower it.
    • The less air in the tire, the softer it becomes and provides more grip. With the Segway i2, there is a risk of falling if the air pressure is too low. I2 tires should never be driven below 0.7 bar.
    • On the Segway x2, you can lower the tire pressure to as low as 0.2 bar to achieve optimum comfort and grip. Note, however, that this also has a negative impact on the range. The higher the tire pressure, the more range.

Finally, spring is coming!

Spring Preparation for the Segway PT

When preparing your Segway PT for spring, keep the following tips in mind, and your Segway PT will start working properly right from the first ride:

  • As a general rule, clean your PT regularly, and also make sure the underside of the floor mats are clean.
  • If necessary, replace the Infokey battery with a new one. PT Pro recommends using only original Varta button cells, Varta CR 2430 Li- Mn 3V. Some suppliers sell these cheaper. However, pay attention here to the minimum shelf life.
  • Check the mileage of the Segway PT and consider how many kilometers the Segway PT has driven since the last service or check the wear parts (wear parts: tires, couplings, elastomers). PT Pro advises every 1000km to 1500km to check the wear parts and replace them if necessary. On Gen2 equipment, it is very likely that the wear parts do not need to be changed as frequently.
  • Check the fit of the Segway PT batteries (Li-Ion batteries) and that all screws fully fix the battery to the base. All other bolts should also be tightened to their Segway Inc. specified torque.
  • Check the screws of the attachments. Nothing should rattle, vibrate or rub against each other. In particular, the bolting of the wheels, the leaning bar and the handlebars.
  • Also pay attention to the straight seat of the leaning rod. This must not be tilted to the left or right!
  • Charge the batteries on the Segway PT in a warm room until the LEDs on the Segway PT flash green.
  • Check the tire pressure of the wheels and inflate them exactly the same on the right and left.

Now you can start the first test drive after the winter hibernation with confidence.

Caution:

You will probably notice during the first ride that the Infokey does not yet display the correct battery level of the Segway PT, or remains at the same level for a long time (e.g. 4 bars). This will be resolved after the first ride and subsequent charge.

Also, don't be surprised if the Segway PT doesn't reach full range on the first one or two trips. Again, you can force this by running the batteries completely flat on the first ride until the Segway PT performs the emergency shutdown. Of course, this should be done in close proximity to the Charging Dock. After the Segway PT performs the first Emergency Shutdown, turn it back on, ride a few meters again until the Segway PT performs the second Emergency Shutdown. Then turn the Segway PT back on, activate it by stepping on the Segway PT's floor mat, and leave the Segway PT activated, such as leaning against a curb or house wall, until it turns off on its own. Then you can be sure the batteries are at the lower limit. After the third shutdown, be sure to plug the Segway PT in for charging. This charge will now take a little longer than usual. The Segway PT must be on power for between 10 and 12 hours without interruption until it is fully charged and trickle charging has begun. You will know this when the LED on the Segway PT flashes green at longer intervals.

The battery cells were now at the lower limit first, then the cells are charged. Once they are full, the cells in the battery balance. Thus, after this procedure, you get the current best possible capacity of their battery. This should be done once or twice a year, if possible, to maintain the batteries and get the maximum performance out of them. You will notice immediately afterwards that the batteries allow more range than before this procedure. Always keep in mind that range depends on several factors and this discharge and charge procedure only applies to the batteries.

Now that you are excellently prepared for the start of the new Segway PT season, PT Pro wishes you to have fun, please ride carefully and enjoy your time on the Segway PT.

Caution:

If you fail to follow this checklist or information, it could cause the following malfunctions to your Segway PT:

  • A safety shutdown, e.g. triggered by error codes C108, C100 or others
  • Danger of falling
  • Inaccurate steering movements or steering deviations
  • Defective or deeply discharged batteries (These can be partially resuscitated with battery resuscitation)
  • Speed limit triggering or warning chatter
  • Short circuit when plugging in the charging cable due to condensing moisture, caused by temperature fluctuations and residual moisture
  • Corrosion
  • Lower range of your Segway PT (at lower temperatures, the range decreases automatically!)
  • Higher tire wear