VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

28 posts / 0 new
Last post
marylandbob
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 7 months ago
Joined: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 12:24
Points: 524
VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Does anyone know of a source for replacement cells for the stock VX-1 VECTRIX battery? Perhaps someone has a wrecked/salvage unit? Gold Peak, the cell manufacturer, seems not interested, unless you want to buy $100,000.00 worth or more! I am interested in a small number of cells, perhaps 10 cells.-Bob Curry

undead
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 11 months ago
Joined: Monday, June 23, 2008 - 14:29
Points: 283
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

I think GP Batteries were the company behind constructing the pack (could be wrong) - is it worth contacting them?

marylandbob
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 7 months ago
Joined: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 12:24
Points: 524
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

You are correct, GP battery, (Gold Peak) is the manufacturer, but as previously stated, they seem not interested in dealing with the "Little guy"-they do not want to consider small sales, only large purchases!--Bob

Robert M. Curry

undead
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 11 months ago
Joined: Monday, June 23, 2008 - 14:29
Points: 283
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Ah sorry, wasnt paying attention ;)

I know that when I purchased the bike, one of my questions to the sales guy was "what if the battery pack dies?" and he was going on about how they could replace cells individually, so I wonder if they keep any individual cells in stock. Have you tried contacting Vectrix UK?

jdh2550_1
jdh2550_1's picture
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 11 months ago
Joined: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 09:35
Points: 2335
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

how they could replace cells individually

Can the dealers actually do that? Or was the sales guy referring to Vectrix themselves being able to refurbish packs?

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

marylandbob
Offline
Last seen: 5 years 7 months ago
Joined: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 12:24
Points: 524
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

To my knowledge, DEALERS do not rebuild Vectrix battery packs, only exchange them, but anyone with the proper skills and equipment could replace defective cells and re-equalize a pack. Doing so by unskilled persons could be hazardous, however. The individual cells are bolted together, and with care, may be removed and replaced. Proper testing and conditioning equipment would also be needed.-Bob Curry

Robert M. Curry

reikiman
reikiman's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 17:52
Points: 8447
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Does Gold Peak sell cells through any distributors?

There are several business owners I could think of who could feasibly get into a seller arrangement with GP or their distributor for Vectrix pack cell replacement.

undead
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 11 months ago
Joined: Monday, June 23, 2008 - 14:29
Points: 283
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Are the cells used in any other capacity other than for the Vectrix? I am wondering whether there is another product out there using the same cells (albeit less of them) that could be purchased and plunderered for them if its cheaper.

antiscab
Offline
Last seen: 9 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: Saturday, July 7, 2007 - 23:55
Points: 1686
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

or even just buy the cells off the distributor of the cheaper product

Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km

reikiman
reikiman's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 17:52
Points: 8447
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Are the cells used in any other capacity other than for the Vectrix? I am wondering whether there is another product out there using the same cells (albeit less of them) that could be purchased and plunderered for them if its cheaper.

Uh.. Gold Peak is in the business of selling batteries to anybody. Searching for GP Batteries on this site turns up a lot of discussion including this link.

http://visforvoltage.org/book/ev-collaborative-hand-books/6943

Mik
Mik's picture
Offline
Last seen: 8 years 3 days ago
Joined: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 15:27
Points: 3739
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Perhaps someone has a wrecked/salvage unit? Gold Peak, the cell manufacturer, seems not interested, unless you want to buy $100,000.00 worth or more!

How do you know this?

Did you actually talk / write to them?

This information may be used entirely at your own risk.

There is always a way if there is no other way!

reikiman
reikiman's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 17:52
Points: 8447
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery
Perhaps someone has a wrecked/salvage unit? Gold Peak, the cell manufacturer, seems not interested, unless you want to buy $100,000.00 worth or more!

How do you know this?

Did you actually talk / write to them?

What's likely is Gold Peak only wants to sell to distributors or dealers. Hence a distributor or dealer would buy large quantities from Gold Peak, and they in turn would sell in smaller quantities to individuals.

For example there's a battery seller near me who says they sell GP Batteries cells (among other brands like Saft).

http://www.energy-sales.com/nickelmetalhydride.html

jethro
Offline
Last seen: 10 months 1 week ago
Joined: Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 13:30
Points: 48
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

The cells used were developed for the marine trade and have been used for many years.

NJSteve
Offline
Last seen: 14 years 4 months ago
Joined: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 20:12
Points: 55
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Would you know what item or class of items in the marine trade?

jethro
Offline
Last seen: 10 months 1 week ago
Joined: Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 13:30
Points: 48
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

I have seen them powering a electric launch.

NJSteve
Offline
Last seen: 14 years 4 months ago
Joined: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 20:12
Points: 55
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

I'm sorry, but I don't even know what an electric launch is?

jethro
Offline
Last seen: 10 months 1 week ago
Joined: Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 13:30
Points: 48
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

this is not the one but it gives you an idea.
http://www.elcoelectriclaunch.com/19%20ft%20launch.htm

NJSteve
Offline
Last seen: 14 years 4 months ago
Joined: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 20:12
Points: 55
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Thanks, I see you mean a smaller electric boat. I would not have guessed that as I was guessing something along the lines of a system to retrieve the boat or something.

2008 Silver Vec...
2008 Silver Vectrix Owner's picture
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 8 months ago
Joined: Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 21:08
Points: 38
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

What about replacing them with lithium batteries? They are lighter and will hold up to the deep discharge cycles necessary for maximum range.
http://www.valence.com/products/battery_modules
This company sells the batteries that will be in the Enertia electric motorcycle from Brammo, so why not buy their batteries to replace the GP batteries?

JJ

reikiman
reikiman's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 17:52
Points: 8447
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Yeah, some people are looking into lithium batteries. There is a geometry problem in that the vectrix battery box is a given size and the lithium cells you choose have to fit into that box, as well as have the required performance characteristics.

Mik
Mik's picture
Offline
Last seen: 8 years 3 days ago
Joined: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 15:27
Points: 3739
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

This information may be used entirely at your own risk.

There is always a way if there is no other way!

David Sterrett
Offline
Last seen: 11 years 8 months ago
Joined: Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 18:48
Points: 2
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

yes go to skylineenergyllc.com call David at 517-515-9664 or email them at davids [at] skyline-mi.com they sell at low cost high grade products ( 20 ah thru 200 ah

toolboxjesse
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 3 weeks ago
Joined: Monday, February 13, 2012 - 12:52
Points: 56
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

yes go to skylineenergyllc.com call David at 517-515-9664 or email them at davids [at] skyline-mi.com they sell at low cost high grade products ( 20 ah thru 200 ah

David it would be great if you took the initiative and provided some sample price quotes for all of us on this forum, such as by the cell, total cells and complete kit. I really don't like negotiating or feeling like I've been ripped off if I were to contact you on my own if I learn that someone was able to negotiate a better price with you. There's already too much ambiguity when it comes to the Vectrix.

Thanks,

Jesse in Atlanta

Jesse in Atlanta

eyeinthesky
eyeinthesky's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 years 2 months ago
Joined: Saturday, January 5, 2008 - 03:06
Points: 128
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Quote from GP
"I am very sorry but we cannot supply the batteries directly as they are OEM product specific for customer.

Please contact Vectrix directly.

Regards

Kevin"

so it back to Vectrix to source cells

toolboxjesse
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 3 weeks ago
Joined: Monday, February 13, 2012 - 12:52
Points: 56
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

I don't suppose anybody knows how much Vectrix wants for complete battery packs or individual cells shipped to US? If the brand new GP NiMH cells are as good as I have heard (better than the original cells) and they can be swapped in without the hassle of the the Lithium conversion I might consider doing that swap, then wait 5-7 years for the price of the lithium to drop.

Jesse in Atlanta

Jesse in Atlanta

doctor_of_music
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 10 months ago
Joined: Friday, October 16, 2009 - 04:22
Points: 34
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

In case this is of interest, I'm expecting to have, in the next couple of weeks, the original NiMh battery pack, removed from my 2008 Vectrix here in the UK. It's done around 3500 of our beautiful British miles (© Al Murray, Pub Landlord), and I *believe*, but have yet to confirm, all but a few cells are perfect. I'm also expecting to have a fully working ESD charger from the same bike.

All of the above I'm hoping to sell at a price which is fair to both buyer & seller.

As I say, I'm *expecting* to have this equipment, so will post here with more details once I actually have it.

Mike Coe, Pershore, Worcs. UK.

HubCap
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 10 months ago
Joined: Monday, August 17, 2009 - 10:30
Points: 112
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Hi Mike are you converting to lithium?

Keep it shiny side up!

doctor_of_music
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 10 months ago
Joined: Friday, October 16, 2009 - 04:22
Points: 34
Re: VX-1 VECTRIX-Replacement/Spare Ni-Mh cells for stock battery

Yes - but although I'd originally planned to, I'm not doing it myself.
I'll post full details here once I know what I can honestly offer, but I should have some good cells & a good charger, and maybe one or two other bits & pieces.

I'm a little unsure as to how you keep it shiny side up, though.

Log in or register to post comments

Use code"Solar22" and enjoy 12% off for all solar Kits.


Who's online

There are currently 0 users online.

Who's new

  • xovacharging
  • stuuno
  • marce002
  • Heiwarsot
  • headsupcorporation

Support V is for Voltage