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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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

I have seen them powering a electric launch.

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

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

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.

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?

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.

Check this for a start....

http://visforvoltage.org/book/ev-collaborative-hand-books/6681

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

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

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

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

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.

Hi Mike are you converting to lithium?

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.