Because the original post has become too large, I'm restarting it with the sole aim to provide useful data/experiences to all visforvoltages.
Nowadays there are over 3000 vectrix hanging around.
The older units are 3.5 years old. That's a lot of time! I'd like to know how many vectrix have reached the 30.000 km mark (18641 miles), and if they are still working fine!
I've collected some lines of the previous post:
mikemitbike: Hi, mine was registered Okt 2008, because of battery issues lasting from late Nov. 2008 till June 2010 I only put 1200 km on my own bike. Now battery is fine, and my V has about 5000km on the odometer.
Normaly I´m riding only down to 128v before I recharge, or if bike is needet for a greater distance
it´s topped up from 132v or 134v after shorter trips.
snail: a July 08 machine. Just passed through 9000 miles (14400km). I still get up to 145/146V after a monthly "deep" discharge.
PT-Volt: Mine has 33000kms. Still working fine. New battery since 23000kms. I just want to add that my only expense in the last 33000kms were tires.
myvectrix2008: Mine was purchased in September 2008 (2007 model) and I have covered over 10,300 miles / 16,500km.
It's on the original battery, always charges fully to 148/149V, last bar is usable, gauge always in sync, no issues apart from a blown fuse replaced for 200A version and a couple of software bugs that resolved itself.
R: My vectrix is a may 2007 unit, over 27000 km on the odometer... I have only 20 km of range, but I'm still a really happy owner!
Tom5007:I have 12300miles so far. First set of batteries and only had to replace one back tire. Still get my 40-45miles with a full charge using the latest SW (not the 68miles upgrade).
eyeinthesky: 29,000 klms of exileration in three years, so what, if shit happens!, its all fixable.!
marylandbob: After one year, and about 1,500 miles, my VECTRIX maintenance costs are ZERO $, and electricty costs for this mileage was about $20.00 U.S.
grillino75: my vectrix has 46000km ...33000km with last pack battery and all ok!!!!
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8480/dscf1336ed.jpg
http://anvel.weebly.com/raduno-vectrix.html
I tell the life of my vectrix ...
at march 2008 i buy a vectrix used (2007 model)with 900 km, it was a motorcycle test .after 6000km the vectrix store in Rome changed all battery at all vectrix because some model took fire for a problem with a connector of the battery. my vectrix was ok no problem .
during the other 7000 km no problem, but with old software i can't delay the charge ,so sometime I warmed up too
the battery (with lighting the temperature light),my range was always 50-55 km at 65-70 km/h .
with the new software the range become 35-40 km at 65-70 km/h (maybe I damaged some cell)or maybe the new software does not allow the battery to discharge as before .
however my work is at 36 km from my house and i I could not use it. so they dicided to change my battery!!
after 33000km the range is always 57-65km at 65-70 km /h and no problem.
Wildfire:I only have 3,200 miles so far in my first year.
Sparker:I paid £5,300 for it two years ago and have covered just under 9,000 miles in that time. I've paid out for tyres and brake pads in that time - oh and about £100 in electricity, at a rough guess
Turok:I call myself lucky with almost two years of ownership and 7500 km on the first pack. It has a perfect range for me: 45 to 70km on a charge (depends on my mood :-))
I had my fuse swapped after blowing the 125A, and my instrument panel has been replaced due to a memory error.
cost until now: purchase of the bike + 70€ insurance/year + no road tax + some watts + NOTHING else!
In summary:
3 people have reached the 30.000 mark: Grillino75, Ptvolt, and another owner in Madrid.
What about your Vectrix?
I have 8.800+km done on my Vectrix. Got the second battery at 4.000km with new software. The second battery is as good as new.
I've got 12,000 miles (~20,000 kms) now on my 2007 VX-1 that I purchased in July 2008. About 10,000 miles were on the original battery, but I didn't see a really noticeable bump in range when the battery was replaced (despite a shunted cell on the original). Likely, this is at least partially due to the new 68 mph firmware update, which encourages me to ride less efficiently on the highway, but I can't say I've noticed a change when I stick to surface streets either. My guess is that the original battery could have been kept in service much longer if there were a mechanism to automatically isolate damaged cells.
Obviously I need to get out more. Almost 12 months old and only just about to hit 4,000km.
I'm a bit suspicious about my battery......but everything works 100% so far.
Hi
I have 18900km on the clock. Purchased May 2008, August 2007 manufacture.
3 tyres, 3 replacement cells, one replacement motor controller, range about 30km on a good day.
Have noticed a severe loss of capacity due to self discharge of the battery. Maybe -5% per day.
Am debating installing the new 110kmh software. As my cells seem to be degrading rapidly, a faster bike will probably hasten the demise of the battery and limit the renge even more.
There are still a few spare cells in my shed to go in when clear evidence of cell death presents.
Cheers
Paul
Im in my first Battery Pack with 12.000kms (i have my fingers crossed) and for the moment everything works fine.
i bought it on 1st Feb 2009, so i still have around 4 months warranty. I have driven in my style which i would call normal 80% and at limit 20%. Now i have i dilema, if to continue the same or maybe try to take it more time to the limit , therefore if anything has to happen, let it happen during warranty!
Raj
I'm now on 10,750 miles (17,300km) in my 2 years ownership. No problems to report. It just works.
13100 miles (approx 21100 kms) since bought in October 2008, first UK bike to have 68 mph upgrade. I ride flat out most of the time and all year round. Love it! I'm determined to get to at least 50000 miles/ 80000kms!
Best wishes,
Drew
Drew
Australia. Bought Dec 2007. Entire scooter replaced under warranty early 2008 - due to a blown main fuse after 1400km!
The replacement scooter had severe battery and gearbox problems right from the start. It blew it's main fuse after 1004km. The fuse was replaced under warranty, but they damaged the motor controller in the process and it started to smoulder later on. When I improved the gearbox problem by making some adjustments myself, they cancelled the warranty in early May 2008. I cut my losses and renamed the bike "Vectux" - a word play on the open source mascot, the penguin Tux.
Therefore the Vectux is still running on the first battery - but only because of extensive modifications performed at about 5000km and starting at about 6 months of age. Some cells had almost 50% reduced capacity by then, particularly if taking into account the increased self-discharge rate of the damaged cells. They were also swollen. It was clear that the battery was on it's way out unless something changed....
Managing the battery much better has halted the destructive process. It took 4 about months to rebuild the battery including a manual BMS. Since then it blew only one more main fuse - that was the last part that Vectrix Australia had "serviced". No more problems since then!
Now, at 13500km, the battery deterioration appears completely stabilised as I still get the same performance as after the M-BMS installation.
The Vectux can carry me 20 km in demanding hilly terrain at mostly 80km/h without going beyond 16% - 84% SOC of the weakest cell. I can stretch this to about 26km without preparation and without stressing the weakest cell by reversing it. If I charge fully and go easy I can get probably 40km out of it, but that would shorten the battery life if done regularly.
Being unimpeded by a warranty has also allowed me to repair the motor controller rather than replace it and to install a much better headlight and hazard lights.
Finally, I now have a replacement NiMH battery of similar age as my original battery, and several very good cells donated by AZVectrix. This should allow me to build a very good VX-1 NiMH battery. Then we may find out how long they can last if they are being looked after from the start!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Congratulations!
Very good cells with BMS, freddy charger and ABCOOL... The battery can last the promised 80.000 km...
No Vectrix in France have reached 30 000km. Mine just competely fail at 8400 km (hotbat, the charge, that was 2/3, just completely disappear and no way to get the scooter working). And maintenance is a mess: the scooter has failed two months ago and the dealer is still waiting for instruction from Vectrix Europe... Otherwise I was quite happy with the machine but I do think that Vectrix has still a lot to learn about electronics, software..and client management...
Jean-Pierre,
My Vectrix is having some issues with range and temperature. I've been asked by my local dealer to perform some deep discharges with my Vectrix, in order to make some memory dumps. These memory dumps have been sent to Poland for analysis. I'm expecting a replacement under warranty. I'd love a lithium upgrade, otherwise I'm realising this is far beyond 2010.
Why don't you open a new post and explain us a little futher?
another user past the 30.000 mark.