EGO Power Zero Turn question

[chriswfoster]

Hey guys, does anyone know if EGO Power batteries have a proprietary software that interfaces with their mowers? Or does it just read voltage between batteries?
Or has anyone used their own custom batteries for EGO mowers?
I've searched, but I can only find people swapping out individual cells in the EGO Power batteries.

Back Story: Where I live (rural AF Texas) there's a store trying to sell brand new EGO zero turn mowers for less than half off. They don't sell well here. I might even be able to get it for less without batteries, maybe south of $1000. I'm contemplating buying one, but without the battery if I can. Then I can maybe choose my own battery.

- These mowers utilize up to 6 56v10ah Lithium Ion batteries that sell for $500 a piece .
- The mower supposedly comes with only 4 batteries (totaling ~40ah).

So to reach 60ah in attempts to mow the several acres of land I have I'd have to spend another $1000. However, if I swapped in my own 56v 100-200ah batteries, I could do so for cheaper.

I can easily match current and voltage demands, but I'm unsure if it needs some special software to interface with. My thought process is that since it won't operate without at least 2 batteries in it and it seems to be able to have a smart(ish) current draw between the batteries... that it likely uses some sort of rx/tx or comms/digital/analog signal of some sort.

Any help would be great.
Thanks!

 

[amberwolf]

What do the batteries and devices powered by them have on their connectors, for signals/names? (even if you don't have one, you could see them in pics found in image searches)

As for software...unless they provide software (app for phone? PC program? ??) there wouldn't be any for an end user, for any purpose. If they do provide software, they'd also have ot provide a connection cable / hardware to connect the batteries to your phone or PC or whatever, or they'd have to have bluetooth built into each battery so you could access it wirelessly.

If there is software (firmware updates) to install on the mower and/or batteries, you'd probably have to take it to a service center; I can't imagine they would provide that to an end user for any reason.

If you mean something else by software, you'll have to clarify what exactly you mean by that.


There are people here that have used EGO batteries to power other things (including ebikes); one of them (raylo32?) created a 3D printed cradle to hold them. But I don't know if they've used non-EGO batteries to power EGO devices.

This thread has more detail about some of the batteries; I haven't read it so don't know if it has what you're after

Understanding and Using EGO Power+ Batteries

EGO Power+ Outdoor Power Tool Batteries have been around awhile, I found threads mentioning them as early as 2014 here on ES. Since I have a few, and they are suitable, I have decided to try them for a couple of ebike projects. To do this I am making mounts and connectors for them using 3D...

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[ProEV]

The EGO battery packs have all their brains inside. They shut off when they are running low. They do shut off the charger when charged so there might be a 5 volt on/off digital signal. Since the mower is 56 volts too, the packs could be connected in parallel and, if a one pack runs out before another, it probably just shuts itself down. I suspect the mower will be happy with any battery pack as long as it is the correct voltage range. It is possible you would have to fudge a 5 volt signal to convince the mower the batteries are plugged in. I swapped my Hustler Zeon Zero Turn 48 volt lead acid pack for a pack of Nissan Leaf modules around ten years ago. It has been great.