Swappable battery solution
- Thread starter higrade
- Start date
cmatson
100 W
- Joined
- May 21, 2015
- Messages
- 118
so you are basically looking for something like this (scroll down to see some pics of the swappable battery): http://www.mellowboards.com/mellow-the-first-electric-drive-that-fits-under-any-skateboard/?
personally, I use velcro straps with my lipo's, so it's as simple as unplugging the battery, undoing the strap, and them swapping it for a fresh one.
You can honestly do whatever you want though; that's the great thing about DIY! velcro is easy, but you could take it a step further by having a system that also automatically lines up the connection points when you slide in the battery, and locks it in place.
personally, I use velcro straps with my lipo's, so it's as simple as unplugging the battery, undoing the strap, and them swapping it for a fresh one.
You can honestly do whatever you want though; that's the great thing about DIY! velcro is easy, but you could take it a step further by having a system that also automatically lines up the connection points when you slide in the battery, and locks it in place.
cmatson
100 W
- Joined
- May 21, 2015
- Messages
- 118
I haven't seen anything in terms of swappable batteries that wasn't just made by someone who set out to do it.
I think it just has to do that everyone has different setups, with no two exactly a like. It's all about "Doing It Yourself" and making the board exactly how you want it. You battery setup could look nothing like the next guys, so there is no real way to developed a widely adopted swappable battery system, unless it had a ton of different versions.
Most of the things oriented at the diy community are things that will benefit almost every build, and usually don't get super specific- the specifics are what you decide. also, the tride and true method of just a plug for charging, and velcro straps or a box for holding the battery in have worked for pretty much everyone looking for something simple. If you want more, like I said, it really isn't that difficult to just design you own. scetch out some ideas, think about it, and you'll get a really solid design pretty quickly. just off the top of my head I am thinking you could make a "U' shape with rails on the side, and the battery would fit in a box that could slide into the "U". Just like how a calculator can slide into it's case. Then, you simly make a little lock, and ensure the connection points line up when you slide it in and BAM! diy swappable battery for the win!
I think it just has to do that everyone has different setups, with no two exactly a like. It's all about "Doing It Yourself" and making the board exactly how you want it. You battery setup could look nothing like the next guys, so there is no real way to developed a widely adopted swappable battery system, unless it had a ton of different versions.
Most of the things oriented at the diy community are things that will benefit almost every build, and usually don't get super specific- the specifics are what you decide. also, the tride and true method of just a plug for charging, and velcro straps or a box for holding the battery in have worked for pretty much everyone looking for something simple. If you want more, like I said, it really isn't that difficult to just design you own. scetch out some ideas, think about it, and you'll get a really solid design pretty quickly. just off the top of my head I am thinking you could make a "U' shape with rails on the side, and the battery would fit in a box that could slide into the "U". Just like how a calculator can slide into it's case. Then, you simly make a little lock, and ensure the connection points line up when you slide it in and BAM! diy swappable battery for the win!
sl33py
10 kW
I thought about doing something like this and cmatson is on point. Create your battery enclosure (fibre glass, ABS, wood - whatever) - have your battery connector on the outside and have it line up with the "dock". I was going to use some simple xt-90's.
Considering you need to create a new enclosure for each battery set, i opted to instead plan for a cover and some sort of tool-less cover to get access to the batteries. Then carry the loose cells - swap them in, secure them, close the cover and off you go again. Very much like cmatson says he does w/ velcro and straps.
Considering you need to create a new enclosure for each battery set, i opted to instead plan for a cover and some sort of tool-less cover to get access to the batteries. Then carry the loose cells - swap them in, secure them, close the cover and off you go again. Very much like cmatson says he does w/ velcro and straps.
made_in_the_alps_legacy
10 kW
You can make an enclosure from microwave boxes, such as mine 
- such boxes are usually waterproof
- it's held to the board with cable ties at the inner bottom
- the battery swap takes 20s :
- such boxes are usually waterproof
- it's held to the board with cable ties at the inner bottom
- the battery swap takes 20s :
torqueboards
1 MW
I think this is a great idea. I've been thinking about this for some time but there are issues because of it.
1. Custom solution requires custom molding
Molding can get expensive. It's best to be able to do a big buy and/or group buy for this option.
Example - Power Tools aka Power Drills
Easy swappable battery packs + external charger, doesn't need to be charged into the board.
2. Complete All-In-One Battery Pack w/ Laptop Style Charging
This is the most feasible and easily done option.
This is very similar to exactly as Onloop/Enertion has already done with his SPACE cell.
Basically, everything is built into the pack and on/off button, charging port, led battery indicator are all built into one block.
This is great because it makes it much easier to swap. Ex. One plug XT90 for discharge wires.
Downfall, remove entire case + manual plug in (not snap on aka power drills).
However, doesn't mean you can't purchase two packs and keep a spare in your backpack.
Might just take 2-3 minutes to swap a pack but if each pack gets 15-20 miles.. you might not even need it.
Conclusion
The carbon fiber deck with the top hatch is a great idea.. The only downside is having to unscrew bolts. Ideally, we want to be able to easily pop it open to swap a pack.
The lowest cost and easiest solution is #2 IMO.
1. Custom solution requires custom molding
Molding can get expensive. It's best to be able to do a big buy and/or group buy for this option.
Example - Power Tools aka Power Drills
Easy swappable battery packs + external charger, doesn't need to be charged into the board.
2. Complete All-In-One Battery Pack w/ Laptop Style Charging
This is the most feasible and easily done option.
This is very similar to exactly as Onloop/Enertion has already done with his SPACE cell.
Basically, everything is built into the pack and on/off button, charging port, led battery indicator are all built into one block.
This is great because it makes it much easier to swap. Ex. One plug XT90 for discharge wires.
Downfall, remove entire case + manual plug in (not snap on aka power drills).
However, doesn't mean you can't purchase two packs and keep a spare in your backpack.
Might just take 2-3 minutes to swap a pack but if each pack gets 15-20 miles.. you might not even need it.
Conclusion
The carbon fiber deck with the top hatch is a great idea.. The only downside is having to unscrew bolts. Ideally, we want to be able to easily pop it open to swap a pack.
The lowest cost and easiest solution is #2 IMO.
sl33py
10 kW
Torque - you are wrong. 
(sorry, not really, but wanted to say that anyway).
Accurate, but i think you are missing an option. Not as elegant as the drill pack option... If you build an enclosure from ABS/Kydex, mount your batteries in it, and have a plug stick out from it fastened securely (in my mind an xt90) - then you simply need to make another open end box of ABS/kydex as well w/ the female xt90 as receptacle. Some sort of strap or bolt down when fully 'seated' and you are done. Simplicity of pop and swap, but downside is you need to build a battery enclosure for each set of batteries you want to carry.
I was totally on track to build this and had some sketched ideas... then decided to sink my electronics and batteries into the deck instead. I might still do it with Jen's existing, or my guest board i'm finishing up (Omen e-Sugar). I am almost done plumbing my vacuum table which will let me build a foam shape to mold kydex to repeatable shapes.
Now you've done it - another project back on my list! Luckily Kydex is cheap (ABS is cheaper but i have the Kydex already). Just need to shape the foam and try to pop a couple of these out!
(sorry, not really, but wanted to say that anyway).
Accurate, but i think you are missing an option. Not as elegant as the drill pack option... If you build an enclosure from ABS/Kydex, mount your batteries in it, and have a plug stick out from it fastened securely (in my mind an xt90) - then you simply need to make another open end box of ABS/kydex as well w/ the female xt90 as receptacle. Some sort of strap or bolt down when fully 'seated' and you are done. Simplicity of pop and swap, but downside is you need to build a battery enclosure for each set of batteries you want to carry.
I was totally on track to build this and had some sketched ideas... then decided to sink my electronics and batteries into the deck instead. I might still do it with Jen's existing, or my guest board i'm finishing up (Omen e-Sugar). I am almost done plumbing my vacuum table which will let me build a foam shape to mold kydex to repeatable shapes.
Now you've done it - another project back on my list! Luckily Kydex is cheap (ABS is cheaper but i have the Kydex already). Just need to shape the foam and try to pop a couple of these out!
torqueboards
1 MW
:| I'm always wrong!
Yeah, I was actually thinking of that idea as well. That was my first solution.
It could work well.. Might actually have to revisit that idea.
You could have a standalone ABS Enclosure which is standalone bolted to the deck and another piece which plugs into it.
Actually to hold it in.. The bolted on ABS enclosure can have a lip/clip which you can push outward and when you let go it slightly just holds the pack in it's place as you don't really need something really strong..
But now that I think about it.. The part why that's difficult is because we only have a certain wheelbase. To plug in a 12S3P pack or similar.. we need an extra long wheelbase since the trucks would be in the way.
Unless, you mounted the plug in port so it fits in sideways.
I'm always wrong! Yeah, I was actually thinking of that idea as well. That was my first solution.
It could work well.. Might actually have to revisit that idea.
You could have a standalone ABS Enclosure which is standalone bolted to the deck and another piece which plugs into it.
Actually to hold it in.. The bolted on ABS enclosure can have a lip/clip which you can push outward and when you let go it slightly just holds the pack in it's place as you don't really need something really strong..
But now that I think about it.. The part why that's difficult is because we only have a certain wheelbase. To plug in a 12S3P pack or similar.. we need an extra long wheelbase since the trucks would be in the way.
Unless, you mounted the plug in port so it fits in sideways.
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