Taking EBike from Canada to the Caribbean

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franko

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Dec 3, 2012
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Hi Everyone,

I just purchased my first ebike from a custom builder in Canada. I am a Canadian Ex-Patriot that resides permanently in the in the Caribbean. I'll be traveling back to Canada for the Xmas holidays and my plan was to bring the bike on the return portion of the trip as extra luggage. After doing some research I'm inclined to believe I won't be able to transport the LIPO battery on the plane. Have any of you ever transported your ebike and accessories on an international flight?

Thanks
 
One of my ebike buddies tried to bring his but they turned it away, and this was a domestic flight. Most airlines charge for oversized checked luggage so shipping it will likely be alot more hassle free and maybe not much more expensive depending on airline fee for bikes.
 
Usually airlines are willing to bend over backwards for wheelchairs. especially in the US. last year i tried taking a trip with my power chair. i usually use a 24V 40AH LiFePO4 pack around town.

first you get the questions about the battery. if you have any other answer than Sealed Lead Acid, you ar in for trouble. don't even use the SLA acronym. you'll just confuse them. and then they pull you aside and the questions begin. it's way too much of a pain. remember they are Sealed Lead Acid Batteries and yes they are spill proof.

and this is for a customer that by law they MUST transport. there are exceptions for large lithium batteries for mobility devices, but these are not well known, not well published, and too much trouble for anyone to look up. far easier to err on the side of passenger safety and keep you and your lithium pack off of the plane. usually they give you this choice. you can go but your wheelchair and batteries stay.

easier would be to use the train. though they are also restricted from shipping larger lithium packs they usually take a don't ask, don't tell type attitude. last time i went to Florida i used the train. but that would leave you a few miles short of the Caribbean unless you know of some cheap boat tickets.

rick
 
You can't bring that much lithium on a plane. It's pretty restrictive. Some cameramen have had issues just with the extra batt packs they have to carry. Carry a motor and controller with you, and ship the rest or build your own with a local bike or have someone fab one for you.

I wouldn't risk lying about the battery type, because the fines are sky high, as are the odds of losing your battery because they refused to let it on the plane.
 
And never charge lipo on a plane!!!! WElcome to the forum! I hope you will enjoy your bike. :mrgreen:
 
That's the name of the next new action/horror movie, sequel to Snakes on a Plane: "LiPo on a Plane". Terrorists sneak battery packs and paperclips on board, and hold the packs next to the pilot's heads threatening to stick the paperclips into the pack's output terminals to short them and ignite their super-effective "lipo bombs". :lol:
 
I suspect RC users have brought Lipo on planes more than we might know. Don't they have events, meets and get togethers where they travel and bring their stuff? Some airline pilots are into RC too and certain configurations carry-on Lipo based on TSA w/h limits might not be entirely out of the question?

I flew with a 20" motor wheel carry on over the summer and there was no issues at all. One of these days when I can risk a bump to my flight I intend to try a few 5Ah bricks and see what happens?
 
Hi Franko, I was talking to Jamie and mabye you can get batteries direct from hobbyking shipped to you in your location. go to hobbyking china, try to order 8count- 6s turnigy 5000mah 25c lipo packs and see what shipping options you get. I can provide the bms and charging system and you can plug in the cells. i think this is the best option .

mike
 
StudEbiker said:
Dang, when I read the title, I thought you planning on RIDING the bike and I was getting excited. That would be EPIC!!
Click to expand...
I've been thinking about such an epic ride, ever since completing my first ebike. The idea is: >not alone, >with as many as can get interested, >web the route & pick up people along the way, >loose people over the long-haul, >have a biodiesel bus along for camping equipment, food, water, etc., >camp in parks and private land, etc. The route would follow scenic byways.org. :mrgreen:
 
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