Merged
This conversation has been merged. Please reference the main conversation: ego mower battery cover hard to open
POLL: Is this a feature you would like to see Ego implement for future mowers?
Summary: mower battery door removal evaluation
Background:
A couple of customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the battery door design, specifically that it cannot be locked in the open position, and therefore takes two hands. Our more senior mower operators have stated that having both hands to lift and manipulate the battery into position would be helpful.
Discussion:
One potential down side is that the battery is exposed to more dust/debris; however, this should be a non-issue as the battery is already very robustly protected from dust/debris and minor water intrusion. The attached picture shows very little dust at the bottom of the battery compartment after mowing for about 45 minutes (bagging not mulching). The mower does not have active cooling, e.g. fan drawing air into the battery like it has during cooling, therefore, the potential for sucking in additional dust/debris is pretty much minimal.
Procedure:
For the 20" Gen 1 mower, tip the mower back (storage position); let the handle down and rest it on the ground; open the battery door; remove four #3 Philips screws which retain the pivot bar clamps; remove the entire door assembly.
Pros:
Simplified design (less cost to produce mower)
Easier load/unload of battery (less operator fatigue and frustration).
Better ventilation of battery (lower operating temperature, increased longevity)
Potential for less heat retention in the motor chassis area (increased motor/system life)
Cons:
Decreased ability for mower to survive a tidal wave event
Conclusion:
Ego, evaluate pros/cons of removal of the battery door assembly from future mower models.
Related Threads:
1) https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/mower-battery-cover
2) https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/i-am-worried-about-getting-the-battery-in-and-out-is-t...
3) https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/learning-to-l-e-a-r-n-or-teaching-an-old-dog-new-trick...
Summary: mower battery door removal evaluation
Background:
A couple of customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the battery door design, specifically that it cannot be locked in the open position, and therefore takes two hands. Our more senior mower operators have stated that having both hands to lift and manipulate the battery into position would be helpful.
Discussion:
One potential down side is that the battery is exposed to more dust/debris; however, this should be a non-issue as the battery is already very robustly protected from dust/debris and minor water intrusion. The attached picture shows very little dust at the bottom of the battery compartment after mowing for about 45 minutes (bagging not mulching). The mower does not have active cooling, e.g. fan drawing air into the battery like it has during cooling, therefore, the potential for sucking in additional dust/debris is pretty much minimal.
Procedure:
For the 20" Gen 1 mower, tip the mower back (storage position); let the handle down and rest it on the ground; open the battery door; remove four #3 Philips screws which retain the pivot bar clamps; remove the entire door assembly.
Pros:
Simplified design (less cost to produce mower)
Easier load/unload of battery (less operator fatigue and frustration).
Better ventilation of battery (lower operating temperature, increased longevity)
Potential for less heat retention in the motor chassis area (increased motor/system life)
Cons:
Decreased ability for mower to survive a tidal wave event
Conclusion:
Ego, evaluate pros/cons of removal of the battery door assembly from future mower models.
Related Threads:
1) https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/mower-battery-cover
2) https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/i-am-worried-about-getting-the-battery-in-and-out-is-t...
3) https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/learning-to-l-e-a-r-n-or-teaching-an-old-dog-new-trick...
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26,632 Points
Posted 2 years ago
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364 Points
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370 Points
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,200 Points
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37,268 Points
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
No, I don't want to modify the door. It's easy enough to hold open with the side of your arm if you need to use both hands on the battery. It's not like the door is heavy.
I can envision people mowing with the door open and then filing warranty claims after the air intakes on the battery gets clogged with dust.
I can envision people mowing with the door open and then filing warranty claims after the air intakes on the battery gets clogged with dust.
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26,632 Points
Please explain your theory on how dust will clog the battery vents.
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
It doesn't take an engineer to figure it out. They're fine mesh screens.
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26,632 Points
Ego doesn't have active cool on any of their tools, therefore, the likelihood that anything is ingested into the battery is very unlikely.
szwoopp, Champion
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111,706 Points
Gravity is sufficient, do not need a fan. May not clog the vents but certainly get into the battery. Bungee cord or clamp or prop stick seem like a more reasonable solution to the need 2 hands problem than door removal.
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26,632 Points
So by this logic, all tools should have an enclosed battery bay; so that customers do not operate them, then file a warranty claim for a clogged battery?
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
As szwoopp said, it doesn't need to be ingested. My mower is regularly covered with pollen and wet grass clippings because a lawn mower doesn't work the same way as a hedge trimmer.
Seems like the tools that need an enclosed battery bay have them: Lawn mowers and snow blowers.
Seems like the tools that need an enclosed battery bay have them: Lawn mowers and snow blowers.
szwoopp, Champion
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111,706 Points
going a little over the top (a)TE.
It is a matter of removing door for convenience v keeping door for possible extra protection.
Not sure that either of them are a critical need.
It is a matter of removing door for convenience v keeping door for possible extra protection.
Not sure that either of them are a critical need.
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26,632 Points
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370 Points
In the string trimmer it appears air is pulled through the battery, down inside the handle, and across the motor while in operation. Is this similar to what happens with the mower? If so removing the cover during operation may reduce air flow across the battery?
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
I don't think it happens during operation of the mower, but there is a cooling fan in the charger that pulls air through the battery to cool it. I don't want to cover the battery with dirt and debris that kicks up while mowing without a door on the mower, then see the airflow restricted during charging.
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26,632 Points
kenhigg, are you referring to the newer multi-tool PH1400 power head? or the older dedicated string trimmers?
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370 Points
The string trimmer with the removable battery. There appears to be an impeller just above the filament head, presumably to pull air across the motor and out. Because there is no apparent entry point on the trimmer head assembly, it must be pulling clean air down through the shaft, entering the assembly that the battery attaches to? The possibility seemed reasonable that the moving air could be cooling the motor, battery and maybe the ecm?
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26,632 Points
For everyone that is concerned with more dust/debris being ingested into the battery by a mower without a battery door, have you considered the case of ALL of the other tools, the trimmers, the chainsaw and especially the blowers? All of those tools hang the battery out there exposed to the elements. The chainsaw is probably the worst because when you put the chainsaw down, which you will do most likely multiple times, you might be putting it down in a pile of saw dust, or whatever else is on the forest floor. Same for the string trimmer.
And if you are really concerned, then you ought to implement a process where by you "sanitize" your battery before charging, e.g. dust it off, vacuum out the vents, maybe even put it into a "clean room". Then once you've cleaned it, do you charge it in a HEPA filtered room?
The genius of Ego's battery design is how robust they made the batteries. The dust screens are pretty porous and are more likely there to prevent larger debris from getting into them, rather than trying to prevent dust from entering the battery assembly.
And if you are really concerned, then you ought to implement a process where by you "sanitize" your battery before charging, e.g. dust it off, vacuum out the vents, maybe even put it into a "clean room". Then once you've cleaned it, do you charge it in a HEPA filtered room?
The genius of Ego's battery design is how robust they made the batteries. The dust screens are pretty porous and are more likely there to prevent larger debris from getting into them, rather than trying to prevent dust from entering the battery assembly.
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
On the trimmer the battery is five feet from the business end of the tool, and on the blowers the battery is far away from the action, too. And neither tool gets covered with the kind of pollen and dust my mower does.
Of course I spend more time using my tools than trying to figure out how to modify them.
Of course I spend more time using my tools than trying to figure out how to modify them.
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26,632 Points
And the chainsaw?
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
I don't own one and haven't used one, so I don't know.
What is your theory on why Ego covers the batteries on the mowers and snow blower but nowhere else? Or why they designed it so it doesn't stay open on its own?
What is your theory on why Ego covers the batteries on the mowers and snow blower but nowhere else? Or why they designed it so it doesn't stay open on its own?
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26,632 Points
I really don't appreciate your snide comment above (about spending time figuring out how to modify them); thus I won't be reading nor responding to anymore of your comments. Honestly, I'd expect more from someone labeled a "Champion".
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
If you think my comment was snide let me point out this post of yours from above:
“And if you are really concerned, then you ought to implement a process where by you "sanitize" your battery before charging, e.g. dust it off, vacuum out the vents, maybe even put it into a "clean room". Then once you've cleaned it, do you charge it in a HEPA filtered room?”
“And if you are really concerned, then you ought to implement a process where by you "sanitize" your battery before charging, e.g. dust it off, vacuum out the vents, maybe even put it into a "clean room". Then once you've cleaned it, do you charge it in a HEPA filtered room?”
(Edited)
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370 Points
Is the door spring loaded to close? If so could you simply remove the spring?
ken
ken
Oregon Mike, Champion
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78,710 Points
Ken, I don't know about the 20" but on my 21" push model the lid doesn't open anywhere near vertical so gravity causes the lid to close. It can't stay open on its own because it just can't open far enough. The design prevents it. I guess that's on purpose, but I sure wish it would open just the inch or 2 more and stay open until I'm ready to close it. There is no spring close assist.
(Edited)
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370 Points
- Hum... I see. So much for that idea. Can you add a shim or similar object in or around the hinge somehow that would impede the free movement of the hinge and hold it where you move it to?
Oregon Mike, Champion
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78,710 Points
Yeah, there are any number of workarounds and there are a few threads devoted to those. Using a stick/ruler to prop the lid open. Using a bungee cord to hold it open, etc. These sorts of threads seem to be more about pointing out to Ego that they need to redesign how the lid opens so it will stay open especially for people who need both hands just to install and remove the battery.
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26,632 Points
No springs on the 20" gen 1; you can see all the parts removed, nothing was left behind in the chassis. Gravity is the closure mechanism.
Mike, I'm glad one person understands my motivation, thank you.
Mike, I'm glad one person understands my motivation, thank you.
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370 Points
I wonder if operating the mower without the cover voids the warranty. Seems I personally would not want to stand behind my product if it were modified to this extent.
ken
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26,632 Points
To be clear, modifying your mower will void the warranty. My mower does not have a warranty because I bought it second hand. The purpose of this thread is to encourage Ego to revisit the design parameters of the mower door to make it easier for some customers to operate. And to evaluate whether said door is absolutely required. And if there are additional long term benefits for battery/mower life if less heat is retained in the system.
Oregon Mike, Champion
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78,710 Points
I just did a quick and dirty strap install onto my 5 ah to show the point. I just used some adhesive velcro squares and some velcro strap material. This shows how even the lid opening doesn't have to be changed, although that would still be a great idea. This just goes to show how, potentially, simple the one handed removal of the battery can be. It lifted right out once the battery release button was pressed. Not only for those with grip problems, but for anyone. Thanks to my wonderful wife for her hands.
Something a bit more substantial and better secured to the battery housing would be a great improvement for handling the battery.
Something a bit more substantial and better secured to the battery housing would be a great improvement for handling the battery.
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370 Points
Cool - I may have to get me one of these mowers :)
I can see were having to use two hands because its heavy while pressing the release button and having to hold the lid open all at the same time is problematic...
ken
edit: Does the newer mowers have a brushless motor?
(Edited)
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
Keep in mind, you don't do it all at the same time. You press the release button, which pops the battery loose, then you lift the battery. And the batteries have their own grips built into them for lifting. In the photo above it's the black angled grip inset into the green below the words "Arc Lithium." There's a corresponding grip area on the other side of the battery.
Although, for smaller hands the strap isn't a bad idea.
Although, for smaller hands the strap isn't a bad idea.
(Edited)
Oregon Mike, Champion
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78,710 Points
Yeah, and people with a weak grip for whatever reason such as arthritis, age, etc...
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370 Points
I see. Yeah, two hands needed for the battery with an ornery lid might make me think 'who tested this'...
Will the handle as shown be an issue when placing the battery on other devices?
Oregon Mike, Champion
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78,710 Points
That's a good question. It's certainly not a problem on my 15" split shaft string trimmer and my hedge trimmer. Don't know about snow blower or other tools. I believe the snow blower uses 2 batteries? Should be plenty of room. Certainly wouldn't be a problem on the backpack for the backpack leaf blower. Since the top of the battery seems to always point out, shouldn't be a problem even on the smaller tools.
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,200 Points
Ken H., only the new 20” steel deck mowers have brushless motors. The original 20” and newer 21” mowers have brushed motors.
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370 Points
Cool. Other than amph rating differences, is there only one battery type for all devices?
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,200 Points
Yessir! The bigger tools will have more power using the bigger batteries, but any battery will power any tool.
Ken, Champion
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73,640 Points
Yep, all of Ego's batteries can be used on all the tools.
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370 Points
I wonder how many mowers and string trimmers they sell every year...
