California Law:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/New-Hoverboard-Laws-Coming-to-California-on-January-1-363702931.html
http://www.sfexaminer.com/hoverboard-laws-comparable-to-vehicle-code/ refers hoverboards as EMB, "electric motorized boards."
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/13/hoverboards-legalised-california
1. Must be 16 years old for use on public roads.
2. Top speed 15 mph. I'd like to see that. All hoverboards max out at 12mph. Most are capped at 8mph.
3. Must be in bike lanes. That would be way more dangerous for the hoverboard rider than riding anywhere else.
4. Not permitted on sidewalk in San Francisco. Good luck enforcing that.
5. Rider must wear a helmet. Makes sense.
6. Can only be used in areas designated with a top speed of 35mph which includes highways. Tell me that's a joke. Seriously riding 8mph in areas where everyone else is going up to 35mph? I think these guys are missing the point of a hoverboard. They're designed to be supporting pedestrians in a commute. They're not an alternative to a bicycle.
This is such a new product that the laws are brand new. Will be revisited in 2021 apparently.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Sunday, January 3, 2016
The Hoverboard shakes!
My cousin and aunt tried riding it this past weekend. While my cousin had been riding it for about 30 minutes, she said it started shaking.
"Get off! Get off!" I exclaimed. The last time I felt a board shake, it was due to me meeting the top speed. In this case, the hoverboard was only going around in circles at minimum speed.
She flew off as we watched the hoverboard from a distance.
My dad comes closer and starts reaching for it.
From what I've read about these things, I knew enough to warn him, "No, no no. Stand back!"
I watched it. Kept watching.
Nothing.
No fire.
I felt the bottom of the shell and it felt cold. No heat whatsoever. Watched it for a bit longer, left the garage where it was being stored on the concrete floor with no combustibles nearby, and kept revisiting it every 15 minutes to be sure the garage was still there.
No issues.
Was a bit worried about storing it in the cold garage, but we ended up doing it anyway. It was inside the bag which probably didn't do much for warmth but the hoverboard worked just fine the next day.
I also learned that there's an automatic shutoff (not the charging), but on the board itself. I had left it on while walking around uneven surfaces where the hoverboard wouldn't be able to go. 10 minutes later, I returned and the board had turned off. Saves battery. Good thing.
"Get off! Get off!" I exclaimed. The last time I felt a board shake, it was due to me meeting the top speed. In this case, the hoverboard was only going around in circles at minimum speed.
She flew off as we watched the hoverboard from a distance.
My dad comes closer and starts reaching for it.
From what I've read about these things, I knew enough to warn him, "No, no no. Stand back!"
I watched it. Kept watching.
Nothing.
No fire.
I felt the bottom of the shell and it felt cold. No heat whatsoever. Watched it for a bit longer, left the garage where it was being stored on the concrete floor with no combustibles nearby, and kept revisiting it every 15 minutes to be sure the garage was still there.
No issues.
Was a bit worried about storing it in the cold garage, but we ended up doing it anyway. It was inside the bag which probably didn't do much for warmth but the hoverboard worked just fine the next day.
I also learned that there's an automatic shutoff (not the charging), but on the board itself. I had left it on while walking around uneven surfaces where the hoverboard wouldn't be able to go. 10 minutes later, I returned and the board had turned off. Saves battery. Good thing.
Friday, January 1, 2016
How to put out a Lithium Ion battery fire
I'm still looking into this, but so far:
CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder or sodium carbonate should be used. Source: http://guardianlv.com/2015/12/hoverboard-is-hot-enough-to-catch-fire-this-christmas/
Fellow at Friendman's recommended this one:
CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder or sodium carbonate should be used. Source: http://guardianlv.com/2015/12/hoverboard-is-hot-enough-to-catch-fire-this-christmas/
Fellow at Friendman's recommended this one:
I had mistakenly thought that I only needed a C rated fire extinguisher, but the sales guy informed me that I'd need an ABC rated one in case the hoverboard ever gets on fire near grass. If I used just a C or BC rated extinguisher, it would take out the chemical fire but it wouldn't do any good on any fire that gets onto grass.
$40, but glad I spent it for peace of mind if nothing else.
The battery claims to be Samsung
The hoverboard has been hiding in my garage just sitting there w/o a rider for 2 weeks while I do my research and await my replacement chargers. I took the opportunity today to remove the shell to inspect the battery for swelling. Good news is no swelling of the battery. In doing so, I found that the battery was not labeled as LG as the vendor hand claimed. The sticker says, "Samsung." That's good news, but there's no way to really tell if it's Samsung w/o taking apart the battery to see the actual cells. We know Samsung doesn't make these batteries as a package. There are no true Samsung batteries distributed by the company.
Legit companies purchase individual cells from Samsung and then put them together as a hoverboard battery. The label here still doesn't prove that it's indeed a Samsung battery but at least it doesn't say, "Gpower" or some unknown brand.
Legit companies purchase individual cells from Samsung and then put them together as a hoverboard battery. The label here still doesn't prove that it's indeed a Samsung battery but at least it doesn't say, "Gpower" or some unknown brand.
I was a bit surprised about how clean the setup was under the shell.
I did end up taking a test ride after confirming no swelling of the battery. No fires.
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