A friend who knows that I have replaced powabyke cells has asked me to find him a 'new battery' for his Lafree Twist. Upon opening the battery case the cell pack is Panasonic EKE007 24V 6.5 Ah and is marked 03-09. Does this indicate a date? If so, surely the cells should not need replacing with the sort of moderate use they have had?

 

I've tried a refresh but this took only minutes before the charging complete indicator blinked slowly indicating a full charge! I've left the set charging and although the completed light blinks slowly when the first status indicator lights, it does keep charging. It has so far had about 10 hours charging (interrupted overnight) and now seems to be climbing the scale towards a full charge with the charger light glowing constant red for about the first hour after switching the charger on.

 

Can anyone tell me what's going on please?

It sounds like the charger is the problem, the Panasonic chargers for the Lafree have been a bit troublesome, especially the earlier ones. The symptom is usually stopping charge prematurely, with restarting the charge continuing it for a while. When they get really bad, the charge can need restarting as many as five times.

 

Stick with trying to get the battery fully charged and then ask for the bike to be used to see if the range is roughly normal. If so, it will be the charger which needs replacing. For some years I've been recommending a replacement from another company, but sadly that's been discontinued so there's only the Panasonic one available as a replacement.

 

I don't know about that "date", but can you tell me if the meter LED strip is on the side of the cell pack or fixed in the box as in this photo:

 

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/flecc/images/strip1.jpg

Lafree Twist Battery

 

Thanks Flecc,

 

I've continued the charge by stopping and starting and obtained all meter lights showing. I'll get the bike tried out. I haven't yet taken the cell pack out of the case but will check the position of the strip when next with it on Tuesday