Is Apollo AV1 the same as the Tusa Sav-7

[jamesb]

An SAV7 is pretty quick, you can run rings around a diver. It is difficult to check the battery without a little test equipment, but it sounds like you have a bad battery. With a digital voltmeter, at the end of a dive if the scooter has slowed down, the battery should read under 12 volts. If it recharges to 12.7 volts with the supplied 2 amp charger, in an hour, it is probably scrap. It should take 4-6 hours. An under performing battery could have corroded connections, make sure they are shiny.

FWIW the new batteries supplied with my first two scooters from Apollo failed on the 8th and 10th dives. I bought the rest without batteries and switched to 2 Odyssey PC545 batteries taped together and they gave good service but made the scooter about 4 pounds negative buoyancy.

You want to test each of the two batteries separately. One way to test a battery requires a 11 amp load, typically about 125 watts of 12 volt light bulb and a digital voltmeter. It will start at about 12 volts, and time until it drops to 10.5 volts. A new Odyssey will last 55 minutes. A new cheap battery will last under 30 minutes and be ruined after a few cycles. Don't let it drop below 10.5 volts, it is hard on the battery.

A specialty battery store will have a tester that might tell you pass/fail, but not run time.

Two PC 545 are expensive, but don't waste your money on cheap batteries.

for example..Odyssey PC545

 

[AceszHigh]

Thanks so much you've been really helpful. I really like the idea of the custom nimh battery from tenergy as is prefer the longest run time possible for shore dives. Basically o just order that battery and then buy a male connector for attachment to the scooter right ? Where would I get a charger suitable for that battery and the temp sensor (and how would i use the temp sensor) ?

 

[jamesb]

Just checked, Tenergy no longer has the charger with plug and thermistor. There are other ways to do it but it all requires some electrical skills. You can't go wrong with the Odyssey battery. I'll post if I find a charger but most come with no plug and will require other parts and some soldering.

 

[AceszHigh]

Ok so I bought a digital voltmeter and tested each of the 2 batteries separately. Yesterday I charged the battery read fully charged according the the soneil charger it came with. One battery showed 11.7v on the voltmeter and the other was 10.6. I plugged it back on the charger after this and the light on the charger turned to green right away. This is with the stock SLA battery that comes stock with the scooter (2 batteries together). Each of those are 12v batteries so does that mean the reading should be 12v if its holding a full charge? Should I try charging each battery separately (is that safe to do with the stock charger)?

---------- Post Merged at 12:23 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:20 AM ----------

Oh, also I heard from tenergy and they were asking if I knew the " digikey part number" for the thermistor? Do you know what this is referring to? I guess they still may have it though It's not.on the website. They also asked what kind of connector id want, but i could just use the connector from my other battery right

 

[jamesb]

One battery showed 11.7v on the voltmeter and the other was 10.6. I plugged it back on the charger after this and the light on the charger turned to green right away.. Each of those are 12v batteries so does that mean the reading should be 12v if its holding a full charge?

That is the reason for the digital meter. On a fully charged battery 12.7 (or 12.8 for an Odyssey) is fully charged. 12.4 is half charge. 12.1 is dead. Across both batteries, they are in series, it should be 25.4.

Should I try charging each battery separately

Yes with a 12 volt charger. Except these are scrap

(is that safe to do with the stock charger)?

No

A battery that won't come up to 12.7 and hold it for weeks is scrap.

An Odyssey will stay at 12.8 for months.


Oh, also I heard from tenergy and they were asking if I knew the " digikey part number" for the thermistor? Do you know what this is referring to? I guess they still may have it though It's not.on the website. They also asked what kind of connector id want, but i could just use the connector from my other battery right

You can use the connector but you would need to buy the thermistor and put it in the pack and connect it to the charger. They used to sell a charger that came with the plug shown in the picture with thermistor attached, you buried it in the battery and attached the charge wires to the battery

They don't have it right now. It is to be put inside the battery when you assemble it and the charge leads soldered on.

If you can find a charger supplied with the correct thermistor you can tuck it in the battery cover, still looking.

This is a straightforward project if you can solder, crimp, heatshrink, and use the voltmeter.

Buy an Odyssey battery. It will give you many wonderful dives.

I see lots of disappointed owners with the OEM supplied batteries that are very happy when they install the Odyssey.

 

[finnfanrm]

I see you live in Boynton Beach. Theres a guy in your area that works on scooters his name is Donold Frey his numder is 561-856-3757. Bill at Force E in Rivera Beach also works on them hes very knowledgeable and helpful

Regards Richard

 

[AceszHigh]

So I was finally able to experience the full power of the scooter as I borrowed a dive buddy's battery over the weekend! I did a beach dive and it lasted long enough to bring us out and most of the way back (but we didnt go too far out). He had the stock battery. The odyssey battery seems like a great idea but the 4 lbs negative wouldn't be too fun on a beach dive , though I know I could put a neoprene sleeve (or styrofoam, as I've seen people around here do) on it to counteract that. I still have my heart set on that nimh battery because of the run time and buoyancy characteristics! I am not too well versed in electronics/batteries, but I am a DIY kind of person and I am experienced with soldering and crimping. James if you'd be willing to help me with some questions (maybe itd be better to take this conversation to email/PM) to walk me through setting up the nimh battery I would paypal you some $ for your time.

 

[jamesb]

Tried to send a PM. No joy. See if you can PM me with an email

 

[AceszHigh]

I actually did receive the PM & replied, figured I'd let ya know on here since you were having problems with them.

 

[SEA_ARCHER]

Hey guys i know this thread is over 5 years old but i have searched around a lot trying to find more info on batteries for the AV2 evo. I am wondering if you figured out any new sources for batteries (all the earlier links to the oddesy and such are dead) or have tried any DIY LifePo4 batteries.