Light Electric Vehicle Technologies

01/13/2023

Colorado has funded 12 million dollars to continue rebates on eBike purchases. Applications for the second round of the rebates starts January 31st. CBS news is getting the word out. Perhaps there will be more state programs in 2023!

Denver's e-bike rebate program will begin taking new applications later this month with some slight changes to the process. It will mark the second round of the popular program funded by a voter-approved sales tax.

12/01/2022

The Holiday Season is upon us!

Did you know that electronics make up close to 50% of gifts; which means keeping them powered up, checking batteries, keeping track of device cords!

How many of us have a bin or drawer full of chargers? 🙋🏻‍♀‍

It’s important to label your chargers and keep track!

Not all chargers are created equal, even if they look similar. Using the incorrect charger can be damaging to the battery or even dangerous! Using a higher voltage charger than a lithium battery can handle, can cause a very serious THERMAL EVENT. This can be very serious with a large lithium battery such as those found in e-Rides!

Here are some quick tips that’ll save you time and ensure you’re using a charger that’s optimized for your devices.
1. Label your chargers.

2. Check the charger’s “output” voltage and make sure it matches the product’s battery voltage sticker. Charger voltage may exceed the battery voltage by only 20-25%

3. Make sure the amperage/wattage are appropriate; a charger with the wrong output can either fail to charge your battery at all, or severely damage it.

Charging power is based on three things: Power measured in watts, current measured in amps or milliamps, and voltage measured in volts.

Because larger devices have substantially bigger batteries than say a phone, chargers designed for the larger tend to deliver energy at a higher rate.

In a nutshell, use the proper charger for your electronics or a charger with proper amperage for the device you are charging.

Label your chargers every time you purchase or receive a new device to ensure proper usage and happy recharging.

Happy Charging!

11/24/2022

We wish you a blessed and fulfilling day, from our family to yours. We are grateful for each and every one of you!

11/10/2022

You are invited to join us at the store for a Nordic Wax Clinic. Randy Anderson will be demonstrating and teaching several waxing techniques. We will be offering 10% off all TOKO products in conjunction with the clinic.

11/09/2022

Winter is here!
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That doesn't mean the adventuring needs to stop! 🛑
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When speaking about Lithium-Ion batteries, which are most common, the following is recommended by most battery makers:
Charging: Stay above 41°F when charging, and definitely don't charge below 32F.

Riding: Operate your bike above 14°F and if you are going to ride out in the cold, keep the battery inside before doing so.

Storage: Store your battery above 32°F, battery should never be stored below 14°F.

Anything below -4 degrees is too cold for an e-bike to operate properly, and anything below 5 degrees can be too cold for storage. These temperatures can severely impact battery range and performance.
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After a day of adventuring outside, make sure to wipe your bike down and bring the battery inside for optimal battery health.
Or better yet, store your bike preferably inside where moisture/humidity is not an issue and where the temperature remains constant and in a safe range for charging.
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Another winter hazard is, you guessed it! Ice. 🚲
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Lastly, dress for the conditions including wind chill and consider if your winter riding may call for any other emergency preparedness.

Stay safe out there while adventuring outside this winter! ❄️ ❄️

10/26/2022

One of the main benefits of owning an electric vehicle, besides caring for the environment by not using gasoline and emitting fumes into the atmosphere, is the fact that it requires less of your time and money to make sure it runs smoothly.

Monitor the battery
As with any electric device, the more time passes, the less charge the battery holds and there’s nothing much you can do about it. You may not even notice it at first because it will take a lot for your EV to break down in the middle of the road, but eventually, you will realize that you can cover less mileage than before with a single battery charge.

Assess the brake wear
The interesting thing about electric vehicles is that they use the regenerative braking system, a process involving harnessing energy from the parts stored in the battery system for later use. Thus, brake wear on your vehicle’s pads and rotors is very limited and they will probably last twice as long.

Check the tires
It doesn’t really matter the type of vehicle you own, tires have to be checked regularly to avoid having to replace them too often. However, tires on electric vehicles get to see extremes for various reasons. Firstly, the massive electric battery makes EVs 20-30% heavier. Secondly, they deliver instant torque, which can be hard on the tires. Thus, it is common for the tire tread to wear out more quickly.
Moreover, good tire pressure ensures a smooth ride and a longer tire lifespan. Ensure the pressure is not below or above the recommended value so as not to ruin the tires. Keep the external temperatures in mind when checking, since their variation causes tire damage as well.
Make sure your wheels are aligned every 6 to 12 months, especially when you hit a hard pothole or a curb. Proper wheel alignment is bound to make the tires last much longer than when they are not all pointing in the same direction.

10/19/2022

You want to be able to enjoy your electric ride whether it is a family bike outing or commuting to work in the morning.

In order to do this, you need to make sure your electric vehicle is in proper shape; this includes it's battery life!

Here are tips to keep your battery's health in tip top shape!

1. Charge a new battery for 12 hours.
2. Only use the original charger or a certified replacement from the manufacturer.
3. Know your ride's specific charging instruction (read your owners manual).
4. Charge your ride's battery regularly.
5. Avoid extreme temperatures. Never charge in direct sunlight or near a source of heat.
7. Don’t overcharge your bike battery - yes, you can do this!
5. Make sure to charge your battery before storing it.

Want to learn more?

Stay tuned for more Tuesday Tips!

And as with anything, please refer back to your owners manual for specific care.

10/12/2022

Tuesday Tip of the day

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Feeling a little flat?
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Many people are unaware that a flat tire can wreak havoc on your Segway.
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As you can see in both pictures, both tires look full. Right? Wrong!
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The first tire in both pictures is at a 7psi. The second tire in both pictures is at the correct psi of 50.
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Having a low tire pressure can cause a lot more damage than just the tire.
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The controller will continue to try to supply power to the motor despite tire pressure that is far too low for normal safe operation. The current in the wiring increases due to the increased rolling resistance and eventually overheats and melts the connectors, often causing them to short out. Eventually controllers can overheat and fail, as well as other components and plastic covers.
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Top off regularly by using a tire gauge, or better yet a floor pump with a built-in gauge.

06/24/2020

Since 2001, 140,000 Personal Transporters have been sold but Segway will stop production on July 15. Segway will lay off 21 of it's New Hampshire plant staff with the discontinuation of this and the Police Transporter model.

The Segway PT, which earned a place in pop culture but never realized its creators' world-changing ambitions, will come to an end this summer.

04/22/2020

09/11/2019

Michael at MLToys in Howell NJ is a friend of LEVT. He is an innovator and risk taker in our industry. He is an amazing service tech and he is a serviceman who I want to honor this day. He was an EMT Fireman first responder. The 911 disaster is still very fresh in the hearts of people here, 32 miles from ground zero. Michael like all the first responders, was willing to give his life for others. It cost him his marriage due to the trauma and changes he went through after the disaster. He related to me that he stopped and sat on a pile of rubble, pulled a picture of his 1.5 year old son out of his wallet and that kept him going when he was afraid and thought he might die there too. Thank you Michael for your service at ground zero on this day 18 years ago. Thank you for being willing to make a huge personal sacrifice to help others. God bless you for your selflessness and for the cost of that service. We love you!
Shellee LEVT

Replacement Power Wheels Gearboxes. Dedicated to modifying Power Wheels and other Ride-On cars to make them faster, stronger, and look cooler!