It was enough effort and cost for me to do that, you gotta fend for yourself on that one 
Today was our Longest roll yet.
Nearly 34 miles/54.7 km round trip, and new areas explored.
I have not yet finished the 10s2p Tenpower 50XG.
I strapped my old 187wh DMEGC-26E 10s2p to the deck between my feet and plugged it into the parallel XT90 panel mount ESC feed, so it is in parallel with 10s2P of BAK45D.
I then velcro cinch strapped the 178wh/7.0AH 7s2P EVE35V porta-charger on top of the DMEGC 10s2p, and I plugged the 103.7Wh DMEGC20P 7s2p into the porta-charger’s charge port, and strapped that to the portacharger. The CCCV booster inside the porta-charger had output amps set at 5.7 seeking a max voltage of 41.67v.
At about mile 5 we turned southward into a very strong, gusty headwind .
About 9 miles later we came to this bridge.
At ~ mile 16, I noticed the 7s2P parallel combo powering the CCCV booster was fully depleted. I pressed power button for booster, and turned around and found a shaded Picnic table to remove the porta-charger and extra parallel 7s2p battery. When I got to a good spot, I pressed power button again and booster turned on delivering 5.7 amps, but shut off again in 15 seconds, So off it came.
The 162wh 5s2P Makita battery I built with BAK45D cells and 0.3mm copper busbars, was then strapped to deck next to the white “600 watt’ booster, dialed to ~170ish watts output and we rolled quickly north with a strong tailwind.
The white CCCV booster has a recommended 10 amps max input and a 15 amp fuse, So I dial it down for 5 and 6S batteries, so when input voltage falls towards 2.7 volts per Pgroup, input amperage does not exceed 15
170 watts was not enough to prevent the 10s2P batteries from slowly discharging further, and I got a couple remote low battery warning buzzings when passing Ebikers, but it would stop when I let off the throttle and slowed back down.
I was getting a bit anxious that I would not have enough battery to roll all the way home, and was wishing I threw another power tool battery into the chariot, just for a bit more buffer.
I moved back on the deck, putting more of my weight over hub motors and less on the pneumatics, for less rolling resistance and tried to keep it under 20mph..
When the Makita battery was depleted, some 7 miles later, I swapped my Samsung 6s1P Samsung 50E to power the booster, and this got us to a park about 2.8 miles from home with the same remote buzzing the low battery warning off and on.
At the park, I swapped the 108wh/ 5.0AH Samsung 50E 6s1p with a 7s1P 2.2AH 55.4wh prebuilt battery using unknown 18650’s, and dialed down booster output wattage to less than 100, and we walked a hundred meters, then rolled towards home fairly timid on the throttle with a lot of remote buzzing in my grubby paw.
The last 1/4 mile was in full sag mode, despite still charging at 100 watts.
The 7s1P was not too hot when we returned, and I should have bumped it to perhaps 150 watts and then not had to deal with the slow speed soft cut.
So we made it with just a little extra to spare.
The 7s1P is now down at 25.2v, and the paralleled 10S2p batteries were down at 30.5v and the ESC hard cut is 30 volts.
So 324+187+178+104+144+108+~ 30 watt hours to roll 34 miles.
So roughly 1075 nominal watt hours to tow Fiona 34 miles, averaging roughly 31.6 wh per mile.
Rolling into a strong headwind no doubt chewed up a lot of battery. I was trying to keep it under 18mph. There were some very strong gusts and i’d try and get lower and more aero during them just to maintain 18mph.
Rolling back with that wind, I was waiting for one of those gusts, and heard it coming in the trees behind me, and nailed the throttle, and got upto 33mph.
There was no apparent wind at that speed for a little while. That is as fast as I have ever gone, riding Solo or with Fiona.
If I had carried an extra power tool battery or 2, I would have travelled faster. There were a few empty sections that are so smooth without warbles it would be idea for testing top speeds on a more capable machine than min, especially with a strong tailwind.
The portacharger at 5.7 amps max output was not able to keep up with the load, rolling into the strong headwind.
The run the other day set at 6.15 amps output it was able to keep up rolling fast, but the EVE 7s2p got too hot.
It did not even come close to getting too hot today in parallel with the DMEGC20P 7s2p at 5.7A max output and a LOT of airflow.
My feet started getting all tingly more than once, the first time that has happened to me, but I doubt we have gone 34 miles in one day before. The previous max was 25ish miles with longer rest/charging / walking through the park breaks.
The trail continues several more miles from where we turned around today, but I think it turns to wide sidewalk cracks which suck with hub motors.
The 187wh DMEGC 26E 10s2P is old and probably wasteful of charging current.
Looking forward to its third retirement.
The 360wh Tenpower 50XG 10s2P will be going into the enclosure and the 324wh BAK45D 10s2p can then be the optional top mount 10S2p range extender battery.
I should finish the TenPower battery right now, but I am beat, and need to go sink into the couch.
Fiona is snoring loudly. I think her butt gets as tingly as my feet do when rolling for that long.
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That is a really long distance….
I had a big ride today for me at 18 miles and towards the end my feet were tingling quite a bit.
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I was surprised both my feet, and not just my back foot nearer the hub motors were tingling. First time I had tinglefoot.
It goes away pretty quickly once walking or resting though.
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Been slacking on finishing my Tenpower 50XG 10s2p.
The BAK 45D 10s2p has about 540 cycles on it and ~ 2400 miles and is still performing well, but obviously not like new any more.
I figure when the TP pack has 2400 miles on it 6ah Tabless cells should be available
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Saw a PT today about shoulder.
A lot of the recommended exercises so far are very similar to holding the chariot handle while walking Fiona, and rolling at speed carving, but clenching all those muscles surrounding shoulder harder all the time, and bring my hand closer to my hip or in front of it, instead of behind me when possible.
I got a bunch of 2 times a week appts lined up for a month, but I am hoping for more targeted strengthening of what is left of my shoulder muscles to prevent re dislocation and injury and slow the rate at which arthritis further develops, for as long as possible.
Supposed to rain later so after returning home, took an extremely Eager Fiona for a early afternoon roll.
Left at well below full charge but took the portacharger in chariot.
Should have just strapped it to the deck instead before leaving. Chariot charged esk8 while walking across park after 5 miles of some very enjoyable wind assisted high speed carving with clenched shoulder and core.
Dialed portacharger upto 257 watts while walking with Fiona across park.
Wattmeter said it delivered 0.98AH, 37wh into esk8 battery when I wanted to roll instead of walk.
At home same wattmeter plugged into portacharger’s charge port indicated that its 7s2p Eve 35v read 28.54v, down from 29.35v.
The Eve35V has a 3.65 nominal voltage.
It Didn’t have enough time to heat up much today, it was only on long enough to insure I could return home with lots of throttle left, and… mission accomplished.
I would like to be able to use its full capacity at 8 amps output at 10S charging voltages the whole time, but the EVE 35v will get too hot. I can elevate the portacharger for airflow underneath and try and eliminate dead air space inside enclosure with more foam for better battery to enclosure heat transfer, but I doubt that would be enough to prevent exceeding 60C
Really should have got Eve 30P instead.
But I can always strap DMEGC 20P 7S2P to the Portacharger and plug it into its charge port to share the booster’s load.
And then I have a 2.2AH 54WH 7S1P too, that should be torn apart and rebuilt with JP30’s and 0.3mm copper bwahahahwahwhahaaaa
Fiona’s Chariot’s 4.10-3.50-4 tires are pretty well worn in the middle. Starting to fear punctures a bit more even though I have them down around 8 PSI.
The MBS FiveStars pinch the tires a few MM more than the Vevor rims did and the tread seems to have more of a pronounced crown which is now wearing more rapidly.
Wonder if surplus center still has them in stock at 2$ each. or what similar size tire I should covet instead.
The ‘dico’s’ took a long time to dewobble though, and were obviously old on arrival.
I carry a 6x2 SixShooter spare on the chariot with 10mm ID bearings, but have never needed it.
Should likely carry 2 spares. Chariot might be pretty uncomfortable for Fiona at such a hard lean, or just drag a corner unless I get lower than is comfortable.
If I lose a Kenda k473 on my esk8 then I got to grab a 4.10 from the chariot and replace it with a 6x2 SixShooter so we both will be rolling on an angle.
I wonder if I could just stand atop the hub motor truck and roll with 0 PSI in a Kenda 2.80-2.50-4.
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Today, we didn’t achieve our 10 mile a day average roll, but the mini did tow the Fionayak a bit more than 2 miles total, and I paddled us about 5 miles.
The mini has plenty of power to tow it over the crushed shell trail on torque level 3 of 4. Screw the cattle prod smuggling Karens.
They are going to start dredging the tidal toxic creek this month, so inland areas can drain easier.
Water quality will suffer and this could be our last esk8 roll from home to paddle for a while, depending on how toxic it appears to be.
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I was unsure how badly a chariot canopy/ bath towel would flop around at speed.
It was far better than expected, and Fiona seemed stoked to be able to bark at all the suckers who have to walk, with all her head and most of her body in the shade, Midday.
Tested to 26mph in gusty cross and head winds.
I can’t really notice any more drag in my hand, and seemed to lose no range.
The spring clamps and binder clips are just temporary as test of concept, But my temporary is likely a bit more permanent that I should admit.
I can pull the green aluminum tubes and lay it flat pretty quickly, as I store the chariot handle up against a wall with limited space to walk around it.
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How is the kayaking with the shoulder?
It is ok as long as I don’t raise my arm over shoulder level.
My elbows are down low padding the yak, so there is no serious stress through most of the motions.
Had a second PT session yesterday. Definitely learned some good exercises, and am feeling sore today in upper back, arms and chest.
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Is now installed.
Throttle is definitely spicyier.
The Chariot’s shade bath towel now includes Teak and Stainless and Cork and a couple screws..
I can’t believe how stable it is at 25mph.
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We got an evening roll in, Just inside the local hood. Barking up a storm.
Got half way down the crushed shell trail when I saw someone who said it was crowded at the End, So I removed Esk8 from chariot, turned around, tilted the chariot so she could climb in, and we rolled out of there.
Everytime I looked back, she met my eyes and let out the Happy as a clam bark, so we kept tearing and barking up the neighborhood for 5 miles.
It might have been our last roll together.
After our roll, she demanded her after dinner treat, and than lay at my side, and started panting.
She had the mastectomy about a year ago, and a lump started growing again a few months ago in the same spot, and then one started growing on the opposite side more recently.
She awoke last night panting, and was not her normal goofy sweet self until later, we went for our late morning roll to the parks. Its been getting hotter and she was keen to sit on a bench in the shade. Later on at home, She was all super excited and wanting to play ball, and tug o war.
We Just got back from the emergency Vet.
With her Age, 12.5, and the obviously now painful tumors on her belly, they listed what they could do, but…….
I was like Dope her up, I’m taking her home.
I have called an at home Euthanesia Vet, and left a message.
I’ve known this day was coming, but was hoping we would have more time together.
but if she is in pain…….
I am going to miss her so much.
She has been such an awesome companion for the last 12 years.
Rolling without her will not be the same.
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I feel your pain mate. I just recently had to put down my best mate of 8+ years due to him developing some sort of neuro issue that led him to having pretty hectic seizures out of nowhere, and he proceeded to have them daily… after 4 days I had to let him go, the vets couldn’t find anything wrong with him with general examination and blood tests and advised that further testing/treatment would be expensive and potentially inconclusive, coupled with permanent damage from so many seizures in such a short amount of time.
it was a shitty thing to have to do, but I don’t regret it for a second. His life would have been completely sub-standard and i would have been living in constant fear of the next seizure.
you got this mate, it will suck forever but you’re making the right choice.
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I’m really sorry you’re going through this. It’s clear she had an amazing life with you and was deeply loved. That last roll together sounds like a beautiful memory. Making the decision when they’re in pain is incredibly hard, but it’s also the most loving thing you can do. My thoughts are with you.
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She’s at my side right now, snoring peacefully, doped up, and I can’t stop sobbing.
Her companionship all these years was never unappreciated.
I knew her from when she was less than 6 months old, imported from Poland as a Puppy by her previous owner, probably removed from her siblings too soon.
Always a dog person, I knew she was not the average dog. One look into her eyes…..
Strangers who look into them are like ‘holy shit!’
Literally, hundreds of times, people have remarked about her eyes, while their hearts melted.
Very Few could not see the old soul residing within.
Her former owners could not connect with her, perhaps as she had already chose me.
At 4 years of age their marriage went to shit, Fiona was being neglected, if not abused, and she then officially became mine. My biggest regret is not taking her earlier from them.
We have rarely been apart since.
She/we developed bad separation anxiety, and every time I was forced to be away from her, I was hoping she was OK, and I missed her, and was trying to figure out more ways to take her with me everywhere, or at least leave her alone as little as possible.
I always wanted to take her surfing with me.
She used to get so pissed off when I’d pull out the surfboard and leave her alone. She’d refuse to look at me when I left, and I’d leave the ocean earlier than I otherwise would just to return to her sooner, and she’d be so happy to see me she forgot she was pissed at me in the first place for leaving her alone.
When we would go to the beach for the evening ball throw session, and a leashless surfboard would wash ashore she’d climb aboard and look at me and wag her tail, that shit eating grin on her face…..
‘I can do this too, you don’t need to leave me alone…..’
When we had to move to gulf coast/flat coast Florida to help take care of elderly dementia mother, and I climbed onto a stand up paddle board for the first time ever, she jumped on too and was completely a natural.
I then got a kayak and made her a bow platform, so She could stand on the Bow and terrorize cormorants and pelicans, and mullet.
I then got an Esk8 so I could tow the kayak to the launch with her in the rear well.
She loved riding in the rolling kayak behind the Esk8 so much, I built her the chariot, and we have since rolled many thousands of miles together.
I’ve suspected by the way she has been sitting in the Chariot recently, that her belly was sore, but she never declined stepping into the chariot when I tilted it.
As soon as we started rolling, the joy on her face was obvious to all, and she made hundreds of people smile every day when they’d see her. We started venturing farther and wider with more portable charging sources and paralleling batteries.
She has been a tremendous help with my alzheimmered mother, who can understand little, but is remarkable attuned to Fiona’s wellbeing. Although she cant remember shit, will be devastated when her ‘beautiful little girl’ does not greet her anymore.
She will keep asking over and over, with a forgetfulness I will only be able to envy until the crushing heartache begins to fade.
Esk8ing alone has felt like cheating, ever since I made the chariot for her/us.
I look forward to seeing her on the other side.
I’m gonna go bring my bed down to hers rather than lift hers up to mine.
It would be so awesome to wake up to her pawing my bed and wagging her tail.
one more:
Forgive me.
The Fiona song:
‘Who is the best dog in the whole wide world?
Her name her name is Fiona girl.
Fiona is so kind,
She is so cute and sweet,
take a second look at those pom pom pom feet.
Fiona is so kind
She is so sweet and cute
it cracks me up when her but goes root toot toot.
She is so sweet and she is so Kind,
Every day goes by
I am glad she is mine.’
I can and have fit these lyrics into any song ever made, often while towing her in the chariot at 25mph and barking inbetween versus, as I follow her lead
With only hub motors, and 10S.
I will be truly lost without her.
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Fiona rallyed about an hour before the vet came to put her down.
She Greeted those who came to say goodbye to her, like an overexcited puppy.
The vet was like ‘ the choice is yours’, and asked me to touch Fiona’s tumors and she showed zero discomfort. She didn’t want the vet near her.
She Was very vocal during our conversation, and when the vet left she was rolling around on the rug, barking like a lunatic.
Vet stressed pain management and said we will reschedule when it is time.
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Man… reading this hit hard. It’s clear Fiona has had an incredible life with you. Not many dogs get that kind of bond, adventure, and purpose. The miles you rolled together, the chariot rides, the beach, the kayak… that’s a life full of love and memories.
Whatever happens next, she knows she’s your girl. Wishing you both strength. Give Fiona a hug from all of us.
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Thank you for the kind words.
I am so glad she perked up before the at home euthanasia vet arrived, and we have some more time together.
We just got back from an 8 mile roll.
I let more psi out of the chariot tires and am trying to keep it smoother and softer.
We still get up above 22mph on the straights, and then she starts barking with joy, and I join in.
She made another couple dozen people smile today, so far.
Got an appt tomorrow with her regular vet for pain management meds.
The new TenPower 50xg 10s2p allows for a noticeably extra spicy throttle, and does not drop nearly as quickly, once down below 34 volts.
Even in the 34v range the throttle responds with more gusto than before.
The BAK45D was still performing well, but with 500+ cycles and ~2700 miles on it, it has to have degraded.
I dont know if I will be strapping it to the deck between my feet as a range extender though.
It is getting hot again midday, and even shaded with a breeze, long chariot rides might be too much for the fluffy goofball to handle comfortably.
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Many More miles rolled with the sweet goofball.
Her tires are down below 5 psi, and the inside of chariot is more strategically padded so that her sore mammaries take little pressure.
I got pain meds and strong antiinflammatories for her, and we’ve been having good days.
My Shoulder MRI report reveals such a wrecked shoulder, but also claims Rt cuff musculature is symmetric,without atrophy.
15 months after dislocation and tendon tearing, this is apparently astounding.
It is most likely due to the clenching centration I have to do to tow Fiona in her chariot with that arm.
the centration clench, has been firing the completely torn supraspinitus, and mid to upper subscalpularis, so they are still without any fatty infiltration nor wasted, just retracted.
The physical therapist had me doing the wrong exercises for a dislocated upper biceps tendon, so i lost confidence in her and canceled all future appointments.
I think I have a solid prehab plan to get maximum function with minimal cartilage loss and further fraying of biceps tendon.
I am actually a decent candidate for surgery, and i know which surgeon I want, if possible.
The previous outfit who said ‘oh, we are not worried about your subscalpularis’ and said that a snapped upper biceps tendon is only a cosmetic issue, will be avoided.
