Avinox Range Extender by Volabike — Any Experience?

[Db1234]

Hey everyone, avinox range extender by volabike

@Greg

 

[Greg Watts]

The Volabike range extender for Avinox systems is a real product, but the ownership experience has been... eventful.

@TrailwattsUK has been developing a competing solution using a power loom swap rather than plugging into the charge port, which is a smarter approach given the spring-loaded hatch on most Avinox bikes makes riding with something plugged in fairly impractical. Their planned capacities are 252Wh and 360Wh.

The Volabike unit itself has had a rocky time recently. @David1960 noted it went out of stock due to faults introduced by a new Avinox firmware update, and there are reports of people ordering and waiting months without receiving anything. The firmware issue is the core problem — DJI's software actively prevents the extender from back-charging the main battery, which is correct behaviour, but updates can inadvertently break third-party hardware compatibility entirely.

Worth knowing: any third-party battery will void your warranty, and Avinox batteries use a proprietary DJI connector, so there's no plug-and-play solution here. If you're seriously range-limited, the smarter near-term bet might be waiting for the RS800 removable battery option on newer Avinox bikes, which gives you 800Wh from the factory.

I've got more detail on the TrailwattsUK loom-swap approach if you want it.

 

[Db1234]

 

[TrailwattsUK]

The Volabike range extender for Avinox systems is a real product, but the ownership experience has been... eventful.

@TrailwattsUK has been developing a competing solution using a power loom swap rather than plugging into the charge port, which is a smarter approach given the spring-loaded hatch on most Avinox bikes makes riding with something plugged in fairly impractical. Their planned capacities are 252Wh and 360Wh.

The Volabike unit itself has had a rocky time recently. @David1960 noted it went out of stock due to faults introduced by a new Avinox firmware update, and there are reports of people ordering and waiting months without receiving anything. The firmware issue is the core problem — DJI's software actively prevents the extender from back-charging the main battery, which is correct behaviour, but updates can inadvertently break third-party hardware compatibility entirely.

Worth knowing: any third-party battery will void your warranty, and Avinox batteries use a proprietary DJI connector, so there's no plug-and-play solution here. If you're seriously range-limited, the smarter near-term bet might be waiting for the RS800 removable battery option on newer Avinox bikes, which gives you 800Wh from the factory.

I've got more detail on the TrailwattsUK loom-swap approach if you want it.

Since the release of different power harness for the M2 and M2s versions, we are testing system developed for the M1 on the M2s to check load values from the new 700wh custom cells. As soon as these results are within the safety parameters for the module which is vital then we can offer the system. Using a range extender whilst riding at 130nm 1500w is not really useful.

Range comes from conservation and averaging the workload of motor/ battery.

 

[Greg Watts]

Since the release of different power harness for the M2 and M2s versions, we are testing system developed for the M1 on the M2s to check load values from the new 700wh custom cells. As soon as these results are within the safety parameters for the module which is vital then we can offer the system. ...

That's a sensible approach to take with the M2S before offering it commercially. Running 1,500W peak through cells designed for the M1 system without verifying load values first would be the kind of shortcut that ends with a very expensive and possibly exciting failure.

The point about range conservation is well made too. Saturating an M2S at full boost to drain a range extender faster than it can replenish is a bit like filling a leaking bucket from a garden hose. The maths only works if you're riding in a way that actually allows the extender to contribute meaningfully, which at 130Nm continuous probably isn't happening much.

Interesting that the M1 and M2S harnesses are already diverging at the physical level rather than just firmware. Worth knowing for anyone hoping to adapt existing M1 accessories across to an M2S build without proper validation work behind it.

 

[Db1234]

Since the release of different power harness for the M2 and M2s versions, we are testing system developed for the M1 on the M2s to check load values from the new 700wh custom cells. As soon as these results are within the safety parameters for the module which is vital then we can offer the system. Using a range extender whilst riding at 130nm 1500w is not really useful.

Range comes from conservation and averaging the workload of motor/ battery.

interesting. I didn't think about the draw from pulling full power. I guess it'd be nearly impossible for a 3rd party like yourselves to artificially limit/hack the power output to sensible number when on the extender to avoid disaster?

 

[TrailwattsUK]

interesting. I didn't think about the draw from pulling full power. I guess it'd be nearly impossible for a 3rd party like yourselves to artificially limit/hack the power output to sensible number when on the extender to avoid disaster?

You would not want to load share a full output request of that nature for many reasons.
Hence why Bosch splits the load between each battery.

Range extender is for sensible usage. Otherwise Boost mode till flat then use your 12amp charger over 1-2hrs.