With the release of the Gen2 Foil Drive, we have been asked a lot about traveling on airlines with batteries.

At this stage, none of the current Gen2 batteries are approved for airline travel on most airlines.

160wh is the limit of batteries for most airlines around the world

FOIL DRIVE HAVE NOW RELEASED A SPECIAL AIRLINE FRIENDLY TRAVEL BATTERY

Check out: https://youtu.be/F-zti_9jP5k

Foil Drive are stoked to announce the release of Gen2 Travel Batteries for both the Gen2 Max and Gen2 SLIM systems.

The following article will fill you in on all the nitty gritty details like power outputs, approximate run times, how to travel with them and more!

Foil Drive MAX Travel Battery

The MAX Travel Battery set breaks down into three smaller modules (pieces) for approved airline travel with 2 modules being 129.6wh and one module at 97.2wh. It utilises the larger A Nose Cone with a capacity between the existing Power and Sport Batteries.

Foil Drive Slim Travel Battery

The Slim Travel Battery set breaks down into 2 smaller modules (pieces) for approved airline travel with 2 modules being 81wh and one module (piece) at 97.2wh. It utilises the larger C Nose Cone with a capacity between the existing Endurance and Performance Batteries.

How they work?

Each of the Travel batteries break down into smaller capacities for travel, that then can be plugged together upon arrival at the destination. They must be charged using the existing 40V chargers. The Slim travel Battery MUST NOT be used with a Fast Charger.

Airline Restrictions

When traveling with lithium-ion batteries, most airlines follow these guidelines:

Batteries under 100 Watt-hours (Wh): No limit on the number you can bring in carry-on baggage, but they must be individually protected from short circuits.
Batteries between 100-160Wh: You can typically bring up to two batteries in carry-on baggage. Pre-approval from the airline may be required for these larger batteries.
Batteries over 160Wh: These usually need to be transported as cargo and are not allowed on passenger aircraft as carry-on or checked luggage.
All batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage (not checked luggage), and they must be protected from damage or short circuits. It is recommended to always check with the airline as some may have additional requirements.

How many batteries can I carry?
With pre-approval, an individual can generally carry unlimited Slim Batteries as all pieces fall under 100-watt hours.


The MAX Travel Battery contains 1 module under 100-watt hours and 2 modules between 100-160 watt hours. This means the limitation comes in place with the larger module and you can carry 1 MAX travel battery per passenger.

If you travel with both a MAX and Slim, you may take 1 MAX Travel Battery sets and unlimited Slim sets.

** Some airlines allow you to carry more, so we recommend enquiring first **

Travelling Notes from Foil Drive

When traveling with lithium-ion batteries, most airlines follow these guidelines:

Contact Airlines before Travel: Customers MUST contact the airline before travel as some airlines have different regulations and requirements. Customers with multiple connecting flights MUST ensure each airline is contacted as flights with code share (different airlines for connecting flights), may have different requirements.

Documentation Provided: Inside the provided Travel Case will be official SDS documentation alongside an Official Foil Drive Specification Document outlining our battery specifications alongside TSA, CASA and ERAA regulations.

Storage: Each airline will have specifications on storage and may specific a recommended charge percentage. They must at minimum be separated with the terminals covered.

Confidence is key: From our experience, education and confidence when passing security is key. When travelling it is best to understands the specifications of the batteries and how many you can carry. When passing security if you are aware of the regulations and ready to answer questions, you'll often pass right through. The provided documentation aims to help make this process simple.


FAQ

Can I use the modules as individual batteries?
No. Batteries must be connected and cannot be used separately.

Can I order individual modules?
No. Travel Batteries must be ordered as full sets.

Can I mix and match modules between sets?
No. Batteries must be kept in sets and you cannot mix and match pieces. There is a white dot on each battery and customers must label each set e.g. 3 MAX pieces all labelled 1.

This is due to the chemistry of the batteries. If one battery piece has been cycled 100 times and is then connected to a pieces that has only been cycled 5 times, the cells are at different levels of degradation.

Can Travel batteries be used e-foiling/constant power?
No. These batteries are designed to be used in Assist mode only. The plugs are not designed to handle load of constant power.

What is the runtime?
As both batteries fall in between capacity of the existing batteries, their runtime will also be in between.

Assist MAX
MAX Travel Battery is 324 watt hours (combined)
MAX Sport is 332.64 watt hours
MAX Power is 498.6 watt hours
Runtime of the MAX Travel Battery is a little more than the MAX Sport

Assist Slim
Slim Travel Battery is 178.2 watt hours (combined)
Slim Endurance is 241.92 watt hours
Slim Performance is 166.32 watt hours
Runtime of the Slim Travel Battery is a little more than the Slim Performance

2 year warranty, (1st year full, 2nd year the box/unit only)

Foil Drive components have been carefully manufactured and hand assembled in Australia with quality control processes in place to ensure your product is made to a high standard and is ready for use.

If you think the product is faulty or contains a manufacturing defect DO NOT use the system and contact us with images and a description of the issue via email to support@foildrive.com

Warranty claims will be considered on a case-by-case basis and outcomes will be determined at the discretion of Foil Drive™, in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.

Products sold by Foil Drive Pty Ltd come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law. Consumers are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. Consumers are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

A "major failure" as defined in the Australian Consumer Law broadly is one where a reasonable consumer would not have acquired the goods had the consumer been fully aware of the failure, the goods are unsafe, substantially unfit for purpose or departed significantly from the demonstration model or sample. In this regard, you should refer to the Australian Consumer Law.

Consumer guarantees cannot be excluded and are in addition to any express warranty (warranty against defects) you are given.

There may be circumstances where you are not entitled to a remedy.

For further information about the Australian Consumer Law and consumer guarantees, visit https://consumer.gov.au/consumers-and-acl

FOIL DRIVE™ BATTERIES

Foil Drive™ batteries come with a 1-year limited warranty, covering BMS or manufacturing defects as per Australian Consumer Law.

As with all batteries, eventually you’ll notice the battery is not as powerful or lasting as long as it used to. This is normal and ALL batteries suffer the same degradation, just like your phone decreases battery life over time.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide replacement batteries under warranty when they simply get old and tired. However, there are ways to maximise the life of your batteries.

Important Note: Failing to follow the care and maintenance outlined in these articles and the User Manual will VOID warranty.

Choosing Motor Cable Length

Foil Drive Gen2 Systems and Integrated masts with Assist PLUS units require you to select a motor length when ordering. With the introduction of the new V2 Motor, there is now 6 different length options that this article will cover, each with different pros and cons depending on how you wish to use your Foil Drive. Scroll towards the bottom of the article for more information on Integrated Masts.
To learn more about the V2 motor with detachable cables, click here

The beauty of the Gen2 Foil Drive system is that the motor is interchangeable. This means you can have multiple different lengths to choose from, depending on how you want to ride.



Not sure which length to choose? Check out the video below to help you decide what will work best for you! - https://youtu.be/aqdWWU4CELQ

Introducing the new V2 Motor System



What is a Gen2 Motor System and why are there different positions?

The motor mounting position is a personal rider preference and can differ between disciplines of foiling. Foil Drive motors should be considered like a quiver, allowing you to customise or fine tune your setup to how you want to ride.

What Motors are available?

The v2 motor comes in six lengths:

-12cm (4.7 inches) (New!)

-15cm (6 inches)

-20cm (23.5 inches)

-25cm (10 inches)

-60cm (23.5 inches)

-70cm (27.5 inches)



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70cm and 60cm
These two are the longest of our available motors and are designed for Flatwater Foil Driving where you place the motor down near the fuselage and intend to be powered constantly, similar to "e-foiling". The reason there are two lengths is to take into consideration different mast heights. If you have a 70cm mast, you'll need the 60cm cable, and if you have a longer mast (80cm+), you'll need the 70cm cable.

Note: When selecting the extreme lengths (shortest and longest) it is important to allow 10-15cm of clearance for the propellers. For example, if mounting close to the fuse, the middle of the motor pod should sit 10cm above the fuselage. When mounting near your board, the middle of the motor pod should not sit any higher than 10cm away from your board.

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25cm
The 25cm cable is designed as an in-between, hybrid motor position. Perfect for learners who want to limit how high above the water they can fly, or those wanting to enjoy both Foil Driving on flatwater and catching waves. The motor remains low enough that it stays in the water on small swell, giving you the option to motor the whole time, or start to lift up and feel the power of the swell alone. Eventually, you may choose to shorten this length once you feel comfortable with the motor exiting the water. This length is also ideal those who like to turn their location into a skate park, enjoying flatwater Foil Driving, then peeling onto a boat wake or swell!

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20cm, 15cm and 12cm

While these lengths seem similar, you'll certainly know the difference! Designed for assisted foiling where you only use the motor to get on foil, then want it to exit the water for drag free flying, these motor heights draw the most discussion.

First off, when would you want the motor to exit the water in this assisted foiling style? Foiling disciplines like surfing, down winding, wake foiling, pumping and winging. Let's look into each discipline and compare the 20cm and 15cm.



The 20cm motor is a good allrounder. It provides the best of both worlds when it comes to powered and non-powered operation. If you're a more advanced foiler OR you just want to use your system in assist mode (only using it to get on foil) and you desire maximum drag-free foiling, the 12cm and 15cm is the best choice. However, it does make hybrid foiling in choppy water more difficult as the distance from the board to the water is a lot closer, BUT - you can still do it. Using a three-blade propeller setup definitely helps maintain thrust and grip on the water in the 12cm and 15cm motor position.

A. Surf - 12, 15, 20 ,25

B. Downwind -15, 20
C. Wake - 20, 25
D. Flatwater Pumping - 20
E. Winging (AKA Wind Ding or Wind Winging) - 15, 20


Other Considerations

Three Blade vs Two Blade Propellers

Integrated Masts