Do you still own a Mellow Board or Mellow Drive that basically works, but the original app has disappeared or the battery has lost a significant amount of its performance? This is exactly the problem many owners of older Mellow systems are facing.
There are now interesting solutions for both sides of the problem. OpenMellow, an independent community project, brings an app for the Mellow Drive back to iPhone and Apple Watch. And if your Mellow battery is weak or defective, AkkuPlus offers professional battery cell replacement.
This can help keep existing Mellow hardware in use even though the original manufacturer is no longer active.
What is OpenMellow?
OpenMellow was created in response to a problem familiar to many Mellow riders: after Mellow Boards ceased operations, the official app also disappeared from the app stores.
The developer of OpenMellow did not want to give up a Mellow Drive that was still working, so a new app was developed independently.
OpenMellow is a free, independent community project and is not affiliated with the former manufacturer Mellow Boards.
The app runs natively on iPhone and Apple Watch and is currently in beta.
Features Already Available in OpenMellow
According to the developer, the current version includes features such as:
- Current battery level
- Remaining range
- Battery health information
- Switching between Rookie, Eco, Pro and Endless modes
- Unlocking or relocking the top speed
- Map showing the estimated remaining riding range
- Range calculations based on your own rides
- Customisable low-battery notifications
- Apple Watch app displaying battery level and range
- Trip information and odometer
- Top and average speed
- Temperature readings
- More than 100 additional values from the Mellow Drive
According to the developer, OpenMellow does not require a user account and does not use its own server to collect personal user data.
The current version requires an iPhone running iOS 16 or later. An Android version is planned for a later date.
Important Information When Using OpenMellow for the First Time
OpenMellow is an independent project. The Bluetooth protocol used by the Mellow Drive was reverse-engineered by the developer.
For this reason, the developer recommends testing every setting for the first time with the board lifted and the wheels off the ground.
The Mellow remote control must also be switched on when changing riding modes from the smartphone.
OpenMellow is currently still in beta. The developer is particularly interested in testing the app with different Mellow Boards, older firmware versions and Mellow Drive Kits.
What If the Mellow Battery Is Losing Performance?
A working app alone is of little use if the battery in your Mellow Board can no longer provide reliable performance.
This is where the AkkuPlus battery cell replacement service comes in.
For the Mellow RECHARGEABLE LI-ION BATTERY PACK INR18650-20R 7S2P, we offer professional battery repair with cell replacement.
The existing battery operates at 25.2 volts and uses lithium-ion technology in a 7S2P configuration consisting of a total of 14 18650 cells.
Three capacity options are currently available:
- 4,000 mAh / 100.80 Wh
- 5,000 mAh / 126.00 Wh
- 6,000 mAh / 151.20 Wh
Where cell replacement is possible, this means the complete existing battery system does not necessarily have to be replaced simply because its cells have aged.
How Does Mellow Battery Cell Replacement Work?
The process is straightforward:
- Select your preferred battery capacity.
- Order the battery cell replacement service from the AkkuPlus online shop.
- Send your defective Mellow battery to AkkuPlus together with the first page of your order confirmation.
- Once received, the battery cells are replaced.
- The battery is then function-tested before return shipping.
Instead of discarding the existing battery system solely because the cells have aged, the battery receives a new set of cells.
→ View Mellow Battery Cell Replacement at AkkuPlus
The Mellow Remote Control Battery Can Age Too
The main Mellow Drive battery is not the only battery that can become a problem as the system gets older. AkkuPlus also offers battery cell replacement for the Mellow remote control with a 3.7 V lithium-polymer battery.
The remote-control battery has a capacity of 350 mAh / 1.30 Wh, uses Li-Polymer technology and is assembled from one 402535 pouch cell. Before replacement, AkkuPlus checks whether cell replacement is possible and whether the electronics are functioning. [akkuplus.de]
This means that with an older Mellow system, both the main Drive battery and the battery inside the remote control can potentially be addressed when required.
OpenMellow and AkkuPlus: Bringing Software and Hardware Together
OpenMellow and battery cell replacement are independent solutions, but both follow a similar idea:
Existing Mellow Boards should be kept in use whenever possible.
OpenMellow covers the software side by once again giving owners a way to access information from their Mellow Drive through a modern iPhone and Apple Watch app.
AkkuPlus covers the hardware side by providing a dedicated battery cell replacement service for Mellow batteries.
This is particularly useful for a product whose original manufacturer is no longer available as a regular point of contact.
Repair and Keep Riding Instead of Giving Up Working Technology
A battery that has lost performance does not automatically have to mean the end of an otherwise functional device.
With the general battery repair service from AkkuPlus, the existing housing and electronics are reused where possible while worn battery cells are replaced with new cells. The current AkkuPlus battery repair information specifically highlights the continued use of the existing housing and electronics and the reduction of electronic waste as benefits of battery cell replacement. [akkuplus.de]
A dedicated repair service is available specifically for the Mellow battery.
Together with OpenMellow, this creates an interesting opportunity for the Mellow community:
Bring the software back into use, renew the battery cells and keep existing Mellow hardware running for as long as possible.
Try the OpenMellow Beta
OpenMellow is currently in beta. Mellow Drive owners can try the app through Apple TestFlight:
According to the developer, beta testers with different Mellow Boards, older firmware versions or a Mellow Drive Kit are especially welcome.
Once OpenMellow is officially released on the Apple App Store, the official App Store link can be added prominently alongside or in place of the current TestFlight link.
Get Your Mellow Battery Repaired by AkkuPlus
If the problem is not the software but the battery, AkkuPlus offers a dedicated repair service for the Mellow RECHARGEABLE LI-ION BATTERY PACK INR18650-20R 7S2P, 25.2 V.
Choose between 4,000 mAh, 5,000 mAh and 6,000 mAh, then send your existing Mellow battery to us for professional cell replacement.
→ Choose Your Mellow Battery Cell Replacement
