April 12, 20206 yr Dear E.bikers - does anyone know how to find a replacement battery for a Claud Butler Glide 2, or does it need all new electrics? I bought a Claud Butler Glide 2 in 2013 and sent the battery back to be replaced when it stopped working, but didn't get it and now would like to find a replacement battery - the bike is in good order, and wondered if there is a hybrid which matches the connections and battery carrier? Or if it has to be all new electrics fitted? Thanks for any suggestions
April 12, 20206 yr The original battery was a 36v Lifepo4 I believe , you can confirm this by telling us of showing a pic of the charger label. If you can't source another lifepo4 battery then buy a new rear rack and battery with charger so that you know it fits and will charge, you can buy and use a lighter Li-on battery instead of Lifepo4. You can try asking Ebikes direct as they sell the Glide e bikes. Show us a good pic or two of your rear rack. The controller will still be attached in the compartment at the front of the rack. Edited April 12, 20206 yr by Nealh
April 12, 20206 yr Author Dear Nealh, this is the rack and some views of it - have is sent a photo of the controller and the compartment? Does this show what sort of battery would be compatible? Thanks very much for looking, best emma
April 12, 20206 yr Finding the exact battery/case to fit may not be easy unless you can try Ebikes direct or ebikes4u. The four pin outs means that there is nothing special abut the electronics. The cost of changing the battery to li-on and new controller etc will be in the region of about £300 - 350 pounds for the parts alone, any battery sized to fit your existing rack will work.
April 12, 20206 yr These lifepo4's look pretty much 99.99% like a match, though are from China via Aliexpress. Problem is, if a fault occurs you are stuffed and duty/tax will be liable bumping up the price another £30 - £50 or so. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32735512051.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2d8b4ae5RT5Uz1&algo_pvid=8da30bda-d4bf-49b5-abbe-8bda85525c67&algo_expid=8da30bda-d4bf-49b5-abbe-8bda85525c67-18&btsid=0ab50f4915867278223506196e9599&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32693517428.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2d8b4ae5RT5Uz1&algo_pvid=8da30bda-d4bf-49b5-abbe-8bda85525c67&algo_expid=8da30bda-d4bf-49b5-abbe-8bda85525c67-19&btsid=0ab50f4915867278223506196e9599&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_ Edited April 13, 20206 yr by Nealh
April 13, 20206 yr Author Thank very much, that is really helpful, will check all those out, really grateful to you for looking, best emma
April 13, 20206 yr This battery is the same as the ones Nealh linked to, Li-on cells, but not very good value being small capacity, but UK seller should you have any problems with it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GC-E-BIKE-Battery-36V-8-8Ah-317Wh-Rear-Rack-with-Charger-and-Original-Cells/183408246855?hash=item2ab3fbc047:g:nuQAAOSw~bhcQjmi
April 13, 20206 yr Author Thank you very much - can I ask - What's the difference between a LifePO4 and a Li-On battery? And how do you see the relevant spec about capacity? thanks very much
April 13, 20206 yr Slightly different chemistry in the two, more charge for same weight in Li-On. The LiPo used to be quite a bit cheaper (hence fitted to your bike originally), but the price difference is quite small now (I think). Capacity is measured in wh (watt hours, like your electric bill except that is kwH, 1000 times more). Sometimes they just quote the amp house (ah) , the capacity is the voltage (36 in your case) times the amp hours. so 36v * 8.8aH = 316.8wH in the wheeliepete example above. If you look at https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/service/range-assistant/ you will get an idea how far you can get with a given battery size in different conditions and different amounts of your effort. It's for Bosch bikes but most a fairly similar if efficiency. You'll see huge differences for the same bike between good flat roads in windless summer conditions with minimal assist (often quoted as 'up to' in blurb) and more realistic conditions. Often you'll see more than 100 miles go down to 30 mile range. I suggest you go for a battery that will do about 50% more than you think you need.
April 13, 20206 yr Sjpt is muddying the waters by suggesting the battery is Li -po which it isn't. The battery is Lifepo4 or lithium iron phosphate it is the safest form of lithium chemistry, the iron phosphate unfortunately adds to the weight as does the extra cells. Unlike Li-on or the slightly riskier Li-po which both are 10 cells in series the Lifepo4 uses 12 cells in series for 36v, the reason being is cell capacity max's out at 3.65v charge per cell and is empty at 3.2v per cell for economic use. The Lifepo4 will have a max 43.8v voltage. Li-on/Li-po voltage range typically similar of 3.3v - 4.2v, Lifepo4 3.2v - 3.65v. Lifepo4 holds so much more range within in a shorter voltage range but the weight made the other Li options lighter to use. Edited April 13, 20206 yr by Nealh
April 13, 20206 yr Changing from Lifepo4 to Li-on isn't straight forward, the former uses higher discharge rates then Li-on so you would really need a new controller and display and probably some re-wiring of connectors. The Lifepo4 controller could age the Li-on cells a lot quicker, it all depends on what the discharge specs are for the CB Glide 2. Also you can't mess with charging as the charges use different voltage values. Edited April 13, 20206 yr by Nealh
April 13, 20206 yr Thank you very much - can I ask - What's the difference between a LifePO4 and a Li-On battery? And how do you see the relevant spec about capacity? thanks very much Lifepo4 = Lithium iron phosphate, 3.2v - 3.65v voltage range. Li-on = Lithium ion, 3.2v - 4.2v voltage range. Li-po = Lithium polymer, 3.3v - 4.2v voltage range though 3.6v is a safer lower voltage due to the instability of the chem used. Top to bottom they are in order for most stable chemistry.
April 13, 20206 yr Author I checked the spec for the Glide 2 - says the battery is: 36 volt - 10 Amp Lifepo4 Battery cells with Extended charging life. Does that mean because of amps matching, it would need to be a match to the one coming from USA (which is 10ah 10.5ah,) although it looks exactly the same as the one from UK, (which is 8.8Ah): USA supplier: Long cycle 2000times LiFePO4 36V 10ah 10.5ah rear rack battery pack for ebike with charger UK supplier: 36V 8.8Ah 317Wh Rear Rack with Charger and Original Cells. Thank you so much for your help on this, really grateful for your advice
April 13, 20206 yr Author This battery is the same as the ones Nealh linked to, Li-on cells, but not very good value being small capacity, but UK seller should you have any problems with it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GC-E-BIKE-Battery-36V-8-8Ah-317Wh-Rear-Rack-with-Charger-and-Original-Cells/183408246855?hash=item2ab3fbc047:g:nuQAAOSw~bhcQjmi Thank you very much, it does look the same, take your point about the capacity and the UK seller. much appreciated, thank you
April 13, 20206 yr Author Dear Nealh, thank you so much for all your help, much appreciated, Best Emma
April 13, 20206 yr Sjpt is muddying the waters by suggesting the battery is Li -po which it isn't. Absolutely correct, apologies.
April 13, 20206 yr Author Dear Nealh and sjpt and wheelieman - thank you so much for all your help - I have ordered the exact same one 10ah from who knows where anyway paid in dollars via Aliexpress, so think it must be from China, and it's coming in June so have to get the tyres pumped up by then but thanks for pushing me off on my bike to get it done, much appreciated. Bertrand Russell taught my father to ride a bicycle, so feel very grateful to have your equivalent sage advice to get me going on my bike all these years after best to you Emma
April 13, 20206 yr Author Lifepo4 = Lithium iron phosphate, 3.2v - 3.65v voltage range. Li-on = Lithium ion, 3.2v - 4.2v voltage range. Li-po = Lithium polymer, 3.3v - 4.2v voltage range though 3.6v is a safer lower voltage due to the instability of the chem used. Top to bottom they are in order for most stable chemistry. Dear Nealh, thank you very much for really explaining the difference and making it all clear. Have been wanting to get my bike on the road for a very long time, and didn't know how to find the right battery, so really appreciate your help in nailing the facts down and looking the battery up with your expert eye. Thanks very very much, best regards Emma
April 13, 20206 yr Aliexpress are a bit like ebay but much bigger, I have had no issue with any of the many purchases I have made via them. Three or four times I have been refunded with no quibble. If you had gone with the Li-on UK one then you may have had other expenses for new controller etc if they didn't play ball. The Aliexpress seller claim a full refund if your doesn't arrive by June 6th, most stuff via Aliex arrives within 14 - 21 days. Don't forget you may have to pay import duties of about £30 - £50 after it arrives, the courier usually sends an invoice within a fortnight if there is any to pay.
June 20, 20205 yr Author Dear Nealh and all kind Pedelec electric bike wizards, I just got the new battery from China delivered yesterday. Have charged it up, and the interface screen lit up and shows it at fully charged. But I can’t work out how to make it start. Have ridden it but it doesn’t kick in and start the motor like it used to. Wondered if the interface could have a little battery that needs replacing too? Or if after 4 years of not using it (Claude Butler Glide 2) because the battery had lost it’s charge, if the screen should work ok after it hadn’t been used? Thanks very much, best of everything Emma
June 20, 20205 yr Can you confirm it works though to a degree with any e-power ? If it works to a degree then the issue might not be hard to find. Does it work on throttle ? Check the crank area PAS sensor, make sure it hasn't move become misaligned. the sensor if a magnet cadence sensor type should have a gap between magnet and sensor head of about 1 or 2mm, the magnet disk should be static and only turn when the pedal arm/crank is turned and no physically by hand. If it doesn't work at all on power then the issue may be more serious.
June 20, 20205 yr Author Can you confirm it works though to a degree with any e-power ? If it works to a degree then the issue might not be hard to find. Does it work on throttle ? Check the crank area PAS sensor, make sure it hasn't move become misaligned. the sensor if a magnet cadence sensor type should have a gap between magnet and sensor head of about 1 or 2mm, the magnet disk should be static and only turn when the pedal arm/crank is turned and no physically by hand. If it doesn't work at all on power then the issue may be more serious. Dear Nealh It doesn't work at all on power. I have tried turning the right-hand handlebar grip which I think used to start the motor before, maybe that is the throttle, but doesn't have any effect, makes no sound/movement. Don't know if I have understood what a crank area PAS sensor is, but the google photos seem to show an area with a round disc with knobbly bits on it by the crank at the top of pedal where it goes into the frame? Is the PAS sensor a little rectangular piece of metal attached to the frame behind that round disc? And that is what could have got budged out of where it would need to be closely aligned to make the pedal link up the motor with the battery? Do you know where I could see what the screen symbols mean? Thanks very much. Best of everything Emma
June 20, 20205 yr Author Dear Nealh It doesn't work at all on power. I have tried turning the right-hand handlebar grip which I think used to start the motor before, maybe that is the throttle, but doesn't have any effect, makes no sound/movement. Don't know if I have understood what a crank area PAS sensor is, but the google photos seem to show an area with a round disc with knobbly bits on it by the crank at the top of pedal where it goes into the frame? Is the PAS sensor a little rectangular piece of metal attached to the frame behind that round disc? And that is what could have got budged out of where it would need to be closely aligned to make the pedal link up the motor with the battery? Do you know where I could see what the screen symbols mean? Thanks very much. Best of everything Emma HURRAH, IT WORKS!!!!! I put it upside down like in my favourite film Breaking Away where the hero is working on the terrible bike all the teams have been given to get ready for the race against the college boys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTzzHRywLBE, and cleared off the sensor, and then noticed - the cable to the front wheel from the handlebars had come apart from the cable to the wheel hub and was unattached, pushed them together, and huzzah - it WORKS. My hero, thank you so much. Can't tell you how thrilling it is to be able to get back on the road and up the frightful hills and go on a trip to see everything on my bike again. Hurrah for you king of the electric bikes and all pedelec wizards for your help and kindness of bothering. Best of absolutely everything Emma
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