Battery replacement

[Eagle]

My 2012 FreeGo Eagle’s 17.5Ah battery was dead as a dodo.

I contacted FreeGo and was told that their present batteries are 15.6Ah and use Samsung Grade A cells. This replacement battery would actually have more capacity (range) than my original because of improved cell technology etc.
The cost was £499 plus £15 for a conversion kit for the shorter battery case and £29 for delivery, making £543 in total.

Eaglerider and many other Pedelecs Forums members had recommended Jimmy at:

Insat International
1a Gateway Mews,
Ringway
Bounds Green
London N11 2UT

Tel : 0208 361 1790

https://www.bga-reworking.co.uk/

https://www.bga-reworking.co.uk/contact/

https://ebikebatteries.co.uk/

Jimmy replied very promptly to my email:

As you know I have done many similar batteries and it would be no problem to re-cell your battery. In most cases the capacity is 15.6Ah using the Boston Power Swing cells which are unique with 3000 cycle life. However, only multiples of 5s can be done, such 10.6Ah, 15.6Ah, 20Ah etc.


If you choose 15.6Ah then it will be less capacity than before. If you must have the same capacity again, then I'd have to use the Panasonic GA cells which would provide 17.5Ah at 36V.


The 15.6Ah (Boston) would cost £285 and the 17.5Ah (Panasonic) £350. Both prices include collection and delivery of your battery and 1 year warranty.

If the space is available, the best choice would be 20Ah using Boston Power Swing cells at £360.

Since the Boston Power Swing cells have a 3000 cycle life, I am going for either the 15.6Ah at £285 or the 20Ah at £360.

We all know that electric batteries are expensive, but at least Jimmy’s re-celled versions will still be a lot cheaper than a FreeGo replacement at £543.

In addition, the Boston Power Swing cells should last much longer.

I will keep you posted with developments.

EDIT
Insat International will arrange for a UPS courier to collect the old battery.

NB They usually also require the original charger (minus its mains lead) and the ignition key, together with a note of the new battery specifications.

Insat will ask you for the outer dimensions (in centimetres) of the parcel/box.
They will then arrange for a convenient collection time and email you a UPS shipping label for you to print and fix to the parcel.

 

[Eagle]

UPDATE
Insat kept me fully informed and then returned my re-celled battery after 4 working days, which I think is pretty good. Jimmy, Cem and Mary are all very helpful and accommodating.
I can thoroughly recommend the re-celling service from Insat if you are ever in the market for a replacement battery.

Email: info@bga-reworking.co.uk

Since I had plenty of room in the FreeGo battery case, I decided that while I was at it I might as well go for the 36v 21ah re-cell. I am sure that the cheaper 16ah version would have been perfectly fine, since both use the Boston Power Swing cells.

I topped up the battery as recommended and then gave the bike a short run locally. Initial feedback is very promising with a strong pull using maximum assist on my local hills.

I usually turn down the assistance once I am on the level, but unfortunately all ways out of my village are uphill.

The weather is looking a bit dodgy at the moment so I hope tomorrow is better for a longer run.

Just to add that the Suntour SP12-NCX suspension seat post has totally transformed the ride on my hardtail Freego Eagle. It really irons out the potholes and bumps on our poorly surfaced roads. It feels almost as good as the ride on my MTB with rear suspension.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SR-SUNTOUR-Unisex-SP12-Ncx-27X350/dp/B01HMXE8ZU/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1533221234&sr=1-1&keywords=SR+Suntour+SP12-NCX+27+x+350&th=1&psc=1

Your derriere will thank you for ever!
Highly recommended.

 

[KirstinS]

Thanks for the update . I'm awaiting a long term review or two for those Boston cells.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Remix]

They recently did mine using the Panasonic GA's....terrific batteries.

 

[Nealh]

I have been told Jimmy has received or has on order 28,000, YES twenty eight thousand GA Panasonic cells as he believes there will be a mass shortage/supply issue in the near future as demand will be increasing, which will probably see 18650 price's rising as well.
Production will not be able to keep up with demand and lithium supply/demand will also soar.

Jimmy is a very very busy man.

 

[Eagle]

UPDATE-2

I have just been out for a swift 8 mile run before breakfast, since fasted exercise is more efficient at reducing the excess pounds or kilos:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/exercising-empty-stomach-secret-weight-loss/

Re-celled 36v 21ah battery using Boston Power Swing cells from Insat
The first thing that I noticed was that on any given incline I was able to pull one, or sometimes two gears higher than on my original FreeGo 17.5ah battery. I cannot believe that I have become a lot fitter in the meantime, so the Insat battery must take all the credit. Well done Jimmy, the re-cell maestro.

My return trip is down a 12% gradient, so brakes are very important! I plan to scale this when I feel a bit fitter.

Gradients:
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/gradients-and-cycling-an-introduction/