Hooking up 48v what will happen?

[eHomer]

that looks a heavy bike so you may not be able to maintain that speed for long unless your battery has the capacity?

I tried a couple of Powabykes a few years back, and they are on the heavy side.

The basic bike weight was 24kg and the three 12v 14ah SLA batteries weighed an additional 14kg, taking the total up to 38kg.

Range was crucial, as even with the 24 gears, it was very heavy to pedal after the power had run out. (On the plus side though, the motor did freewheel with no drag).

It makes me appreciate my current 20kg bike with the equivalent 36v 10ah lithium battery weighing 3.5kg, giving a total of 23.5kg, Pedaling that one is much easier.

The powabyke had a really good frame design for carrying batteries though, if one was ever modified to take lithium batteries it could easily hold about 60ah at 36v I would guess.

 

[morphix]

I tried a couple of Powabykes a few years back, and they are on the heavy side.

The basic bike weight was 24kg and the three 12v 14ah SLA batteries weighed an additional 14kg, taking the total up to 38kg.

Range was crucial, as even with the 24 gears, it was very heavy to pedal after the power had run out. (On the plus side though, the motor did freewheel with no drag).

It makes me appreciate my current 20kg bike with the equivalent 36v 10ah lithium battery weighing 3.5kg, giving a total of 23.5kg, Pedaling that one is much easier.

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That's the thing ain't it, these SLA batteries don't make sense on an e-bike really..cuz it's gonna drag on the performance lugging all that weight.. that's a good point too, once the power goes you got to pedal the thing you don't wanna be stranded.

The powabyke had a really good frame design for carrying batteries though, if one was ever modified to take lithium batteries it could easily hold about 60ah at 36v I would guess.

Maybe that would be a good thing to do then on this bike, as you say the design is good for holding the batteries and with the space, there would be a big pay-off for putting on more modern lighter batteries of equivalent size but of higher voltage.. it would really move. Assuming the motor could handle it eh. Or you could just put the minimal battery power/weight you need to reduce weight load/drag, making the bike more performance enhanced that way and easier to ride unpowered.

 

[ady347]

Hi, it has new sla 12v 10ah Lucas batteries, I have covered 400 miles on it, and was getting a range of 14miles which was hills and flat (off one charge).
The bike is brilliant but so heavy, I left the satchel on the back as it carried stuff for work, drink, lunch etc....
I want to upgrade batteries, have £300 to spend but no idea how, I wondered if motor was somehow geared to 15mph so no matter what voltage went though it, it would stay the same?

 

[hech]

Your cheapest option woiuld be to buy another sla 12v for 48v, assuming you can fit it inside that central cargo carrier. Or you could pick up a s/h lithium battery at 36v and 10a/h (£140) do a fairly easy shunt mod on the controller and prob get a little more speed and poss twice the range. A new 48v battery with shipping will be close to £300.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I've got a feeling that a normal 10aH 36v battery won't give enough. A troll through Ebay showed an advert for a Powabyke euro Mk2 controller rated at 16 amps, so I wouldnt go any lower than 12aH for a LiFePO4 or LiMmCo. I'd use lipos.

 

[morphix]

I agree with d8veh... I have 36V10Ah on my 250W 26" and that is a light bike and so am I... that's entry level/minimum power I think.. no complaints on that bike (21kg) it will do just about any hill, and 20-22mph on flats... but with a heavier bike or person, it would be different I reckon.. I'd be looking at 15Ah then.

10Ah gets me about 5-6 miles on throttle only going full power.

 

[ady347]

Can anyone give me a link at wot I should be buying/recommnding? I looked on eBay and google but not sure what I should be buying, battery and charger

 

[Old_Dave]

Its a kinda complicated decision that should not be made in haste, listen carefully to d8veh

Meanwhile I'd say have a look at this site. HobbyKing RC Plane, Car, Heli, Boat and MultiRotor Hobby Store

At lipo packs and chargers

However if your not into making leads and faffing about, then look here..http://www.bmsbattery.com/56-48v

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Your problem will be to find one that fits in your existing case. You need to measure the space first. Once you publish the size, it'll be easier to make recommendations. Don't forget to allow for the pillars half way down the case.

 

[ady347]

Ok thanks I will open it up soon, I also want to have a good look at controller fitted

 

[eHomer]

Your problem will be to find one that fits in your existing case. You need to measure the space first. Once you publish the size, it'll be easier to make recommendations. Don't forget to allow for the pillars half way down the case.

I'm fairly sure that the plastic case on those powabykes is pretty standard, being designed around three 12v 14ah SLA batteries. When I opened mine to replace them, it was a very snug fit in there with a very small space at the front to take the combined key switch/case locking mechanism.

You'd never get another SLA in there I'm afraid.

The case drops neatly between two upper downtubes and rests on the main downtube, a very neat arrangement that protects the battery case and carries the weight centrally and as low down as possible.

I don't think any of the ready made shrink wrap lithium battery packs would fit well into the cross section of the space (about 4" high and 4" wide). It's quite long though, ( just over 18" for the three batteries at 6" each).

That seems like quite a good volume, and if a bespoke lithium battery pack could be assembled around those constraints, it could well be 40a/h or even maybe 80 a/h. It could change those old heavy Powabykes into "electric mopeds" rather than hybrid pedelecs.

It would give an excellent range, but I guess it would cost about £700 or more at today's prices !!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It's about 100mm square in section from what I've seen, but there's two pillars that reduce the width at one point. My thinking is that the the internals of a 15aH silver fish type battery might fit, but we need exact measurements of the case and it's only 36v. Lipos wiill definitely fit, but more complicated charging procedures.
36V15Ah Li-Ion Alloy 01-Case EBike Battery Pack - BMSBATTERY

This one looks promising and would make a good upgrade for anybody with this type at 36v:
48V10Ah ebike ebicycle Li-ion NCM battery with BMS bar slim type Aluminum case | eBay

The battery from this bike might fit, but I don't know what it is. What's in the case? Antbody know?:
ELECTRIC BIKE, CBR FULL SUSS , 32MPH+, 48V, 1200WATT, WICKED!, ALL NEW!!!!" | eBay

 

[morphix]

Its a kinda complicated decision that should not be made in haste, listen carefully to d8veh

Meanwhile I'd say have a look at this site. HobbyKing RC Plane, Car, Heli, Boat and MultiRotor Hobby Store

At lipo packs and chargers

However if your not into making leads and faffing about, then look here..48V battery pack

I agree, take your time to weigh up the pros and cons and consider the cost and weights.. Lipo is a good economical and lightweight option, no import VAT/expensive shipping hassles etc..but the trade-off is the higher maintenance and load balancing requirement etc... I know people here say it's not as much hassle or safety risk, but it's still something to think about, and is probably more suitable for amateur electronics/hobbyist types. If you want a quick on/off option and charging you don't need to think about, BMS Battery is probably best option..I'm sure they will undervalue the purchase to minimise import taxes..but you could probably check what cost you're looking at before you order and compare to Lipo or buying something in UK.

 

[hech]

Lipo is a stupid and irresponsible suggestion for a newby that probably hasn't the time, skills or appreciation of danger this chemistry involves.

 

[fatts]

Hi,

Powabyke do these battery packs with lithium batts in them
Phone up Powabyke (google it ) and ask for Frank or Keith
They know all there is on the Euro's
Fatts

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Lipo is a stupid and irresponsible suggestion for a newby that probably hasn't the time, skills or appreciation of danger this chemistry involves.

IMHO a bit of an over-reaction. Probably at least 50% of model aircraft fliers use them, about half the guys on ES and many on this forum.

 

[Old_Dave]

Lipos are safer now that technology has given us smart chargers.... Any one remember using wire wound electric fire elements as rheostats to limit nicad charging current


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ady347]

Thanks guys, I will contact powabyke but will also take measurements of inside case, it may also help others, I have experience with lipo seems I use them to power this lol.

Prodigy evo test - YouTube

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Thanks guys, I will contact powabyke but will also take measurements of inside case, it may also help others, I have experience with lipo seems I use them to power this lol.

Prodigy evo test - YouTube

if you know about lipos, they'll probablly be your best option. Four 6S 5000maH packs would be a good starter and should easily fit in the case. You'd need to cut a panel in your case to get access to the balance cables for charging. If you get one of these chargers, you won't have to touch anything else for charging, so you can use the existing power cables and connectors.
BC168 Balance charger Charger super speed Li-ion/Li Pol | eBay

 

[hech]

IMHO a bit of an over-reaction. Probably at least 50% of model aircraft fliers use them, about half the guys on ES and many on this forum.

Well d8veh I've always been a respecter of your HO and agree that 12s/2p would really make ady's bike zip. In my own 9 months experience of the set-up I've had one short circuit, a smoldering shoe, and one cheapo imax b6 up in smoke for no apparent reason, but at least the house hasn't burnt down yet. But all that could change with a 25v battery with 100amp discharge rates. There are plenty on ES with them but plenty more who would't touch em with a bargepole, whatever that is!