replacement battery Meerkat trailz bike

SueRobins

Just Joined
Jan 19, 2010
2
0
looking for replacement battery for Meerkat Trailz electric bike, the battery unit on existing bike is Currie Electro Drive, any information appreciated .
 

SueRobins

Just Joined
Jan 19, 2010
2
0
Thanks for info, i recently had new tires fitted to my bike and in course of conversation i was told my bike runs on a 12volt battery unit which is situated under the seat.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,196
30,601
No, no Currie electrodrive motor has ever run on 12 volt or could do Sue, normally 24 volts.

Ther have been various versions. Most used twin 12 volt SLA (lead acid) batteries wired in series to give 24 volts in a case under the cross bar, that's probably where the 12 volt notion came from.

More recently they've been marketed on Izip Trailz bikes with a variety of battery technologies, placed in different positions, but never under the saddle that I've seen. The nearest has been versions with a carrier mounted flat battery.

The Meercat Izip Trailz is the version I showed on the link above, the complete bike shown on the Amazon link below. Your bike should look like that in either step through or crossbar models:

Meercat Izip Trailz at Amazon.com
.
 

HittheroadJ

Pedelecer
Apr 22, 2010
152
16
Northern Ireland, BT1
I'll be looking for spare batteries before too long. Can you leave some feedback on where you bought in the end?

I asked at Moore and Large and they recommended Holcros.

I have not tried them yet. They do not list the battery online, but they may supply it.

Holcros Cycles - Bikes :: Bikes Electric

Ebikesdirect sell the bike, but do not have the battery listed either.

IZIP « Top brand Electric Bikes from A2B, Gepida, Infineum, IZIP, PowaByke, PowaCycle, Wisper & Green Edge!

These two link to the same shop with different names.
IZIP Electric Bikes - IZIP Parts - Izip Trailz AL Spare Battery 24v Complete
Electric Bikes Batteries - Izip Via Lento Spare Battery 24v Complete


One other piece of info you could look into is that the LiFePo4 version of the RMB (rack-mounted-battery) was released in the USA.
Izip Battery Pack (24V10A) | Izip Electric Bike Battery Pack (24V10A) | Izip Electric Bike Parts and Accesories

This may or may not be available in the UK. In theory the battery would last much longer and be much lighter. In practice, if the battery is too small (6 Ah instead of the SLA 10Ah one) then you may find that the wear on the battery is higher than hoped. Also at $399 it may be quite expensive here.

On their list of "international dealers" currietch list Moore and Large as the place to ask. As I said, they recommended Holcros.
Currie Technologies Hybrid Electric Bicycles | Izip Electric Bikes | Ezip Bikes | Ezip Electric Scooters

Good Luck and let us know.
 

banbury frank

Banned
Jan 13, 2011
1,565
5
batterys

Hi You need to open the plastic Case and look at the batterys inside

They will be Gel or also called lead acid battery's I have found the best are from Ritar power


They are made for Light vehicle use they make about 6 different types for other uses but The EV range is what you need

Ritar : Products

they are on Ebay

Set of 3 RITAR 12V 12Ah (15Ah) Electric Bikes Battery's on eBay (end time 19-Mar-11 00:44:27 GMT)

Make sure they are EV type

they will sell in any quantity just call them 01543466789


Frank
 

HittheroadJ

Pedelecer
Apr 22, 2010
152
16
Northern Ireland, BT1
It is possible to fit 2 12V batteries in the case if you find ones that fit.

Many have struggled to find batteries that fit the tiny dimensions of the Izip RMB

A depth of less than 70 mm has proven too hard for most.

Do the Ritar ones fit? I do not think so, judging by the dimensions listed.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

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HittheroadJ

Pedelecer
Apr 22, 2010
152
16
Northern Ireland, BT1
A conversion kit for £189 +£10 p&p is not expensive. Holcros ask £359.95.

There were lots of discussions from people who tried to find LiFePo4's that fit.

2nd Currie battery for eZIP mt trails [Archive] - Bike Forums has this:
The batteries in my pack that came with my 2008 Ezip Trailz measure 5.88x2.63x4.63 that's LxWxH. This "replacement" battery says 5.94 x 3.86 x 3.84 inches. I think the 5.94 would fit. But the cavity in the case is only 2.81 inches deep. Neither of the other dimensions would appear to fit. It looks to be an inch too deep. Maybe their description is wrong.



my own measurements:
In inches/centimeters old batteries are:
5.88=14.90cm
2.63=06.70cm
4.63=11.80cm





The dimensions of the cavity are:
2.63 inch can maximally be 2.81=07.18 cm
5.88 inch can maximally be 5.94=15.1 cm
I have not tried these sizes so they are at your own risk. Also the cases are known to vary slightly, so you should measure your own before relying on these.

I have not found batteries that fit. If anybody knows of any I'd be grateful.

The fact that the LiFePo4 option that CurrieTech have started offering is only 6Ah is due to the fact that they couldn't fit a bigger one in the case. $399. seems a bit steep though.
 

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banbury frank

Banned
Jan 13, 2011
1,565
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Hi what is the Description on the side off the battery I can see it but cant read it can you post a photo so we can

Frank
 

HittheroadJ

Pedelecer
Apr 22, 2010
152
16
Northern Ireland, BT1
It is an Enduring CB 10 - 12.

It does not hold a charge very well. Since I also have another battery I can tell that it is much better. (The enduring one will get me 8 to 10 miles the other one 14 miles). I have not been able to open the box yet, I'll have to drill it open because the middle screw has broken :-( I can tell that it is not "enduring" because with a torch and a wee mirror I can tell it is different.

 

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Trex 850

Pedelecer
Feb 2, 2011
53
1
Just opened the battery case on my other bike and the batteries are also Enduring CB10-12(12V-10Ah)- only had this bike for 2 wks and the batteries only seem to give a range of about 6 miles then kaput !!!- I've used this everyday from new and always put the battery on charge following usage,,
even following the manuals instruction to improve battery life and duration makes no difference..

The bike shop has promised to replace the battery under warranty,but, if the cases all contain the same brand(enduring)- I think I'm still going to have the same problems,,, So would these ideas work?

1: Try to obtain an empty battery case and replace with a better quality sla battery.
2: Make up a battery pack from rc helicopter flight packs- recently bought 10 packs from hobbyking ranging from 4s 3700mah to 6s 6000mah- not sure if I could get exactly 24v though,,,can the currie system be slightly overvolted??
3: Obtain a commercial 24v 10ah battery and attach to rmb rack and make own power connections- what would be the best connectors to use??
 

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banbury frank

Banned
Jan 13, 2011
1,565
5
Hi Ritar battery's the Best are made for electric vehicles they work I have tried Lucas battery's no range not suitable

Look at Ritar web site they make 7 different types of 12 volt 10 AH battery's all for different uses You need the EV type for light electric Vehicles

Ritar : Products


Just looked at Bms Battery they have a lithium but 75 wide pack I think they rap it in 5mm thick foam if you ask for it with no foam or when it arrives carefully remove it it should be 65 mm X 155 X 99 so should fit

It should cost approx £110 delivered complete with charger

hears the link

24V 10Ah Lithium Ion Electric Bicycle Battery Pack - BMSBATTERY


Frank
 
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Trex 850

Pedelecer
Feb 2, 2011
53
1
Thanks for that, found quite a few good deals on ebay for that battery (RITAR), one other question though, would the currie system run on a slightly lower capacity battery- say 7ah or 9ah- reason being to reduce the overall weight of the battery pack,, obviously I know my duration/range will suffer but this will be only for short trips to the shops and work which is only 3 miles from home.

Or should I simply just go for the lipo/lifepo4 option ?
 
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banbury frank

Banned
Jan 13, 2011
1,565
5
Hi Yes you can fit them both smaller capacities shorter range just pack out with foam to stop movement the Lithium battery is the best longer life better power + lighter

Frank
 
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HittheroadJ

Pedelecer
Apr 22, 2010
152
16
Northern Ireland, BT1
Please be careful when downsizing the battery that the required peak-capacity is quite high (I think the controller draws max 35A) this means that, if you get a battery that can not deliver short bursts of current that strong, your controller may cut you out.

I specifically mention that because several users of LiFePo4 batteries below 20A found that they could not go uphill or start from standstill at full-throttle.

I must admit that a NiCoMn sounds quite good at £118. Just hope it won't burn my bum. I'll think about it.

Many thanks for all your advice, Frank.