Urban Myth? 36 volt batteries feeding 24 volt hub motor.

[Mark Drake]

I am not an expert on electrics so I hope that this is not a silly question,

I have an 24 volt ECO Stepper electric assist folding bike.

I have seen a few comments about people intending to substitute their a 24 volt battery with a 36 volt battery,

Has anybody actually done this?

Surely this will burn the 24 volt hub motor and other components out won't it?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Yes. I've done it on a couple of 24v bikes. It won't do any harm to the motor, but there's a very small risk to the controller. Controllers are cheap, so in the unlikely event yours does blow, you can use the opportunity to upgrade it to a much better one.

 

[Alan Quay]

Me too. My controller was (and still is) fine.

 

[Mark Drake]

Yes. I've done it on a couple of 24v bikes. It won't do any harm to the motor, but there's a very small risk to the controller. Controllers are cheap, so in the unlikely event yours does blow, you can use the opportunity to upgrade it to a much better one.

I am pleasantly surprised.

What advantage does the 36 volts give you, faster speed, more torque or longer distance?

 

[flecc]

Faster speed, in theory 50% faster but maybe slightly less in practical circumstances. You probably won't be able to pedal fast enough to keep up with it.
.

 

[Alan Quay]

My 24v running at 36v (SWX) tops out about 21 mph. Very little torque at that speed though, so you can really only get that on a long flat stretch.

 

[Mark Drake]

My 24v running at 36v (SWX) tops out about 21 mph. Very little torque at that speed though, so you can really only get that on a long flat stretch.

Interesting. Big spend for 6 MPH increase in top speed though.

 

[freddofrog]

Interesting. Big spend for 6 MPH increase in top speed though.

but when your 24V battery has reached the end of its useful life, you might consider getting a 36V battery, and as said, if the controller goes up in smoke, source a new controller

 

[Alan Quay]

Interesting. Big spend for 6 MPH increase in top speed though.

Yes, it's a big percentage if you only have the one bike.

But If ebikes are your thing, at some point a 36v battery is an essential investment.

 

[KirstinS]

I'd agree with that

But if you have a good 24v battery you can test 36v relatively cheaply by going down the booster battery route and adding a 3s (11.1v) battery made if 18650 cells. I get mine for free from laptop repair shops or drill packs

That way you only risk your controller

 

[johnnie322]

Have just ordered a 36v replacement for my 24v bike.......so will report my experience!