Up grading batteries for 24v Ezip system

[Will Snow]

The batteries seem to be getting a little weak On my 24v Ezip kit, so thinking about replacing them. In the past I was told a good SLA battery was the most reliable but that was about four years ago.

I am always interested in improving performance but good reliability always comes first with me. Besides, when it comes to the electrical department I am not sharp as I would like to be, so making modifications is something I keep hands off. I only said that to say, "if now days there are new better performing batteries than the SLA batteries, I would be interested".

 

[Neon]

Well SLA batteries are still the cheapest batteries out there, but they don't perform as well as some of the newer battery technology. But SLA are so cheap that replacing them more often is not as big a deal. They are also more idiot proof. I'm not calling you an idiot BTW. But it's very easy i guess to mess up the newer batteries if you don't know What you are doing. Or the battery management circuit isn't up to par. I would say just take your old battery case apart. Take one of your two 12v batteries and head down to your local battery store. And see if you can get 2 slightly higher amp batteries. That may make enough performance difference for you.

 

[motorbikemike45]

With battery power, Volts equal speed and power, Amps(or Amp hours) equal range(distance) you can travel on a charge. The e-bikekit direct drive hub motors I am using are designed to take voltages from 36 to 72, but I'm not sure about the Currie Ezip motor. Adding higher Amp batteries will increase your range, add to your weight, but not otherwise increase performance and with no danger of harming your motor. Adding another 12 Volt battery in series to increase your voltage from 24 to 36 will be heavier and greatly improve your power and speed, but may quickly burn up the motor or at least shorten it's life drastically. Get in touch with Curry to see if you can increase the voltage to their motors safely.

I went with the more expensive LiFeP04 batteries from Ping. They last approximately 4-6 times longer than SLAs, weigh about 1/3 of what equivalent SLAs weigh, and are about 1/3 the size of equivalent SLAs. To change to higher tech batteries you will need to make sure they have a battery management system built in or buy a separate battery management system and you will need an appropriate battery charger. Most of the better high tech battery makers do include a built in battery management system and a small 2 or 3 Amp battery charger, with an optional higher rate charger available at extra cost.

 

[Neon]

I guess my opinion on increased performance is quite a bit different than yours motorbikemike45. I consider increased range to be enough of a performance increase and not going 40+ mph. The controllers on the currie bikes can handle up to 50 volts and a maximum of 30 amps. The motors on the other hand may or may not handle more volts. I've seen many mods to the motors to keep them cool, but i don't consider it worth the effort to do them. The motors and controllers on these bikes only get warm even under heavy use. Overvolting requires more advanced cooling. I don't consider it worth the effort but Will may think differently. Extra cost are the magic words here. Yes SLAs are heavier and don't perform as well as LiFeP04 or Lithium-Manganese, heck even NIMH outperform SLA, but SLA are a heck of a lot cheaper. Usually with the currie bikes the motors usually only last about a year, more if not used much. Then they usually require new brushes and bearings, or a new motor.

 

[motorbikemike45]

You are absolutely correct, Neon, when you say range is one important aspect of e-bike performance. My 2 e-bikes have 36V, 20Amp-hour and 48V, 15Amp-hour batteries. The 36V bike has a top speed of 22mph and a range of just over 38 miles on the flat with no pedaling and no wind. I must pedal assist on moderately steep hills. Acceleration isn't exactly neck snapping, but I guess you could call it "adequate". The 48V bike will eventually reach near 28mph, but I haven't tested it for range yet. I expect it will go about 30-35 miles on the flat with no wind on a charge. The acceleration is pretty good, for an e-bike. I must pedal assist on only the steeper hills, though I usually assist on any hills where it slows appreciably.

 

[ZnsaneRyder]

38 miles is a lot of range, more than I would have expected from those batteries.

 

[bideronit13]

There was a post on another web site with almost the same question and I found a bunch of izip products that are reasonable.

Good Luck with it!

Jason

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...570.l1313&_nkw=izip&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[Will Snow]

batteries and currie mod.

Thanks, Good information

This is partly a learning process for me so hear what I have done: I purchased a 36v controller, thumb control and charger. Wired the the bike for 36v and as suggested, bought three 12v 10amp SLA batteries from our local Battery Plus store.

The bike tops out at 22mph as was said by one member and that is fast enough for me. So far it is doing just fine and the motor does not get hot, just a little warm. As was pointed out by Motorbike Mike and Neon the 36v will shorten the life of the motor.

Here is what I have in mine: Find a strong brushless replacement motor that will handle the voltage and buy a second set of batteries, but Lithuim this time.

I bought the Ezip kit and installed it on my bike just for a trial with Electric. So far I certainly like the quietness of the bike. I have put together several nice gas powered bikes but the quitness, no gas or oil is a treat because of the overall cleaness.

Liked your comments and thanks for taking the time to post them. Do you think I am on the right track with the brushless motor and Lithium batteries?


Will

 

[Neon]

I don't think you could go wrong at all with a brushless motor. They are pretty much bulletproof from what i hear. Plus it's easier to find them in the voltage you would like. As a quick note, wattage is a consideration as well. As a rule 750 watts = 1HP. Nice to know to help make a decision later. For more info you can always take a trip to the Endless Sphere forum and have a look around and see what is suggested there. Those people know what they are doing.

 

[Will Snow]

Thanks Neon, good suggestion about Endless Sphere. I will pay attention to wattage also when the time comes.

Will