Charging and storing batteries question

[Bobocop]

You can pickup a 36 volt charger for $13 at T-Power-Moto --> at http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/T-Power-Moto__W0QQ_armrsZ1

e-crazyman also has very cheap chargers --> http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/HuaQiang-North-Road__W0QQ_armrsZ1

These are all SLA chargers (above)

If you need NiMH or NiCd chargers, then All Battery is the cheapest that I know of --> http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/All-Battery-Center__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Car chargers are good, but most will not turn off when charged, so you must keep an eye on it.

Sorry, Will Snow, my URL's don't seem to work, (you will need to copy and paste the link)

 

[JemmaUK]

From what I have been told on phone forums - that use the LiPo and LiIon batteries the best way of keeping life in them is not to discharge them below 10% and to store them in cool conditions - around the temperatures you would get in a household fridge are said to be ideal... say 5c..

However they should not be used in these temperatures if possible since it adversely affects their energy output (the colder the substrates the less activity - the less activity the less output) and running them for extended periods in this condition could damage them..

However, I have been toying with an idea using a very small 2 stroke/4 stroke motor driving a genny on the bike - if the exhaust gases were flue'd past the battery packs to warm them in cold conditions this might alleviate this problem - this would have to be switchable since in normal operating conditions engine exhaust heat would rapidly cook the batteries and you certainly dont want substantial amounts of hot chemicals anywhere near the groin.

hope that helped.

Jemma xx

 

[Bobocop]

However, I have been toying with an idea using a very small 2 stroke/4 stroke motor driving a genny on the bike - if the exhaust gases were flue'd past the battery packs to warm them in cold conditions this might alleviate this problem - this would have to be switchable since in normal operating conditions engine exhaust heat would rapidly cook the batteries and you certainly dont want substantial amounts of hot chemicals anywhere near the groin.

hope that helped.

Jemma xx

I never thought of that (using exhaust to heat the batterries) it will work, just make sure you have a vent for the exhaust to escape, (If the batteries are inclosed)

I have also been tinkering around with something similar, but instead of a gas motor, i use the actual motor (electric) that powers the bike.
I use a 36 volt motor at 48 volts, and the motor gives out a little heat at close to full throttle or under a bit of load,
So i made a tube going from the back of the motor to the battery box, with a little computer fan blowing the heat (that the motor puts out) at the batteries.
This actually does 2 things, keeps my motor cooler and my batteries warmer.
(i use a separate 12v NiCd battery pack for the fan)

 

[oldgun]

I will be getting a electric bike this spring, I'm thinking of buying a battry warmer like I use on the car battery, it's like a small electric blanket made for batteries. Anyone see any problem in useing this in early spring or fall? I hope to ride in fairly cold weather, at least until snow makes it unsafe.

 

[Will Snow]

As I get more into the electric bicycle world it seems there is much more to learn than I once thought.

Well, I now bring the batteries in out of the cold.
I recharge the batteries no matter how short the ride.
Good idea to have a smart charger, I now have one.
I even learned how to use a volt meter ( I know, pretty basic stuff).
Riding in the cold does not seem to effect the battery that much from what I read. Can not see where insulating the battery is a bad idea either. My tool batteries get warm when I use them and shurly the bike battery would warm up also, and if kept well insulated while out and about!???, what do you think of that?

I like riding that simple,quiet 15 mph electric test bike, So much so that I'm trying to put something together that will be just a little faster and some good range. Finding it not that easy and can get pretty pricey the higher the speed. Have not given up and still working on doing it.

I wish the generator idea that Jemmuk and Bobocop have would work out. I to have had some of the same thoughts but don't have the know how to start with, but neat idea anyway.

Going to try this recumbent trike, should be good to carry the battery, weight. I just hope I have the courage to ride it in the street with traffic. Ive talked with some riders of these trikes and they say it is not the problem it would seem to be. I'm Getting off track a little and begining to ramble, just finding it an interesting challenge.

 

[ibdennyak]

As I get more into the electric bicycle world it seems there is much more to learn than I once thought.

Well, I now bring the batteries in out of the cold.
I recharge the batteries no matter how short the ride.
Good idea to have a smart charger, I now have one.
I even learned how to use a volt meter ( I know, pretty basic stuff).
Riding in the cold does not seem to effect the battery that much from what I read. Can not see where insulating the battery is a bad idea either. My tool batteries get warm when I use them and shurly the bike battery would warm up also, and if kept well insulated while out and about!???, what do you think of that?

I like riding that simple,quiet 15 mph electric test bike, So much so that I'm trying to put something together that will be just a little faster and some good range. Finding it not that easy and can get pretty pricey the higher the speed. Have not given up and still working on doing it.

I wish the generator idea that Jemmuk and Bobocop have would work out. I to have had some of the same thoughts but don't have the know how to start with, but neat idea anyway.

Going to try this recumbent trike, should be good to carry the battery, weight. I just hope I have the courage to ride it in the street with traffic. Ive talked with some riders of these trikes and they say it is not the problem it would seem to be. I'm Getting off track a little and begining to ramble, just finding it an interesting challenge.

UH OH, he's hooked. This is how it all starts. Actually, insulating isn't a bad idea. That's what I did on my electric push trailer a couple years ago. I just used SLA's, but I too noticed they would warm up with use, so I wrapped them is foam. Seemed to help especially in below freeing temps. I also had a little home made genset on it. Didn't work bad for what it was. Sure did improve the range.

 

[Will Snow]

Ibdennyak

Could you give some detail about your generator setup I would be interested in what you did.

I misread what Bobocop was doing. Thought he also had a generator system going but is warming a battery using a clever idea.

 

[ibdennyak]

Ibdennyak

Could you give some detail about your generator setup I would be interested in what you did.

I misread what Bobocop was doing. Thought he also had a generator system going but is warming a battery using a clever idea.

Hate to admit it, but I don't know how to post a link, but if you go in the electric bike forum and in the "just wondering if it is doable" thread, starting with about post #21 there is a short discussion of what I had. I did develop it a bit more after that, but it is kind of on hold at the moment. I do plan to pursue it with a few modifications in the future.

 

[machiasmort]

The ammount of available current drops as temperatures decline on a battery due to the slowing of the chemical reaction giving you power. Best way I can put it in easy to understand terms.

Solution, as previously mentioned, insulate your boxes. I'd look at spray in foam or lite weight coolers.

Smart chargers have a circut that measure the batteries voltage and switch to a trickle charge. I've been wanting to read this article but havn't had time. http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/hayles/charge1.html
Not sure if it's a smart charger he's building but I like his way of explaining stuff.