I'm looking for suggestions on batteries.
I currently have a 10s7p Panasonic NCR18650GA, 40A rated, downtube battery (from ebikes.ca)
My commute is 10 to 14 miles one-way. (25min - 40min) Elevation: Flat (less than 100m = 300ft of climbing either way)
Wants and current limitations:
1) 2kW-2.5kW continuous power ~= 40mph cruising
With 40A*36V, I get just under 1.5kW. I'd like to be able to keep up with cars (or keep cars from catching up from a previous intersection and having to pass me). Currently I get to about 30mph, but the speed limits around here are 40-45mph, so it's always a game of constantly looking back and moving over on the sidewalk as cars approach, or pissing off a few cars and feeling unsafe as they pass too close sometimes.
Sidewalks limit me to <15mph (few cars take notice of bikes since there are so few bicycle commuters, and it's also super bumpy and often frozen over with snow that people walked in). This makes my commute take up too much time and not enjoyable.
optional 2) Capacity to not need to charge at work. (1.5kWh to 2kWh?) I use about 500-650kWh currently one-way.
I currently charge at work and home, but taking the battery into work is not the most convenient.
This criteria seems a bit difficult, so could compromise.
To try to address (1), I upped my CA3 and Lebowski controller to 50A, hoping that 7A/cell would be manageable. But that only gets me to ~35mph. The battery also gets way too hot after 30 minutes. (goes up about 35C from starting temp)
Controller and motor seem to have no problems. I get about max 70C stator.
I thought about a few ways, and think options 1, 5, 6, or 7, might be the best. Would appreciate other suggestions and thoughts.
Option 1) Buy a small 72V high power pack.
https://ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/batteries/b7208li-dt.html
Pros: Gets me requirement (1) easily. Bike will be light and fun to ride.
Cons: Give up on requirement (2). Won't work with my standard voltage (60V) Cycle Satiator, so will cost more. Present battery can't be used in conjunction.
Option 2) Series connect a similar capacity downtube battery.
https://ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/batteries/b3620li-dt.html
Pros: Fulfills both requirements.
Cons: Would need to figure out where to store battery (pannier? backpack? under downtube?)
Since fulfills requirement 2, would be heavy and uncomfortable if have to put in pannier or backpack.
Option 3) Use Ligos
https://ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/batteries/36v-ligo-battery.html
Use 7 Ligos in series to get similar result to option 2.
Pros: When my downtube battery reaches end of life, I can buy more Ligos and just use those for whatever power/capacity I need.
Can potentially change form factor to mount to bike more easily than option 2.
Very nifty. (can use as 3 in series as a travel-friendly 110V power source ?!)
Cons: Super expensive relative to other options.
Since fulfills requirement 2, would be heavy and uncomfortable if have to put in pannier or backpack. Easier
Option 4) Get Large-ish 14s battery
https://em3ev.com/shop/50v-14s6p-small-triangle-pack/
Pros: Would still require charging at work. Tidy.
Works with my standard voltage Cycle Satiator.
Cons: Present battery can't be used in conjunction.
Barely increases power capability, up by about 20%+ (20% more cells, but can also choose higher power cells)
Option 5) Make custom 10s7p series booster pack to fit in my triangle.
Pros: Gets me all my requirements. Neat.
Get a new project to play with. (had fun building the Lebowski Controller)
Cons: Heavy. Won't be able to complete for a while since I'm busy with school and work.
Option 6) Parallel packs instead of upping voltage. Change my 1mOhm (50A continuous rated) CA shunt.
Option 6a) Use a few Ligos in parallel
Option 6b) Make custom parallel booster pack to fit in my triangle.
Option 7) Do nothing. I've only used the pack 80 times (one-way trips). So it still has lots of life in it. Wait for a few years/decade for new tech.
Pros: cheap
Cons: I don't ride to work much due to my two criterias.
I currently have a 10s7p Panasonic NCR18650GA, 40A rated, downtube battery (from ebikes.ca)
My commute is 10 to 14 miles one-way. (25min - 40min) Elevation: Flat (less than 100m = 300ft of climbing either way)
Wants and current limitations:
1) 2kW-2.5kW continuous power ~= 40mph cruising
With 40A*36V, I get just under 1.5kW. I'd like to be able to keep up with cars (or keep cars from catching up from a previous intersection and having to pass me). Currently I get to about 30mph, but the speed limits around here are 40-45mph, so it's always a game of constantly looking back and moving over on the sidewalk as cars approach, or pissing off a few cars and feeling unsafe as they pass too close sometimes.
Sidewalks limit me to <15mph (few cars take notice of bikes since there are so few bicycle commuters, and it's also super bumpy and often frozen over with snow that people walked in). This makes my commute take up too much time and not enjoyable.
optional 2) Capacity to not need to charge at work. (1.5kWh to 2kWh?) I use about 500-650kWh currently one-way.
I currently charge at work and home, but taking the battery into work is not the most convenient.
This criteria seems a bit difficult, so could compromise.
To try to address (1), I upped my CA3 and Lebowski controller to 50A, hoping that 7A/cell would be manageable. But that only gets me to ~35mph. The battery also gets way too hot after 30 minutes. (goes up about 35C from starting temp)
Controller and motor seem to have no problems. I get about max 70C stator.
I thought about a few ways, and think options 1, 5, 6, or 7, might be the best. Would appreciate other suggestions and thoughts.
Option 1) Buy a small 72V high power pack.
https://ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/batteries/b7208li-dt.html
Pros: Gets me requirement (1) easily. Bike will be light and fun to ride.
Cons: Give up on requirement (2). Won't work with my standard voltage (60V) Cycle Satiator, so will cost more. Present battery can't be used in conjunction.
Option 2) Series connect a similar capacity downtube battery.
https://ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/batteries/b3620li-dt.html
Pros: Fulfills both requirements.
Cons: Would need to figure out where to store battery (pannier? backpack? under downtube?)
Since fulfills requirement 2, would be heavy and uncomfortable if have to put in pannier or backpack.
Option 3) Use Ligos
https://ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/batteries/36v-ligo-battery.html
Use 7 Ligos in series to get similar result to option 2.
Pros: When my downtube battery reaches end of life, I can buy more Ligos and just use those for whatever power/capacity I need.
Can potentially change form factor to mount to bike more easily than option 2.
Very nifty. (can use as 3 in series as a travel-friendly 110V power source ?!)
Cons: Super expensive relative to other options.
Since fulfills requirement 2, would be heavy and uncomfortable if have to put in pannier or backpack. Easier
Option 4) Get Large-ish 14s battery
https://em3ev.com/shop/50v-14s6p-small-triangle-pack/
Pros: Would still require charging at work. Tidy.
Works with my standard voltage Cycle Satiator.
Cons: Present battery can't be used in conjunction.
Barely increases power capability, up by about 20%+ (20% more cells, but can also choose higher power cells)
Option 5) Make custom 10s7p series booster pack to fit in my triangle.
Pros: Gets me all my requirements. Neat.
Get a new project to play with. (had fun building the Lebowski Controller)
Cons: Heavy. Won't be able to complete for a while since I'm busy with school and work.
Option 6) Parallel packs instead of upping voltage. Change my 1mOhm (50A continuous rated) CA shunt.
Option 6a) Use a few Ligos in parallel
Option 6b) Make custom parallel booster pack to fit in my triangle.
Option 7) Do nothing. I've only used the pack 80 times (one-way trips). So it still has lots of life in it. Wait for a few years/decade for new tech.
Pros: cheap
Cons: I don't ride to work much due to my two criterias.