Can you help me with this battery mystery?

[amberwolf]

Amerwolf, neither I nor my local mechanic found two more batteries. I will ask him to look again.

If I decide for an additional or two additional outside batteries, how can I attach them from under the hood to outside? Maybe my mechanic knows but what if he doesn't?

You don't want to add more batteries until you figure out what the system originally used, or else you'll probably destroy the electronics with too much voltage.

Also, please either post clear straight-on pictures of the original battery, all sides, or use the google translate app (or whatever other method) to "read" what the original battery has printed on it in languages you don't read. That information could be very important to replacing it with the correct battery. Without knowing exactly what the original was, we cant' tell you what you should be replacing it with.

If you can't do that, then please test the original battery with a multimeter set to 200vdc, and report the exact voltage it shows. Even if it's completely discharged (and probably even if it's damaged), a 36v battery will be well above 12v, so this is a fairly simple test to tell what the original was (regardless of what it was marked).

 

[Vaporizing2019]

Cool scooter, scootergisen. Looks like you made a good choice buying it.

 

[Vaporizing2019]

emark, it is all true what you wrote about my trike, however, the odd thing is that the original battery did the trick and transported me approx. 8 miles while the Mighty Max transported me just 2.5 miles. My terrain is just slightly hilly.

 

[Vaporizing2019]

Amberwolf, the original battery is with my mechanic. I'll see him in a few days.

 

[eMark]

There is just one battery in my scooter. They now make newer models with 3 batteries, I know.
The hood over my battery is just 6 inch. I don't find a smaller size of battery with more than 12 or 15 ah, otherwise I would buy one with higher ah.

Need to increase enclosure to allow for at least 6.3" battery height which will allow room for either a 20Ah or 30Ah 12V LiFeP04 battery ... https://www.eco-worthy.com/products/lifepo4-12v-10ah-20ah-30ah-50ah-100ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery?variant=39315159580860 ... 6.3"H x 3.0"W x 7.1"L - OR - 7.3"H x 3.0"W x 6.7"L -28Ah

I bought a Mighty Max Battery ML 12-12 and had it tested. It was fully loaded but it performed just 3 miles. I have no possibility to charge it half the way. I live very rural.

It's only rated at 12Ah. You purchased a less expensive SLA MightyMax 12V.12A like this one at $30 ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/194184286241 ... 3.98"H x 3.86"W x 5.94"L. Your old 12V Chinese battery was at least 20Ah capacity (should be visible on battery label) according to previous travelling distance with it compared to 12Ah Mighty-Max.

Why did the Chinese battery (don't ask me for details as all written on the green battery was in Chinese) perform better than the US-made battery?

The Chinese battery was likely rated somewhere between 20-30 Ah capacity (it should say on the battery). What about making room for this $99.99 12V 28Ah capacity EVO LFP battery ... https://batteryevo.com/battery-evo-12v-28ah-lifepo4-battery-ef1230-360wh-solar-rv-golf-cart/?sku=Battery%20Evo%20EF1230&gclid=Cj0KCQiA95aRBhCsARIsAC2xvfz0gLnue28wabioKOxp1EWQxHal_7MDpY6OH9RalwcRyrm6Lq_XdI0aAgBxEALw_wcB ... 7.3"H x 3.0"W x 6.7"L - 28Ah. The Chinese Battery was no more than 6"H as you said the hood height is only 6 inches.

And where do I get a really good battery for this trike? I depend on it very much.

That depends more on how willing you are to increase (modify) the available inside height clearance of the current 6" hood . This site has several LiFeP04 choices (e.g. 20Ah, 30Ah, 50Ah) listing the battery dimensions of each ... https://www.eco-worthy.com/products/lifepo4-12v-10ah-20ah-30ah-50ah-100ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery?variant=39315159580860

Here is a less expensive SLA 12V 20Ah ZippBattery at WalMart $39.80 ... Dimensions : (H) 6.59" x (W) 3.03" x (L) 7.15" ... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Zipp-Battery-12V-12-Volt-20Ah-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Battery-for-Apc-Bp1400-Bp1400x116-Dla1500/580998423?

Doubt you can find either a 12V 20Ah SLA or LFP with only 6" height. Your only solution is to modify the hood to accept a taller 12V battery. Both this ECO-WORTHY 20Ah ($99.99) and 30Ah ($139.99) have the same dimensions being: 6.3"H x 3.0"W x 7.1"L ...
https://www.eco-worthy.com/products/lifepo4-12v-10ah-20ah-30ah-50ah-100ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery?variant=36010575069349 ... surely between you and your mechanic you can modify the 6" hood to accept an ECO-WORTHY 12V 30Ah LiFeP04 battery - OR - the 28Ah EVO Battery. That should get you enuf roundtrip travelling.

You could buy one SLA - 20A ZippBatteries for $39.80 - or - 1 - 20Ah LFP ECO for $99.99 - or - 1 - 28Ah LFP EVO for $99.99. Will be interesting to see what the other guys think is the better going forward or only for 2022. Depends on how long you plan to keep your MotoTec. If at all possible see if your mechanic can find the Ah rating on the Chinese label. If only 20Ah you may decide to just buy then either the LFP EVO or ECO for $99.99. If on a tight budget the 20Ah SLA ZippBattery for $39.80. Either way you and your mechanic will have to increase the 6" hood height making room for the SLA (6.59"H) or the LFP EVO (7.3"H or the LFP ECO (6.3"H).

 

[eMark]

Looks like you'll need to build your own hood cover for a battery closer to 30Ah so you don't have to always do a deep discharge .

YES, ideally what you need is a 12V deep cycle battery that's closer to 30Ah like this one ...
https://www.solarflexion.com/product-p/8au1h.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmpyRBhC-ARIsABs2EArBrpEJ9V3oDultxnhZHfqlVaLPbUljAOEpI6P3yTAoF8DYy-4sd4MaAjTEEALw_wcB ... 8.31 x 5.18 x 7.22 in (L x W x H)

Here's another 30A possibility ...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ML35-12-12V-35AH-LEISURE-LIFT-Wheelchair-Battery/160649900?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1082&&adid=22222222227053800214&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=154470785753&wl4=pla-264977159734&wl5=9019693&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561763&wl11=online&wl12=160649900&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmpyRBhC-ARIsABs2EAprI29ZffBjz9YJ9J7QDo4pFrxNMuybDwFx6Qr_rWj35uASx_1e0vIaAlsyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds ... 7.76 in x 5.12 in x 7.01 in ... "deep dischage recovery"

 

[999zip999]

The caveman and then the Egyptians use lead batteries we have moved on from lead batteries. don't waste your money on lead. You guys help him out of the dark.

 

[Vaporizing2019]

Hi Amberwolf,

I saw my mechanic taking out one old battery, one piece. When he opens the hood next time, I'll make pictures.

Thanks for the link. I contacted these guys already:
https://mototecusa.com/contact-us.aspx
http://support.bigtoysusa.com/

They told me that they don't answer battery questions. And I also contacted the store from which I bought the trike. They referred me to this forum. No kidding.

 

[scootergrisen]

Cool scooter, scootergisen. Looks like you made a good choice buying it.

Yes i think so too.
The best thing about my scooter is how silent it is.
The options was limited but i wanted one with lithium batteries and LED headlight and hub motor.

Lithium batteries because they seem to be best in just about all ways compared to lead acid batteries.
The only problem is the high price.
Now after using my scooter/batteries for some years the range is getting lower.
The batteries are super expensive at the place i bought the scooter.
I don't look forward to buying 2 new batteries at the place i bought the scooter.
So i want to look into changing the cells myself. Perhaps it could be done at half price.

Lead batteries are cheaper but i don't see any future in them for electric vehicles because of the weight.
If you try to make the range longer you quickly run into a weight limit with lead acid batteries i think.
And you drive around with all that weight. It's not good.
There is the option to get a trailer to hold the batteries.
Sadly in the country i live in it is not allowed to use a trailer on the type of vehicles i have.

But in your case i think it would be fine just using the same type batteries to keep it simple.
Then instead think about which vehicle you want next. With lithium-ion batteries of course.
Then you have some time to save up money.

If you like something with three wheels maybe you would want something like this next time.

 

[eMark]

Excellent Suggestions :thumb:

Probably just a matter of weeks, months before he/she decides to move on/up. Here's another possibility that's not as expensive or luxurious, but perhaps more within the budget. This 36V 750W e-Trike with pedal assist (only when need be for excercise) is reasonably priced, weights only 40 lbs, and can be split in two for car transport. Can be easily assembled with no tools required. My neighbor is 85 yrs and assembled her LT all by herself, but then she used to own a Harley D ...

https://www.libertytrike.com/products/liberty-trike
https://www.libertytrike.com/products/liberty-trike-refurbished
https://www.gadgetreview.com/liberty-trike-review

I've had my LT for 2 years now going on 3,252 miles. Besides some mods the only thing i've replaced are 3 worn tires for 3 new tires.

 

[eMark]

Amberwolf, thanks so much for you detailed posting. I appreciate your help very much. My system has 36V. Here are the specs and details of my electric trike: https://wheelywheels.com/products/mototec-electric-trike-36v-350w

• Battery: Three 12v 12ah Batteries (36 volts total)

• Battery System: 36 Volts 10Ah (Three 12v Batteries)

The original lead battery was in Chinese. The only thing what I could read on it was 12V10ah, and Mr. Hu. The American store that sold me the trike does not many technical details. They just sell it. I tried to talk to the Chinese manufacturer and talked to them on the phone but they don't understand me and I don't understand them. :lol:

Being that the original MotoTec Battery also has a 12Ah rating its width may be as much as 3.86" (same as that Mighty-Max). Depending on how a battery is rated it could be rated at both 10Ah and 12Ah. If so 3 of those Mighty-Max 12V.12Ah batteries just may fit. In that youtube you posted ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ee_Fhi1aT0&t=301s ... it shows how to measure the battery pack voltage (see 8:45 to 9:03 minutes). The fully charged battery voltage is 43.6V meaning that each of the 3 fully charged 12V batteries is at 14.53V. That Chinese battery can be rated at both 10Ah and 12Ah depending on its energy use.

You or someone needs to open up the 3 battery enclosure and remove one of the Chinese 12V 10Ah batteries to measure its L x W x H. If the width is at least 2.60" with the other dimensions the same you will be able to use a 12V.10Ah LiFeP04 like this 10Ah LFP battery ... https://www.eco-worthy.com/products/lifepo4-12v-10ah-20ah-30ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery?variant=37586593349820&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KaRBhBdEiwAZi1zzj_0mfK1YtKH_ukhCgZp_ONpSUdLAZkg_Pk2bqFeOFc5GQzSF0hKrBoCvZMQAvD_BwE ... here's another that should fit, but you first need to measure the L x W x H of the Chinese 12V 10AH battery ... https://www.walmart.com/ip/12V-10AH-Lithium-Replacement-Battery-for-DURA12-7F/206557160?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1082&&adid=22222222227458552520&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=538090834979&wl4=aud-1183291748582la-1394250724962&wl5=9019693&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561763&wl11=online&wl12=206557160&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KaRBhBdEiwAZi1zzoxsjxZ8WLecHYPDi13WMjCqzQttEJwzkhIzSh6EHv7UvJrGPJUz-xoCwYIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds ... here's another 12V 10Ah LFP ... https://www.amazon.com/Lithium-LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Maintenance-Free-Lighting/dp/B097BRKCQP/ref=asc_df_B097BRKCQP/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532484193990&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9842640233470197506&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019693&hvtargid=pla-1409818937478&th=1

The width of your M-M 12V.12Ah may not fit with its width of 3.86" ... need to compare to width of Chinese battery.

My current battery has these dimensions: 3.98 inch x 5.94 inch x 3.86 inch and I don't find any battery with the same size that has more thand 15 ah. Otherwise I would buy a 12V batttery say with 24 ah and solve my problem but when it does not fit in the space, what can I do?

The 12V 24Ah wheelchair battery won't work so you'll need to return it. Don't even mess around trying it or you may damage the Controller in your MotoTek. As you've already posted your MotoTek is powered by 36V system not 12V system.

The advantages of LiFeP04 power costs more, but it has advantages not found with SLA power ...

Built tough and crafted out of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) technology the battery lasts longer than SLA. With a lifespan of 2,000 charge cycles a LFP battery will last up to 5 times longer than your typical SLA battery while providing 100% more capacity at 60% less weight. Rated at 7 Ampere Hours (Ah), this is our smallest and lightest battery. Ideal for industrial purposes where you need a long lifespan battery that charges quickly, or for outdoor uses where weight is at a premium. Bulk pricing may be available for quantities of 3 or more. A LiFePO4 charger is recommended for optimal performance.

You may have to truck your MotoTek to a town with an e-bike shop to remove and replace the cells. They may even have a good spring sale on just the replacement (deep cycle) batteries (3) that would satisfy your needs for the next 4 years.