Hi everybody,
I got an older eZip e-400 (seems to be the same as Schwinn s400) in perfect condition with depleted SLAs and burned controller. While awaiting for another 24V controller I was looking for Lithium alternatives, which I know don't come cheap unless you have lots of 18650s around or RC gear. This forum has tons of good info and after some reading it seems that there are a couple of options for eBikes, but the scooters are much more constrained in space and power.
The easiest would be the LiFePO4 drop-in replacements, such as CTC 12V10Ah that sustains 10A (~1C) discharge rate:
http://www.ctcbattery.com/LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Battery/CTC-12-8V-10Ah-128Wh-Lithium-Iron-Phosphate-LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Battery
available for $120 from the TNCScooters/ElectricScooterParts (same company)
http://www.electricscooterparts.com/lifepo412v-24vbatteries.html
or the K2 Energy K2B12V10EB available for $160 from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-K2B12V10EB-Lithium-Phosphate-Battery/dp/B0056BWK8I
Now a pair of these should give the same 24V10Ah as the original SLAs, but I don't think they have any internal cell balancing, just simple protection circuitry.
Anybody tried these?
Another alternative would be 8 of the Headway 38120 10Ah cells in series. Any experience with these in such a tight space (probably two packs of 4 inline with some space for BMS)?
Would the stock 400W motor handle 36V? I presume it would provide a 2-3mph speed boost with stock gearing on flat ground. Hence, is 36V worth exploring for more torque with a gear mod? It would most likely require a new controller and throttle (if the motor can handle it) along with more batteries.
Comments, suggestions? Thanks!
I got an older eZip e-400 (seems to be the same as Schwinn s400) in perfect condition with depleted SLAs and burned controller. While awaiting for another 24V controller I was looking for Lithium alternatives, which I know don't come cheap unless you have lots of 18650s around or RC gear. This forum has tons of good info and after some reading it seems that there are a couple of options for eBikes, but the scooters are much more constrained in space and power.
The easiest would be the LiFePO4 drop-in replacements, such as CTC 12V10Ah that sustains 10A (~1C) discharge rate:
http://www.ctcbattery.com/LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Battery/CTC-12-8V-10Ah-128Wh-Lithium-Iron-Phosphate-LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Battery
available for $120 from the TNCScooters/ElectricScooterParts (same company)
http://www.electricscooterparts.com/lifepo412v-24vbatteries.html
or the K2 Energy K2B12V10EB available for $160 from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-K2B12V10EB-Lithium-Phosphate-Battery/dp/B0056BWK8I
Now a pair of these should give the same 24V10Ah as the original SLAs, but I don't think they have any internal cell balancing, just simple protection circuitry.
Anybody tried these?
Another alternative would be 8 of the Headway 38120 10Ah cells in series. Any experience with these in such a tight space (probably two packs of 4 inline with some space for BMS)?
Would the stock 400W motor handle 36V? I presume it would provide a 2-3mph speed boost with stock gearing on flat ground. Hence, is 36V worth exploring for more torque with a gear mod? It would most likely require a new controller and throttle (if the motor can handle it) along with more batteries.
Comments, suggestions? Thanks!