how do you custom builders keep track of battery percentage?

kimboviper · Dec 21, 2014

how do you custom builders keep track of battery percentage?

I see there are voltage minimum warning indicators but that doesnt help that much. Any way to monitor how much battery life is left without adding weight to the board?

psychotiller · Dec 21, 2014

kimboviper said:
how do you custom builders keep track of battery percentage?

I see there are voltage minimum warning indicators but that doesnt help that much. Any way to monitor how much battery life is left without adding weight to the board?

All of my ESC's have a low voltage cut-off setting. I usually set them at 3.4 When I hit low voltage my boards coast to a stop.

I'm not sure about every ESC on the market, but personally I wouldn't buy one that isn't pc programmable with a usb link.

kimboviper · Dec 21, 2014

psychotiller said:
kimboviper said:

how do you custom builders keep track of battery percentage?

I see there are voltage minimum warning indicators but that doesnt help that much.

Click to expand...

All of my ESC's have a low voltage cut-off setting. I usually set them at 3.4 When I hit low voltage my boards coast to a stop.

I'm not sure about every ESC on the market, but personally I wouldn't buy one that isn't pc programmable with a usb link.

Jan Christian · Dec 21, 2014

Cant live without it:
http://alienpowersystem.com/shop/electronics/1-7s-battery-checker-capacity-controller/

psychotiller · Dec 21, 2014

kimboviper said:
psychotiller said:

kimboviper said:

how do you custom builders keep track of battery percentage?

I see there are voltage minimum warning indicators but that doesnt help that much.

Click to expand...

All of my ESC's have a low voltage cut-off setting. I usually set them at 3.4 When I hit low voltage my boards coast to a stop.

I'm not sure about every ESC on the market, but personally I wouldn't buy one that isn't pc programmable with a usb link.

Click to expand...

You specifically asked about alternatives to "indicators" saying they don't help much. You also mentioned weight. So I listed, not an indicator. but a solid function. I didn't realize by your question that you were just looking for another indicator. My bad. :?

torqueboards · Dec 21, 2014

Yeah, most ESCs will cut off depending on the voltage you set it at. I set mine to about 3.2v. I wait until my board starts to stall and swap packs and/or if I don't want to swap mid ride I swap earlier. I carry a few 6S (3S 5000mah Zippy Flightmax).

Checkout my post here - http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=65214&p=979392&hilit=watt#p979392. If you use the eLogger V4 + PowerPanel LCD Display. It will log the data and you can also see the additional information on the PC.

It's definitely worth it but haven't wired it up yet. Hopefully, today if I have time.

I also tend to carry either a http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__41170__HobbyKing_8482_Battery_Medic_System_2S_6S_US_Warehouse_.html and/or http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__74024__HobbyKing_8482_Lipo_Voltage_Checker_2S_8S_.html.

You get use to when your packs will run out and how far you can go.

kimboviper · Dec 21, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007WQHX5K/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687782&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00FPHU7FG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0MRM58PDN5ED7DWZMSHW

this one looks interesting... is it possible to have this on the board while riding?

thanks for the suggestions

torqueboards · Dec 21, 2014

If you do, you want one with a switch as most of these voltage displays will drain voltage from 1 or 2 cells if you leave it on when the board is off.

You can wire one of these http://www.amazon.com/4-0-30v-Digital-Display-Voltage-Voltmeter/dp/B00B689UGA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419206766&sr=8-1&keywords=voltage+display to the main black/red wire for a full display of your full voltage which will give you an idea of how much capacity is left. It's only capable of 30v.

beto_pty · Dec 22, 2014

The cheapest alternative is one of these

They are under 4 bucks.. you set them at 3.8v and that roughly gives you a midway point.. so when it beeps you just set it to 3.1 and ride back..

Just be sure to check them when you turn on your board, cause if you become dependent on their alarm (as I am) you`ll rui your batts when they fail...

friendly1uk · Dec 22, 2014

Without adding weight is a tall order.
Look at some discharge curves. Voltage is often used as a capacity indicator and the graphs show why. You also see graphs with many cells, which show the gap between them and just why individual cell voltage is a bad indicator of pack capacity. Thus commercial designs tend to give capacity indication with just 4 or 6 leds. Anything with actual percentage readings tends to be single cell and self calibrating. Not a bike.

Even with the lightest of volt meters onboard, you still have to be familiar with each pack. Voltage alone is not enough.

I like a proper ah or wh meter. Ah meters for panel mounting are not that heavy. Then I can see whats used and how big the battery is. Even as it ages. Eventually dropping under 80% capacity and being recycled. I just find it the easiest thing to read. Anyone could look at my meter and the stickers and tell me what I should have left.

how do you custom builders keep track of battery percentage?

kimboviper

10 W

psychotiller

10 kW

kimboviper

10 W

Jan Christian

100 W

psychotiller

10 kW

torqueboards

1 MW

kimboviper

10 W

torqueboards

1 MW

beto_pty

1 kW

friendly1uk

1 MW

Similar threads