mvadventure
1 kW
- Joined
- May 2, 2007
- Messages
- 419
It's been six months and about 1,200 miles on the Aten Energy 48 volt 20 AH LiPO4 pack. The batteries have been virtually trouble free but that hasn't been true for the charger or BMS. In defense of Zane though I paid once and only once, everything else has been under warranty and my service has not been interrupted.
The initial charger did not work at all but I was able to use my SLA charger. The next charger worked fine for about four months then the BMS quit. By bypassing the BMS everything still worked and I was back on the road in a hour or so. The latest charger had me remove the old BMS and rewire the batteries for the new one which has a built in BMS. Naturally were I to do it again I'd do it different but regardless, everything works fine and I can tell by observing the charger the condition of each cell. The charger has sixteen (16) wires into a large plug which fits onto the rewiring I did on the batteries.
Even though the watts up meter will read up to 58 volts upon completion of charging, a brief hundred yards takes it back to the high 53 volt range where it stays for about 15 miles when it drops into the 52 volt range with NO loss of power to the wheel. So far the longest run I've had without charging is only about 34 miles and the battery read 52 volts after a very brief rest.
What I've gotten, IMHO, for my investment of $833.00 is peace of mind, long range, a disappearance of the Peukert effect and confidence I'll have the power to get home. Being a law abiding citizen I normally set the cruise control for 20 MPH when outside my little island and seldom exceed that on the level ground. Where the peace of mind comes in though is the ability to plan a trip of 15 miles and once you arrive at your destination you still have the ability to go further without worrying about having to charge up before returning. For me it's been a worthwhile investment, one I would do again. Zane has proved honest and straightforward if a little slow sometimes responding to phone calls or emails.
Mike, Crystalyte front mounted 5304 on a steel cruiser frame
The initial charger did not work at all but I was able to use my SLA charger. The next charger worked fine for about four months then the BMS quit. By bypassing the BMS everything still worked and I was back on the road in a hour or so. The latest charger had me remove the old BMS and rewire the batteries for the new one which has a built in BMS. Naturally were I to do it again I'd do it different but regardless, everything works fine and I can tell by observing the charger the condition of each cell. The charger has sixteen (16) wires into a large plug which fits onto the rewiring I did on the batteries.
Even though the watts up meter will read up to 58 volts upon completion of charging, a brief hundred yards takes it back to the high 53 volt range where it stays for about 15 miles when it drops into the 52 volt range with NO loss of power to the wheel. So far the longest run I've had without charging is only about 34 miles and the battery read 52 volts after a very brief rest.
What I've gotten, IMHO, for my investment of $833.00 is peace of mind, long range, a disappearance of the Peukert effect and confidence I'll have the power to get home. Being a law abiding citizen I normally set the cruise control for 20 MPH when outside my little island and seldom exceed that on the level ground. Where the peace of mind comes in though is the ability to plan a trip of 15 miles and once you arrive at your destination you still have the ability to go further without worrying about having to charge up before returning. For me it's been a worthwhile investment, one I would do again. Zane has proved honest and straightforward if a little slow sometimes responding to phone calls or emails.
Mike, Crystalyte front mounted 5304 on a steel cruiser frame
