BatterySpace 37V/8AH Lipoly (pack cuts out at 20A sustained)

Reid Welch

Reid Welch

1 MW
Joined
Nov 18, 2006
Messages
2,031
Location
Miami, Florida
This is both a review and a detailing of the pack's construction.
It is also a chronicle of battery performance over an extended time.

The story starts now
before my pack has even been assembled and shipped.


THE PACK



screenshot






______________________________________________



These packs are assembled to order from constituent parts by BatterySpace technicians
---they are "in stock" even if the order page states "N".

Tell them what you want---terminations can be customized


I have ordered the pack above.
It will arrive in a couple of weeks or less.
Photos will appear then and the review process will commence.

In the meanwhile I've laid out some details of the pack and its cell in preview.


_______________________



Cobalt chemistry Lipoly is not foolproof against our mistakes.

Please practice safe charging, usage and storage.

These relatively big lipoly packs are especially volatile if ignited
and they should be charged out of doors in open air
well away from flammables.

 


THE CELL




screenshot of the relevant Wanma page

___________________


Spelling corrections and suggested edits have been made to the quoted text
extracted from the above hyperlink:

High Power Polymer Li-Ion Cell: 3.7V 8000 mAh (8059156) , 40A drain rate, for Ebike PLH-8059156


Chemistry High Power Polymer Li-Ion [Lithium-ion cobalt polymer]
Capacity:

* Nominal: 8000mAh
*
Min. 7950 mAh
*
Average: 296 Wh (Capacity will reduce with cycle life , Battery labeled with Min. capacity at 300 cycles)
Click to expand...

Tips:

* You may [should] choose our smart Li-Ion Battery charger to recharge this battery
* You may [should] choose one of our PCMs to protect the polymer cell and its packs during charging.
* This polymer battery [cell] is excellent for ebikes , RC robots and other high drain DC devices up to 40A.
Click to expand...

Warning

* Li-Ion Batteries may explode if charged or discharged improperly.
* The end user must have the technical knowledge necessary to charge and discharge Li-Ion batteries safely before making [employing] Li-Ion Battery Packs
* For High power Li-Ion battery, you may [must] not use a PCM [ in series with the]discharge terminal; however, you must stop discharging before the battery voltage drops to 2.5V per cell.
* We [You]must use a protection IC (PCM) to keep the battery cells in balance and from overcharging.
* Please read more safety warnings about Li-ion batteries.
Click to expand...







THE PCM



______________________________________

extracted from the cell page hyperlinked above:

Data Sheet

* Please download the specification of Li-ion polymer 3.7v 8000 mah (8059156)
Click to expand...

-----

screenshots from the BatterySpace PDF







 
Can't wait to hear......

Which motor/ controller/ bike?
 
nightowlgk said:
Can't wait to hear......

Which motor/ controller/ bike?
Click to expand...
It's a slightly modified Currie 24v cruiser with the stock brushed Unite MY1018 gear motor.
The motor has been ventilated for air-through cooling required for high-current running.
The thumbnail

shows the bike about as it stands today.
There in blue Ace bandage is a Thudbuster
leaned back by shortening the elastomers so I can sit more to the rear.

With the new battery it may go 25mph.
The controller is the OEM brush motor controller, 35A.
It may or may not hold up to the new voltage.
 
Reid Welch said:
This is both a review and a detailing of the pack's construction.
It is also a chronicle of battery performance over an extended time.

The story starts now
before my pack has even been assembled and shipped.


THE PACK



screenshot
Just remember the 8ah rating is based on a .2 amp discharge rate.You should actually get about 80% of 8ah= 236 wh. until cutoff when the batteries are new then start to dimish in capacity rather fast using over 2 C discharge rates.Hope I'm wrong.





______________________________________________



These packs are assembled to order from constituent parts by BatterySpace technicians
---they are "in stock" even if the order page states "N".

Tell them what you want---terminations can be customized


I have ordered the pack above.
It will arrive in a couple of weeks or less.
Photos will appear then and the review process will commence.

In the meanwhile I've laid out some details of the pack and its cell in preview.


_______________________



Cobalt chemistry Lipoly is not foolproof against our mistakes.

Please practice safe charging, usage and storage.

These relatively big lipoly packs are especially volatile if ignited
and they should be charged out of doors in open air
well away from flammables.

Click to expand...
 
Hello Randy, I expect just as you noted.
I wished I could afford a double pack.

For now this'll get me started.
I won't be thrashing it hard
(well, maybe a little, just to see)

----

Finally arrived. I'll paste in pictures as things develop.

box dented as usual by UPS



Contents OK.


Free Clock doesn't display time with a dead screen;

but it sure glows prettily.
I may mount it on the bike someplace someday.

_____________

Bad exposure. Bad place to mount battery (jk)



_________________


Much as I dislike the big Currie battery box
see it would hold ten more 8AH cells, OR I can and could put the water bottle NiMH cells into the remaining free space.





For now, for the first ride (the pack is on slow charge)
I will probably lash up the pack to the BB shelf.
Duct tape for the short term.

I may not reuse the currie box at all. It's fuggly.
So is that water bottle battery.

_________________


Note the conveniently small, simple, cool running brushed motor controller.


I have ordered a 36V version from Currie--more than week ago.
But they've never sent it. Again, they lost my order.
So I hope this 24V rated controller does not fry at 42V.


______________________

Found a neat, simple, positive kill switch.
Do I dare to show it here? People will laugh.
Ah, it's not just part of the retro theme; the damn thing works well.


(picture here later)
humor break:



It's dark outside. I'm working outside. In the dark

it is dark. How dark? Dark
 
If I die, I die with my boots and helmet on.
Click to expand...

Good man!

Looking forward to hearing how it works...

Reid, hadn't you already tried this 24v controller with 36v of SLAs?

10 cell lithium = 42 volt max; 37 volt min (unless you're nuts)

Isn't the working range of 36v SLA about 42 volt max hot off the charger; 33 volt min ?

Are you going to try it out before constructing your LED LVD thingie?
 
Yeah, this controller ran well on 36V SLA. So that was about the same voltage, yes.

But now we are into a long-term marriage.
I'd feel safer (the word not the member here) and have a lot less touchy throttle
if Currie would only send the 36V current-limited controller as promised.
This thing will be seeing more voltage on average now than it did with the SLA pack.
I would like to think that both controller versions are identical except the one is 35A and the other more like 25A max, and the LVC figure, and the throttle fuel guage LED feed.

The only complaint I had of this controller before, on 36V SLA, was the twitchiness of the throttle response:
so much power in only a quarter turn.
OK for starting, hard to -keep a steady feed- at intermediate speeds.
Throttle jiggles waste electromojo.

Will ride tonight, but I'll be going it easy for a couple of cycles.
Maybe.

___________
Am not monitoring cells yet, have no cell meters.
And BS did not bring out any leads for monitoring.
Communications are rather poor there.

I'll be opening up the new pack before long.
I want to see insides for what's what and how's that.

Thanks friend,

Reidster
 
first problem: the coaxial charge plug arced as I put it to the pack's receptacle--
I had the charger turned on. No instructions to the contrary.
The plug is burned M&F sides. Not a good deal.
Will have to change this. No big deal.





The pack is supplied in a heavy duty open-topped ABS box and shrink wrapped.
The box is on end with plenty of sponge neoprene underneath
to catch the worst of the shocks,
and lashed securely to the frame
for this interim period. Good old duct tape.

Only now, though--the water bottle headlight battery
looks clunkier than ever.
It must go into some other form eventually.


Entirely serviceable power switch


 
Ypedal said:
All that money spent on a fancy Lipo pack.. and you Duct Tape it to your bike ????... i'm at a loss for words.
Click to expand...
Itsa tem-po-rar-y lash to learn what will be wanted long-term for a neater box.

It will be very neat in time.


_________________



"How you all work me"

(favorite E.F. Benson quote of his novels' character, Lucia)

:wink:
 
Ypedal said:
All that money spent on a fancy Lipo pack.. and you Duct Tape it to your bike ????... i'm at a loss for words.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with a little duct tape, as long as it's not grey.
 
Nothing wrong with a little duct tape, as long as it's not grey.
Click to expand...

Hey!
img_2070_147.jpg
 
Lowell said:
Ypedal said:
All that money spent on a fancy Lipo pack.. and you Duct Tape it to your bike ????... i'm at a loss for words.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with a little duct tape, as long as it's not grey.
Click to expand...
Man, that's quotable and true. See Picture Above

:lol:

_______

It began to sprinkle. But that was just me taking a pee in the planter.
But then it started to rain so I've just moved the project into the garage,
putting the car out in the weather.


Plugged the charger output back into the pack. Did this cold this time.
No matter.....

zzZARC

Less-so this time because the pack voltage is higher--less differential I guess. Caps in the charger?
Still, one would think that they've seen this happen before.

The charger needs an inline switch in the output lead.
I have a decent connector to replace this frying one of theirs.
Heads will roll! :) The MoodiCare free cube clock for Big Time Orders now has its display working.
But the LED light-up function has gone away.
I don't understand the directions either. Maybe because they suck.
"Avoid ferocious concussions...do not use erosive cleaners..."

I swear I'm in a mood to send the whole kaboodle back.
(not!)

----
Making joints--I roll them sometime, you know.

Pictures higher on...later on.


-----
Oh wow! The MoodiCare just came on-- the colors, wow the colors!
It will get reviewed concurrently with this lipo pack for sure.

Now it's all green. no, lime, no blue, no red, oooooh purrrrrple

sheezam!

=Gomer=
 
it's hella lot more cool than this crude gif
the colors fade in one to another.
its very relaxingzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzz





Moodicare Clock
[Zhejiang Vito Industrial Co., Ltd, China]
Moodicare Clock


Date: 10.01.2006
Product name: Moodicare Clock
Country of origin: China
Product description:

12 different colors changed

Changes color automatically and continuously

Changes color hourly, one color for one hour

Alarm function

12 hours mode and 24 hours mode

Automatically turning off of the light 30 senconds after lighting

Calendar display

Product material: hips, LCD

Accessories:

a) Clock

b) 2 x AG13 3V lithium battery

c) 4 x AAA 4.5V battery or 1 x AC adapter (excluding)

d) 1 x instruction manual

Reduces the ressure and tension during study or work

Eliminates our depressed mood

Inner packing: Color box size: 9 x 9 x 9.3cm

Outer packing: 60pcs / ctn

Carton dimensions: 45.5 x 36.5 x 29cm

N. W.: 10.6kg G. W.: 11.7kg

Loading:

Qty / 20' FCL: 34,980pcs

Qty / 40' FCL: 70,020pcs

If you would like more information about Moodicare Clock, please contact us or visit our website for more details.
Click to expand...
:idea: Who here wants to go in with me fifty-fifty for a 40'er?

:wink:
 
Joining the 10ga. output lead to a parallel of two mini-blade fuse holders of 10ga. leads.
Doing it this way (parallel minis) because the big-sized blade fuse holders available locally are not of good quality.
The contact pressure of these holders is first-rate. From Radio Shack.

So we have three tails of heavy gauge wire to join.
Roll them in a strand of wire, or rather: wind them.
it would be much better if I had a third hand to bind it up tight, tight.


_______


Lots of heat.
I like the Radio Shack mini butane soldering torch



________

Old School switch--USA Ace Hardware stores carry these.




Cheating off a few strands to enable getting the wire around the screw
makes no serious loss.

Maximum of heat--turn the torch gas full-on.

The plastic is phenolic. It won't melt.
Switch has very strong, snappy wipe action. It will hold up,
not that I switch under load...but if I have to switch hot, it will not suffer.
 
Reid Welch said:
Hello Randy, I expect just as you noted.
I wished I could afford a double pack.

For now this'll get me started.
I won't be thrashing it hard
(well, maybe a little, just to see)

----

Finally arrived. I'll paste in pictures as things develop.

box dented as usual by UPS



Contents OK.


Free Clock doesn't display time with a dead screen;

but it sure glows prettily.
I may mount it on the bike someplace someday.

_____________

Bad exposure. Bad place to mount battery (jk)



_________________


Much as I dislike the big Currie battery box
see it would hold ten more 8AH cells, OR I can and could put the water bottle NiMH cells into the remaining free space.





For now, for the first ride (the pack is on slow charge)
I will probably lash up the pack to the BB shelf.
Duct tape for the short term.

I may not reuse the currie box at all. It's fuggly.
So is that water bottle battery.

_________________


Note the conveniently small, simple, cool running brushed motor controller.


I have ordered a 36V version from Currie--more than week ago.
But they've never sent it. Again, they lost my order.
So I hope this 24V rated controller does not fry at 42V.


______________________

Found a neat, simple, positive kill switch.
Do I dare to show it here? People will laugh.
Ah, it's not just part of the retro theme; the damn thing works well.


(picture here later)
humor break:



It's dark outside. I'm working outside. In the dark

it is dark. How dark? Dark
Click to expand...
You willl be tepmted to have too much fun! Just don't let it warm up too much too often.Until I can get Kokams at 25 ah at 48 volts I think I will wait on any more lithiums.Good luck on your travels and cycle life.
 
Thank you Randy. I know this pack is undersized for HD running.
I too will look forward to the future for big single cells of 20 or more AH.

This is a tider-over pack until much better lipos come along at lower prices

General notes:

Why all the basic assembly pictures?

Many folks are new to this hobby.
They look in and say to themselves,
"I don't know how to solder".

It's simple. Big wire does need plenty of heat.
Joints should be clean. Rosin fluxing helps.
Twist wire ends before tinning,


especially if you employ grub screw connectors like those seen below.


The splices are wrapped in old fashioned friction tape
which is then rubbed over with goo glue and talcumed.
(not shown)

__________

Now, ready for a first test,

Voltage to the controller, OK!
Throttle LED gauge all lit up, OK!

That's all. No response to the throttle twist.
Ack.

I will hope the stoppage is just a wire broken in the throttle/led cable.
Rats.

I need to relax.

But how?

(comedy time)

Now I know why BatterySpace sent me the complimentary MoodICube clock
or whatever the hell it's called.

Time to stare for a bit....













:cry:
 
:?:

Went back to the bike a minute ago.
It was no longer dead. Go figure.
Caught the bike

by its crank slamming my right shin.

Knoxie should laugh ha ha. Glad here now it isn't on 60 volts.

All's well. Ouch.
HavaglassaChocolate skim milk while the last of the first charge trickles in;

enjoy the MoodiClue color changing LED stress relieving clock,

then go out for a test ride.

Oww. No damage---except to pride.
Glad I have none of that.

I swear that this squirrelly (did not work at first) clock has infected my reliable bike!


Trade pride for more brains any day

___________
_________
_____
 
First charge completed, the connector (fried) came to pieces upon disconnection.
Will have to change that. BatterySpace, are you reading me?

OK let's do a

of the famously reliable Drain Brain




Huzzah boys (and Brenda too!) Huzzah!
_______

Let's twist that throttle again! Rear wheel off the ground, annnnnnd....




nada




:cry:

It's most likely a flawed wire in the throttle connector. There are like six of them, various obscure colors.

I do not like ghosts.
 
FORK

________

It is now five minutes later.
I went back to the bike, in the gloomy shadows of piles of dead dried cats (jk)

and turned on the switch

and the sumbitch works again.


Now, this is just what it did an hour ago.


The hell. I'm going out for a ride.

See you after.

:p
 


First ride---all a lot faster than usual.
Bike goes 26mph on the top of the charge.
Tops out on voltage; isn't drawing max amps (35 is max) by a far shot.
Seems to be burning about 750W at 25mph. That reading fluctuated a hundred up, a hundred down.

The voltage sag is about 3.5V @ 30A.

The pack was slightly warm to the touch upon return home.
The cells must be quite a bit warmer.

It runs well. Cops stopped me. Not for speeding, just for curiosity.


DB pages with camera flash on; in MPH:







 
How much more in the tank?
I can't recharge until a new charger plug and socket are fitted.
Decided to do a run to the convenience store and back.

This shows the limit of the bike with this battery, run carelessly fast

(DB screen pictures here later--I'm sleepy. It's nearly daylight)
 
Cool! So glad the pack's working for you, and didn't fry the controller as you rode her. Hope you work out whatever's the matter with the throttle, but that's not all: At 38V you should have roughly 20% of your usable capacity remaining before the voltage is down to 37V, the remaining very quickly draining. Riding as you did, Reidster, your not-insane-today range should be 9.25 miles.

Yo friend,
Xyster
 
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