Best 48V LifePo4 Batteries

[neilr1967]

I'm new to the forum but I'm generally confused about LifePO4 batteries. Seems like Ping Batteries are the general consensus of the best value but what about other options such as Comcycles or e-bike kit? Also what are the technical differences of different manufacturers of LifePO4 batteries. Any and all opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Neil

 

[dogman dan]

A lot would depend on the motor and controller that would be used.

Some of the batteries you mention are a good buy, Ping, Ebike-Kit, High Tech Bikes. Comcycles I have no knowledge of, so no comment on that one.


The highest power batteries on the market nowdays are the headways from EV components. Those are the best bet for high power applications. Or tough use like big hills in the mountains, bmx riding etc.

For under 500 watts, pouch style cells such as pings are fine in 10 ah size. For 750 watts, then upsizing to 15 or 20 ah size is a good idea. My own experience is with a 36v 20 ah ping, that I have run 4500 nearly trouble free miles on a 750 watt motor and controller. In general carrying a bit larger battery with the lower discharge rate lifepo4 is worth it. At some point though, the battery gets awkward to carry. 36v 20 ah and 48v 15 ah are a convenient size for rear racks and bags.

 

[neilr1967]

Thanks Dogman for your input.

I am going to be putting a 1000watt Ecospeed on a Electra Townie....just to give you the specifics.

I looked up the Headways from EV components and I certainly like the packaging of their 48V 10ah and 15ah LiFPO4 batteries. What specifically about the specs of the Headways from EV components make them more powerful than say a Ping 48V 10ah or 15ah? Is it the "Built in BMS with max continuous discharge of 60a Max cutoff discharge current 100A" .

I'll be using my bike as more of a "utility" bike...pulling a trailer...large baskets in the back and rack in the front. So I want as much power as I can (reasonably) get. So it seems like the headways would be a good choice.

Thanks in advance form helping me understand the difference.

-Neil

 

[j-vtol]

Who manufactures the LiFePO4 batteries for stores like HiPower Cycles ?

 

[Drunkskunk]

What specifically about the specs of the Headways from EV components make them more powerful than say a Ping 48V 10ah or 15ah? Is it the "Built in BMS with max continuous discharge of 60a Max cutoff discharge current 100A" .
-Neil

The diffrence is the C rating. A ping battery can handle 2C, or a discharge of 2 times it's capacity in amp hours. Meaning a 48V 10AH Ping battery with a C rating of 2C can supply 20 amps continously.

The Headway cells I believe have a C of 3C. The BMS rating is diffrent. it has nothing to do with the cells themselves and its the rating of the cells that matters.

The best practice when picking a battery is to chose one that matches or exceeds the controller. If your controller has a max of 35 maps, then a 10AH battery with a 3C rating would be too small.

 

[AussieJester]

Headways hands down are a better choice IMO than any of the duct tape batteries (Pings pack included...soz DoGMan)

KiM

 

[neilr1967]

What specifically about the specs of the Headways from EV components make them more powerful than say a Ping 48V 10ah or 15ah? Is it the "Built in BMS with max continuous discharge of 60a Max cutoff discharge current 100A" .
-Neil

The diffrence is the C rating. A ping battery can handle 2C, or a discharge of 2 times it's capacity in amp hours. Meaning a 48V 10AH Ping battery with a C rating of 2C can supply 20 amps continously.

The Headway cells I believe have a C of 3C. The BMS rating is diffrent. it has nothing to do with the cells themselves and its the rating of the cells that matters.

The best practice when picking a battery is to chose one that matches or exceeds the controller. If your controller has a max of 35 maps, then a 10AH battery with a 3C rating would be too small.

So I think I understand. It is the C rating that is different....which is what gives Headways more power. I'll find out from Ecospeed more detailed specs about their new digital controller. Thanks

 

[dogman dan]

I agree, the headways are a more powerfull battery. But if you have a lame 20 amp controller, even a ping can be enough. For the use you propose, hauling a trailer, you'd want either the headways, or a huge size ping so you have the amps without such a high c rate on the whole pack.

That rule of thumb, matching the amps of the controller to the continuous amps of the battery is a good idea. That's pretty much what I did, a 20 amp continuous pingbattery is matched with a 22 amp controller. My c rate in actual use is quite mild, 1c or less, and my battery is lasting quite well.

 

[JinbaIttai]

Ping batteries are good if they don't have any defects in them. If you browse the forums, you'll see that defects are somewhat common.

He provides a 1 year warranty though; all you have to do is pay $30 to ship it back to him and another $100+ to have the replacement shipped. What a deal!

 

[dogman dan]

Yeah, I got real lucky and got a pack with 48 perfect pouches. I have no idea what pings defect rate is, but I think it's pretty low compared to other Ebay vendors. We don't hear near as much from people who are happily riding, and never post on ES. It sucks for you to be the one who got a stinker. Your amped bikes hub shouldn't have been enough to kill a 20 ah pack.

 

[wasp]

has anyone tried the lifepo4 batteries from ebikes.ca?
they are built for the triangle and can be ordered in 48v

 

[JinbaIttai]

Yeah, I got real lucky and got a pack with 48 perfect pouches. I have no idea what pings defect rate is, but I think it's pretty low compared to other Ebay vendors. We don't hear near as much from people who are happily riding, and never post on ES. It sucks for you to be the one who got a stinker. Your amped bikes hub shouldn't have been enough to kill a 20 ah pack.

This is true; internet forums do tend to amplify problems.

 

[jmygann]

I am going to be putting a 1000watt Ecospeed on a Electra Townie....just to give you the specifics.

l

where are you getting the motor ?

 

[morph999]

has anyone tried the lifepo4 batteries from ebikes.ca?
they are built for the triangle and can be ordered in 48v

Well, Justin (ebikes.ca) has only been selling them for a couple weeks but they are probably pretty good given ebikes.ca track record. I ordered my 5303 motor kit from them and they are an excellent company. They give good advice too through the e-mail. Justin almost always answers his e-mail within 24 hours. The kit that I got was packaged really well in styrofoam and it was in excellent condition when I got it. If you read the front of their website, they are involved in lots of testing of motors and batteries. They are on the cutting edge of new tech on ebikes in my opinion. But when I'm going to order my lifepo4 pack, I'm going to order from evcomponents and not ebikes.ca because evcomponents is much cheaper.

 

[neilr1967]

I am going to be putting a 1000watt Ecospeed on a Electra Townie....just to give you the specifics.

l

where are you getting the motor ?

I pre ordered the new kit from Ecospeed. I should get it in January. The specs of their new controller is amazing. They use BMC 1000 watt motor.


-Neil