Himo Z20 Battery

[RizlaUK]

Hi,

I've recently upgraded a few parts on my Himo Z20 ebike, the latest being the controller, which supports 36v & 48v. I'm considering upgrading the motor to 500w /48v from a 250w /36v. If I understand it correctly, this will give me more power up hills. Again, I think if i've got it correct; I will need to match a new 48v battery to that 500w /48v motor. I've looked around and can't seem to find a 48v battery, so I have 3 questions;

1. Can anybody suggest a compatible 48v battery?
2. If there isn't one, would it be possible to recell the existing battery to 48v?
3. If neither of the above is possible, is there any other way I could improve the 'hill power' of my bike?

Thanks,

Riz

 

[RizlaUK]

Ok, I've done a bit more digging on this which has led me to a fourth question. If I decided to upgrade the motor to 500w /36v (Keeping my original battery) would this give me more hill power?

 

[docw009]

The Z20 is a 20" folder with a 36V battery and small rear hubmotor, I've owned four of this class of bike, and three were DIY conversions, Yours is limited to 25 km/hour by local regulations so you;ll have some legal and tech issues to get it to go faster,

In principle a 36V 240W and 36V 500W hubmotor will spin at the same max speed on 36V, The 500W motor will be able to handle more current before it overheats, but you could put the same current thru both, Current is determined by your controller rating and ability of the battery to supply it. Changing from a 250W motor to a 500W motor with the same controller will give little improvement. Current is the same/ You won't climb hills any better, but if you are loading down the motor, you will go a little further before it melts.

Changing to a higher current controller? Helps if you are starved for current. You probably have a 15A controller in the bike. Look at the label. A higher rated model allows more power.

My DIY folders use double geared motors, so they always climbed well with the small 20" wheel on 36V. We've ridden 10% grades in South Dakota with them, but it was with 20A and 25A controllers and 48V,

You could recell that battery, but to get 48V, your capacity will drop if you ise the same case. Probably wind up with a 48V7Ah battery, There are probably commercial equivalents that fit.

 

[RizlaUK]

Thanks for the in-depth explanation, I appreciate your time!

I don't really want the bike to go faster, I just want it to help me more on hills. Would the 500w hub motor give me more torque, which would help me up the hill?

The controller I have states:
Current:17+-1A,
Booster 1:1
SPEET: 1.1-4.2 Vdual Mode

Yeah, the recell is out then as I recently upgraded the battery from a 36v 10ah to a 36v 14ah, I don't really want to end up with a better climber, that needs another battery to go on longer rides!

So are you saying the best outcome for me would be to upgrade the controller to 20A, keep the 36v battery and change the motor to a double geared one?

I apologise if I'm asking basic things, but I'm brand new to messing about with ebikes.

 

[docw009]

I think the best approach is to ride the bike around and not put any more money into it, It will probably cost about half the original cost of your bike for a high geared bafang or AKM motor and you might already have one anyway,

It's just a 20" folder, intended for about 25 km/hour. Mine might top out at 30-35, but we ride them at 20 km/hour in mostly flat areas. ,

 

[gromike]

Would the 500w hub motor give me more torque, which would help me up the hill?

If it's fed 500w of power.
So, as said, you need to have a controller that supplies the power you desire.

 

[RizlaUK]

Can anybody recommend a motor and controller that would give me what I need please? I don't really mind what it costs.