Question about the Schwinn Tailwind bike

[Lazy rider]

Hello, I'm new here on the forum. I wanted to get into e-biking and I took a chance and bought a brand new mans and a ladies Schwinn Tailwind bike on eBay for $350 each including shipping. They say the batteries are defective and won't charge. The bikes are pretty nice, they have 8 speed internal Nexus gear changers and a small front wheel hub motor which I believe is 24 volts. Or possibly 29 volts according to something else I read. I had the bikes sent to my home in Florida (I'm in Canada now) so I haven't seen them yet. There is a good chance that the batteries which were pretty special back in 2008 (Toshiba SCiB lipo) may not be serviceable. I will try to carefully recharge each cell separately first and then see if that helps bring them back to life. But the battery is only 4.2 AH anyway so I'd like to build or buy replacement batteries of at least 10 or 12 AH to fit inside the original slick looking aluminum slide in cases. My first question to you helpful folks is: Does anybody have one of these Tailwind bikes who could please measure the battery case for me and tell me the height and width and length so I could try to plan out what configuration of lithium cells I'm going to design to fit inside that case? Because the bikes are 2000 miles away I can't measure them myself but I sure wish I was there and could do that.
Thank-you,
Steve

 

[d8veh]

I think that's the hard way to do it. If they were my bikes, I'd chuck the whole arrangement - rack and battery - then I'd get a rack battery with its own rack and compartment for the controller:

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20141015011427&SearchText=36v+rack+battery

 

[dogman dan]

I tend to agree, a special box for your battery is a pretty low priority really. Good rear rack bag, or better still front triangle frame bag, and then you can fit most decent 24v batteries in them.

Typically, a "24v" battery will charge to 28v ish. Likely your controllers absolute maximum volts is around 30v.

 

[Lazy rider]

Wow, I never heard of Aliexpress. What an incredible resource. I can't believe how much there is on there and what great prices. Is that a reputable place to order from? Is it a part of that Chinese Alibaba company?
Thank you guys for your suggestions.

 

[d8veh]

Alibab is more for the trade, buying stuff in quantity. Aliexpress is for buying small quantity or single items. I've bought loads of stuff from Aliexpress and never had a problem. There's enough info to judge the seller. Your money is fairly safe, but don't try and buy a $5000 electric bike that's advertised at $500 because you'll get a $500 one. As long as you use common sense and judgement, you should be OK.