Reputable LiFePO4 (for ebikes) Vendors Thread

[3wheels1life]

Hi everyone,

I know many of you have purchased LiFePO4 batteries to power your e-bikes. I'm looking to buy some for my 36v ebike project.

What have been your experiences with vendors? How about shipping times? Reliability? Support?
Please post your reviews on this thread and the links (eBay name, company name, website, etc.) to vendors you think are reputable and have had good experiences with.

Please mention any vendors you've had bad experiences with (by eBay name, company name, link, etc.) so everyone can make sure to avoid a bad deal.

This will not only help me but will help others who are looking to buy LiFePO4 batteries for their ebikes in the future.

Hopefully someone will put this in the ES Wiki at a later point....

Thanks !!

-3wheels1life

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Ping. Li Ping. Ping Batteries. He has many configurations and many happy customers.

Also see "Manufacturers/Dealers to Gravitate Towards " thread.

 

[e-beach]

Hi everyone,

I know many of you have purchased LiFePO4 batteries to power your e-bikes. I'm looking to buy some for my 36v ebike project.

What have been your experiences with vendors? How about shipping times? Reliability? Support?
Please post your reviews on this thread and the links (eBay name, company name, website, etc.) to vendors you think are reputable and have had good experiences with.

Please mention any vendors you've had bad experiences with (by eBay name, company name, link, etc.) so everyone can make sure to avoid a bad deal.

This will not only help me but will help others who are looking to buy LiFePO4 batteries for their ebikes in the future.

Hopefully someone will put this in the ES Wiki at a later point....

Thanks !!

-3wheels1life

Have you seen this one?

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6992



PS...

 

[3wheels1life]

Thanks e-beach, just updated (USA).

I saw that thread. Are there any vendors to avoid on ebay? How about sea mail (read this can damage the batteries if BMS is connected).
Any advice?

Thank you.

-3wheels1life

 

[dnmun]

i consider that thread misleading because of the fact that the first vendor recommended i do not trust myself. when you ask for free advice you get what you pay for.

there is no reason to think that shipping a battery by sea is harmful to the battery even if the BMS is active.

most of the things that people on this place say about a BMS are uninformed and totally wrong.

i don't think there many people here who even know how they work. but they always talk about how they destroy the battery.

 

[3wheels1life]

Thanks dnmun.

How many Ah will be good for a 36v 350w hub motor to last 1 hour? I'd like to get the most cycles out of a lifepo4 (likely ping).

Thank you.

-3wheels1life

 

[dgk02]

Thanks dnmun.

How many Ah will be good for a 36v 350w hub motor to last 1 hour? I'd like to get the most cycles out of a lifepo4 (likely ping).

Thank you.

-3wheels1life

How much are you going to pedal? I have a BionX system on my Trek which is 36 volts 350 watt and a mere 6.6 ah. Yet that takes me a good 25 miles in about 2 hours, but I mostly use it at the lowest assist level (25%) and only raise it for steep hills or strong headwinds. And I usually have plenty left over - it can take me 4o miles on lowest assist level. But I use it for assist and try to do much of the work myself.

I just got a regular old 36V15Ah Li-Ion NiCoMn battery for another bike. I thought about IlFePO4 but I think it's much more weight for the same ah - but I'm not an expert by any means. I was just more concerned with hauling that battery around when off the bike - 10 lbs vs 15 for the same ah, I think. I know you get way more cycles with the PO4, but I think my battery should easily be good for 3 years and by then the technology will likely be better and cheaper. I wanted a bike that would be cheap enough (and the kit is only around $200) that I can leave it outside sometimes, which I can't do with the Trek and that $800 wheel. But if I leave the bike outside, that battery is coming with me so I want it as light as possible.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Some DIYer's shun BMS because they want total control over the management of their batteries. They want to confirm no over or under charging of each cell, they want to see for themselves that each cell is balanced with the others. They want to be responsible for the life of their batteries. When you think about the fire potential and perhaps loss of life and/or property involved, some do not want to just leave it to a BMS and then hope it never fails. When you think about it, seems like a normal frame of mind for people that like to build and maintain their stuff...themselves.