which LiFePo4 pack?

[rhodebump]

Hi,
I woke up this morning wanting to buy a LiFePo4 (around 48V 10aH), but I just can't make a decision between taking a chance with vpower on ebay vs. knowing that I get a good product from ping vs. doing something else. If the price difference wasn't so vast, I wouldn't be so indecisive. I have been researching the different prices/options. I am definitely not doing lipo since I have to bring my bike to the office where I work, so don't want the worry that brings. Can anyone think of any other options that I haven't considered or points?
I appreciate everyone's time!
Phillip

ping $506.00 (air ship)

bmsbattery $369.02 (air ship)

ebay vpower $251 (no air ship)

hobby king ($280 batteries only) need to add charger/shipping
Need to buy at least four of these for 9Ah, 40volts, that $280 for batteries alone + shipping
https://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10311__Turnigy_4500mAh_6S2P_30C_LiFePo4_Pack.html

http://www.buya123batteries.com ($585 for batteries alone) need to add charger/shipping
The 3.3V, 2.5aH cells (need 60 of these batteries for 48V/10aH)

 

[footloose]

Hi Phillip,

I know the feeling. Often wake up with an urge to buy more batteries.

Have you considered alternative to LiFePo4 and LiPo? NCM chemistry seems to offer kind of best of both worlds.
Lighter with higher power density than LiFePo4.
Safer than LiPo.

I use both LiFePo4 and NCM batteries on different bikes. Like them both, but feel NCM is in general a better bet than most LiFePo4 batteries for my purposes.

If you aren't dead set on LiFePo4, take a look at 50V 10.25 Ah battery from EM3ev:
http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=128
$380 + shipping.

I've used the 12.3 Ah version of this battery for about a year. Like it a lot.

 

[wesnewell]

Cheap, and not so cheap lifepo4 battery packs may have very low C rates, So make sure your controller doesn't draw more amps than the battery pack can put out reliably. I wouldn't draw more than 15 amps max from a 10ah ping. BTW, most NMC batteries are also plagued with amp limitations.

 

[Melbourne]

Hi,
ping $506.00 (air ship)

bmsbattery $369.02 (air ship)

ebay vpower $251 (no air ship)

hobby king ($280 batteries only) need to add charger/shipping
http://www.buya123batteries.com ($585 for batteries alone) need to add charger/shipping
The 3.3V, 2.5aH cells (need 60 of these batteries for 48V/10aH)

Sunthing $288(by boat $88 OR more by air)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/48V-10AH-LiFePO4-Batteries-Charger-Electronics-Rechargeable-Sea-7-8-Weeks-NEW-/130814342419?pt=AU_Electronics_Batteries_Chargers&hash=item1e75247513
Maximum sustained work current 20A
Maximum Discharge Current 35A
Got lifepo 36v15AH from Sunthing for a week now...took 7-8 week shipping... very impressed with capacity and performance.. I can recommend sunthing.... BUT not sure about longevity but quality of the pack looks good.

 

[dogman dan]

Sunthing before V power seems to be agreed on.

But lets back up a bit. Will 10 ah of 2c ping be enough? I would recommend it only for controllers less than 20 amps.

 

[dnmun]

it is most cost effective to buy a larger pack too. most consider 48V15Ah to be just enuff. the shipping and the BMS and charger are a big part of the capital up front. so you get more capacity for your buck with a bigger battery.

also, not everyone goes at 5C constantly since they have to ride for more than 10 minutes anyway. some people are close to work so they can blow through the full charge in a few minutes. plus you don't wanna draw the lipo down too much because of the issues of depleting the lithium levels in the lipo cathodic matrix below 50% which causes the physical damage to the cathodic matrix.

consider the sun-thing or ping because the pouch packs weight less than cans if you want to buy something that gets you the longest distance for the upfront money without drawing more than 50% of the lipo charge (3.65V under load), and since the lifepo4 can deliver more of the stored charge by being able to deliver charge all the way down to 2.1V without damaging the cathodic matrix. lifepo4 does have a role if you need something for commuting and not just for hot rodding to impress the other kids. plus they last a lot lot longer.

 

[alsmith]

I bought 36V packs and now wish I'd bought 48V. The price of upgrading is high (cells, BMS, charger) so it's unlikely I'll do it. I'll wait until I need new batteries.

Bottom line- make sure that whichever batteries you get will meet all of the needs you are expecting or likely to have over the expected life of the batteries. And check that the continuous current output is within your needs- pushing this too far will reduce the battery life and performance meaning you have to fork out for a new battery quicker than expected and you'll probably get the higher spec one you should have got first time around.

 

[999zip999]

I second 48v 15 ah. But first what is this for ? Link for your motor and controller or an more info. Hills or flat ect.