There are many articles, forum posts, blogs, videos about batteries; what they are, how to pick one and how to use them. This post will be a repository of the best links to get right to the info you need.
Information:
An introduction to Lithium ion batteries
This is a article covering the basic of what is a Li-ion 18650 cell and how it's all packed inside a e-bike battery pack.
What's inside an 18650 cell?
This article covers the chemistry and how it's assembled., it's a technical article.
18650 models and specs
Great PDF on most the the 18650's on the market, but missing a fewer newer cell, but good info on previous models!
The new 21700 format
Is the 18650 dead? Nooo!!! but great things are brewing
What is a BMS (battery management system)
What are they , what they can do and what is balancing? An all in one article easy to read and understand!
Can I get a MSDS sheet for transport?
Click to get your answer
What battery should I buy?
The simple answer is to either buy a kit with a battery so you are sure that the battery are made for the motor kit or at least know the motor and controller specs you are about to power with this battery.
See batteries comes in many forms, voltages, capacities and ratings. I suggest you stick with the manufacturer specs and read al lot!
Batteries are sold with 5 main specs:
So you want to know what are these terms (V, A, W, Ah, Wh) an how to pick your battery? please read this: Ebike Battery Math: Volts, amps, amp-hours (Ah) and Watt-hours (Wh)
What is voltage sag
You often seen this "V SAG" thing.. well this will show you what is voltage sag (AKA voltage drop, Vmin, Vdip..)
So with that your bases should be covered, just remember that watt-hours (wh) and Amp-hour(wh) are directly linked to the range you will get and that there is no exact magical formula that will give you the exact amount of miles that you will do with this batt and that motor. There are simply way too many factors to take into account outside or the battery and the motor...Example: I can give 2 identical ebikes to 2 physically identical individual and both will return home with extremely different range #'s .
So generally you want the biggest battery you can manage so you don't run into range anxiety and going long distance as well as having a long cycle life, larger batteries will get more cycles than smaller batteries if treated with optimal care
Want to know more about range and capacity, please read the following article:
How to increase your range on your E-bike
You just got your new battery and would like to know what to do next?
There are 2 main categories of batteries; hardcase and softpacks and they have their respective section It's something that you should read before charging or installing your battery!
These articles contain lots of info on installing, care and troubleshoot. It's a must read for avery battery owner.
Hardcase documentation
Softpack documentation
Electrical and mechanical Installation:
Inside each of the previous link there is an installation sections that covers the various ways to wire the battery to the controller, just click on the picture corresponding to your battery type and search for "installation"
Changing to the connectors to a different model we have a few blog article covering various connectors that can be used click for link.
Definite Guide to Ebikes Connectors
It's an older post but connectors haven't changed that much, very good read if you want something else
Matching Connectors from battery controller
This one is really usefull for improving your connection, the methods used in it are the best
DIY Garage; connectors for halls, throttle and motor
It's not battery related but covers other connectors can be usefull to connect headlights, swtiches, DC-DC stepdown converters
Running 2 or 3 batteries?
Paralleling BMS protected Li-ion packs
This covers the DOS and DONTS on paralleling and offers idea on protections, also covers running pack in series to get more voltage.
Custom battery box tutorials:
Build a great-looking ebike battery box for less than 150$
Thanks to Pat we now have a tutorial on making a professional looking custom battery box for a low price.
Laprise Boardtracker
Great example of high end looking custom battery boxes
Mounting your battery cradle or box:
The best place to get good idea(and bad ones too) is the forum DIY Builders Section, this place is filled with tuturials and pictures, best place to ask questions about installing your pack! Click here.
NEW! How to mount a battery without drilling into bike frame
Need to install new water bottle hole to your bike click here
Tips and trick to mount your battery
How to fit a Shark Pack onto the down tube, if the bottle screws do not line up.
How to charge your battery, maintenance, storage, disposal and the DOs and DON'Ts of charging
Inside the softpack and hardcase documentation links you will find links and explaination on this:
Hardcase documentation
Softpack documentation
Or just click on the following direct links
How to connect your charger
This is a beginner guide to connect the charger the right way
FAQ: charging batteries:
This forum post is about charging you Luna pack (or any Li-ion cells) and it explains how the charger works.
Long term storage of lithium batteries
Storing your bike for the season? You need to read this and the temperature effect post below.
Temperature effect on Li-ion battery
Real life test under freezing temperature and the DOs and DON'Ts of charging.
How to make lithium batteries last
This is a well written article based on scientific testing, myabe not your first read if you just gotten into the basics of electricity, but you should take the time to read it at some point.. really! But the punch lines are all in the 2 previous links
Ebike charging for long battery life
Slow or fast charge? were to charge? this is the link for you.
Where to properly dispose of Li-ion
Your battery has died and it needs a place to rest peacefully?
Troubleshooting and basic repairing
Troubleshooting charging and electrical issues
This guide covers 3 related topics: Charger issues, battery issues and miscellaneous testing procedures
Why I can't charge my battery fully
Help I only get to 58,4V and the charger stops! well click for more info.
Adjusting your charger
This guide cover all the adjustments that a normal CC/CV charger does... Don't know what is CC/CV, click the first video in the link
What is voltage sag
You often seen this "V SAG" thing.. well this will show you what is voltage sag (AKA voltage drop, Vmin, Vdip..)
Waterproofing your connections
Forum post on weather proofing your connections ..not just battery related
Water-proofing and basic ebike trouble-shooting
Blog article on the basics of troubleshooting and in detail on how to water proof your connections, and also coat your motor windings
Jumpstarting your battery to reset the BMS
direct link to section 2.2 of the troubleshooting charging and electrical issues
Need a jumpstart on the go?
This is a nice little gadget to have with you if you often need a jumpstart and dont carry a charger with you.
Load test on the battery
Video on how to so a simple test with a light bulb or any resistive load. great way to know if it's your battery that is acting up.
Power your motor with a charger
Rule out a battery problem with this simple test. If the motor runs with the charger it means the battery is the issue!
Changing the shark case or shark case terminals
Meltedd termainal or broken case ? this is what you need!
Key blanks for shark and dolphin packs:
compatible blamk key and impression techniques
Changing out the male barrel end on your charger
Advanced repairing
Opening your softcase battery pack and also how to wrap it back.
Tips and trick on how to do it and how to close it.
Testing the BMS and how to replace it
Covers all the possible ways to change the BMS.
Information:
An introduction to Lithium ion batteries
This is a article covering the basic of what is a Li-ion 18650 cell and how it's all packed inside a e-bike battery pack.
What's inside an 18650 cell?
This article covers the chemistry and how it's assembled., it's a technical article.
18650 models and specs
Great PDF on most the the 18650's on the market, but missing a fewer newer cell, but good info on previous models!
The new 21700 format
Is the 18650 dead? Nooo!!! but great things are brewing
What is a BMS (battery management system)
What are they , what they can do and what is balancing? An all in one article easy to read and understand!
Can I get a MSDS sheet for transport?
Click to get your answer
What battery should I buy?
The simple answer is to either buy a kit with a battery so you are sure that the battery are made for the motor kit or at least know the motor and controller specs you are about to power with this battery.
See batteries comes in many forms, voltages, capacities and ratings. I suggest you stick with the manufacturer specs and read al lot!
Batteries are sold with 5 main specs:
- Nominal voltage
- Capacity (in either watt-hours and amp hours)
- BMS current rating and/or battery rating
- Chemistry, model, brand of cells in them.
- Shape & Size, this one is more obvious so wont go into details, sizing charts are available on every listings
So you want to know what are these terms (V, A, W, Ah, Wh) an how to pick your battery? please read this: Ebike Battery Math: Volts, amps, amp-hours (Ah) and Watt-hours (Wh)
What is voltage sag
You often seen this "V SAG" thing.. well this will show you what is voltage sag (AKA voltage drop, Vmin, Vdip..)
So with that your bases should be covered, just remember that watt-hours (wh) and Amp-hour(wh) are directly linked to the range you will get and that there is no exact magical formula that will give you the exact amount of miles that you will do with this batt and that motor. There are simply way too many factors to take into account outside or the battery and the motor...Example: I can give 2 identical ebikes to 2 physically identical individual and both will return home with extremely different range #'s .
So generally you want the biggest battery you can manage so you don't run into range anxiety and going long distance as well as having a long cycle life, larger batteries will get more cycles than smaller batteries if treated with optimal care
Want to know more about range and capacity, please read the following article:
How to increase your range on your E-bike
You just got your new battery and would like to know what to do next?
There are 2 main categories of batteries; hardcase and softpacks and they have their respective section It's something that you should read before charging or installing your battery!
These articles contain lots of info on installing, care and troubleshoot. It's a must read for avery battery owner.
Hardcase documentation
Softpack documentation
Electrical and mechanical Installation:
Inside each of the previous link there is an installation sections that covers the various ways to wire the battery to the controller, just click on the picture corresponding to your battery type and search for "installation"
Changing to the connectors to a different model we have a few blog article covering various connectors that can be used click for link.
Definite Guide to Ebikes Connectors
It's an older post but connectors haven't changed that much, very good read if you want something else
Matching Connectors from battery controller
This one is really usefull for improving your connection, the methods used in it are the best
DIY Garage; connectors for halls, throttle and motor
It's not battery related but covers other connectors can be usefull to connect headlights, swtiches, DC-DC stepdown converters
Running 2 or 3 batteries?
Paralleling BMS protected Li-ion packs
This covers the DOS and DONTS on paralleling and offers idea on protections, also covers running pack in series to get more voltage.
Custom battery box tutorials:
Build a great-looking ebike battery box for less than 150$
Thanks to Pat we now have a tutorial on making a professional looking custom battery box for a low price.
Laprise Boardtracker
Great example of high end looking custom battery boxes
Mounting your battery cradle or box:
The best place to get good idea(and bad ones too) is the forum DIY Builders Section, this place is filled with tuturials and pictures, best place to ask questions about installing your pack! Click here.
NEW! How to mount a battery without drilling into bike frame
Need to install new water bottle hole to your bike click here
Tips and trick to mount your battery
How to fit a Shark Pack onto the down tube, if the bottle screws do not line up.
How to charge your battery, maintenance, storage, disposal and the DOs and DON'Ts of charging
Inside the softpack and hardcase documentation links you will find links and explaination on this:
Hardcase documentation
Softpack documentation
Or just click on the following direct links
How to connect your charger
This is a beginner guide to connect the charger the right way
FAQ: charging batteries:
This forum post is about charging you Luna pack (or any Li-ion cells) and it explains how the charger works.
Long term storage of lithium batteries
Storing your bike for the season? You need to read this and the temperature effect post below.
Temperature effect on Li-ion battery
Real life test under freezing temperature and the DOs and DON'Ts of charging.
How to make lithium batteries last
This is a well written article based on scientific testing, myabe not your first read if you just gotten into the basics of electricity, but you should take the time to read it at some point.. really! But the punch lines are all in the 2 previous links
Ebike charging for long battery life
Slow or fast charge? were to charge? this is the link for you.
Where to properly dispose of Li-ion
Your battery has died and it needs a place to rest peacefully?
Troubleshooting and basic repairing
Troubleshooting charging and electrical issues
This guide covers 3 related topics: Charger issues, battery issues and miscellaneous testing procedures
Why I can't charge my battery fully
Help I only get to 58,4V and the charger stops! well click for more info.
Adjusting your charger
This guide cover all the adjustments that a normal CC/CV charger does... Don't know what is CC/CV, click the first video in the link
What is voltage sag
You often seen this "V SAG" thing.. well this will show you what is voltage sag (AKA voltage drop, Vmin, Vdip..)
Waterproofing your connections
Forum post on weather proofing your connections ..not just battery related
Water-proofing and basic ebike trouble-shooting
Blog article on the basics of troubleshooting and in detail on how to water proof your connections, and also coat your motor windings
Jumpstarting your battery to reset the BMS
direct link to section 2.2 of the troubleshooting charging and electrical issues
Need a jumpstart on the go?
This is a nice little gadget to have with you if you often need a jumpstart and dont carry a charger with you.
Load test on the battery
Video on how to so a simple test with a light bulb or any resistive load. great way to know if it's your battery that is acting up.
Power your motor with a charger
Rule out a battery problem with this simple test. If the motor runs with the charger it means the battery is the issue!
Changing the shark case or shark case terminals
Meltedd termainal or broken case ? this is what you need!
Key blanks for shark and dolphin packs:
compatible blamk key and impression techniques
Changing out the male barrel end on your charger
Advanced repairing
Opening your softcase battery pack and also how to wrap it back.
Tips and trick on how to do it and how to close it.
Testing the BMS and how to replace it
Covers all the possible ways to change the BMS.
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