Global Ebike - making changes

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Gary Kuhlman
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Last seen: 15 years 9 months ago
Joined: Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 20:54
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Global Ebike - making changes

I recently bought a Global Ebike and found that the 24v battery is not enough to get the speed I would like. I saw on Youtube someone who took a Dewalt 36v Li-Ion battery and used it on his ebike quite effectively. I am not really experienced with batteries and their properties, so I need some input on the possibility of making such an increase and what steps to take.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, :?
Gary

Ian
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Last seen: 13 years 2 months ago
Joined: Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 05:24
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Re: Global Ebike - making changes

i have 46v 13ah nimh in my 24v evg bike. 36v in the bay and 9v in the small bay where the old controller used to be. along with a crystalyte brush controller. works fine I just keep an eye on the watts up meter so as not to burn out the motor

Gary Kuhlman
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Last seen: 15 years 9 months ago
Joined: Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 20:54
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Re: Global Ebike - making changes

Thanks for your answer!!
I'm curious as to what type of batteries you have, and how they fit in the bay (also cost and where purchased). Also, how much did the crystalyte controller cost? Where did you mount the controller? What kind of watts up meter did you use and, again, how much did it cost you (and where purchased)?
As you can see, cost is important to me. I am trying to save as much as I can, and yet I want to be able to cruise to work at a reasonable speed and be able to have batteries that will recharge lasting as long as possible.
I am excited about making this bike one that can save me from spending money on gas, get to work (six miles) in a reasonable amount of time, and experience a certain amount of fitness (cardio) as well.
Thanks again for your response and info,
Gary

Ian
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Last seen: 13 years 2 months ago
Joined: Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 05:24
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Re: Global Ebike - making changes

cost is key if you are looking at all this from the commuting to work standpoint etc and comparison to a car or scooter or public transport. of course that is how the generally sleepwalking general population will and must wake up to it. I belive economy is now just starting to align with ecology as gas prices rise and more people conscience start resonating with the hidden costs and the evil of some of this. we are just at the beginning but i think it is going to take this time, so by commuting this way you play your part as does all the forum members do by their enthusiasm in different ways etc. we can't allow the jp morgans of this world to screw us up again or we will face an ever tougher time. what I am saying is that yes cost is important, bills have to be paid, but also there is another way of looking at this thing that goes beyond just the math do you get my drift, which is why I am posting such a lengthy reply.

But crunch the numbers as per the many threads, and you'll find that its far better off for the long term to sink as much $ as you can and overcapacity and highest voltage as much as you can. ie the prius runs on nimh no great shakes there, but uses a very shallow discharge cycles to maximize life, a satellite does the same.

Anyway I have the 36v 13ah pack from batteryspace.com in the battery bay. Surrounded in a doublewall cardboard container and base foam, I don't take it out as I dropped one already handling it so now this one stays put. I levelled out the bottom of the bay with a dremel so there is more room at the top end of the pack for the series connections and charging connections.

Stripped out all the electrics which left a good amount of room in the original controller bay. Here I put in a 4.8v nimh pack, 2.4 nimh pack, and a 2.4 nimh pack (all 13ah from batteryspace) with a 3 to 1 series connector that emerges at the top of the battery bay for charging and and connecting to the main pack - 4 to 1 series connector. ie i have four chargers running.

along with a 48v brush controller from powerstream in and one of their basic thumb throttles ($100). they all fit in this space of the controller bay, and you can cushion the individualpacks and leave some breathing room around the controller. so 46v 13ah total.

the watts up meter is available many places, is about $60 and I have it at the top of the handlebar stem, not on the handlebars. the wiring is very tidy and stealth, plus i took all the stickers off and no one notices, no problem withlocal police.

my longest trip with the 24v motor has been 33 fairly tough miles up to 12.5ah. so far it is all holding up, I am running far more watts thru the motor than the specs would indicate but the meter makes all the difference, so would a 36v hub motor or a puma in that wheel maybe god will smile on me.

If I were to do it again, I might go for a 36v 15ah ping battery in the main bay instead of the batteryspace nimh, he told me he could do a 12 x 4 x 4" pack like this, plus a 6v ping lifepo in the controller bay - it looks cheaper outlay and longer cycle life at this point - but I am happy rightnow as the batteryspace packs are proving rugged and reliable and my typical cycle depth is about 4 to 6 ah and amps are 1c or under most of the time, so I am expecting at least 500 or more charging cycles from it or about 3 years use for me. maybe more, the specks at batteryuniversity.com indicate I could get over 800 cycles before the graph goes way south. so while it was expensive up front, in the long run it is a decent economy, and - last but not least - the overvolted e-bike is a heck of a lot of fun! Torque is way high and top speed around 23mph, I usually cruise on the flat at 18 or 19mph if I want to be brisk, that is plenty enough for me and the way has to be 100% clear for even that speed or I will go slower.

i keep detail records from the wattsup. so far in 70 days I have done 36 rides: 549 miles on this set up for a total ah of 214 = 2.5 miles per ah. this is in hilly az country, often winds, moderate pedalling generally.

so for you work and back is 12 miles so based on this you use say 5ah per day, under half the capacity of the 13ah pack, you recharge every day with holidays etc you get a couple of years out of it? so more with the ping lifepo and also better in the summer if you live in hot place with the lifepo.

heres to it!

Gary Kuhlman
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Last seen: 15 years 9 months ago
Joined: Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 20:54
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Re: Global Ebike - making changes

Thanks for your response to my question, and sorry it took so long for a response. I have been having problems with my computer.

I agree with your philosophical point of view concerning the times. I really does take creative and inovative thinking during times such as these. And it is good to challenge each other to start makning changes even if they are small ie and ebike.

As I am researching to make careful choices so as not to do damage and yet to take what I have and improve, it is helpful when people such as yourself are willing to contribute what they have learned.

I looked on batteryspace and found the battery you are using and realized that it will cost some to make this thing go the way I want it to go. Yet, that is OK because I will be saving in the long run (ON GAS!!).

Batteryuniversity is also very helpful to learn more about something I know zilch about. As well as to hear that your 24v motor has stood up under the changes and test of time. It also sound like the watts up meter makes a difference in the longevity due to being able to measure your amps.

Thanks again,
Gary

bostonbmw
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Last seen: 15 years 8 months ago
Joined: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 19:45
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Re: Global Ebike - making changes

Where did you get your 46v 13ah battery? I am looking for the same power for my ebike and all the batterys are $600+(USD). Cheers Brian

Ian
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Last seen: 13 years 2 months ago
Joined: Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 05:24
Points: 77
Re: Global Ebike - making changes

I got it from batteryspace. its a 36v plus a 9.6v.

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