I have a Schwinn Stealth 1000 scooter that is usually powered by 3 12V 10Ah batteries in series with a 36V 30 amp controller. I would like to hook up 2 12V 50Ah batteries in series on this controller to power the scooter. Would this work or immediately fry the controller?
Thanks
If it was designed for 36 volt, it would be best to stick with 36 volts. 50 AH is size of car battery. If you want more range use a 20 AH Gel Cell like NPX-80, or EVX 12200 times three to give you more range and power. Also you can use the same charger. Two auto batteries is a lot of dead weight and only 12 or 24 volt depending on wiring.
Rusty
PS if you still need range go Green savers U-1 Gel Cell but Lead is Heavy. Go with Lithium instead.
KB1UKU
Well, it's just for going a few blocks to the park with my dog, and I happen to have these two SLA power wheelchair batteries...
I think I read somewhere that the controller would not work or turn on with anything under 20 volts, but I was wondering about all those amps!
2 batteries, rated at 50 AH, 12 volts each in series will not hurt your 36 volt controller, unless you short it out, or connect it incorrecty, but the resulting voltage (about 24 volts) will be too low, and it is likely that your motor will fail to properly operate, if it operates at all, as most 36 volt controllers are programmed to operate above 29 volts and below 45 volts, D.C.-Bigger batteries just allow LONGER operating time.-Use THREE matched 12 volt batteries in series, for proper operation. (The current through the controller will remain the same, with 10 AH or 100 AH batteries, the motor controller setting and voltage level is what detemines the current actually used)--ALWAYS use a FUSE or proper D.C. rated circuit breaker in any battery installation!--Bob Curry
Robert M. Curry
OK, thanks for the replies. Answers my questions perfectly. Looks like a no-go with the 2 wheelchair batteries then. I was hoping I could find some use for them.
Maybe try a wheelchair place for a used third battery. You may not get one perfectly matched, but in your use, this is no big deal. I've been using these batteries for bench testing for years. The Medi-chair guy gives them to us.
That's a good idea, maybe I can get a cheap used battery at a wheelchair place. Three of them would be too big and heavy to put on the scooter itself, but I could fashion a small wagon/trailer to haul them in back of me. Top speed would only need to be my dog's pace of 6-7 mph. That would be 36V and around 150Ah, and as stated earlier, that would not harm the controller and also supply enough voltage for the motor. I am doing this because I am cheap and don't want to be stuck with $100.00 worth of new battery pack when something expensive on the scooter breaks. I take my dog 7 miles daily with my bike when there is no snow and ice, but in the winter the ride is much shorter and the scooter is much more stable and safe so we roll with that.
When you connect 3 batteries, each rated at 12 volts and 50 AH in series to get 36 volts, you will have a 36 volt, 50 AH battery. (NOT 150 AH, only 50 AH) The ampere-hour rating of batteries connected in series does NOT add or increase, it is equal to the rating of the weakest battery! AH does increase, if they were wired in parallel, but then the VOLTAGE would not increase.--Series=more volts, Parallel=more amp hours.--Bob Curry
Robert M. Curry
Of course that is correct. 50Ah it would be. Thanks Bob for pointing that out.