Lead gel 12v battery

Wayners

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 5, 2023
324
73
54
Gloucester
Could I use 3 old 12 volt lead gel batteries to power hub motor?
I can get plenty of batteries off a mate. Was thinking it would be fine for local pleasure rides on my backups bike.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
4,192
2,078
Telford
Could I use 3 old 12 volt lead gel batteries to power hub motor?
I can get plenty of batteries off a mate. Was thinking it would be fine for local pleasure rides on my backups bike.
Yes, if you mean power a controller. As long as you have volts, it'll work, but lead batteries don't give volts for long rides and they're very heavy, which upsets the bike's handling, and you have to find a secure way to install them.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
4,192
2,078
Telford
Stick 3 in a rack box.
That idea won't sound so go after you've tried it. It'll work, but it'll be horrible. Your bike will wheelie whenever you go up a steep hill, and it'll try to turn upside down every time you try to get it out of the shed.