Bosch 36v packs & alternatives from the discount stores

[Simon in Easton]

Hi folks. So I’ve had a nano conversion on my Brompton since 2017 and been delighted with it. The 36v Bosch battery pack thst came with it - the 4ah variant - has done well but now no longer holds a full charge. I found out at the week-end that there’s a 6ah option, so I’ve just ordered one.
A quick chat on another forum has revealed that folks have been happy with the 40v battery packs from the German discount stores, Aldi / Lidl. Can you, dear reader, tell me more about these products?

 

[AndyBike]

From looking the only bosch i can see is the power toool type, but is that the right thing.. If so theres plenty or them available.

Thing about aldi/lidl is they are in no way comparable to something from bosch, so while it might be cheaper, it might not last or drain faster, or just be crap.

If the system came with bosch, then stick to bosch as you already know what type of running time you're going to get. I think a bosch 36v 6ah is about £180

 

[mr-motorvator]

From looking the only bosch i can see is the power toool type, but is that the right thing.. If so theres plenty or them available.

Thing about aldi/lidl is they are in no way comparable to something from bosch, so while it might be cheaper, it might not last or drain faster, or just be crap.

If the system came with bosch, then stick to bosch as you already know what type of running time you're going to get. I think a bosch 36v 6ah is about £180

We have seen a lot of problems with the 6Ah Bosch - just refuse to charge. We don't recommend them. Honda batteries are Bosch-compatible.

As a last-ditch effort to squeeze them dry if you attach a 42V charger across the output pins you can get a few cycles out of it. Do6 it outside. Don't do it for more than 2hrs.

 

[Ghost1951]

From looking the only bosch i can see is the power toool type, but is that the right thing.. If so theres plenty or them available.

Thing about aldi/lidl is they are in no way comparable to something from bosch, so while it might be cheaper, it might not last or drain faster, or just be crap.

If the system came with bosch, then stick to bosch as you already know what type of running time you're going to get. I think a bosch 36v 6ah is about £180

I bought a Lidle Lithium battery hedge trimmer for about forty quid, about ten years ago from the middle aisle, and it still works really well. My partner bought a Bosch labelled one about the same time and hers died in about two years. Mind you, she did leave it more or less permanently on charge, whereas I charged mine every use and then unplugged it and left it in the garage.

I just oil the sliding surfaces of the chopping blades with ep90 gear oil about once a year or whenever it starts to slow down. This gives it a massive new lease of life when applied. That battery still cuts a full twenty meter, 1.5 meter tall, privet hedge and still has half its capacity left.