I have just acquired a year 2000 model Heinzmann front wheel hub motor kit on a Raleigh Spirit. The battery is not behaving well. I was told by the previous owner
"I've tested the battery several times over the previous 2 weeks and it is now not holding it's charge well. Immediately after charging, I've ridden the bike with the motor running almost continuously for periods of 15 to 20 minutes. This would equate to 3 to 4 miles at speeds of 10-12mph. It has perfomed OK but, immediately after riding, it has been reluctant to re-charge and is not behaving as the manual says it should. Also, if charged the day before, it doesn't seem to hold much charge the following morning. So the battery performs up to a point but it is limited."
The battery is a NiCad 24v 7ah and seems to house the BMS and the motor controller. I was hoping to just replace the NiCad with a lithium set up (or SLA to test it cheaply) but did not realies that the controller might be integral to the battery.
Has anyone experienced doing anything clever with one of these in the past ? What options have I got (on the cheap as usual) ?
Thanks
"I've tested the battery several times over the previous 2 weeks and it is now not holding it's charge well. Immediately after charging, I've ridden the bike with the motor running almost continuously for periods of 15 to 20 minutes. This would equate to 3 to 4 miles at speeds of 10-12mph. It has perfomed OK but, immediately after riding, it has been reluctant to re-charge and is not behaving as the manual says it should. Also, if charged the day before, it doesn't seem to hold much charge the following morning. So the battery performs up to a point but it is limited."
The battery is a NiCad 24v 7ah and seems to house the BMS and the motor controller. I was hoping to just replace the NiCad with a lithium set up (or SLA to test it cheaply) but did not realies that the controller might be integral to the battery.
Has anyone experienced doing anything clever with one of these in the past ? What options have I got (on the cheap as usual) ?
Thanks