Is 48-volt the new standard for 2017?

[cyclebuddy]

I’ve just been looking through a couple of the new range 2017 Chinese e-Bike Factory catalogues... the kind of e-bikes some of our UK importers have re-branded and then sell here as their own models.

In last year’s 2016 catalogues I noticed ALL the stock designs were 36-volt... ranging from the relatively cheap e-bikes, right up to some quite impressive “Haibike” style MTB clones... some direct drive but mostly hub drive.

But new in one manufacturers catalogue for 2017, I see a number of their new range stock e-bikes are offering 48-volt options as standard:

MAX-DRIVE CRANK MOTOR： BAFANG II DC48V350W / BAFANG II DC36V250W

REAR HUB MOTOR： BAFANG SWX08 DC48V350W / BAFANG SWX08 DC36V250W

BROSE & SHIMANO crank drives are also newly being offered on a number of these 2017 season e-bikes. And what is this Bafang II 48v Max Drive version? It’s not even mentioned on Bafangs’ own website (yet)!

 

[tommie]

Possibly you mean Bafangs latest Ultra Drive?

Rated Voltage (DCV) 43/48/60

http://www.szbaf.com/en/drive-systems/drive-system/max/max-fortis.html

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The EN 15194 standard isn't clear. It says for bikes up to 48v, but a 48V battery goes up to 53V. Some testers interpret it as 48v absolute max, others as 48v nominal.

KTM have been using a normal 13 cell 48v battery in some of their bikes for a few years. Nobody seems bothered. I guess they're all wising up to their interpretation.

 

[cyclebuddy]

Possibly you mean Bafangs latest Ultra Drive?

I don't think that is what they mean here... the Ultra is 1000w and looks different. The current Bafang dealer manual says the Max Drive is available in both 36v and 43v versions as both a 250w and 350w variant. This says Bafang II 48v 350w (i.e. Bafang MkII?). Here's a pic of one of the new 2017 models with this Bafang II 48v drive.... (it looks the same as my own ordinary Max Drive 36v)



The rear hub motors are also described as "Bafang II" and again with a 36v or 48v option available on some models, whereas they were simply "Bafang" and all 36v last year. Interesting.

 

[Woosh]

I think there are advantages in fitting the Bafang Max Drive with a 48V battery but that's about it (the 48V Max Drive is actually designed as a higher power motor than the 36V), there is no benefit in using 48V on hub drive bikes.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Rated Voltage (DCV) 36/43/48

from the http://www.szbaf.com/en/components/component/motor/mm-g33250.html page on the bafang site.

 

[cyclebuddy]

Rated Voltage (DCV) 36/43/48

from the http://www.szbaf.com/en/components/component/motor/mm-g33250.html page on the bafang site.

Ah yes... good spot. I was looking at the current/official Max Drive Dealer Installation Manual for that drive system, and there's no mention of a 48v option. It must be newly added. But even there, they don't mention a 48v 350w variant, which is what the Chinese are now offering on this new 2017 model.

 

[Kinninvie]

I think where Bafang say 43/48/60 they mean a low voltage cutoff of 43 volts,a nominal 48 volts and an absolute fully charged maximum of 60 volts.
This is exactly the same rating as my BBSHD.

 

[Danidl]

The EN 15194 standard isn't clear. It says for bikes up to 48v, but a 48V battery goes up to 53V. Some testers interpret it as 48v absolute max, others as 48v nominal.

KTM have been using a normal 13 cell 48v battery in some of their bikes for a few years. Nobody seems bothered. I guess they're all wising up to their interpretation.

I remember from a past life that there is something special of voltages below about 56v,. , Relating back to the telecoms industry, this was the peak voltage for the ring tone on the old exchange s. Below this you can get away with single insulation, and above this need to have double insulated and or locked cabinets.