Ping battery connections

[Fordulike]

After researching battery technology, it seems LiFePO4, in the long term, is the best value for money for replacement packs.
Although my Cyclamatic is powerful enough for my rides out and about, i feel that maybe in 6 months time the battery will not offer the capacity it has now. I ran out of juice once and it's not an easy bike to peddle without assistance
Therefore when the battery starts to diminish, i plan to ditch the original and install my own Ping 24V 15AH V2.5 LiFePO4 Battery Pack.
This should give me the extra capacity so i'm not running it close to full discharge on rides.
I hope someone can fill me in on some info about the Ping packs.
1) Do they discharge and charge from the same set of wires? In the picture on Ping's website i can see red and black wires (assuming discharge) and a blue wire???
2) What type of connector does the charger terminate in?
3) The current battery has a key to switch off the battery whilst charging. Is it a good idea to have some kind of isolator to the throttle regulator/motor whilst charging?
Please bear with me. Although i have a background in electronics, i am new to e bike set ups and may sound a bit naive on the subject.
Thanks

 

[Herb]

1) Do they discharge and charge from the same set of wires? In the picture on Ping's website i can see red and black wires (assuming discharge) and a blue wire???
2) What type of connector does the charger terminate in?
3) The current battery has a key to switch off the battery whilst charging. Is

Here is a link to a picture of my 36V 10Ah Ping http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/5457-prevent-sparks-when-connecting-ping-2.html#post70041

In answer to your questions -

1. No, there are separate charge and power connections, when delivered there a no connections on the power wires , you have to provide them. The picture shows 30 Anderson Powerpoles

2. I think this is called a XLR connection and is the silver 3 pin socket on the right of the picture.

3. I use a 30 MCB to provide isolation and short circuit protection.

Hope this helps

Herb

 

[Fordulike]

Thanks Herb, just the info i was after

 

[Fecn]

You may find a 24v (26.4v) ping pack to be disappointing if you're used to a 25.9v lithium-ion pack. The LiIon pack will deliver most of it's useful energy from 29.4v when it's fresh-off-the-charger, down to 24v when the battery is empty, whereas an 8-cell ping pack will deliver from 27v when fresh down to 22v when empty. This means that your bike may reach it's cutout voltage whilst the ping pack is still at 30% remaining.

I initially bought myself a 24v 8-cell ping pack and found it disappointing, so I ordered some extra cells and a new BMS from Ping and converted it to a 9-cell 29.7v pack which matches the voltage ranges of Li-Ion more closely. Ping will make up custom packs upon request so there's no problem getting a 9-cell pack if you want it.

 

[Fordulike]

Fecn, is it the motor regulator that determines the cutoff voltage to the motor?
Also, if the Li-ion pack outputs 29.4v at it's peak, does this mean that most regulators can handle more power even though quoted at 24v?
If yes, would fitting a 36v ping on the bike fry the regulator?

 

[Fecn]

Yes - the motor controller (regulator) will most likely be responsible for determining the cutoff voltage, although many BMSes also have a cutoff voltage built in. It would probably be very unwise to try a 36v pack on your 24v(29.4v) controller though as it is likely that it has 35v rated components in it.

 

[Fordulike]

Thanks Fecn. There's plenty of variables to think about plus terminology. Motor controller, sorry
The whole electric bike kit/build/upgrade concept is indeed an exciting one.
I'm sure the steep learning curve will level out eventually thanks to you knowledgeable guys

 

[tangent]

I am considering an external Ping battery for my old Giant Lafree. This is based on a 24V NiMH battery. Does anyone know what the cut-off voltage would be for this?