powacycle batteries

muckymits

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 31, 2011
419
2
I have 2 different Powacycle batteries of unknown condition, but only 1 charger which is for the right hand one. What types of batteries are they and would the charger do for both types? I dont want to buy a charger to find the battery not up to scratch.

batts.jpg
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,604
30,874
The green one on the right is their original NiMh which was discontinued long ago. The left hand one with blue wrapped rectangular cells is their current lithium polymer one. I doubt the NiMh one will be much use at its age, having short range if it is usable at all.

They use different chargers and one will not do both. The correct NiMh charger has the third connection used for charge monitoring by temperature via an integral battery sensor which matches the charger control circuit. It also has to use a higher charge voltage which would damage the lithium unit. The charger for the lithium battery just delivers the current, the battery's integral circuitry controls the charge.

So it looks like you need to buy their lithium charger, assuming that battery is ok, they usually only last about two years.
.
 
Last edited:

muckymits

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 31, 2011
419
2
Thanks Flecc for the sharp reply, not what I wanted to hear but might have to bite the bullet and buy a charger. think its was around £70 at trade price. Cheap bikes but expensive parts :(
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,604
30,874
By lithium charger standards that's not too dear, some charge around £125 for similar, though their NiMh charger used to cost only £40 when they used that type.