Not ever having used an electric bike with a 48v battery before I'm amazed at the potential range from my 14Ah lifepo4 battery. I have not yet had the time or inclination to actually run it flat yet and confirm maximum range but at some point I will.
According to the Cycle Analyst I am using 2.5Ah per 10 miles of extremely hilly terrain using maximum assist constantly and powering up all hills. My average speed is now 19mph and I can comfortably pedal beyond the 15mph assist limit and cruise at 20mph on the flat. The drag of the motor limits the top downhill speed to just under 30mph but it's charging the battery at 8-9A at that speed and also a little scary (hit some gravel earlier and had a good wobble which was fun
) .
My general observation is that the bike has so much more torque with the 48v lifepo4 battery that it draws much less current than with a 36v battery for the same given speed. I'm also comparing a brand new A123 lifepo4 battery to a 2 year old lithium polymer so not a very fair test).
There are others factors in play I'm sure...there is absolutely no perceptable voltage sag from the battery when going up any hill which means that the current draw can remain low for the motor to produce the same power.
All in all I'm very pleased but realise I could have gone for an 8Ah battery and had less to carry! Never mind; I feel a long day out on a Brompton is in order (involving a few pubs for some lemonade should this rain ever stop )
Ben
According to the Cycle Analyst I am using 2.5Ah per 10 miles of extremely hilly terrain using maximum assist constantly and powering up all hills. My average speed is now 19mph and I can comfortably pedal beyond the 15mph assist limit and cruise at 20mph on the flat. The drag of the motor limits the top downhill speed to just under 30mph but it's charging the battery at 8-9A at that speed and also a little scary (hit some gravel earlier and had a good wobble which was fun
) .My general observation is that the bike has so much more torque with the 48v lifepo4 battery that it draws much less current than with a 36v battery for the same given speed. I'm also comparing a brand new A123 lifepo4 battery to a 2 year old lithium polymer so not a very fair test).
There are others factors in play I'm sure...there is absolutely no perceptable voltage sag from the battery when going up any hill which means that the current draw can remain low for the motor to produce the same power.
All in all I'm very pleased but realise I could have gone for an 8Ah battery and had less to carry! Never mind; I feel a long day out on a Brompton is in order (involving a few pubs for some lemonade should this rain ever stop
)Ben
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