Recellyourbattery.com------what are they like?

[stevew]

Has anybody actually had a battery re-celled by this company?
If so was it a good job? Was the battery reliable, etc?
Be really nice to hear from someone who had theirs done some time ago and has a few charge/discharge cycles under their belt.
I'm thinking of having my Lafree battery done and would like some reassurance before spending my money!

 

[cwah]

It seems that they are only doing Ni-MH and NI-CD batteries:
Prices | Recell Your Battery

Most of us have lithium batteries now.

 

[flecc]

The Lafree is NiMh cwah.

Hi Steve. This is the first I've heard of this company and have no feedback on them. Most companies previously trying have quickly opted out of recelling the Lafree batteries, mainly due to not getting the meter reading correctly after recelling. In some other cases the recell hasn't lasted too long due to poor cell quality.

It really shouldn't be a problem if they use good matched cells and transfer the negative lead complete with the unaltered sensor strip with it's two meter leads to the last cell. However it's possible that much larger then the original 6.5 Ah cells might give incorrect meter LED readings

 

[stevew]

Hi Flecc,

When I asked for a quote he stated that the meter would be inaccurate. I think he is using 8 or 9 Ah cells so that would make sense. I'm going to ask him what cells he uses. Let you know the answer.

SW

 

[eddieo]

what is the price of a recell in comparison to a new replacement battery please?

 

[flecc]

Ok Steve. The most commonly available NiMh cells are nominally 9 Ah but actually 8.5 Ah, similar to the ones that used to be in the Powacycle Salisbury/Windsor model batteries before they switched to lithium. I used to use those Powacycle pack innards to recell Lafree cases successfully and retaining full meter function. However, since then quite a few haven't been very happy with their recells with this size cell. One member said his didn't last well and A to B Magazine suffered quite rapid capacity decline.

So it mainly depends on the source of the cells they use. The fact they say the meter will be inaccurate, if it's based on Lafree recelling experience, is encouraging, since markedly higher capacity than the original brings that inaccuracy.

 

[stevew]

what is the price of a recell in comparison to a new replacement battery please?

He's quoting £140

 

[stevew]

Just had an answer from him (recellyourbattery):-

"The cells are an industrial grade they are not a branded make. The factory that supply us make them to my spec, they give me a 12 month warranty which I also offer on the completed battery"

What do you think?

 

[flecc]

Personally I'd take a punt on it Steve. With the official battery costing about £300 these days, at £140 you won't have lost out if it only lasted half as long, and it should easily do that and more.

The price means the cells are £7 each and fitted free, not bad at all. Online prices for good 9 Ah cells are up to £10 each.

 

[eddieo]

makes sense and worth a punt iMO

 

[stevew]

OK so it looks like I'm going to be the guinea pig!!

 

[flecc]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Steve!

I think it's going to be a safe bet, at least the Lafree's gentle software power management gives it the best chance.

 

[stevew]

Also got a reply from West-Gate as follows:-

Yes indeed we can re-cell the giant twist battery.
I would without doubt go for the 9 Amp hour NimH as that is the best balance of price/performance.
We have the correct equipment to do the job here, i.e. the battery spot welder, and turnaround it about 2 weeks as I schedule the work in.
I use good quality cells, as I mainly re-cell batteries for the film industry.
If you only have the one battery the cost is £198 + VAT
I can do a deal on more due to the price breaks.
I am not sure where you are based but you need to bear in mind the cost of shipping too.( I can do up to 20KGs for £10). You are welcome to drop them in, in person to our premises at Ashford Middlesex.
I must also add that I have had a few inquires about these battery packs and if I get enough actual orders I can reduce the price accordingly.

When I asked about cells he said:-
In the case of the 9AH I use Yausa Cells,they do what they say on the tin and I source from a reputable distributor.
My predesessor used these cells and offered 100% for first year and 80% second year, however I have now started to see these product come in for re-celling after 5 years plus. so I have confidence in these cells.

Looks good to but nearly £100 more??

 

[flecc]

Ouch, that's almost £250 with VAT and carriage. A new one from Giant is usually about £300 but can be a bit less, depending on the dealer. However, those have reverted to 6.5 Ah recently after a spell at 9 Ah, so there's doubt about which you'd get.

Prices have killed most recelling enterprises in their early days.

Can't really advise which Steve. Although money isn't a problem for me, I also enjoy the challenge of a risk so I'd probably chance the £140 option, but that's a very personal decision of course.

 

[stevew]

Yeah, that's very much my feeling although I'm now wondering about a lithium 'something' from HK or China. Could fit that on the rack and still have the standard battery (albeit with a limited range) on the bike as well. Give me a good range and versitility. Any thoughts/recomendations guys?

 

[flecc]

Li Ping has proved to be a very reliable supplier of the long lasting LiFePO4 type, but you'd need to contrive a case of some sort and Ping's aren't the lowest of prices:

Ping 24 volt batteries

I have no personal knowledge of others like BMS battery, hopefully others will advise.

Kudos are offering their LiFePO4 complete e-bike batteries at very reasonable prices around the £200 mark and most are carrier mount types, so that might well be worth exploring:

Kudos Cycles

Bear in mind that a Kudos battery would mean buying a charger to suit from them as well.

P.S. Member "Grandad" added a second battery to his Lafree and featured it's arrangement on his website, which may be of interest and use:

Adding a second battery to a Lafree
.

 

[stevew]

Mmm. This might just be the best option yet. The 24v battery is only £165 plus £18 for the charger and it's 10ah. Might pop down and see the chap as he's only by Herne Bay.
I quite like Grandad's way of doing it 'cos I'm not too good with understanding relays ect. but OK at following instructions!

 

[stevew]

Would i have to use a relay like Grandad or is there a heavy duty change over type switch that I could use to switch from one battery to the other?

 

[flecc]

A switch would be fine Steve, but it would have to be at least a 15 Amp DC @ 30 volts rating for the Lafree. I don't know of one offhand, most are only 12 volt, but perhaps someone else knows of a source.

 

[shemozzle999]

Have a look on boating / sailing sites they sell large orange coloured dual battery rotary switches that can be switched for bat1, bat2, bat1 + bat2 and an off position.
Note! they are not small and also not cheap but can be found regularly at boat jumbles.