What wires?????

[seanyg]

Just bought a 36v 500w hub and 3 x 12v 12ah batteries and 36vcharger to build my own electric bike.
To connect the batteries in series what wire should i use to connect batteries as i'm not that skilled at
electrics.Many thanks sean

 

[mlcook19]

Try reading Connecting Batteries in Series or Parallel

Just from curiosity, did you also purchase a controller and a throttle? If so, what did you purchase, and from where? If you can supply these things then help will be just around the corner!

 

[theskip1]

Just bought a 36v 500w hub and 3 x 12v 12ah batteries and 36vcharger to build my own electric bike.
To connect the batteries in series what wire should i use to connect batteries as i'm not that skilled at
electrics.Many thanks sean

make sure the conecting wires are at least 12awg (american wire gauge ) silicon. what range were you expecting from your bike ? 12ah batteries running a 500amp motor will probably not take you more than about 15m maybe less.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Just bought a 36v 500w hub and 3 x 12v 12ah batteries and 36vcharger to build my own electric bike.
To connect the batteries in series what wire should i use to connect batteries as i'm not that skilled at
electrics.Many thanks sean

You can get 30 amp wire and spade connectors that fit the batteries from Maplin. Although the spade connectors are designed for crimping, you should solder them. Try and get the type with the removable covers so that you can slide the covers back on after soldering. Some have hard plastic covers that are difficult to remove. for these ones, you need to warm them until they go soft and cut them off. For all the wires joining the batteries, try and keep them as short as is practical. Use red and black wire: black to go between the batteries and on the end -ve terminal and red on the end +ve terminal. Have a look at the controller power wires to see what connectors it has - often bullets, While you're at Maplins you need to get some suitable connectors for it. If you use bullets, you should put a male and female pair on the controller and an opposite pair on the battery leads, If you use any other type, like plug and socket. The socket (female) should go on the battery side so that you don't have two live pins exposed that can short out on anything metal. You should put a 30 amp fuse in the +ve (red) wire between the battery and the controller. You can get a ready-made one from Maplin, or you can get one of those flat car ones from the Pound Shop (or wherever) and solder a couple of short pieces of red wire on it. Whatever type you use, you must solder a male and female bullet to it, if that's what you're using.
in-line fuseholder : Maplin Electronics

 

[seanyg]

Thank you all for the information very helpful,i should be heading in the right direction now.The wheel comes with throttle,controller,brakes etc.Bought off ebay so might be crap,but will have to wait 6 more weeks till
delivery to find out,so thought i would pre prepare some parts.30 amp wire sounds a bit scary,i take it the batteries could give out quite a shock.Mileage to work is an 8 mile round trip,so was hoping this would do 2 days with a little pedalling then recharge batteries.Many thanks off to maplins

 

[seanyg]

One more note,i was going to buy a 24v 500w hub but thought 36v might be more powerful was i correct in thinking this as one website said no difference.

 

[NRG]

Like d8veh I use the Maplin High Current wire, they also have some silicon flexible wire rated slightly higher at 32amp. Use a good soldering iron if making up the connections yourself 50w or more.

At 36v you won't get a shock from the batteries, unlike an old valve radio I repaired recently with a +300v HT rail..... That hurts!

 

[piotrmacheta]

If the hub is rated at 500w then the voltage is irrelevant. The only difference is that the 26v hub will be drawing more current than the 36v hub for the same power so thicker wires needed for the 26v hub. I think you did right going for a higher voltage as it's probably more efficient.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Mileage to work is an 8 mile round trip,so was hoping this would do 2 days with a little pedalling then recharge batteries.Many thanks off to maplins

You'd be better charging them every day, SLA batteries need to be kept fully charged for as long as possible to preserve their life. Never leave them flat or they will die in no time. The more you discharge them, the less long they last as well. So, the general rule is charge them to full whenever you can.

 

[seanyg]

Cool i can can charge batteries each day no problem,Hopefully the 36v hub will be more efficient i hope but
more weight with 3 batteries instead of 2 so might counteract it.32 amp wire sounds good and safe and will
solder and hopefully cover with some insulation,don't want it all shorting before i start!.Many thanks all,your
doing a champion job on this forum.