I know we've had some post about Volt batts. This one concerns Volt emailing today to say that B1 batts are back in stock £460. While I was waiting for this to happen I found batts on Amazon. I ordered one told it had been dispatched. I was unsure if a charger was supplied and asked Amazon and then the supplier answered and thus began a ping pong email trail. Yes a charger is supplied but we need measurements for your battery.

 

Weird apparently it had been dispatched and now they want measurements. How many measuring tapes must a man pull out before he can say sod this and cancelled the order. I got my money back. Yet I still wanted a battery, so I emailed them again to which they wanted more measurements. I left it but at £279 for the largest 36v version. I'm thinking is it actually possible to get it. The companies name is SDTYYP a Chinese outfit. I seen a news item online saying battery Chinese manufacturers have to comply with strict safety laws. More likely for the car market but a battery is a battery.

 

Anyone ever heard of them, had any dealings good or bad. I'm a pensioner and watching my savings shrink more rapidly than I can push my bike. The battery I ordered looks exactly like the first one I had when I bought the bike.

... but a battery is a battery.

Not quite. There are many features that make a good battery, eg

* Well constructed with internal connections well soldered/welded.

* Good battery management system (BMS)

* Good quality cells.

 

A bad battery will probably not last as long,

not provide so much power (voltage sag as current drawn) or range,

and could be dangerous.

 

On the other hand, batteries sold by the likes of Volt are probably good quality, but often overpriced.

This is especially so if the battery size, shape and connection are proprietary ones.

It is difficult to get the sweet spot: a good quality battery (preferably shipped from UK) at a reasonable price.

I've seen comments (mainly on this forum) that Greenlance and Yose are a good choice if they sell the appropriate battery;

and I'm sure SanEagle will come in with some more precise comments.

I know we've had some post about Volt batts. This one concerns Volt emailing today to say that B1 batts are back in stock £460. While I was waiting for this to happen I found batts on Amazon. I ordered one told it had been dispatched. I was unsure if a charger was supplied and asked Amazon and then the supplier answered and thus began a ping pong email trail. Yes a charger is supplied but we need measurements for your battery.

 

Weird apparently it had been dispatched and now they want measurements. How many measuring tapes must a man pull out before he can say sod this and cancelled the order. I got my money back. Yet I still wanted a battery, so I emailed them again to which they wanted more measurements. I left it but at £279 for the largest 36v version. I'm thinking is it actually possible to get it. The companies name is SDTYYP a Chinese outfit. I seen a news item online saying battery Chinese manufacturers have to comply with strict safety laws. More likely for the car market but a battery is a battery.

 

Anyone ever heard of them, had any dealings good or bad. I'm a pensioner and watching my savings shrink more rapidly than I can push my bike. The battery I ordered looks exactly like the first one I had when I bought the bike.

A link to the listing would help.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/15-6ah-10-4ah-Battery-Electric-Lithium/dp/B0FKN8F9WC/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_image?pd_rd_w=kNcxZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.ef98a953-c2a8-4bd3-af3f-a24426e3b7c4%3Aamzn1.symc.30e3dbb4-8dd8-4bad-b7a1-a45bcdbc49b8&pf_rd_p=ef98a953-c2a8-4bd3-af3f-a24426e3b7c4&pf_rd_r=X2V0J4BZJ0R7PN460CCM&pd_rd_wg=XnVLt&pd_rd_r=4e720089-82b1-455e-a825-93fa9d4be20c&pd_rd_i=B0FKN8F9WC

A link to the listing would help.

Hope this works

Not quite. There are many features that make a good battery, eg

* Well constructed with internal connections well soldered/welded.

* Good battery management system (BMS)

* Good quality cells.

 

A bad battery will probably not last as long,

not provide so much power (voltage sag as current drawn) or range,

and could be dangerous.

 

On the other hand, batteries sold by the likes of Volt are probably good quality, but often overpriced.

This is especially so if the battery size, shape and connection are proprietary ones.

It is difficult to get the sweet spot: a good quality battery (preferably shipped from UK) at a reasonable price.

I've seen comments (mainly on this forum) that Greenlance and Yose are a good choice if they sell the appropriate battery;

and I'm sure SanEagle will come in with some more precise comments.

Hence the reason why I asked if anybody had any information about the company and to whether their batteries are of good quality. I know enough about the battery I have for my bike . A battery is a battery is a battery. I know that doesn't tell me as to how good or bad it is.

The reason they want measurements is probably because a load of buyers think it's a standard silver fish one, then they have to send it back when they see it isn’t.

 

The photo shows everything for you to decide whether it'll fit. You can see the connector, the polarity, base size and length. The length normally doesn’t matter if they send the locking strip with it, but they don't show one in the photo, so you might want to check that or ask them whether they supply one.

 

What's inside is anybody's guess. It could be better, the same as or worse than the Volt one. Personally, I've never had a problem with any chinese battery.

First time I've seen a choice of charging connectors fitted, if that's what the barrel connector is - is that right?

There are some volt batteries here. The 8ah and 10ah ones might not be able to provide enough current, so go with a bigger capacity one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009893108320.html?aff_fsk=_oBXVPn9&aff_platform=aff_feeds&aff_short_key=_oBXVPn9&cn=326576&cv=90dc9d53ad3a459934a2d8241df6ed58&dp=CjwKCAiAssfLBhBDEiwAcLpwfqqGGYMAEq2vGPebNMNte0aoHgkcgEGXe3zmeswMxaR9nY1u4zYlIBoCCF4QAvD_BwE&isdl=y&src=Connexity2023GBchannelpdp_npi=4%40dis!GBP!205.65!123.39!!!!!%40!12000050501068240!afff!!!&gad_source=1

The reason they want measurements is probably because a load of buyers think it's a standard silver fish one, then they have to send it back when they see it isn’t.

 

The photo shows everything for you to decide whether it'll fit. You can see the connector, the polarity, base size and length. The length normally doesn’t matter if they send the locking strip with it, but they don't show one in the photo, so you might want to check that or ask them whether they supply one.

 

What's inside is anybody's guess. It could be better, the same as or worse than the Volt one. Personally, I've never had a problem with any chinese battery.

 

I ordered from Amazon like I said, all I was interested in was the width of the battery. If that's not correct then it won't fit. The company said the measurements I sent were not the same as the batteries they have in stock and they needed to make one up for me. I replied I'm not worried about the height , the listed one will fit. I have two batteries, one standard one large. Your listed one comes in between.

 

Volt have come back to me, they run a scheme after four years they will sell a new battery at a discount for the older one. Question is how long will a battery last in the scheme of things. I think a battery will last somewhat longer. As it is they will discount me £50 for my old battery, leaving me to pay £410. Though they said as long as I dispose of the old battery responsibly. Which means I'll have an extra battery depending on your answer to the question. How long is a piece of string in battery life terms.

 

I'm concerned going back to the Chinese company will just end up pinging emails. My tape measure is like me getting on and it keeps on saying to me. Hey you've already done this give me something else to measure. Trouble is it can't measure my frustration.

There are some volt batteries here. The 8ah and 10ah ones might not be able to provide enough current, so go with a bigger capacity one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009893108320.html?aff_fsk=_oBXVPn9&aff_platform=aff_feeds&aff_short_key=_oBXVPn9&cn=326576&cv=90dc9d53ad3a459934a2d8241df6ed58&dp=CjwKCAiAssfLBhBDEiwAcLpwfqqGGYMAEq2vGPebNMNte0aoHgkcgEGXe3zmeswMxaR9nY1u4zYlIBoCCF4QAvD_BwE&isdl=y&src=Connexity2023GBchannelpdp_npi=4%40dis!GBP!205.65!123.39!!!!!%40!12000050501068240!afff!!!&gad_source=1

According to Volt this the Metro battery is not compatible with my bike type. To me they look exactly the same. Is it Kensington, then that's where the incompatibility is. I'm from lowly Islington.

According to Volt this the Metro battery is not compatible with my bike type. To me they look exactly the same. Is it Kensington, then that's where the incompatibility is. I'm from lowly Islington.

You're not being clear at all. According to Volt's own website, there are TWO different B1 batteries - one for Kensington, Pulse LS, Alpine, Burlington models...and the other for Metro and Metro LS models.

 

[mention=3847]saneagle[/mention] showed a listing for the first of these types, and here's a listing for the second:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009893555055.html

 

On the other hand, Volts own batteries use high-grade Panasonic cells, which these likely don't at this price. That's not to say they're bad, but "A battery is a battery is a battery" is tosh. A battery built with premium cells, when looked after properly, can last 7/8/9+ years, as some members here will testify (my own 3 have anyway).

 

Then there's the issue of the Spin-Tech technology Volt claim to be using in all these models - there may be a handshake process between battery BMS and controller - it's not clear. Why not pop along to Volts own service centre near London Bridge and ask? It's literally about 20mins from Islington - or was that reference being cryptic too?

It can be tricky buying from third party sellers on Amazon. Always worth checking feedback. In case you haven't seen feedback for SDTYYP:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sp?ie=UTF8&seller=AMKRBI17NXXXU

 

I bought my BBS01B kit with battery from IEBIKE on Amazon, but before I did, I asked the seller oodles of questions, and decided to buy an LG celled battery rather than unknown brand and model Chinese. I also asked about legality, and where I'd send things if faulty. He assured me the kit was legal (sent me certs), and said his company had "Diagnostic facilities throughout Europe". However, in the event of my destroying my controller, I had to post it to China at my own cost (£20). But he did post me a brand new controller from China for free, which I keep as a spare. I would not have posted the battery if faulty, who the heck knows how much that costs. The moral of this story is ask questions, but don't expect the seller to tell you the truth.

Edited January 22Jan 22 by guerney

You're not being clear at all. According to Volt's own website, there are TWO different B1 batteries - one for Kensington, Pulse LS, Alpine, Burlington models...and the other for Metro and Metro LS models.

 

[mention=3847]saneagle[/mention] showed a listing for the first of these types, and here's a listing for the second:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009893555055.html

 

On the other hand, Volts own batteries use high-grade Panasonic cells, which these likely don't at this price. That's not to say they're bad, but "A battery is a battery is a battery" is tosh. A battery built with premium cells, when looked after properly, can last 7/8/9+ years, as some members here will testify (my own 3 have anyway).

 

Then there's the issue of the Spin-Tech technology Volt claim to be using in all these models - there may be a handshake process between battery BMS and controller - it's not clear. Why not pop along to Volts own service centre near London Bridge and ask? It's literally about 20mins from Islington - or was that reference being cryptic too?

A sense of humour is always a good thing. My bike is a Pulse X the original one, or before spin technology. I've had dealings with Volt since 2017 and replaced my original battery with a Spin one as the original one no longer was supplied. It still worked on my bike but didn't feel as powerful as the first battery. Yet according to Volt the B1 battery is the only one for my bike. If I am right it's the metro bike that has a very similar battery to mine yet Volt say it's not compatible with my bike. They will ask to clarify what bike a customer has.

 

Now my reference to a battery is a battery is a battery relates to the time I spent trying to buy one from the Chinese company. They wanted measurements I gave them the measurement. They game back and asked for the same and again and again.

 

A battery is a etc etc is the same as " we are all equal except some are more equal than others". Plus without making adjustments I can only use one particular battery on my bike. So in truth a batt Blah blah blah actually does apply on less the battery from China uses different cells. Which may or may not be better.

It can be tricky buying from third party sellers on Amazon. Always worth checking feedback. In case you haven't seen feedback for SDTYYP:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sp?ie=UTF8&seller=AMKRBI17NXXXU

 

I bought my BBS01B kit with battery from IEBIKE on Amazon, but before I did, I asked the seller oodles of questions, and decided to buy an LG celled battery rather than unknown brand and model Chinese. I also asked about legality, and where I'd send things if faulty. He assured me the kit was legal (sent me certs), and said his company had "Diagnostic facilities throughout Europe". However, in the event of my destroying my controller, I had to post it to China at my own cost (£20). But he did post me a brand new controller from China for free, which I keep as a spare. I would not have posted the battery if faulty, who the heck knows how much that costs. The moral of this story is ask questions, but don't expect the seller to tell you the truth.

I did have plenty of communication with SDTYYP, it proved to be a nightmare. I had seen the feedback but I thought best to come here and ask people with good knowledge. Like yo say ask ask and ask again.

I did have plenty of communication with SDTYYP, it proved to be a nightmare. I had seen the feedback but I thought best to come here and ask people with good knowledge. Like yo say ask ask and ask again.

Many sellers on Amazon Marketplace are resellers and dropshippers, who don't actually know the answers to questions. People test and post results of known brand cells, here's test data of my LG MH1 cells.

 

https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/LG%2018650%20MH1%203200mAh%20(Cyan)%20UK.html

 

Personally, I avoid buying unknown Chinese celled anything.

There are some volt batteries here. The 8ah and 10ah ones might not be able to provide enough current, so go with a bigger capacity one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009893108320.html?aff_fsk=_oBXVPn9&aff_platform=aff_feeds&aff_short_key=_oBXVPn9&cn=326576&cv=90dc9d53ad3a459934a2d8241df6ed58&dp=CjwKCAiAssfLBhBDEiwAcLpwfqqGGYMAEq2vGPebNMNte0aoHgkcgEGXe3zmeswMxaR9nY1u4zYlIBoCCF4QAvD_BwE&isdl=y&src=Connexity2023GBchannelpdp_npi=4%40dis!GBP!205.65!123.39!!!!!%40!12000050501068240!afff!!!&gad_source=1

I've just turned on the functioning part of my brain, and taken in that this battery is, it would seem suitable for my bike. Against £410 from Volt it's so tempting. Like you say the 8ah and 10ah don't sound like they'll be right.

You're not being clear at all. According to Volt's own website, there are TWO different B1 batteries - one for Kensington, Pulse LS, Alpine, Burlington models...and the other for Metro and Metro LS models.

 

[mention=3847]saneagle[/mention] showed a listing for the first of these types, and here's a listing for the second:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009893555055.html

 

On the other hand, Volts own batteries use high-grade Panasonic cells, which these likely don't at this price. That's not to say they're bad, but "A battery is a battery is a battery" is tosh. A battery built with premium cells, when looked after properly, can last 7/8/9+ years, as some members here will testify (my own 3 have anyway).

 

Then there's the issue of the Spin-Tech technology Volt claim to be using in all these models - there may be a handshake process between battery BMS and controller - it's not clear. Why not pop along to Volts own service centre near London Bridge and ask? It's literally about 20mins from Islington - or was that reference being cryptic too?

Yes you are correct, my experience over the years with Volt has left me wearing blinkers. Seeing past them is or around them is let's say troublesome. I'll give you an example of why I have issues with Volt. When I bought the bike, very soon after spokes on the rear wheel were breaking. I went online and bought some new ones. Replacing any as needed eventually I brought the bike back to them. One of the thinks they said to me was. I should never mix different sizes. What little experience I have with bikes I thought fair enough. Crucially it would have been better if Volt sold me a bike with better spokes as the original ones were of the cheapest quality you could imagine.

 

You know when metal breaks and you can see it's just brittle. That's what they looked like. The same with the screws fixing the hub cap to the hub. Cycling one day the bike stops moving, all the screws had broken. A trip to Franchis builders merchants sorted that one out. I will say to be fair at a later time when the bearing in the hub had given up the ghost. The guys in the workshop sorted me out really well. Unfortunately that wasn't the end of the story. I won't bother you with the details, except to say I got to know my bike far better. Which actually did me more favours than I could imagine and saved me a lot of money.

I've ordered A battery from Ali express. A 20ah version, it doesn't come with a charger. The battery is rated at 3a, my existing charger is as well. Will it be safe to use on the new battery.

I've ordered A battery from Ali express. A 20ah version, it doesn't come with a charger. The battery is rated at 3a, my existing charger is as well. Will it be safe to use on the new battery.

Which connector does your charger have?

Which connector does your charger have?

The one pin version, I used to have the three pin. Then Volt changed the battery so that's history.

The one pin version, I used to have the three pin. Then Volt changed the battery so that's history.

It'll be OK then. Please let us know how you get on.

Would it be fair to say that with third party batteries the biggest unknown is the quality of the cells and BMS rather than basic fit and voltage, assuming the physical dimensions and connectors match?

That's the same with any battery, third party or not. It's always a lottery. I've never had any problems with any third party batteries, and I've bought very many. Also, in 15 years on this forum, I can't remember anybody ever complaining about a third party battery. Many guys, who had ther batteries re-celled did seem to experience premature failure. My only advice would be to avoid any batteries that are ridiculously cheap, like £50 - £100.

I can't remember anybody ever complaining about a third party battery.

Thanks for the invite I've two 630Wh batteries costing £300 and £200, the one with Samsung cells is 3.25kg while the other is 3.8kg and when it runs low it sags so much that I only get about 550Wh out of it. To be fair I really don't mind, I wanted something cheap I could leave locked up in London.

It'll be OK then. Please let us know how you get on.

Got the battery yesterday took it out for a spin today and what a difference. It feels like I've got ten or more years younger. Thanks to you guys on here as I would have let it go and paid £ 260 more to Volt for a less powerful battery. Time will tell in how it behaves, but for now I'm well chuffed.

I’m probably in a similar situation. I have a 2017 volt pulse with the original B1 battery which I estimate has lost close to 30% of its capacity. As I’ve now done 21000 miles on the bike I don’t really want to spend the OEM premium on a replacement as I’m not sure of the remaining life left in the bike. The AliExpress 20Ah looks tempting as it states Samsung or LG cells at this capacity (other capacities are stated as unbranded). I’m a little dubious about the claimed capacity though. I’d be interested to know how this performs. Would the weight of a larger capacity pack be higher or has technological improvements increased capacity without weight gain. Could you physically fit 20Ah of cells in a 77x73x400mm external pack size?