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36V 9Ah Frog Battery
This battery is designed to attach to the seat pole of a bicycle. It is useful for folding bikes and tricycles but can be used on many other bicycles too if you like the style. The controller sits in the box underneath the battery. You need approximately 15cm of seat tube free to allow space […]
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36V 9Ah Tube Battery
This neat tubular battery from PANASONIC comes with a lockable holder to secure the battery to the bike frame and cable to run to motor controller. Click here to see an installation video using this battery. It is one of the most popular batteries due to its ability to run high power motors up to […]
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36V 11.6Ah Tube Battery
This tubular lithium ion battery from PANASONIC has the slightly higher capacity in the tubular battery range. It has a capacity of 11.6Ah, this will allow you a greater riding range. The battery comes with lockable holder to secure the battery to the bike frame and cable to run to motor controller. Click here to […]
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36V 14Ah Tiger Shark Battery
This 36V battery is an elegant solution for people who want a balance between great range and a slim pack that mounts on the down tube within the frame of the bicycle. We’ve filled this nice mould with PANASONIC 3500mAh cells to create a small battery that is packed with power. These cells have the […]
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36V 21Ah Tiger Shark Battery
This is a crazily high capacity battery that sits in the frame of a bicycle. It mounts on the down tube and only with new mould design and high capacity and high discharge 3500mAh cells from PANASONIC has it been possible to create such a battery. This battery likely far exceeds any riders needs for […]
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36V 11.6Ah Rack Battery
This is a 36V 11.6Ah rack battery that uses PANASONIC cells. It has a very nice design, it’s sleek and flat and on the front there is a controller box so that the controller can be neatly hidden away. It also has an integrated rear tail light. This battery is a great option for step […]
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36V 17.5Ah Rack Battery
This is a long range 36 volt rack battery that has a huge 17.5Ah capacity. It’s suited for people with very long commutes. It has a very nice design, it’s sleek and flat and on the front there is a controller box so that the controller can be neatly hidden away. The battery comes with […]
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48V 10.5Ah Tiger Shark Battery
This is a neat battery that fits within the frame of the bicycle and is used for high power 48V electric bicycle applications. It is coupled often with our 1000W hub or mid-drive motor kits. It allows a range of approximately 25km. It uses the latest high discharge 3500mAh cells from PANASONIC. These have a […]
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48V 17.5Ah Tiger Shark Battery
This is the highest capacity battery available on the market currently that runs at 48V and mounts within the frame of the bicycle. It has a huge 17.5Ah of storage capacity. No expense is spared on this battery, it uses the latest 3500mAh high discharge cells from PANASONIC and we’ve tested it with 2000W motors […]
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48V 14Ah Rack Battery
This is a rack battery that is used for high power electric bike applications. It uses the newest 3500mAh PANASONIC cells with a high 3C discharge ability. It’s a neat rear rack option for people using electric conversion kits upwards of 1000W. It comes with an integrated rear light, a custom double layered carrier lack […]
The best charging practices are to charge often and don't regularly run it flat. Once you know your range, aim to keep within 20% of that range on a regular basis. The charger will turn off once the battery is fully charged. It's good practice to remove the charger once it is fully charged because you still have a live circuit. Be sure to always turn the battery switch off when you are not using it, a small amount of current will drain into the controller otherwise and the battery will go flat within a few weeks. If you are going away for a long time then give the battery a full charge and remove the battery from the rack or unscrew the cable at the bottom if it is a tube style. It will be ok for around 3 months if you do this. If you run your battery flat then you should charge it up as soon as possible. If you leave it in a flat condition for a long time then you will likely damage it beyond repair.
We don't want to worry you but you should know that lithium ion batteries can be dangerous. Watch this video if you want to see what can happen if they get mis-treated. You should treat your battery with the same precaution as you would treat a bottle of petrol. They should not be exposed to heat or physical damage. You should charge your battery in a place where it can't get damaged and if there is an accident it won't be fatal. Ie, don't charge your battery next to a sleeping baby. There are many circumstances around the world of lithium ion batteries catching fire. If they do, there is very little you can do about it as they are extremely hard to extinguish, put out lots of acrid smoke and burn extremely hot. The best thing to do if there is a fire is douse it continuously with water if it's safe to do so - perhaps have your charging location in reach of your garden hose. The risk of fire is extremely small if you don't do anything silly or have an accident but you should be aware of the potential risk. We only use batteries from top manufacturers and they are all tested at the battery factory and at our warehouse. We also only use chargers specifically designed for the batteries and with Australian electrical certification. Don't use any old charger for them, you need to get the correct one. It is wise to first charge and even turn on the battery outdoors.
The main choices available for powering electric bicycles are lead acid batteries and lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries are far superior to lead acid batteries and are clearly the ideal choice for use with an electric bike. There is a range of chemistry used in lithium ion batteries, common ones include lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium manganese and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and each manufacturer has trade secrets as to the exact composition of each metal in its slurry. In practice, we find that the lifetime of all lithium ion chemistry types is very similar under real riding conditions and its the quality control of the manufacturer that gives the greatest safety and quality of the battery. Warranty is also important as nearly all electric bicycle failures are due to the battery. In nearly all cases, any fault will appear within 1-2 weeks. Once through this "teething" stage then your battery is unlikely to fail for a few years
Lithium ion batteries last about 3 times as long as lead acid batteries and weigh about three times less - approximately 4kg (Li ion) vs 12kg (lead acid) for 36V 10ah. There is simply no comparison if you are looking for high performance. The cost is still very high for excellent quality lithium ion battery packs for electric bicycles but the enhanced lifespan compensates for this cost difference. It is important to use a lithium ion battery designed for an electric bike as they have battery management systems (BMS) inside them. The BMS is a piece of circuitry that must be set appropriately to control the amount of current draw required by the motor and to limit excessive discharge capacity. The BMS is also important for balancing cell charge between the individual cells within the battery to maintain battery life over time. For performance reviews of the batteries on offer please read through some of the testimonials.
Sealed lead acid batteries are also not a bad option if that is what you have handy or are budget limited. They have proven through the test of time and handle the current draw of electric bicycle motors well. Absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries are commonly used lead acid batteries for electric vehicles, they use either gel or absorbant glass mat fibres to hold the electrolyte. They have a higher energy density than typical car batteries and can be inverted without spilling acid, they cope with higher temperatures and can be charged and discharged more rapidly. You should be able to get a set of sealed lead acid batteries from a local battery shop for between $130 - $250. If running a 36V motor, you will need to get three 12V batteries and hook them up in series (aim for about 12ah each battery). You will also need to get a 36V battery charger - send us an email if you need help in sourcing one as they can be difficult to come by.
Lead acid batteries suffer in range and are heavy.