24v Vs. 36v
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dodge City, KS.
Posts: 60
Bikes: Schwinn, World Avenue One
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
24v Vs. 36v
Ok guys...help me out here...I see and hear alot of people using a 36v system. It appears to be more popular as compared to the 24v....Why is that? More speed? I think (correct me if I'm wrong) given the same ah, the cost is more expensive for 36v batteries weather it be a sla or LiFePo4...correct?
For a new guy like me who would like a cheap entrance into an e-bike experience why shouldn't I go with a 24v system with sla battery and then, at a later date, up-grade to a LiFePo4 battery? Would I be disappointed with a 24v system? Also is it difficult to swap out batteries from sla to LiFePo4, weather it be 24v or 36v?
Finally does a 250 watt bl motor work as efficiently as say a 600 bl? Is that a consideration to be looked at also when deciding which system to use?
Thanks!
For a new guy like me who would like a cheap entrance into an e-bike experience why shouldn't I go with a 24v system with sla battery and then, at a later date, up-grade to a LiFePo4 battery? Would I be disappointed with a 24v system? Also is it difficult to swap out batteries from sla to LiFePo4, weather it be 24v or 36v?
Finally does a 250 watt bl motor work as efficiently as say a 600 bl? Is that a consideration to be looked at also when deciding which system to use?
Thanks!
#2
put our Heads Together
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155
Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok guys...help me out here...I see and hear alot of people using a 36v system. It appears to be more popular as compared to the 24v....Why is that? More speed? I think (correct me if I'm wrong) given the same ah, the cost is more expensive for 36v batteries weather it be a sla or LiFePo4...correct?
For a new guy like me who would like a cheap entrance into an e-bike experience why shouldn't I go with a 24v system with sla battery and then, at a later date, up-grade to a LiFePo4 battery? Would I be disappointed with a 24v system? Also is it difficult to swap out batteries from sla to LiFePo4, weather it be 24v or 36v?
The number of watts determines the power of a motor, and watts equal amps times volts. (so two different motors may behave exactly the same when one is rated as 24volts30amps and another is 36volts20amps; both are 720 watts.)
A typical 250 watt brushless motor probably won't do what you want if more than one of these things is true:
you want to go up hills without pedaling
you want to go up hills that would be very difficult for you to ride up without a motor
you want to go faster than 20mph
you want to go faster than 12mph without pedaling
you are heavier than ~ 160 pounds
you want your e-bike to feel more kind of like a moped/motorcycle in terms of power
A 600 watt motor is sufficient for most e-bike users, unless what you really want is something that rides like a light motorcycle, or carries a very heavy rider up a very steep hill.
Finally does a 250 watt bl motor work as efficiently as say a 600 bl? Is that a consideration to be looked at also when deciding which system to use?
Last edited by cerewa; 03-24-09 at 03:24 PM.
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cerewa was very thorough and accurate in his post. Yes a 36v battery will cost more than the 24v, and the 250watt motor will not be great for going up hills. But you live in Kansas and there aren't that many hills so a 24v battery mated to a 250watt motor might be sufficient for you. It won't feel very powerful, it will just feel like that a very strong tail-wind is helping push you forward all the time.
#4
put our Heads Together
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155
Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes a 36v battery will cost more than the 24v
But it also stores 50% more energy (meaning 50% more range [miles] or 50% more power [ watts ]).
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dodge City, KS.
Posts: 60
Bikes: Schwinn, World Avenue One
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok...now my question has become...say I go for a 36v with say a 600w bl motor, would it be safe to say that a SLA battery pack with 36v w/12ah would have about 1/2 the life span of a LiFePo4 set up with the same numbers? Or would it be even less?
I guess I'm asking which set-up is the biggest bang (best value) for the buck?
Also are most dealers on e-bay reputable?...or do you guys know someone you'd suggest that is forth right (honest)? Like most...I'm not a big fan of getting ripped off, even more so when dealing in areas that I'm not well versed. Seems alot of this "stuff" is coming from China...trustworthy?
One last issue, if I go with SLA can I change it out, down the road, with a LiFePo4 w/o difficulty?
Thanks!
I guess I'm asking which set-up is the biggest bang (best value) for the buck?
Also are most dealers on e-bay reputable?...or do you guys know someone you'd suggest that is forth right (honest)? Like most...I'm not a big fan of getting ripped off, even more so when dealing in areas that I'm not well versed. Seems alot of this "stuff" is coming from China...trustworthy?
One last issue, if I go with SLA can I change it out, down the road, with a LiFePo4 w/o difficulty?
Thanks!
Last edited by Mike B.; 03-24-09 at 06:50 PM.
#6
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
here my take
Yeah this guy cerewa is an expert on these ebikes i always appreciate his very useful input on all t ahese topics he seem to know it all (Big shout out to Cerewa! ) Okay imo the best way to get into the ebike world would be to buy a Ezip(about $300) and get a lifepo4 from ebay-people like ping batteries i heard were trustworthy. Ive been checking out sellers and prices out there and there is a guy on ebay screen name "Volgood" who has excellent prices on these batteries but dont know how safe it would be to buy from him but i suppose if u use paypal u should be fine.
My first experiment is going to add a 6v - 7ah sla battery to my currie pack to get my bike up to 17-20mph without any assist from me.Its the cheapest,lightest and most easy to do-for a quick burst.oiThen i think im gonna buy a lifepo4 battery from "Volgood" (24v-15ah) for under 200 bucks!!
My first experiment is going to add a 6v - 7ah sla battery to my currie pack to get my bike up to 17-20mph without any assist from me.Its the cheapest,lightest and most easy to do-for a quick burst.oiThen i think im gonna buy a lifepo4 battery from "Volgood" (24v-15ah) for under 200 bucks!!
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
e-bay
The "Duct Tape" batteries from China on e-bay are advertised as LiFePO4, but they are inevitably LiCO or LiMn if you are lucky. They are not as good at producing high current levels, but they cost half as much and they are better than SLAs.
Also, the motor output power will not exceed the input power no matter how high they are rated. The max input power is the pack voltage V times the max controller current A, and the max output power is V x A x E, where E is the efficiency.
Also, the motor output power will not exceed the input power no matter how high they are rated. The max input power is the pack voltage V times the max controller current A, and the max output power is V x A x E, where E is the efficiency.
#8
Banned.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
At least we have a one trusted name on ebay (pingping227). Across several message boards, everybody seems to be satisfied with their work... for me personally it's also because somebody looked into their construction and they use the prismatic pouch cells that make the pack the lightest and smallest possible. The few people who have had issues with their packs have had their issues taken care of by ping under the warranty so communication is present as well.
Even Green Cycles (located in southern california, not china, lol) take the ping packs, create an acrylic enclosure with the power plug/charging ports built into it and sell them for just a little bit higher than the raw-ping pack, but it looks like a much nicer finished looking battery pack. If one doesn't care to figure out how to wire-up their raw battery pack or doesn't like the look of duct tape, I would say this would be a good deal too.
#9
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hefei, Anhui province, China
Posts: 25
Bikes: beach cruiser bike
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
just a remind, maybe couldnot calculate the power by voltage x current, say 36v/20ah is 720w, this will be decided by the motor efficiency, most bl motor's efficiency ranges from 60% to 80%, by the peak power the efficiency is normally 60%--70%, so the actual power is only 720w x 0.6 (or 0.7) =400w--500w.
Another point is the max current your controller could handle, it makes no sense to use a battery with bigger max current than that of the controller.
The advantage of LIFEPO4 is very obvious.
Another point is the max current your controller could handle, it makes no sense to use a battery with bigger max current than that of the controller.
The advantage of LIFEPO4 is very obvious.
#10
It's easy being green.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: in the desert
Posts: 932
Bikes: Trek Beach Cruiser, Sun X-2 AX (bent)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
OK, now I've got a question for you guys with the knowledge. Will a bigger volt system with bigger wattage (36 V Bionx kit vs 24 V Bionx kit) give me more torque?
I've been struggling with the start up from a dead stop and with the grinding up the hills. My knees are officially late stage arthritic. I'm OK with the smooth pedaling. I'm just suffering in the push-hard moments. Will more Volts and higher wattage help with this?
I've been struggling with the start up from a dead stop and with the grinding up the hills. My knees are officially late stage arthritic. I'm OK with the smooth pedaling. I'm just suffering in the push-hard moments. Will more Volts and higher wattage help with this?
#11
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hefei, Anhui province, China
Posts: 25
Bikes: beach cruiser bike
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
by a same current 36v powered motor will give you more torque than 24v motor does, if this 2 motor are with same technology & structure.
#12
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 46
Bikes: Scwinn S-750 Elec. Scooter
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
24volt..36volt..??
It all comes down on your riding experiance..the terrain..
the weight of the rider added to the weight of the BIKE..
===
I have a 24-volt Scooter..at 500-watts is quite able..
I walk it up hills..
===
I'm moving toward a 48-volt system..I want to build my own from scratch..
I want a 1000-watt Motor..
===
Use your 24-volt..but make the move UP..
on your NEXT--EV.
the weight of the rider added to the weight of the BIKE..
===
I have a 24-volt Scooter..at 500-watts is quite able..
I walk it up hills..
===
I'm moving toward a 48-volt system..I want to build my own from scratch..
I want a 1000-watt Motor..
===
Use your 24-volt..but make the move UP..
on your NEXT--EV.
#13
Newbie
Ebike ancheer 24v36v48v60v motor 7500watt works great for what I use it for
Just wanna say best bike ever gotten and it works wonderful 26 inch bike frame soiled... Got it in August and been running it since then 295lbs here love it couldn't ask for a better one at 1st I couldn't get into the limits of speed till I upgraded to new display so now its even better than before so I'm just writing here to say no complaints here to lower the voltage just go into settings and try them out just make sure you remember your current settings are so if u mess up you can change it back just wanted to give some feedback on this lovely bike did some modifications to it myself and planing on upgrading to gas one this summer have a great day enjoy everyone
Likes For Jimbob381985:
#14
Commuter
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: SE Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 743
Bikes: Main Bikes: 2023 Trek Domane AL3, 2022 Aventon Level.2 eBike, 1972 Schwinn Varsity, 2024 Priority Apollo 11
Liked 517 Times
in
277 Posts
You just bumped a 15 year old thread that is not relevant any more.
Welcome to the forum, Jimbob.
Welcome to the forum, Jimbob.
Likes For Smaug1:
#15
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 14,324
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Liked 4,378 Times
in
2,923 Posts
Likes For veganbikes:
#16
Senior Member
Likes For CrimsonEclipse:
#17
Voltage drops with distance, in particular with DC voltage. Higher initial voltage provides higher end voltage at the motor and so the motor can produce more power. 12 volts DC has been common with cars and trucks produced since 19609, but with the length of airplanes 36 volts DC has been common for more than 70 years.
#18
Newbie
Ok guys...help me out here...I see and hear alot of people using a 36v system. It appears to be more popular as compared to the 24v....Why is that? More speed? I think (correct me if I'm wrong) given the same ah, the cost is more expensive for 36v batteries weather it be a sla or LiFePo4...correct?
For a new guy like me who would like a cheap entrance into an e-bike experience why shouldn't I go with a 24v system with sla battery and then, at a later date, up-grade to a LiFePo4 battery? Would I be disappointed with a 24v system? Also is it difficult to swap out batteries from sla to LiFePo4, weather it be 24v or 36v?
Finally does a 250 watt bl motor work as efficiently as say a 600 bl? Is that a consideration to be looked at also when deciding which system to use?
Thanks!
For a new guy like me who would like a cheap entrance into an e-bike experience why shouldn't I go with a 24v system with sla battery and then, at a later date, up-grade to a LiFePo4 battery? Would I be disappointed with a 24v system? Also is it difficult to swap out batteries from sla to LiFePo4, weather it be 24v or 36v?
Finally does a 250 watt bl motor work as efficiently as say a 600 bl? Is that a consideration to be looked at also when deciding which system to use?
Thanks!
A 24v 30A output from the controller should give you more boost as compared with a 48v 10A system, provided the mechanical efficiency is more or less the same.
#19
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,460
Bikes: 9+,...
Liked 943 Times
in
659 Posts
Voltage drops with distance, in particular with DC voltage. Higher initial voltage provides higher end voltage at the motor and so the motor can produce more power. 12 volts DC has been common with cars and trucks produced since 19609, but with the length of airplanes 36 volts DC has been common for more than 70 years.
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
Likes For tds101: