Fifty amps of continuous discharge from a downtube battery at such an affordable cost is unusual. Many 52v packs with capacities greater than 18ah in the 350 dollars or less price range have 30A BMS boards installed to limit how much power your motor may pull.
The UPP 52V 25Ah steps up by including a 50A bms along with its LG cells. As a result, this changes the type of build you could potentially put the battery in.
When we multiply the 25 ah capacity by the 52-volt nominal operating voltage of the battery, we get 1300 wh of storage. That is quite a bit of stored energy for a downtube ebike battery.
Depending upon how aggressively you ride, terrain, and throttle use, many riders using a 1000 w hub motor can expect a real-world riding range of 35 to 50 miles. When you are assisting pedaling, this distance increases. At 1300 wh, this pack is placed among the highest-capacity options currently available in standard frame mounting configurations.
Specs and Build Quality
The UPP measures 368 x 96 x 155 mm. In comparison, most triangle-shaped frames with a water bottle mount configuration will accommodate this size. The case of the battery is hard black plastic and features a typical slide-and-lock mechanism to secure the battery onto the mounting plate.
Specs from the listing include:
- nominal voltage: 52 v
- capacity: 25 ahr
- total watt-hours: 1300 wh
- max continuous discharge current: 50 amps (limited by bms)
- cell type: LG lithium-ion cells
- cycle life rating: 800 to 1000 cycles
- included charger: 58.8 v @ 3 a
- suitable motor range: 50 w to 2000 w
LG is a reputable company with a proven track record of quality control and extensive testing of cycle life on its cells. According to the listing, the cells should provide significant reduction in capacity beyond 800 to 1000 cycles. This aligns with the expected performance of LG cells in well-managed packs.
What really distinguishes this battery from most of its peers at similar prices is the inclusion of a 50A continuous discharge-rated bms. This allows for feeding a motor capable of peaking at 2000W without limiting current. With a 50A bms, most 52v 25ahr packs priced at or below 300 dollars feature 30A BMS boards that choke the current flow of higher-power controllers.
BMS Design and Safety Features
The bms protective plate inside the battery protects against overcharge, over-discharge, over-current, and short-circuit conditions. While these four forms of protection are industry-standard for all competent ebike batteries, the inclusion of a bms capable of handling currents of up to 50A is not common at this price point.
On top of the pack is an LED battery-level indicator displaying remaining charge via four bars. It provides an approximate indication of where the battery is at without needing to connect to a controller display. There is also a USB port for emergency phone-charging purposes. Although it won't be needed on every ride, it helps when your phone runs dead while you are trying to find your way back home via gps.
The included charger is a standard-issue 58.8v @ 3a unit capable of filling the entire 25ah pack in approximately eight hours. Overnight charging will work just fine for this pack. Additionally, since the manufacturer states that partial charging is supported for improved longevity on individual cells, there are several e-rider behaviors that help improve cycle-life further.
Charging time: recharging the pack completely with the provided charger takes about eight hours. This is normal for a pack of this size charged at three amps. Faster charging via a more powerful charger is theoretically possible if the bms supports it. However, we recommend sticking with the provided charger for daily use.
What Amazon Reviewers Have Said
As of today, there exists only one amazon reviewer for this particular listing. He gave the battery a solid five-star review. However, one reviewer is not enough to provide reliable information regarding the long-term reliability, actual real-world cycle-life, or consistency across different units of this product.
As additional reviewers begin posting their experiences with this product, we will continue to monitor this listing to see how this one initial reviewer stacks up against subsequent feedback.
Who Is This Battery For
This battery specifically targets e-riders requiring significant continuous discharge current capability through traditional downtube packaging. Its ability to support up to 2000W peak draws thanks to its 50A bms make it suitable for use in conjunction with hub motors rated up to 1500W to 2000W, particularly those types that pull hard during acceleration and climb steep hills. Most packs in this category featuring a 30A BMS board would be overtaxed by a sustained full-throttle output on a steep grade with a 1500W motor, whereas the bms on this pack will allow for that type of sustained load without exceeding its current limits.
Additionally, although designed for high-power applications, this pack will work equally well for lower-power builds. E-riders utilizing either a 750W or 1000W bike will barely utilize the capabilities of its bms. Thus, providing longer service life and cooler operation. The larger capacity affords e-rider considerable flexibility in regards to increasing their assist level without concern for diminishing their overall riding range.
LG cells are particularly beneficial for riders seeking extended service life on their bikes. Generic cells commonly exhibit noticeable degradation after a year of continued use. LG cells tend to retain their performance characteristics better than generic cells over time and when combined with proper management by a bms that can manage the discharge correctly.
Internal blog articles about battery safety and capacity matching cover more detail on choosing the right battery for your specific motor and controller combination.
Not ideal for lightweight builds: fifty-two volt twenty-five amp-hour packs are heavy. Since this is a high-capacity battery, it weighs accordingly. If you are planning to construct a lightweight commuter or racing-style bicycle, you might consider purchasing a lighter capacity pack such as fifty-two volt thirteen amp-hour or fifty-two volt seventeen amp-hour packs. For more on how battery capacity affects range, Electric Bike has some good technical breakdowns.
Brand name variations: some sellers list the exact same platform under "dichou" branding instead of "UPP". Regardless of the brand name on the battery casing, both versions contain LG cells and are equipped with fifty-amp bms boards. You can check the current price on Amazon to see which branding the current stock carries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this battery fit a Bafang BBSHD or BBS02?
It should fit most frames with standard downtube clearance. The mounting plate attaches to the bottle cage bosses and the battery slides on from above. Measure your frame triangle before ordering. The battery is 368mm long by 96mm wide by 155mm tall, so check that your frame has those clearances with room to slide the battery out.
What connector does the battery use?
The listing shows the battery with an XT60 connector for the discharge lead. XT60 is a standard connector used by Bafang motors, most controllers, and aftermarket wiring. If your motor or controller uses a different connector, you can get an adapter or swap the connector yourself.
Can this battery power a 2000W motor?
The 50A BMS can handle 2000W peak draw at 52 volts. That works out to roughly 38 amps at 52V for 2000W, which is under the 50A limit. Sustained full throttle at 2000W on a steep hill will pull close to that. The BMS should handle it as long as the cells are in good condition and the pack is not cold soaked.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping times vary by seller and warehouse location. Check the listing for current delivery estimates. Most UPP batteries ship from US warehouses and arrive within a week. Some variants ship from overseas and take two to three weeks.
Is the battery waterproof?
The downtube case has some weather resistance from the basic case sealing and the rubber gasket around the mounting plate connection. It is not IP rated for submersion. Riding in rain is fine. Pressure washing the bike directly at the battery seams is not recommended.
What is the warranty on this battery?
Warranty terms vary by seller. Check the Amazon listing for the specific warranty details on the unit you are ordering. Most ebike batteries in this class come with a 12 month warranty against manufacturing defects.
See the latest price and availability on Amazon for this UPP 52V 25Ah ebike battery.