Many ebike enthusiasts seek attractive, enclosed batteries for their bikes. This 48V 14Ah Universal Power Pack Battery does the opposite. It's an unattractive, heavy block of PVC with a rough appearance similar to an electrical component rather than a nice-looking e-bike part. If all you're concerned with is the lowest cost-per-watt-hour (which isn't always true) and you're willing to put some duct tape around the seams, then this could be just right for you.
The Reality of the universal brick
This battery was made by hnbc limited of hong kong and sold as a general-purpose power tool battery. It has no design-specific casing to fit into a downtube such as that found on a Shark or Hailong. It's up to you to strap it to your frame or toss it into a frame bag. The specs are straight-forward.
You receive a 48V setup with 14Ah capacity, or 672 Wh total. The built-in 30A BMS is fairly good, and will allow you to operate your system anywhere between 200 w and 1000 w.
It measures approximately 10.03 x 2.95 x 4.64 inches and weighs 8 pounds. eight pounds is substantial when added to a rear rack. It contains a t-plug and a t-plug to xt60 adapter. Included is a 54.6 v / 2 a charger. The PVC coating has an IP65 rating, which indicates that it is waterproof, and able to withstand a light rain, however, it is not advisable to blast it with a hose.
Build implications and tech specs
At its base, the pack is the 672 Wh of storage capacity. Storage capacity is what defines how far you can ride in the world of e-bikes. A 48V / 14 ah configuration is common for many types of riders. yet since this is a universal brick, the quality of the individual cells are unknown. The BMS (battery management system) internally is capable of delivering up to 30 amps. This number is important because it specifies how much power the battery can provide to your motor at One time.
If you are operating a motor that is less than 250 w or 500 w, this is adequate. On the other hand, if you are trying to operate a motor greater than 1000 w while climbing a steep hill, you will likely reach the BMS limit and the battery will shut off.
In terms of build quality, there is simply a PVC wrap. PVC wraps are not the same as molded plastic shells commonly found on premium batteries. While the PVC provides an IP65 rating that allows it to withstand water splashing and rain, it provides essentially zero structural support. Many diy'ers have been known to add additional foam padding around the pack or encase it in a hardened container to provide better protection. Additionally, the provided 54.6 v / 2 a charger is very slow. It would likely take hours to fully recharge from empty. If you require rapid charging turnaround times, you may wish to purchase a separate fast charger.
Form factor challenges
Because this is not a frame-specific battery, the method for attaching the battery is entirely dependent upon your creative vision. There aren't any battery trays designed specifically for inserting into a downtube. The unit must be mounted to your frame using heavy duty ratcheting straps or inserted into a large cargo bag sitting atop your rear cargo carrier. Although providing great flexibility in terms of positioning options, it does create a tradeoff.
Adding 8 pounds of weight to the back of a bicycle can greatly affect how the bike handles. Depending on how you attach it, it may even produce significant vibration in addition to making the front end of the bike feel somewhat light during uphill climbs. If you elect to mount this to a rack, be sure that the rack itself can hold both the weight of this battery and any possible vibrations that occur from operation.
For diy'ers constructing an ebike conversion kit, this ability to place the battery virtually anywhere on the frame is typically considered beneficial.
Range mathematics and real world use cases
With 672 Wh of total capacity, the mathematics clearly illustrate how far you can travel based on your watts/hour usage. With respect to traveling via throttle at maximum output with a 500 w motor, you can anticipate approximately One hour and thirty minutes of continuous travel time. However, if you opt for pedaling-assist on relatively flat terrain, your travel time can increase dramatically depending upon how aggressively you pedal.
As previously discussed, the BMS limits how much current can be pulled at any given moment. As such, do not attempt to operate a high torque mid-drive without verifying your capability prior to attempting.
This battery presents the best cost/watt-hour ratio within our ebike battery comparison table. Although you sacrifice aesthetics and convenience relative to integrated packs, the raw cost-value relationship is difficult to argue with. For anyone building an ebike conversion kit on an extremely limited budget, this provides a viable starting point.
Assuming that you ride with pedaling assist on moderately inclined terrain, the potential travel duration with a 672 Wh capacity could potentially be three-to-four hours. However, if you tend to ride aggressively and rely heavily on throttling while battling strong headwinds, those values will decrease rapidly.
The watt-hour rating establishes a hard upper bound. travel distances vary based upon how aggressively you drive your motor.
I think considering this 48V 14Ah universal power pack could help here.
What Reviewers Say About It
There is currently little feedback regarding this product. Currently, it maintains a five star rating with only two reviewers. five stars after only two reviews tells you very little about whether it performs reliably over hundreds of charges/discharge cycles or under excessive heat conditions.
Apparently, One reviewer feels that they obtained sufficient value for their money. Additional buyers indicate that this battery functions properly for low-tech applications. Nonetheless, due to the extremely low quantity of reviews, there is no evidence that the BMS continues working after hundreds of cycles or under extreme temperatures.
While it may seem like a risk based on price alone, the price makes it worth taking.
Who Should Purchase This Battery
This battery is perfect for the DIYer who is creating his first conversion bike and wants to spend as little money as possible. Also appropriate are users requiring as much storage as possible for their small motors and wanting to obtain the best bang-for-their buck. Finally, this may serve as a supplemental battery for longer hauls required for muling.
This low-cost battery appears to be suitable.
You should pass on purchasing this battery if you desire aesthetically pleasing designs. If you dislike having visible wiring and an ugly box strapped to your cargo rack, this will surely annoy you. Similarly, this may not be ideal for riders requiring high-performance discharge capabilities for extreme climbing and/or high speed operations.
Faqs
Does this battery come with connectors?
Yes, there are t-plugs included along with adapters that convert from t-plugs to xt60 connectors. You may need to wire-solder your own connections if your controller uses different connectors.
Can i use this battery on my 52V controller?
Prior to making your purchase check your controllers' maximum allowable voltage rating prior to using this 48V battery. If your controller's rated voltage exceeds 52 v then you could possibly be reducing your electronic components' power consumption when using this lower-voltage battery.
Is the battery sufficiently waterproof?
The pv coated exterior of this battery carries an IP65 rating meaning it can resist being sprayed with water and will be able to endure occasional rainfall exposure. however, it is not recommended that you submerse it in water.
What is the limiting discharge rate?
The BMS has a rated discharge limit of 30 amps. This should suffice for most motors up to 1000w. however, if you exceed this limit while trying to climb an excessively steep incline and have reached this limit, then the BMS may cut off the flow of electricity and prevent continued operation.
Final comments
To determine whether or not this battery provides the most affordable option available for your diy project click here to see current pricing on amazon. It is a basic tool intended primarily for One purpose - providing raw value vs. Style.