Start_text older 36-v ebikes deserve cheap second chances.
The Shewaihe 36-v 15-ah battery pack makes good on that promise, providing 540-wh for that very purpose, revive a dead bike and don't spend brand-name dollars. There have been 7 reviews on this item. These reviews are rated at an average of 3.8-stars. And as we'll see, the dichotomy in this feedback is what makes the reviews honest.
Specs and Value
The key Specs of this battery include a 36-v architecture coupled with a 15-ah capacity. Doing the math gives us 540-wh. Given that most ebike models use a 36-v architecture because it's cheaper to build, there's less-than-optimal torque compared to using higher-volt systems. In addition, 36-v systems create a direct relationship between the Ah rating and the amount of "fuel" the pack holds, the volts dictate how much that "fuel" can push the motor. Therefore, while a 36-v system loses torque potential over 48-v or 52-v systems, you'll notice this loss when climbing hills.
Assuming you're riding on relatively flat terrain with minimal wind resistance, a 540-wh battery will give you a decent amount of range. However, if you're a heavier rider or experiencing headwinds, your range will plummet quickly. As previously mentioned, the 36-v restrictions placed on your motor mean your maximum speed will always be dictated by your electronic controls. When the pack reaches near twenty percent remaining, the assistance begins to drop due to sagging voltage.
While this isn't defective engineering, it's still based on physical laws, i.e., low-volt systems just aren't meant for high-performance climb experiences. When the going gets tough, get up out of the saddle and start generating some serious torque with your legs...because your motor won't be able to.
As far as Value goes, it's simply about giving old 36-v platforms life again. So, if your original battery has died and you'd rather not buy a whole new ebike, this battery will help you get mobile again. The manufacturer doesn't claim this is the best product out there. They say it will work properly. Their description says it was built to assist other ebikes that need only minimal assistance. You're paying for cells and a box, not high-end cooling or top-shelf cell manufacturers.
Case Design and Mounting
This battery is built using a generic Case style, designed to Fit a wide variety of frame styles. Generally speaking, these cases look like large rectangles and can slide into a water tube or bolt right onto the rear Rack. Using a generic Case has both positives and negatives. The advantages of using a generic Case are you can easily swap it between multiple ebikes. The downside is Fit: generic cases rarely Fit a particular ebike perfectly, and sometimes you need to add foam spacers or tie-downs to prevent vibration.
The outer casing of the pack looks like standard plastic and protects the inner lithium-ion cells from dust/debris and minor amounts of moisture. Protecting the internal electronics from damage is important for maintaining the structural integrity of the pack. If you crack the outer casing in a crash, you now expose wiring that could pose a serious safety risk. You should treat this product with care due to it being made from construction materials that lack the durability associated with high-quality items. Urban street riding/paved trail riding are perfect examples of areas to consider installing this pack. High-risk mountain biking would not be recommended because the pack could potentially suffer impact damage against solid objects during use.
Additionally, another factor to consider is weight. Packs with larger capacities tend to weigh significantly more than packs with smaller capacities. Racking a pack creates a higher center of gravity making sharp turns feel loose and unstable. Also, because this pack is significantly heavier than equivalent capacity packs with higher voltages, every time you go up an incline you are taking additional "range budget" away from yourself.
Real-World Range
In practical Terms, a 540-wh 36-v battery is constantly fighting against several fundamental laws of physics. Under optimal conditions (i.e., riding on flat trails with moderate winds), you can expect to achieve roughly thirty miles of travel per charge cycle from this pack assuming you're moderately active and have an average body mass. However, if you're carrying a heavy load and/or riding into headwinds, your mileage will dwindle dramatically. Since your motor is ultimately limited by the electronic control limits enforced by the 36-v configuration, you will lose acceleration and torque as you continue to deplete your remaining charge reserves.
Voltage-sag characteristics are also inherent to lower-volt configurations and therefore exacerbate your motor's struggles under heavy loads. As such, when approaching twenty percent reserve levels, you will begin to realize significant muscle fatigue from trying to augment the insufficient torque generated by your motor.
Charging and Care
The pack can recharge via a standard 36-v lithium charger. Depending on the condition of the pack, you can expect it to fully recharge within most of a night given its 15-ah capacity. Recharge at room temperature and remove the plug once complete to avoid draining the pack. Neglecting generic cells causes them to degrade faster than anything else. Unfortunately, this pack provides no cell-level telemetry for detecting issues prior to them becoming severe.
Fit and Compatibility
Standardized Case designs enable designers to create batteries that Fit into virtually any frame design. Commonly, these standardized designs resemble large rectangular blocks that Fit inside a water tube or bolt directly onto the rear Rack. Compare your battery bay measurements to the dimensions listed in our photos to ensure compatibility. Additionally, be certain your connectors match what is specified in our listing descriptions.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Presently, there have been 7 amazon buyers post their thoughts about this product. At an average of 3.5 stars across those 7 posts, it is fair to say that there has been an almost equal distribution between satisfied buyers and dissatisfied ones. Because only 7 buyers have commented on this product, we recommend reading the overall trend instead of focusing solely on the average star rating. Satisfied comments generally focused on how easy installation was if the buyer had correctly sized their bike. Dissatisfied comments were primarily related to expected capacity falling short of claimed values, essentially a common complaint amongst budget cellular compromises.
Satisfied customers typically mention ease of installation if they've measured their bike correctly and installed the unit successfully. Disappointed customers largely base their dissatisfaction with low-star ratings for reasons that relate to anticipated capacity falling short of claims, essentially a common issue amongst budget cellular compromises. Look for comments specifically addressing your bike model when shopping online.
Who Should Buy This
This product has two obvious buyers:
Firstly, owners of older 36-v ebikes whose original battery has expired.
Secondly, buyers with super-tight budgets looking for something functional that won't break the bank.
Do not choose this option if you ride long distances or live in hilly country, both types of riding require a better voltage architecture than what is offered here. Choose an alternative with more ah capacity, possibly even a slightly more expensive option in 48-v or 52-v configurations, for more efficient energy delivery. Only buy this option if you are an extreme budget-conscience shopper and want something functional.
See how this compares to all others in our ebike battery comparison chart. Or visit gomotorbike's blog page.
Check the latest price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Motors Can I Use With This Battery?
You may use motors with wattage ranges from 100-watts up to 1000-watts at a nominal voltage of 36-volts. This includes most hub-motors, geared-hubs and middle-drives found in commuter and lightweight performance ebikes.
What Connectors Do I Need?
The pack comes with a t-to-xt60-female adapter along with an xt60 extension cable. You will need adapters or you will need to convert your connectors yourself if you have a different connector type on your motor or controller.
Is a Charger Included?
Yes, the pack comes with a single-channel 2-amp charger. If you prefer rapid-charging capabilities (which would be beneficial for longer commutes), you can replace this unit with a higher amperage charger (e.g. A single-channel 10 amp charger).
How Far Will It Take Me Between Charges?
Depending on your motor size, terrain difficulties, your weight and your level of assistance requested by pedaling or throttle control, you may reasonably expect anywhere from 15 to 25 miles from a charge cycle utilizing this pack as stated earlier. To put this in perspective for easier comparisons, our ebike battery comparison page located at ebike-batteries/ allows for side-by-side comparisons between competing packs (all with same volts), including premium offerings from Yose Power and VEVOR, which offer better ah capacities at slightly higher prices.
Is the Battery Waterproof?
There is no indication of IP rating provided in the listings information. Standard ebike batteries are water-resistant but not waterproof as described above, please keep wet conditions away from your connections and avoid submerging or pressure washing of the pack.
What Warranty Does Shewaihe Provide?
Please refer to current warranty information available on amazon, generally speaking, return policies through amazon are available for at least thirty days.