Most 52V battery packs are bulky downtube bricks that take up half your frame. The VISET LI 52V 15Ah takes a different approach with a water bottle mount design that bolts right onto your bike's bottle cage screws. That 780Wh of total capacity crammed into a form factor that fits where your water bottle used to go is pretty impressive for the price. It comes with a 30A BMS, a USB charge port to top off your phone, a key lock so nobody walks off with it, and an LED power indicator to check your charge level at a glance.
In recent years, 52V has become popular as an alternative to 48V battery systems for ebikes because it provides both increased speeds and improved efficiencies, especially with larger power motors. Due to having greater voltage margins before the BMS shuts down, 52V systems provide more usable top end speed than similar rated 48V systems.
For those interested in ebike battery systems in the 52V range but don't want to carry a large shark style or hailong battery mounted to the bottom of their frame, the VISET LI is definitely something worth taking a closer look at.
Specs and Build Quality
The specifications of the VISET LI 52V 15Ah are respectable relative to other water bottle style battery configurations. At 52 volts nominal and 15 amp-hours of capacity, you achieve a total of 780 watt-hours of stored energy. Depending upon the size of your ebike motor, the terrain you travel on and whether you prefer to use the throttle or pedal assist mode, this amount of energy equates to approximately 20 to 35 miles of actual travel.
The battery cells are made with automotive grade cells and were spot-welded together with pure nickel sheet instead of the lower-cost nickel plated steel commonly seen in many budget battery configurations. Pure nickel has significantly lower resistance than nickel plated steel. As such, less heat is generated in the inter-cell connections when delivering current to your motor, particularly at high currents. Since the pack is designed for a 30A continuous BMS rating, reduced thermal generation is important as excessive heating can occur at high current draws.
As far as mounting brackets are concerned, one of the greatest advantages of this battery is the fact that the mounting bracket attaches directly to standard water bottle screw holes found on most bicycles. Therefore, you do not require a secondary battery rack nor zip tie straps to secure the battery to your frame. Simply screw the bracket into place, slide the battery down into position and then lock it in with the provided key. This method provides a clean installation that places the weight of the battery centrally located near the bottom of your frame, eliminating potential instability associated with batteries installed on the rear of your bicycle or high atop a rear rack.
Included with this purchase is a 2 amp (58.8 volts) charger. Although slower than some chargers available on the market today, 2 amps is sufficient for longevity purposes. In fact, this slow charging rate produces less heat during charging, further extending the life expectancy of the battery cells.
BMS and Safety Features
The built-in BMS protects against overcharge, over discharge, over current and short circuit conditions. Relative to other packs in this same capacity range, with a 30A BMS rating and this being a 15Ah pack, this represents a 2C discharge capability. Therefore, you will be able to support motors up to approximately 1200 watts without reaching the limits of your BMS current rating.
Additionally, an on/off switch with an LED indicator provides visual indication of remaining battery life without requiring you to measure the voltage drop at the terminals under load. The LED indicator provides a coarse estimate of remaining charge level so you will know when it is time to head home.
Finally, included is a key lock to help protect against loss or theft of the pack. While this will not deter a determined thief with tools, it does ensure that no unauthorized individual can remove the pack from your mounting bracket.
VISET LI indicates that this pack is capable of supporting over 1,000 charge/discharge cycles while retaining at least 80 percent of its original capacity after completing 800 such cycles. This seems reasonable for premium lithium-ion cells properly maintained. Your actual lifespan will depend greatly upon charging methods employed, depth of discharge per cycle and operational temperature.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Since this listing currently only has one review posted on Amazon, consider this rating of 4.0 stars to be an early signpost and not a conclusive verdict yet. The buyer indicated they were pleased with performance given the price paid and felt comfortable regarding fitment as described in the product description. They liked the additional USB charge port for charging smaller items on the go while traveling, and thought the lock was a great way to securely attach the pack.
Given only one reviewer thus far, it would be difficult to draw conclusions about durability or common problems related to long term usage. Additionally, since this is relatively new to the market, more reviewers will certainly contribute additional insight into this product's overall quality over time. Initial reviews indicate this could be another viable option for riders seeking 52V power without a large downtube or rear rack based pack.
To determine whether this battery meets your needs, check the current pricing and latest reviews on Amazon before purchasing.
Who Is This Battery For
The VISET LI 52V 15Ah battery is best suited for a couple of distinct applications.
First, if you own a bike with standard water bottle boss fittings and wish to create a cleaner looking battery installation that does not utilize bulky downtube or rear rack based battery enclosures, this is likely one of the few options available in a 52V water bottle format. Most water bottle batteries top out at 36V or 48V, so finding one that delivers 52V is rare at this price point.
Second, if you are building an ultra-lightweight ebike or converting a conventional bike with an electric hub motor kit and want to maintain center-weighting with respect to keeping the weight as low as possible within your frame, the water bottle mounting design is perfect for providing stable geometry without feeling like you are carrying a heavy shark style downtube pack.
Third, the inclusion of a built-in USB charge port will prove beneficial for commuter ebikers wishing to top off their phones or GPS units en route.
While a 30A BMS will accommodate motors ranging from approximately 200 watts through about 1200 watts, which covers virtually all casual to moderate powered ebike builds, if you are using a highly powered motor over 1200 watts or desire extreme current output for steep hill climbs, you may want to consider acquiring an alternate pack with an even higher rated BMS.
The ebike batteries page compares several alternatives for 48V vs 52V systems, and our blog archive has comprehensive details comparing various capacity and voltage combinations.
Battery Life and Charging
VISET LI indicates that this pack is capable of supporting over 1,000 charge/discharge cycles while retaining at least 80 percent of its original capacity after completing 800 such cycles. This seems reasonable for premium lithium-ion cells properly maintained. Your actual lifespan will depend greatly upon charging methods employed, depth of discharge per cycle and operational temperature.
Since this pack operates at 52 volts and requires a specific charger for that voltage, users must acquire a 52 volt charger exclusively designed for this pack. You cannot use a standard 48 volt charger as the voltage difference will result in failure for proper recognition by the onboard BMS. The included charger matches exactly with your pack's requirements so stick with it.
The provided USB charge outlet outputs five volts DC, allowing users to recharge their smartphone or similar device while traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this battery fit any bike with water bottle screw holes?
Most frames equipped with standard bottle cage screw holes will accept the mounting bracket. Simply verify your frame has two mounting holes spaced appropriately. Frames with limited clearance due to suspension designs or compact geometries may present challenges with the battery sitting too close to the top tube or shock.
What type of connector does this battery use?
The standard connector supplied with this pack is compatible with most standard ebike hub motor kits. Additionally, an XT60 connector supplies the primary discharge path, which is a common industry standard connection used throughout the ebike community. If your motor kit uses a non-standard connector, you will need to solder on an adapter or use a conversion cable.
Can I use this battery with a 48V motor?
Yes, you can use a 52 volt battery on most standard 48 volt motor kits. Most ebike motor controllers are rated from 48 volts through 72 volts and operate flawlessly with 52 volts. However, certain OEM ebike manufacturers may restrict their controllers to voltage locked functionality and therefore reject additional voltage inputs. Check your controller's voltage rating first.
How long does it take to fully charge?
Using the supplied 58.8V 2 amp charger will take approximately 7 to 9 hours to completely recharge the battery from empty. If you would like to recharge more rapidly, you may opt for an aftermarket charger with increased amperage rating specifically designed for 58.8 volts and compatible with your BMS, but always adhere to the cell manufacturer's recommended charge rate.
Is the battery waterproof?
The pack is not fully waterproof or submersible. While somewhat protected by its sealed housing and rubber seals surrounding the connectors, this battery has limited weather resistance. Avoid riding in heavy rain, do not pressure wash the battery, and always protect exposed areas especially the key lock and power button from moisture.
What is the warranty on this battery?
VISET LI generally extends warranty terms to their batteries, but warranty specifics vary by listing and seller. Check the product page for specific warranty details before purchasing. Most lithium battery warranties cover manufacturing defects but not damage from improper charging, physical damage, or water exposure.
Final Thoughts
The VISET LI packs some excellent specifications into an untypical form factor, namely utilizing a water bottle mount design that most other comparable 52 volt batteries do not offer. The water bottle design combined with the 30A BMS capabilities, a USB charge outlet and locking mechanisms all add up to produce a solid value at competitive prices.
Although only one reviewer exists thus far, we expect the community feedback will expand once there are more riders testing this product for longer durations. If the battery holds up over time, it could be a great option for riders who want 52V power without the bulk of a traditional frame mounted pack.
Check the latest pricing and reviews on Amazon to see if the VISET LI 52V 15Ah fits your build.