Specs and Build Quality
VODIPOWER 48V 10.6Ah Silver Fish: a rare combo of weight and capacity.
Finding a 48V battery under 8lbs is difficult to do. VODIPOWER delivers that by offering a 48V 10.6Ah battery weighing only 7.94 pounds, along with 508.8Wh of usable capacity. To date, we have seen very few batteries that offer such a high-capacity rating in this type of configuration. All things considered, if you're looking for a lightweight solution that still meets your needs without scaling back to a 36V battery, then this may be something you'll want to take a closer look at.
Check the current price on Amazon.
Let's get to the specs. This is a 48V 10.6Ah pack, which equates to 508.8Wh. VODIPOWER opted to go with a Silver Fish configuration, the long, curved version that attaches directly to the seat tube instead of the downtube. The dimensions of this particular battery are 15.35 x 2.95 x 4.37 inches. While it's not the largest battery we've ever measured, it's definitely bigger than the smallest ones available. We think this is fair given its capacity of 10.6Ah.
Weight is the best part of this battery. At 7.94lbs, it's basically as light as possible. In fact, most 48V silverfish configurations we've seen in this capacity class weigh more than this One. That difference in weight really starts to matter once you begin carrying it upstairs, in a bag, etc., or switching it between bikes. In addition to being lighter overall, it puts less strain on your bike because it sits lower due to being attached to the seat tube.
In terms of build quality, the Silver Fish case used by VODIPOWER is made of typical ABS plastic and includes a metal mounting bracket. They used a Four pin discharge port which is fairly common with this type of configuration. The battery case looks exactly as you would expect from a standard silverfish configuration, thin enough not to hang over the bottom of the frame excessively but thick enough to give it a clean appearance.
When considering cost, VODIPOWER priced this battery at approximately.033 dollars per wh. Based on that pricing alone, this battery falls somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as pricing goes. Not the least expensive per wh nor the highest priced. You pay a little bit extra for the weight savings and the VODIPOWER branding.
On another note regarding the measurements, be certain your bike has sufficient clearance for the battery in the seat tube area. Because of its fifteen inch length, it will protrude slightly further beyond the seat tube than many other configurations, especially those used on smaller frames. Measure ahead of time. There is no better feeling than buying a battery that fits your bike.
BMS and Design Features
The BMS is the heart and soul of this battery pack. With a ten point six ah battery rated at forty eight volts, thirty amps of steady state discharge provides plenty of overhead. Even with large twenty five hundred watt to seven fifty watt ebike motors operating under heavy load conditions (i.e., pedaling uphill), most will never hit thirty amps continuously. Therefore, even the most extreme riders shouldn't worry about exceeding the limits of this BMS.
More importantly, VODIPOWER says it's a "smart" BMS with built-in cell balancing capabilities. Cell balancing prevents unbalanced voltage among each of the various cell groups from occurring during charging and discharging and is the single biggest contributor to premature death of lithium ion batteries in general.
They included a secure locking mechanism on this pack as well. The key lock physically locks the battery to its mounting bracket and allows for additional theft prevention when you leave your bike unlocked. Don't confuse this with using it as your primary way of securing your bike. However, it is yet another deterrent thieves might face.
You'll also notice that there are Four leds on top of the pack displaying estimated charge levels. Pressing the button causes them to light up indicating approximately how much power remains. Simple technology, but useful nonetheless. Better than needing to run a cord from your charger into the battery simply to determine how much charge remains.
The motor compatibility chart lists everything from two fifty watts up to One thousand watts. Essentially, almost every e-bike motor currently manufactured will fit into these parameters. Just ensure that your controller is configured for forty-eight volts. Using a thirty-six-volt controller will prevent proper operation and possibly damage the pack.
Who Is This Battery For?
This is likely the perfect choice for three types of users:
Firstly, for commuters seeking to add a lightweight secondary battery. If you already own a forty-eight-volt e-bike and want a backup battery for longer rides, its 7.94 pound weight makes it relatively simple to carry in your backpack. Simply toss it into your bag and ride to work. Swap batteries for the trip home.
Secondly, suitable for casual riders requiring less than twenty amp hours of range capability. Twenty-five miles plus should provide sufficient range for your daily commutes or weekend leisure rides based upon twenty percent pedal-assist settings utilizing two-fifty to seven-hundred-watt ebike motors and moderate hill grades.
Thirdly, great for ebikers who don't require twenty amp hours of capacity but desire flexibility of configuration options for their e-bike kit.
Okay, now Let's discuss what everyone wants to know, namely, why no Amazon review exists for this battery as of today? Why is that important? Well, that information isn't necessarily negative. Could be an issue with low sales volume or maybe Amazon was slow processing orders and therefore had limited opportunity to accumulate reviews. Additionally, VODIPOWER is an established brand in the e-bike industry and produces lots of different batteries. However, without consumer experience data or reviews from actual buyers, you essentially have no idea how this battery performs in real world scenarios.
That said, everything about this product appears correct, the $/wh ratio appears to be in line with comparable products on the market today and features such as thirty-amp BMS with cell balancing appear to be excellent features for a silverfish configuration battery.
If you are planning on building your own e-bike or replacing your current worn-out battery pack with this One, then it could be a viable option for you as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this battery waterproof?
While the VODIPOWER silverfish case has some water-resistant properties and protects reasonably well against rain or road splashing, it's not completely watertight. You'd be wise not to attempt riding through torrential rains or attempting submersion with it installed. Typical precautions apply, keep the connector dry. Wipe down after rainy rides. And store indoors when not using. If you plan on riding frequently in heavy rain conditions, you may want to add a clear coat around the seams or utilize a protective bag for added protection.
What motors is this compatible with?
According to VODIPOWER specifications, this battery is rated from 250W through 1000W motors, which covers virtually all e-bike motors currently produced including both hub motors and mid drive motors. Just ensure that your controller is rated at 48V. The thirty-amp BMS provides ample margin to support a 1000W motor @ maximum output although prolonged max-torque efforts may exceed this limit.
How do I install a Silver Fish battery?
Mounting configurations for silverfish batteries vary by manufacturer. Many manufacturers have proprietary mounting systems so you'll need to verify whether VODIPOWER's mounting plate matches your bike's mounting system prior to making your purchase decision. If not, then you'll need to budget time for adapting your mount or purchasing a third party adapter and ensure that your controller connectors match or obtain an adapter cable.
How long does the 10.6Ah battery last?
As always, estimates depend heavily on multiple variables, most notably assistance setting levels (e.g. Pas 1-PAS 2), motor sizes (e.g. 250-500-750-1000W), hilly vs flat terrain, etc... here are some ballpark estimates:
- low assistance level (PAS 1-PAS 2): two-fifty thru five hundred watt motors = thirty-eight forty miles
- medium assistance level: seven fifty watt motor = twenty-eight-thirty miles
- max torque output (full throttle) One thousand watt motor = fifteen-twenty miles
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