ebikemom said:My Pedego battery appears to have an XLR female input (here is a photo of the Pedego 48v charger's male connector--is this an XLR?). The Luna advanced charger ( https://lunacycle.com/48v-3amp-luna-mini-charger/ ) appears an XT60 male output. So, it looks like I would need an xt60 male to XLR female adaptor cable to use the Luna charger with my Pedego battery. Do I have that right??? I'm getting dizzy looking at adapters and plugs, since I'm not an electrical person used to looking at such things, and I can't find an xt60 male to XLR male adaptor cable by googling ....
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Hi @Alaskan , As a owner of 3 Bosch battery packs, I am yet to find a suitable, satiator-type charger for Bosch powerpacks. I have been using rough gestimates (stopping the charge when the 5th LED blinking) and my packs have sustained good amount of capacity even after 1.5 years. Until you or I find a better solution, that's what I am going to use. @ebikemom , glad you found it useful. Pedego as a company is very responsive to any warranty claims but it is smart of you to be proactive and try to get max battery life out of your bikes. They have had their fair share of battery pack issues by using generic cells and battery design that resulted in a battery recall of 5000 packs.Since then they have moved towards better designs and higher quality cells. I hope your dealer is a friendly one. Some dealers think you are being too anal about small details and they may not know the implications of charging to 100%. But, in the long run, your batteries will outlast other batteries on the field even after heavy use. But, I don't expect them to be experts at battery design. They still have this going.. https://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/battery-details/#charge You're right. That's a male XLR pin. @Mr. Coffee posted this image a while ago. You could get XT 60 to XLR-male pin connectors for a Luna charger.You have already found the solution. Using a timer can be an inexpensive option but it does demand little bit of cognitive effort in terms of guessing the existing charge and time needed etc. Since you say you your use your bike quite a bit and you have 4 pedego bikes, it would be good to have a satiator and by default it comes with a male XLR plug. If you have the 48V, 15Ah battery then it would be a worthy investment for a household of 4 E-bikes because $300 amortized over 3-4 years for 4 batteries is quite cheap.
When considering what battery capacity is right for you, consider how far you want to be able to bike and how much assistance you will need. If you want a longer range for your ebike and/or more help while you bike, a higher capacity battery can help make that possible. Battery capacity is the total amount of electricity that the battery can store, measured in watt-hours (Wh), a unit of energy equivalent to one watt of power expended for one hour. A typical e-bike battery holds around 400 Wh, meaning that this battery would store enough electricity to provide the motor with the equivalent of 400 watts for one hour, 200 watts for two hours, etc. The higher the capacity of your e-bike’s battery, the longer its range.
Voltage is what pushes current into the electrical bike’s circuits. Because a higher voltage battery can supply the motor with electrical current faster, the bike can accelerate faster and reach greater speeds than with lower voltage batteries if all else is held equal. Most electric bikes tend to be either 36V or 48V.
What does it mean for something to be powerful? In the world of electrical equipment, power how quickly a machine can do work. An e-bike’s motor does work by moving you forward, which is made more challenging if you are climbing steep hills, carrying heavy cargo, and/or pedaling less. Motor power is measured in watts. E-bike motors range from about 250 watts up to 500 watts or more. The nominal wattage for a motor is the maximum amount of power that the bike can sustain over longer periods of time. The maximum output is the number of watts a motor can use for a few seconds, which can help with rapid acceleration or climbing a steep hill. However, maximum power should not be used for longer because this would be a safety concern. There’s a trade-off, though – if a bike’s motor is more powerful, it will eat up your battery’s charge faster, using more energy. A higher capacity battery is needed to keep a more powerful motor running for the same amount of time, in comparison with a less powerful motor.
Most e-bikes weigh between 50 and 60 pounds, compared to between 25 and 35 for a conventional bike. Weight depends on the type, battery, and motor size, and what material the bike is made of, usually either steel or aluminum. Just like conventional bikes, lighter bikes require less energy to propel. Also, when you select a bike, keep in mind whether you will need to carry your bike up stairs, on public transportation, or into the office. Folding bikes are also available with electric assist capabilities, which may be preferred if you’re looking to take your bike on a bus or train or keep it inside.
Most e-bikes have a controller unit with a display to monitor battery life, assist mode, miles ridden, speed, and more. More expensive bikes have more sophisticated controllers and can track riding habits. E-bikes can come equipped with extras like a built-in rack, lock, or front and rear lighting (for visibility and when riding at night). Alternatively, these features and others like a child seat can be purchased as add-ons.
E-bikes either come with permanently integrated batteries or external batteries that can be removed. There are pros and cons to each type of battery.
Integrated batteries are lighter and are usually placed lower on the bike, so they offer additional torque and, therefore, a more stable riding experience. However, an integrated battery could be challenging to charge because you must bring the bike to an outlet.
External batteries can be taken off the bike and brought inside for easier charging, to avoid theft, or to be stored around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which increases the battery life. External batteries can also be replaced more easily and allow you to take an extra battery on your ride for additional range.
Sometimes the motor is placed on the bottom bracket, near where the crank arms (pedals) meet the frame of the bike. This is called a mid-drive motor. Mid-drive motors allow for a natural feel when using the pedal assist and the central weight of the motor provides a stable and balanced feel.
Hub-drive motors are placed in the wheel, usually on the back wheel, but sometimes on the front. When the motor is in the rear wheel it will give a feeling of being pushed along. Front-wheel hub-drive motors handle like a front-wheel-drive car. Each location offers the rider a different feel and is a matter of personal preference.