Electric Bikes - Adding another battery

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Bluenose
06-13-08, 06:12 AM
What's the easiest way to add another 12 volt battery to a 24 volt set-up to make it 36 volt, I want to do it to the Canadian Tire Izip. I don't mind charging the 12 volt on a seperate charger, can I add the 12 volt by attaching the negative to the positive and the positive to the negative on one of the batteries in the Izip box, and use a trailer type connection between the new 12 volt and the Izip box?

I'm a newbie, so be gentle.

stokell
06-17-08, 10:48 AM
You have to run them in series to get 36 volts. Google it for a drawing. BUT, adding 12 volts usually doesn't affect the live of the motor...it's the controller that you might fry. That said I run my 24V hub on a 36V NiCad and it works fine, but it's not an iZip.

Most battery sales shops have small 12V SLA batteries for about $35. You may have to find a charger.

One last thing: If you are uinhappy with the performance of the bike you might be better off flogging it on craigslist and getting a hub motor kit. Something like a 36V Crystalyte will give you neck bending acceleration and a higher top speed into the wind and up hills.