Electric Bikes - New batteries for an ElecTrec

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View Full Version : New batteries for an ElecTrec


npkeith
03-16-09, 04:19 PM
Hi all, back again.
Now its official. I REALLY need new batteries for my ElecTrec (My commute to work is 7 miles, either flat or gentle down-hill most of the way, with a few gentle ups. My battery is in the red when I get to work. Coming home, the controller has cut out on me, which its programed to do @ 80% discharge). I've done a little poking on the net, and most prices seem to be around $120-150 the pair, but there seem to be a few for $40-45 each (so $80-90 the pair). They all seem to be chinese made. Does anyone have a specifiec name to look for? Do I just cough up the bucks and get the OEM set from Electrik motion? Any Ideas?
-Keith


karma
03-16-09, 04:52 PM
is this the bike? if so and it has a battery case open it up just replace the cells. if its simply led acid. cheaper than oem.

RLSchell
03-16-09, 07:13 PM
I also use an Electrec. Looked at the batteries lots of times. I can't find 12V 14Ah cells to match the originals, but lots of vendors carry common 12V 12Ah which is the same physical size. Depending on who you buy from (online) and exactly which brand and model, most sell for $30 to $50 per battery. There's no reason to go OEM for regular SLA batteries.


RLSchell
03-16-09, 07:20 PM
Also should add, to keep your new batteries healthy longer, take your charger with you and plug in at work. Lead acid battery chemistry does not tolerate deep discharge well. Yes, I know there are "deep discharge" lead batteries, but they sacrifice other factors to get it. Lead acid cells like to be constantly topped off and can be trickle charged long term. I keep my Electrec plugged in whenever I'm not riding it. The OEM charger is "smart" and reverts to a low current trickle when the batteries are full. Good luck with your new batteries!

npkeith
03-16-09, 11:05 PM
Karma - the prices I quoted are for pairs of batteries without the housing.
RLSchell - I do take the charger and charge at work - even before the battery was dying on the way to work. Now I have no choice - if I don't I have to muscle 74lbs of bike 7 miles home, mostly uphill.

I too have had trouble finding 14amp batteries. Thats why I was talking about getting OEM batteries.