7 year old BionX PL350
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7 year old BionX PL350
After 7 years my LiIon battery pack finally gave up. Everything else works perfectly. I called the bike shop I bought the system from and said that they think I may need a new system, as the new batteries may not be compatable with my older system. I understand the new versions may have slightly better performance, and possibly (can not get a confirmation) smaller battery pack, but I am not really prepared to cough up 1500.00 USD.
Any thoughts on replacing/rebuilding the battery pack?
Thanks
Any thoughts on replacing/rebuilding the battery pack?
Thanks
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The systems were significantly changed in 2009 to use CAN-BUS communications between the components. The new batteries aren't compatible with the old systems, because the motor-controller-battery all "talk" to each other and need to use the same language and comm channels.
However, replacement parts for the older systems should still be available. Check with Electric Cyclery and BionX itself. Your LBS may not know this (most don't really know much about electric bikes) and, of course, they'll make more money if you buy a new system from them.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.
However, replacement parts for the older systems should still be available. Check with Electric Cyclery and BionX itself. Your LBS may not know this (most don't really know much about electric bikes) and, of course, they'll make more money if you buy a new system from them.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.
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After 7 years my LiIon battery pack finally gave up. Everything else works perfectly. I called the bike shop I bought the system from and said that they think I may need a new system, as the new batteries may not be compatable with my older system. I understand the new versions may have slightly better performance, and possibly (can not get a confirmation) smaller battery pack, but I am not really prepared to cough up 1500.00 USD.
Any thoughts on replacing/rebuilding the battery pack?
Thanks
Any thoughts on replacing/rebuilding the battery pack?
Thanks
This would be a perfect opportunity to upgrade to the newer hub motors and battery packs (LiFePO4) and you could easily do it for $1500.
What about seeing if someone has a working battery but their BionX PL350 bike itself is broken. You could sell your bike and investment the money into something new.
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Yes, but the OP says that "[e]verything else works perfectly," and s/he could replace the battery for between one-third (24V) and one-half (36V) the cost of a new system. With a lot less work.
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"What if we fail to stop the erosion of cities by automobiles?. . . In that case, we Americans will hardly need to ponder a mystery that has troubled men for millennia: What is the purpose of life? For us, the answer will be clear, established and for all practical purposes indisputable: The purpose of life is to produce and consume automobiles."
~Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
"What if we fail to stop the erosion of cities by automobiles?. . . In that case, we Americans will hardly need to ponder a mystery that has troubled men for millennia: What is the purpose of life? For us, the answer will be clear, established and for all practical purposes indisputable: The purpose of life is to produce and consume automobiles."
~Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
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I don't see the battery pack failing as a problem but an opportunity to make an upgrade.
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This would be a perfect opportunity to upgrade to the newer hub motors and battery packs (LiFePO4) and you could easily do it for $1500.
What about seeing if someone has a working battery but their BionX PL350 bike itself is broken. You could sell your bike and investment the money into something new.
What about seeing if someone has a working battery but their BionX PL350 bike itself is broken. You could sell your bike and investment the money into something new.
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So why is newer always better and how come this system would be OK for soneone else but not for the OP when they've been perfectly happy with it up to this point? Maybe it would actually make sense to soend a little money on new cells, kill another 7 years and avoid paying for a bunch of 'new' technology that will also be 'obsolete' within a couple years. The 2020 model might be worth waiting for!
The OP owner could save money now and just try to fix what's broken and squeeze another few years out but like me will soon find out that the e-bike industry has changed so much since they first purchased their BionX that when it comes time to get another e-bike they won't get anything for their BionX no matter how great a condition it's in.
I'm speaking from personal experience here. I wish I had sold my Trek sooner. I wasn't riding it and I could have easily gotten twice the amount I received if I had sold it sooner.
Coincidentally, this is what will happen and has happened before when gas prices go up. All the cars not getting 40+ mpg won't be worth much. You can try to add parts to get better gas mileage but the new 40+ mpg cars have been radically changed (i.e. their internal engine parts have changed).
We will be looking at a serious oil crisis within the next five years and near zero oil production by 2031. Here, watch the last 10 minutes of this YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7h4VjZhe_w
Here's a conversation with the "Dean of Oil Analysts" (https://www.consumerenergyreport.com/...n-seven-years/) in which Maxwell forecasts the same time frame.
The top five oil exporting countries together will not be able to supply the United States daily oil demand (~ 2017-2018).
You'll have no other option but to scrap your 14 year old BionX and sub 30 mpg car because no one will want either. Guess what will happen to all our e-bike parts and batteries? Supply and demand...everyone will be looking for alternate transportation and e-bike sales will go through the roof as well as the prices.
Anyways...my personal recommendation, sell the BionX and get the most efficient, most powerful e-bike you can afford because by 2017 it will be your major transportation.
Last edited by EBikeFL; 05-15-12 at 08:32 PM.
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Well my bike is a Gaint "comfort (aka hybrid with a purty name) bike. i like it so it isnt going anywhere, and i do update it as things catch my eye. Basically i was always happy with the slight vibration, good range good power. Now alas my trusty stead needs a new heart. The battery pack is NiMh which is no longer produced. The original range was 36 miles. In reality my baseline was 5-6 miles in full electric around town, and now it is down to 2 miles. Yes i was (and still am) perfectfully happy with the system.
The new system has a smoother motor, more power, lighter battery (7lbs vs 14). I was forced into the Ni batteries because the Li at the time was way above my budget. I am on a disability income so money is always tight but this wont break me. The downside is 1500.00 for the new system, the PL350. The 250 can be had for 1000 but in my gut that feels too weak for me. At least i can upgrade my lights when i pull the trigger on this.
The new system has a smoother motor, more power, lighter battery (7lbs vs 14). I was forced into the Ni batteries because the Li at the time was way above my budget. I am on a disability income so money is always tight but this wont break me. The downside is 1500.00 for the new system, the PL350. The 250 can be had for 1000 but in my gut that feels too weak for me. At least i can upgrade my lights when i pull the trigger on this.
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Wait what? I thought you were going to open up the battery to see if there isn't just a pile of AA batteries in there> Did you buy something new, and swap the old?
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Its 32 unlabled D cell batteries. Havent done a thing yet. Did some research, these batteries were made by Sony, thats about all I could find out.
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Or, do they look more like this:
???
Also, any chance we could see a photo?
__________________
"What if we fail to stop the erosion of cities by automobiles?. . . In that case, we Americans will hardly need to ponder a mystery that has troubled men for millennia: What is the purpose of life? For us, the answer will be clear, established and for all practical purposes indisputable: The purpose of life is to produce and consume automobiles."
~Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
"What if we fail to stop the erosion of cities by automobiles?. . . In that case, we Americans will hardly need to ponder a mystery that has troubled men for millennia: What is the purpose of life? For us, the answer will be clear, established and for all practical purposes indisputable: The purpose of life is to produce and consume automobiles."
~Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Last edited by kalliergo; 05-16-12 at 09:54 PM. Reason: Add picture for clarity.
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If the gap in time had been less than say five years upgrading wouldn't be an issue the original OP could use the BionX for another five years but as I learned the hard way via my old Trek 820 more than 50% of the bike needed to be upgraded. I was looking at changing the front fork, changing the brakes. I hadn't even looked at accessories that I would need such as a bike rack...would that even fit my old Trek.
The OP owner could save money now and just try to fix what's broken and squeeze another few years out but like me will soon find out that the e-bike industry has changed so much since they first purchased their BionX that when it comes time to get another e-bike they won't get anything for their BionX no matter how great a condition it's in.
I'm speaking from personal experience here. I wish I had sold my Trek sooner. I wasn't riding it and I could have easily gotten twice the amount I received if I had sold it sooner.
Coincidentally, this is what will happen and has happened before when gas prices go up. All the cars not getting 40+ mpg won't be worth much. You can try to add parts to get better gas mileage but the new 40+ mpg cars have been radically changed (i.e. their internal engine parts have changed).
We will be looking at a serious oil crisis within the next five years and near zero oil production by 2031. Here, watch the last 10 minutes of this YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7h4VjZhe_w
Here's a conversation with the "Dean of Oil Analysts" (https://www.consumerenergyreport.com/...n-seven-years/) in which Maxwell forecasts the same time frame.
The top five oil exporting countries together will not be able to supply the United States daily oil demand (~ 2017-2018).
You'll have no other option but to scrap your 14 year old BionX and sub 30 mpg car because no one will want either. Guess what will happen to all our e-bike parts and batteries? Supply and demand...everyone will be looking for alternate transportation and e-bike sales will go through the roof as well as the prices.
Anyways...my personal recommendation, sell the BionX and get the most efficient, most powerful e-bike you can afford because by 2017 it will be your major transportation.
The OP owner could save money now and just try to fix what's broken and squeeze another few years out but like me will soon find out that the e-bike industry has changed so much since they first purchased their BionX that when it comes time to get another e-bike they won't get anything for their BionX no matter how great a condition it's in.
I'm speaking from personal experience here. I wish I had sold my Trek sooner. I wasn't riding it and I could have easily gotten twice the amount I received if I had sold it sooner.
Coincidentally, this is what will happen and has happened before when gas prices go up. All the cars not getting 40+ mpg won't be worth much. You can try to add parts to get better gas mileage but the new 40+ mpg cars have been radically changed (i.e. their internal engine parts have changed).
We will be looking at a serious oil crisis within the next five years and near zero oil production by 2031. Here, watch the last 10 minutes of this YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7h4VjZhe_w
Here's a conversation with the "Dean of Oil Analysts" (https://www.consumerenergyreport.com/...n-seven-years/) in which Maxwell forecasts the same time frame.
The top five oil exporting countries together will not be able to supply the United States daily oil demand (~ 2017-2018).
You'll have no other option but to scrap your 14 year old BionX and sub 30 mpg car because no one will want either. Guess what will happen to all our e-bike parts and batteries? Supply and demand...everyone will be looking for alternate transportation and e-bike sales will go through the roof as well as the prices.
Anyways...my personal recommendation, sell the BionX and get the most efficient, most powerful e-bike you can afford because by 2017 it will be your major transportation.
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