Originally Posted by
snowranger
With the 48 volt battery, you could also keep the throttle light or limit current with a cycle analyst to increase range. I'd rather have the option to go slower later on rather than not having the option to go faster.
Right. What Snowranger said.
The total watt/hrs contained in either battery is essentially the same. If you self limit top speed (and hills), to the same performance your 36V/20 battery would ordinarily have, you would go just about the same distance with the 48V/15.
Batteries will drain at ever higher rates as speed increases, or as hills get steeper, assuming you're running on motor only.
I'm also with Ecowheelz, it may be costly overvolting your set-up at some point. Usually no problem on flats but on a steep hill with high amp draw. You don't want to pop your controller FET's, or whatever magic stuff they use these days.
But I'd go with the 48V/15, cuz that's what I run.
