Question - My ebike has a 1000 watt motor and 36 volt 10 Amp battery. I'm pretty happy with it for now. However, I'm curious, lets say 1-2 years from now when my 36 Volt battery dies I want to use it as a chance to get more speed.

Can I just go out and buy a 48 volt or 72 volt battery to go faster? Is that how it works? Or would I need to get a new controller, even higher wattage motor...etc etc....I honestly have no clue. I do know that getting more amps will let me go farther at the same given speed, but what about faster? Can I literally just slap a higher voltage battery on with no other additional parts and viola I go faster with the same 1000 watt motor?

Thanks in advance.

short answer:

controller: your controller absolutely must be able to take the voltage, otherwise caboom

motor: depends on the motor. Crystalyte motors are quite versatile, example i had 72 volts 35 amps set up with 408 crystalyte

SO basically what I'm hearing is:

-get a higher voltage battery
-make sure controller can handle it, if not get one that can
-motor may or may not be able to handle it (check with manufacturer).

So in theory depending on ones' components, the move to a higher voltage could be as simple as just getting a higher voltage battery, or as complext as replacing all three (battery, controller, motor); depends on one's current set-up.

Is that about right?

Couple of things. Higher voltage = more speed. Absolutely, controller must be able to take higher voltage or you let the smoke out. But a controller with a low voltage shut off for 36v won't shut off at the right voltage for a 48v battery. Some can be reprogrammed. Also it takes more amps at the higher speed, more wind resistance. Your controller and battery have to be capable of the higher amps or it might struggle to get to the higher speed.

Welcome to the DARK side

My post about this very matter, i've done it myself and learnt a few things along the way...

hi i had a 1000 watt motor plus 48v controller and battery. i added extra 12v batt to give me 60v with no ill effects. putting extrea 12v on a 36v to make 48v is the same in principal so if it blows up it could cost you a new controller but your motor should be okay up to 72v or more regards

High voltage battery testing is now available on first generation Prius, model years 2001-2003, a reliable means of determining battery health.
The test is run using the car’s own operating paradigm; we do NOT use the Midtronics HYB (Hybrid Battery System Analyzer) for lack of proven performance in the field.

Hi Paverman4u,

You can find high voltage controllers from the link below:
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=31

Regards,
Lyen