I have completed my first build. It was defintely meant as a first exploration, using an old skateboard and trying to keep costs down as much as possible. Furthermore I wanted to expirement a bit with 3D printing and electronics by making my own remote and battery enclosure. The board uses a Maytech vesc and 5065 236kv motor rated for 10s 60a max, powered by two 4s 5000mah lipos (25-35c) in series. I travel by train a lot and want to keep my board portable, so no need for crazy range and speed. I have done no exact measurements but range should be a little over 10km now, and due to the small board I have not actually reached top speed yet (one ebiker followed me once and told me he measured 30km/h but not too sure about that).
Time for upgrades! I plan to make a longboard with a few cm more length and carying handle. But more importantly I received a “broken” ebike battery and scavenged the cells (supposedly something wrong with electronics and hardly used yet). I am not a big fan of opening my enclosure every time and charging the lipos seperately, and want to build a proper pack with a BMS. I am still a poor student so trying to stay cheap!
TLDR: My questions:
The cells I have at hand are Panasonic NCR18650PF 2900mAh - 10A. I have 40 of these. Is it possible to find a cell arangement that achieves similar results to the lipo batteries without becoming more bulky and heavy? Or would it then be better to stick with lipo and add a BMS?
Would it be bad to get a cheap BMS and avoid discharging through the BMS? And can the charger be a cheap chinese 2A?
Please let me know if I left out information that should be taken into account for this decision!
4p at 10a per cell would be 40a continous i believe maybe @longhairedboy or someone else with more knowledge than me could chime in cuz im still learning
40a is plenty for a single motor setup, maybe program your vesc to output 35 batt max so you dont strain them too hard? Make sure all your welds are solid, and that youve either got thick or multiple (pure) nickel strips
lipos would almost certainly deliver more power though, as well as being a more compact and “simple” solution, but if youre looking at the total lifespan, the 18650 cells you have are the better bet. Make sure your lipos arent swelling, you dont want a fire x.x
Like sn4pz said, 40A is really enough for 1 motor.
And you will get a great range.
I have dual hubmotors and they only use 20A max and they are powerfull enough for me.
Thanks, there is actually a lot to improve, I will share once I finish the second version. It will probably be similar to the other printed remotes though, just trying to make it as small as possible
This is something I am worried about as well… I kind of need a few in parallel to up the current, but I don’t care about long range too much and want to keep it light and small
if you look for a li ion charger its what you get, just get the one with the right voltage. yeah lipo is just ez to do for small commuter. I mean there are small capacity 18650 which pack quite a punch.
I am a big fan of that remote. it combines the smaller size of a thumb wheel remote with the great trigger of the index or classic RC remote. my only question is how do you brake?
Basically brakes are on by default with the trigger all the way forward by the spring. I have never used the thumb stuff but I suppose in “resting” position it doesn’t brake nor accelerate? Could be a nice addition for the next version
