Atlanta, Got a busted battery that is discontinued, what to do?

[JessePhillips]

Hi! I've been interested in ebikes for a while, but have wanted to figure out a cheap way to do it. I've spent hours looking for bikes on craigslist and researching conversion kits, etc. Finally, I got a free ebike the other day! ProdecoTech Stride 400. With a busted battery. The owner said that the battery has been discontinued and gave me the number of a bike shop that says they can fix it. Hours more of research has taught me a little bit about batteries and the difficulty of fixing it. I'm on here to learn more about DIY fixing and replacing parts.

Specifically I'm wondering:
- What would it look like to buy a new battery that doesn't fit my ebike (since my battery has been discontinued)? My battery plugs-in to a box (in a seemingly custom way) that has the hall controller in it. So if I got a new, non-oem battery, how would I connect it to the bike? Would I take apart that box somehow? How would I know what parts to keep in that little box and somehow attach to my new battery?
-If I could make that hack, what are the cheapest batteries out there that I can easily replace with each other in the future?
- What are the best replacement batteries?

Anyway, that's just some stuff about me, per the recommendation from the email saying I've been approved. I doubt anyone will actually read this. But this is why I'm here.

Thanks so much!

 

[Lightning P38]

Hi! I've been interested in ebikes for a while, but have wanted to figure out a cheap way to do it. I've spent hours looking for bikes on craigslist and researching conversion kits, etc. Finally, I got a free ebike the other day! ProdecoTech Stride 400. With a busted battery. The owner said that the battery has been discontinued and gave me the number of a bike shop that says they can fix it. Hours more of research has taught me a little bit about batteries and the difficulty of fixing it. I'm on here to learn more about DIY fixing and replacing parts.

Specifically I'm wondering:
- What would it look like to buy a new battery that doesn't fit my ebike (since my battery has been discontinued)? My battery plugs-in to a box (in a seemingly custom way) that has the hall controller in it. So if I got a new, non-oem battery, how would I connect it to the bike? Would I take apart that box somehow? How would I know what parts to keep in that little box and somehow attach to my new battery?
-If I could make that hack, what are the cheapest batteries out there that I can easily replace with each other in the future?
- What are the best replacement batteries?

Anyway, that's just some stuff about me, per the recommendation from the email saying I've been approved. I doubt anyone will actually read this. But this is why I'm here.

Thanks so much!

Is there a label on the battery, stating amps and volts? Can you post a pic of the battery?

 

[Browneye]

That model comes up in a search here: https://prodecotech.com/electric-bikes/stride-400-26/
Pic below.

Appears to have a rack-mounted pack. They are generally fairly generic, with a need to match volts, amps, and dimension.
You might call this company for input, and as possible source for a replacement or rebuild: https://www.fthpower.com/

 

[dodahman]

You may be surprised as to who reads..
Perhaps these folks? https://netherswholesale.com/ I have seen them recommended here I think.
Nice looking step thru. well played if you can get the juice.

 

[Lightning P38]

Hi! I've been interested in ebikes for a while, but have wanted to figure out a cheap way to do it. I've spent hours looking for bikes on craigslist and researching conversion kits, etc. Finally, I got a free ebike the other day! ProdecoTech Stride 400. With a busted battery. The owner said that the battery has been discontinued and gave me the number of a bike shop that says they can fix it. Hours more of research has taught me a little bit about batteries and the difficulty of fixing it. I'm on here to learn more about DIY fixing and replacing parts.

Specifically I'm wondering:
- What would it look like to buy a new battery that doesn't fit my ebike (since my battery has been discontinued)? My battery plugs-in to a box (in a seemingly custom way) that has the hall controller in it. So if I got a new, non-oem battery, how would I connect it to the bike? Would I take apart that box somehow? How would I know what parts to keep in that little box and somehow attach to my new battery?
-If I could make that hack, what are the cheapest batteries out there that I can easily replace with each other in the future?
- What are the best replacement batteries?

Anyway, that's just some stuff about me, per the recommendation from the email saying I've been approved. I doubt anyone will actually read this. But this is why I'm here.

Thanks so much!

The Prodecotech website lists your bike as having a Samsung 36/volt, 10.4 amphr battery that is rack mounted. The bike is shown with disc brakes and priced at $1,449. A nice entry level bike.

This is a common size battery on an entry level bike. Did you check with Prodecotech to see if they have any 36 volt battery that would fit your bike? I would start with them. The connector will be the issue, as there are several types. Lots of 36 volt batteries out there.

Do you have a charger? Your charger connection needs to fit your battery. Prodecotech could help you with that Too.

 

[JessePhillips]

WOWOWOWOW!!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH EACH OF YOU FOR THE QUICK REPLIES!
Yes, I got very lucky (if you believe in that) to get this bike!

I guess I'll start with ProdecoTech, I should've done that first, sorry for wasting y'alls time. Very much appreciate the quick replies!!! wow!

 

[JessePhillips]

@Browneye so you're saying I can get a generic battery that will fit the existing connector thing? The Hall Controller is in this box (see pic) that has a plug to what seems like a custom battery. (Battery seems custom because it fits the rack snugly, with a channel on either side, and it hits the prongs on the "box" in the right spot - are these prongs in a standard location that other batteries would also fit?) In either case,I'll check out the link you sent. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JessePhillips]

@Lightning P38 yes! I do have a charger. Don't know if it works, but i assume it does. see pic. I'll reach out to prodecotech

 

[JessePhillips]

Update:
- Prodecotech is not getting back to me, they are no help.

- FTHPower.com said they can't do it because this battery sends a proprietary signal "dataline" to the controller and the controller can't work without that proprietary signal. They also said that their batteries won't work on my bike, for that same signal reason.

- This guy on Etsy says he can do it for $280 + $25 shipping. Seems shady. I'm worried he wouldn't really be able to deal with the signal issue.

- Hi-C in Denver says they can do it: $479 + $40 shipping - and they seem to be confident than can deal with the proprietary signal issue. However, this is more than I was hoping to pay - I'm sure many on here will scoff at me for that.

- Battery is currently at a local shop (GForce near Atlanta, GA where I live), waiting to hear back an estimate.

- After watching more battery videos, I'm wondering if I could replace the cells myself. Perhaps it's worth a try before spending $520+ ? This video was encouraging, that I could mayyyyyyybe replace them myself with soldering:

Folks on this forum say soldering should not be done on L-Ion batteries because the heat could make them explode, that spot welding is what's needed (and spot welding equipment is $200+) - however this youtuber does it and warns it can harm the battery health.

- Watching this video on the Vruzend diy battery kit very much encouraged me that I could someday build a battery, if I needed to. I'm wondering about doing this for my son's powerwheels

 

[Altaman]

If you want to know about building battery packs take a look at ebikeschool on youtube.

Here is the link, he even has books on battery building.

EbikeSchool.com

Come learn about electric bicycles, lithium batteries and all sorts of other related projects! I post a lot of different types of videos including how to's a...

www.youtube.com

From what I read actual soldering is not recommended at all...Spot welder is the way to go!

Alt

 

[ronaldrodgers]

Thank you for this thread.