Batteries and What do you do when the manufacturer is no more?

[Viking1]

I have always had good luck with Battery Mart in Winchester, VA. They can rebuild anything you throw at them for a good value!!
www.batterymart.com

 

[tomjasz]

I have always had good luck with Battery Mart in Winchester, VA. They can rebuild anything you throw at them for a good value!!
www.batterymart.com

Their cell prices are outrageous. Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh 4.9A Battery $15.00!!!!????

 

[J.R.]

I have always had good luck with Battery Mart in Winchester, VA. They can rebuild anything you throw at them for a good value!!
www.batterymart.com

I clicked through their "electric bike" list and it looks like most are SLA batteries. I entered Trek, Specialized, Giant and it returned zero results with no options to rebuild something not on their list. Have you had something serviced that wasn't listed?

https://www.batterymart.com/c-electric-bike-and-scooter-batteries.html

It looks like a local store here called Batteries Plus. Good store with discounts and sales for everyday items, but they don't work on larger multi 18650 cell packs with purpose built BMS.

We are getting closer to local places for service, just a matter of time.

 

[JedidiahStolzfus]

My plan is to replace the mounting bracket and matching battery with whatever is available at the time.

 

[EbikeWarrior]

I own Polaris/PIM bikes and they are no longer made. The batteries are integrated into the frame. When my batteries were dying, I had Northeast Battery Systems LLC ([email protected]) rebuild my batt packs with LG 21700 5,000mAh batteries in October, 2022. My old batteries were 44v/6ah, my rebuilt ones are now 44v/15ah. Pricing was $419 per battery to rebuild. They might be able to work with your battery.

Mike

 

[retiredNH]

I own Polaris/PIM bikes and they are no longer made. The batteries are integrated into the frame. When my batteries were dying, I had Northeast Battery Systems LLC ([email protected]) rebuild my batt packs with LG 21700 5,000mAh batteries in October, 2022. My old batteries were 44v/6ah, my rebuilt ones are now 44v/15ah. Pricing was $419 per battery to rebuild. They might be able to work with your battery.

Mike

Interesting that Northeast Battery says, on their website, that they rebuild Bosch batteries! Thank goodness I don't need that service yet...

 

[BobG]

NE Battery Systems also rebuilds batteries from the now defunct BionX company. Kevin rebuilt mine this past April. Originally 11.6 AH, now 14 AH.

 

[kevinmccune]

Yep, many of the e-bike specific brands seem to use Reention battery cases. Reention seemed to make a name for itself with the Dorado series.

Inner Battery Case_Kunshan Reention Mechanical and Electrical Co., Ltd.

Heck, even old Silver Fish cases that have been around forever (over a decade) are still available either with batteries, or empty shells for the DIY re-builder. Of course, the BMS is a whole other kettle of fish.

Methinks I had a bike once with a dorado battery it was a tight fit in the frame, my next build

!!

is getting silverfish batteries( because I have two of them) will attempt to parallel them, looking for a base now.

 

[indianajo]

I read about the bionx bankrupcy and the internal microprocessor in the battery before I bought my motor & battery. I made sure I didn't buy anything like that. My battery has 4 wires, charge + & -, load + & -. No computer communications. I built the battery mount, to make sure there would be no patented connectors or physical form. In future I can buy any shape battery and build another mount.
There are tubes welded in the frame of my bike to hang a basket off the front that doesn't steer. I have my battery hung up there to balance the load. Weight on front helps with preventing front wheel snap sideways on bumps too, that threw me 5 times off MTB's and cruisers 2008 to 2018. On my chin; broke it the last time. This bike has not thrown me since 2018. My hands certainly aren't any stronger.
XT90 was what my battery came with, but I had trouble soldering XT90 on the load side. After that fell off, I cut the XT90 off the battery wires and installed dorman crimp terminals from Oreillys supply. .250" insulated flag terminals. Have had zero dropouts or power failures in 4.5 years. Dorman .250 flags are good for >30 amps. ****ese terminals that look similar will burn out at that current.

 

[6zfshdb]

This thread is almost 4 months old and the OP may already have made his choice. I'll post this anyway just in case.

Battery obsolescence is a definite factor to consider when bike shopping and many good suggestions have already been made. IMO, the best is to deal with an established LBS who should be able to help with battery issues down the road. With any luck, and proper care, the battery could outlast your bike. You may well be looking at something newer with better technology by the time your OEM battery gives up the ghost. Buying a spare at the time of purchase is another good idea. Staying away from in frame batteries could also help.

If you have any DIY skills, there are several things that can be done to ensure your ride never runs out of juice.

In my case, I stick with bikes that use quality external mount batteries. The first thing I do to a new bike, or one I'm building, it to convert to Anderson 45 amp Powerpole connectors. Some bikes & batteries already use this connector but there are adapters available for other types as well.

I then mount this Anderson distribution module in a convenient place:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KQD9V3G?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I can then plug in almost any battery of the correct voltage.

I can even use a cordless tool battery as a range extender:

The Distribution module is also a great place to connect accessories like headlights, horns, and USB or 12V adapters.

You can choose any connector type as your "standard" and adapt it to your needs. That way, you can use any battery of the correct voltage.

 

[Taylor57]

I am shopping for an ebike. There are currently hundreds of manufacturers. Some, if not most will not survive. This brings up a question that may have already been answered on this forum, but I haven't seen it.

Most components on the ebike can be replaced. The battery, especially one that is integrated into the frame of the bike, may not be easy to replace if the manufacturer is no longer around in 8-10 years.

If so, how should I proceed? Do I stay with the Trek, Giant, and Specialized types of manufacturers who have been around for a long time and will likely continue to exist? Is there a way to rebuild a bike-specific battery? Are there other options?

Thanks!

I bought 2 of each!