What do I need to check when buying a used BionX system?

[Ben Sanderson]

Hi there,

I've recently fallen in love with the BionX experience, picking up a new S350DL for my Electra Townie last Fall and then a slightly used P350L for my wife's comfort bike this Spring. We've been out for rides with my parents who have tried out the bikes, and – as you can probably guess – they want one now! So, onto Kijiji I go to search for a decent used BionX bike or kit.

We lucked out with my wife's used BionX, as its fully charged voltage is excellent, and its power and range are comparable to my brand new 48v system. However, I'm worried about shelling out a bunch of money for an older battery or motor that seems fine on a 10 minute inspection/ride, but that may have more serious problems that only show up once I've been riding a while.

I know how to perform the 3772 code and access the diagnostic mode, and I understand what voltage amount I should be looking for when fully charged (understanding that an older battery probably won't have as strong a starting voltage). Aside from any error messages that appear under the diagnostic, is there anything else I should be looking for? Any way to tell if a battery might drain a lot faster than it should, or be compromised in other ways?

I've got a bead on a 5 year old BionX Li-Mn 36V system that apparently has been sitting unused for the last two or three years. The seller says it charged up fine the other day and everything works as it should. Hmmmm....

Any advice would be most appreciated!

 

[JoePah]

Add the cost of a new battery to the price and decide if it is still worth it. A five year old battery, even if it is unused will be near the end of its life. How do i know this? I had an Ebike with two batteries, and most of the time I only used one.. After 5 years they were both degraded by 50%, and dying fast.

Unless the it is extremely cheap, don't bother with old electrical kits.

 

[Ben Sanderson]

Thanks, Joe. I suppose I should try to stick with newer models then.

Although, to be fair, I have a cordless electric lawn mower that still holds a great charge after 8 years. Its battery must have something that your ebike batteries did not. Is it possible that better batteries could hold better charges after longer periods? I guess what I'm saying is that if you had a 5 year lifespan with non-BionX batteries, does that mean all eBike batteries have similar lifespans?

 

[JoePah]

YW Ben... It depends on the battery chemistry.. Your lawn mower is probably Ni MH.. My bike was Li Mn, A2B Metro, and very expensive. Don't know what Bionx is but I dont know of any bike batteries with a battery life worth keeping after 5 years... Again it's just a matter of cost.. If its $300 who cares if you only get a year?

 

[Ben Sanderson]

Understood - thanks again!

 

[J.R.]

Find out the battery chemistry and look it up here at Battery University. You can get a good idea of lifespan. Personally I wouldn't want to start out with a 5 year old battery. 5 years ago in the ebike world was the dark ages.

Good luck!

 

[Marko]

I've got a bead on a 5 year old BionX Li-Mn 36V system that apparently has been sitting unused for the last two or three years. The seller says it charged up fine the other day and everything works as it should. Hmmmm....

Any advice would be most appreciated!

Depends also how the owner has been charging it during this unused time. The battery should be charged every 3 months or so even if not used. The battery may "charge up just fine" but there is no telling what the true capacity is before using it long enough.