Electric Scooter Pack Build - E300

Steven Edelman

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May 31, 2017
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My kids (3 boys)and I have been playing around with electric scooters for a few years. We tinker, upgrade, and make them go much faster than intended. Our current focus is on a few Razor E300 scooters that we have installed24 volt450 wattbrushed motors that we over volt at 36 volts. With stock gearing top speed it about 32-33 mph and with a larger sprocket on the rear wheel it slows down to about 25 mph top speed, however it will climb any hill with ease and will stand on the back wheel at full throttle. Very fun with that type of acceleration. In any case, the point behind this series of posts, we have outgrown the SLA batteries, and we have been using some 5s LiPo packs, but I really wanted to build out some Lithium18650 packs.

I am looking to put together two 5S8P packs so that I can reach 36 volts but still charge them individually on my imaxb6 charger.Still not 100% sure I can fit that many cells without getting really creative, but worst case I will make them 7P.

I am still in the process of testing cells. I have tested over 100 cells and as of this writing I have 57 cells over 2000 mAH. Most of them are Sanyo cells out of Lenovo 6 cell packs. I still have about 28 packs (~170cells) that I need to test. I am hoping that when I am finished I will have 160 cells over my threshold of 2000 mAH that way I can make 4 total 18 volt 16 AH packs. On a side note, thinking hard about taking the cells that are between 1600 and 2000 mAH and making a large but mobile(3s) pack to power 12v items during camping trips. Might even pair that with one of those small solar panels to keep it charged up.

Here are some pictures of my 6 cell charging holder, batteries that I have tested and packs that are still waiting to be opened and some of the scooters we have upgraded.

I'll update as things progress.. Thanks for reading about my project.


image_bnmufd.jpgimage_vqazna.jpgimage_wlauma.jpgimage_fmoklt.jpg
 
I have thought about doing that for my kids scooter as well :). I am just worried since he has no fear that he will hurt himself bad. When he was little I did a little upgrade to his power wheels :). Bigger motors and made it so I could swap in drill batteries using the old charging bases. would hardly go anywhere with plastic wheels lol. Didn't last too long. My kid has the es300 and it is kind of fast and will usually take him for a mile or two but when it dies its a pain to push back. I will watch the build and hopefully get some good ideas...
 
2146 said:
I have thought about doing that for my kids scooter as well :). I am just worried since he has no fear that he will hurt himself bad. When he was little I did a little upgrade to his power wheels :). Bigger motors and made it so I could swap in drill batteries using the old charging bases. would hardly go anywhere with plastic wheels lol. Didn't last too long. My kid has the es300 and it is kind of fast and will usually take him for a mile or two but when it dies its a pain to push back. I will watch the build and hopefully get some good ideas...

2146,

Yeah, I my oldest has that no fear attitude, he just wants to race everyone in the neighborhood on them - just make sure they are always wearing helmets and such. LOL. We've already done several updates that I have shot video of, I should probably get around to doing some edits and post it to youtube sometime, especially when the 18650 packs are done.
 
Cool! Just make sure to dimensioning the packs for the current in those machines :) Laptop cells are not known to be able to deliver to much current over time :)
 
Hi Steven,

Sounds like fun!
Like daromer said are you able to source any power tool batteries, I reckon they will be much better for your packs.

I have a 36volt ebike that ive made some batteries for, there's nothing like recycled 18650 POWER :)
 
daromer said:
Cool! Just make sure to dimensioning the packs for the current in those machines :) Laptop cells are not known to be able to deliver to much current over time :)

daromer - thanks for the reply. Yes I have been thinking about that quite a bit. With my large body on those scooters(~180lbs) from a standstill going up hill the max I have been able to draw is about 38A - with a lighter rider that number drops to about 30A and only lasts for <5 seconds. Continuous/nominalis about 15A - 20A. Most of the cells that I have are 2.5Ah Sanyo cells, they are rated for 1C nominal and 2C peak. In my 8P config, which is what I am hoping for space wisethat should give me 20Anominal and 40A peak. Of course that is cutting it close, but hopefully it won't hurt these cells.


Wattsup said:
Hi Steven,

Sounds like fun!
Like daromer said are you able to source any power tool batteries, I reckon they will be much better for your packs.

I have a 36volt ebike that ive made some batteries for, there's nothing like recycled 18650 POWER :)

Wattsup -power tool batteries, that is a great idea! I will have to see if I can find some of those. Currently for the laptop packs I am able to get them free, so that cost model is working out nicely! :D I might have to make a trip to the local recycler and see what I can find. Thanks!
 
StevenEdelman said:
daromer said:
Cool! Just make sure to dimensioning the packs for the current in those machines :) Laptop cells are not known to be able to deliver to much current over time :)

daromer - thanks for the reply. Yes I have been thinking about that quite a bit. With my large body on those scooters(~180lbs) from a standstill going up hill the max I have been able to draw is about 38A - with a lighter rider that number drops to about 30A and only lasts for <5 seconds. Continuous/nominalis about 15A - 20A. Most of the cells that I have are 2.5Ah Sanyo cells, they are rated for 1C nominal and 2C peak. In my 8P config, which is what I am hoping for space wisethat should give me 20Anominal and 40A peak. Of course that is cutting it close, but hopefully it won't hurt these cells.


Wattsup said:
Hi Steven,

Sounds like fun!
Like daromer said are you able to source any power tool batteries, I reckon they will be much better for your packs.

I have a 36volt ebike that ive made some batteries for, there's nothing like recycled 18650 POWER :)

Wattsup -power tool batteries, that is a great idea! I will have to see if I can find some of those. Currently for the laptop packs I am able to get them free, so that cost model is working out nicely! :D I might have to make a trip to the local recycler and see what I can find. Thanks!


No problems mate.
You could try power tool repair shops as well :)
 
Hi Steven,
How are things going with the scooter project ? I recently picked up an E200 ( thrift store rescue ) and am thinking about converting it to 18650s as well, and looking for power tool batteries but have not scored any of those yet.
 
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