The It’s Electric Lab: Beyond the Manufacturing Standards

Cross Battery Comparison Simulation Testing

It’s Electric believes that quality control and high standards should be implemented to provide the best possible product for our customers.Even with the expectations of the manufacturers satisfied in the raw product we implement our own performance tests to ensure that the product lives up to the standard promised and it also ensures that the customer receives the most accurate information available.

The simulation test we use test out the performance of the Lithium-Polymer batteries with each and every one of our conversion kits with multiple stressors to simulate a 200lb rider.Each battery is fully charged at the beginning of the test and the test ends when it is fully discharged.  Specialized sensors are installed to detect multiple variables such as voltage, current, speed, distance, and temperature as well.

The purpose of having in house testing is to set a benchmark level of performance for each of the batteries to ensure an accurate and fair level of performance for our customers.Any deviations in performance can be cross checked with our results to guarantee satisfaction.

For details of our benchmark testing, please see our Appendix (coming soon).

Wiring Options (Series vs Parallel)

Because of the light weight of the lithium battery we can create more intriguing multiple battery configurations.Two of the most common questions we receive are:

-How can I get my electric bike go faster?

-Or, How can I get my electric bike run for a longer distance?

The answer lies in the arrangements of the batteries in specific types of circuits.These are series and parallel circuits shown below.

In these examples two batteries are connected within the same circuit.If this is done with the older sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries the configuration could weight upwards to 50lb with just the batteries alone.With Lithium the weight is no more than 12lb between the two batteries.

Series

If two batteries are arranged in series the combined voltage of each battery is compiled into a single source.The total summed voltage of the individual batteries becomes the overall voltage of the power source.By increasing the overall voltage the amount of power doubles which subsequently doubles the potential speed and torque.For example, if a single 37V battery pack provides a top of speed of 21mph, by doubling the voltage you will have potential speed of 42mph.

It must be kept in mind that changes in voltage of a circuit require changes in the electrical controller to properly manage the given source of power.

Parallel

A second means of assembling multiple batteries is to arrange them in parallel.This basically prolongs the distance without changing the amount of power.For example, having two 37V batteries in parallel will give you twice the distance of a single battery while still maintaining the overall voltage at 37V.The overall effect is having potentially doubling the length of each charge cycle.This is like doubling the amount of fuel by adding a second fuel tank.By having two batteries in parallel you can reach twice the distance.

Both these configurations have been assembled here at our lab and the performance for each configuration is stellar.The 74V effectively increases the speed and torque of the hub motors of the conversion kits.The parallel set up dramatically prolongs the duration of the batteries with the overall voltage maintaining high values with little drain.For more results please refer to our detailed test results in the Appendix.

Relay Switch: The Best of Both Worlds (Coming soon)

As mentioned above, the batteries are capable of being arranged in series or parallel to increase either speed and torque, or duration.We are currently working on a prototype to allow instantaneous control between these two options without having to reconnect the batteries in a new circuit each time.