52v battery on a 48v controller

Using a 52v battery on a 48v controller is becoming a popular norm among electric bike riders. The complaint of having bought an electric bike with a bigger battery is common among riders, and this is to show how important a battery is to an electric bike.

The battery size determines the capacity, power, and speed you can get from your bike, including the distance you can cover.  

Electric bikes come with batteries like 24v, 36v, 48v, and 52v, but the most popular voltages are 48v and 52v. A 52v battery is a group of lithium cells joined in a sequence. One cell contains 3.6 or 4.2 volts; this means a 52v battery comprises 14 lithium cells connected in series (52 / 3.6).

Between using 52v and 48v batteries on a 48v controller, the former is mainly recommended. It is popular due to its increased power and capacity, allowing the rider to go longer distances with better results and fast rates. 

While a 48v battery may look like a 52v battery, 52v comes with four more cells, giving off much more power, capacity, and efficiency. The ability to accelerate faster with more power and capacity makes using a 52v battery on a 48v controller popular among electric bike riders. 

Difference Between A 48V And 52V Battery

As discussed earlier, a 48v battery may look like a 52v battery; however, knowing the difference between both will help you choose the correct one. Let us look at the difference between both batteries.

1. Power: One of the differences between a 48v and a 52v battery is the power range. A 52v battery will give the controller more power when the motor needs it. Compared to a 48v battery, a 52v gives better voltage that can last for two hours or more, making the bike move farther on a single charge. 
2. Efficiency: With a 52v battery on a 48v controller, your motor will run on a lower current draw (amps) even when operated under conditions like a 48v battery. The lower current draw will reduce the amount of heat built up in the engine and prevent overheating and failure of the battery.
3. Versatility: A 52v battery can maintain its good performance in different temperatures and weather. Sometimes, using other batteries in cold weather can lead to lower performance, lesser power, and range; this can frustrate a rider. A 48v battery is perfect for summertime but is not recommended in snowy winters as the performance becomes relatively low. However, with a 52v battery, you can ride in any weather without battery failure.
4. Higher range: A 52v battery has more range compared to a 48v battery; this is due to the larger battery capacity. A 48v battery has a lower degree, which can reduce some of the features of your electric bike.

Benefits Of Using A 52v Battery On A 48v Controller

There are many benefits of using a 52v battery for your electric bike. Some of these benefits are highlighted below:

1. Increased power: The power of a battery is simply the amps multiplied by the voltage; the higher power your battery has, the higher it will have. A 52v battery has high-rate cells and can produce up to 45 amps of current and about 998.4Wh. The high watt hours will also fuel all the essential features of an electric bike.
2. More range: A 52v battery has a significant range value, which is one of the fundamental differences between a 48v and a 52v battery. The high range will power your electric bike to reach up to 100 miles per charge, making riding enjoyable.
3. Increase in speed: Electric bikes are usually fast, especially if the voltage is high. However, batteries like 52v with high voltage will sometimes push your motorcycle to reach up to Class 3 (28MPH) performance or even 30MPH throttle-only speeds. Apart from the speed, your bike will give you the excellent climbing experience required by electric bikes.
4. Increased efficiency: It would help if you mentioned efficiency to list the benefits of using a 52v battery for your electric bike. The increased efficiency is possible as the high voltage of the battery will help the rider to get more power and move at faster speeds without drawing much current from the battery. The less current will prevent damage and help the battery last longer.
5. Lower charging cost: The cost of charging a 52v battery is relatively lower. Not only is the charging cost down, but the charged battery lasts longer as the battery can work well even with little electricity.

Potential Drawbacks Of Using A 52v Battery On A 48v Controller

There are a few drawbacks to using a 52v battery on a 48v controller, and we shall look at a few disadvantages.

• It is costly: A 52v battery is costly compared to other batteries, making it hard for riders on a budget to get the best battery for their electric bike. 
• Damage due to the wrong installation: In rare cases, wrong installation can damage the battery or controller due to improper installation leading to issues like over-voltage, overriding, and problems with the range and durability of your electric bike. It is advised that you seek the services of a professional when upgrading your bike’s battery to 52v.

How To Properly Install A 52v Battery On A 48v Controller

There are two ways to install your 62v battery on a 48v controller: the downtube or the rear rack.

To install it on a bike’s downtube, follow the tips below:

• Remove the bike’s water bottle mount bolts, which already exist on the downtube.
• Unlock your battery from the mount, like a protective casing covering the battery.
• Bring out the battery from the mount, and you need to apply slight pressure in opposite directions of the battery. Then slide off the battery’s bottom to bring it out.
• Drive in the mount on the existing water bottle mount holes, and place the support carefully so the screws can fit into the holes.
• Place your battery on the mount and lock it while it is on the mount.

To install your 52v battery on the rear pack, follow the tips below:

• Like the downtube method, unlock your battery first from the mount and apply pressure in opposite directions for easy removal.
• Place the mount bolt holes carefully on the bolt holes of the rear rack.
• Use the bolts to secure the battery mount on your rear rack, which can be done using bolts.
• Carefully place the battery on the mount and turn the key clockwise to lock the battery on the mount.

These tips will help you install your battery correctly and make sure your 52v battery is carefully secured on your downtube or rear rack. Wrong installation can lead to damage, so you can visit a professional installer if you encounter any challenges.

Conclusion

Using a 52v battery on a 48v controller is becoming a popular norm among electric bike riders; the reasons for this are plausible as there are benefits such as more power, increased range and speed, lesser charging cost, and versatility. The performance is always constant due to the higher voltage and more secondary current draw.

It is advised that electric bike riders should visit the website of the 52v battery used by their bikes or visit stores to know more about these batteries. If you encounter any challenges installing the batteries, you should also see a professional.