Rad Power Bikes Owners Forum

Rad Power Bikes Chat => Rad Modifications => Topic started by: joeliniowa on August 22, 2022, 05:09:49 PM

Title: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: joeliniowa on August 22, 2022, 05:09:49 PM
Who's gone there, done that?  I just find a single battery range in my metro area won't cut it.  I keep it on assist "1". 20-25 miles is my experienced range.  That 30 mile loop sucked! ... LOL

I've talked to the guy at biggamebikes.com, he sells the DATEX devices that do "power balance magic".  He has good batteries, China generics, they come with a mount & charger - shipped direct.  He's a good guy.

I've found RadPower battery mounting plates on Thingiverse.com to 3D print. Guys have taken the time to measure, test, and post (to the public domain) their works.

Just wondering who's thinking the same?

TY VM

Joel.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: rjp on August 22, 2022, 05:46:10 PM
Joel, That 20-25 mile range you mentioned doesn't seem right to me. I have a 2021 Rad Rover ST and I get 45-50 miles using mostly PAS2. What bike are you riding?  I have no problem at all getting 40 plus miles on a full charge.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: joeliniowa on August 22, 2022, 08:23:40 PM
I'm in Cedar Rapids, IA.  River bank topography, with some limestone outcroppings.  I'm 220, have a new RadRunner Plus.  I'm doing the full draw on the battery the first couple times.  It's a virgin. I'm nearing 100 miles.  We'll see.  Support at RPB was just crappy & RUDE when I asked about a multi battery setup.  We might not even "ever" sell you a battery... WTF?   I'd never seen such FUBAR customer service.  Especially in the 2 years I've worked with Rad.  I had a RW4 (stolen 04/2022)
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: rjp on August 23, 2022, 03:29:25 PM
Joel, you wrote you keep it in assist #1, but I imagine you use the throttle quite a bit. Am I right? 
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: joeliniowa on August 23, 2022, 09:39:00 PM
some... that's all relative and subjective.  Wouldn't it be nice if the controller would let you pull that kind of data out of it.  Unfortunately it's probably some Arduino type "processor" and not a real computer like a RPi. Or a Bluetooth connection to the BMS.  Hmm, things for the suggestion pages.  I'm making a list...

I may have been in the break in/balancing phase of my new batteries.  I'll give it a couple more charges.  Today I went close to 20 miles West & then East in CID, less hills than North to Center.  I only used 2 bars...
The town is weird.  The Cedar River cuts it in half.  The quarters from downtown are NE, NW, SE, SW.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Altema on August 28, 2022, 09:59:44 AM
I run dual batteries anytime I'm on an adventurous group ride, or just need the extra capacity to reduce voltage sag when riding with Sur Ron's, lol.
The DATEx2 and 3 are nice units, but pricey. Unfortunately they are not compatible with controllers using top speed overdrive, so I can't use one. Instead, I run my batteries in parallel, which requires you to match voltages before connecting multiple batteries. I have the capacity to run up to four batteries at the same time, and have done so for the sake of testing, but I don't like carrying all that weight. I usually use the lightest battery that will do the job, but I do find your bike's short range curious. I weigh 190lbs, and with the stock Rad battery I've gotten 41 miles using PAS 2 and sometimes 3.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: joeliniowa on August 30, 2022, 05:06:35 PM
Where & how are you mounting all this power???  Which generic PRC mount are you using?  I've talked with Gareth at biggamebikes dot com quite a bit about the DATEX devices, and his line of batteries.  I see he's added a new MONSTER! 18 AH Samsung Cell for $630... I thought I saw a bigger one....  He's got a nice line of supplies!  He know's his stuff!
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Altema on August 31, 2022, 07:16:23 AM
Quote from: joeliniowa on August 30, 2022, 05:06:35 PM
Where & how are you mounting all this power???  Which generic PRC mount are you using?  I've talked with Gareth at biggamebikes dot com quite a bit about the DATEX devices, and his line of batteries.  I see he's added a new MONSTER! 18 AH Samsung Cell for $630... I thought I saw a bigger one....  He's got a nice line of supplies!  He know's his stuff!
I moved the front of my rear fender back about 12mm to accommodate a 52v 19.5Ah battery in the stock location. My favorite location for a second battery is hidden inside my rear rack bag, and there I'll use a 52v 20Ah battery with a cable going to my connection hub. I've only used a third battery a couple of times, and the mounting bracket for that bolts to the top tube using 3D printed clamps. In this front position, I'll use either a 12.5Ah or 14Ah battery.  Lastly, the rear rack was made for it's own special 52v 20Ah battery (kind of a double decker design), and it's a great battery with high current capability, but I don't use it as much because it's so darn heavy at 15.2 pounds. It is fun by itself, but with all that weight out back and lots of torque, it can be risky 😉

Photos below are the bike with middle and front batteries mounted, a closer shot of the front battery, and a photo of the underside of the rear rack where the connection hub and 12v converter are located. I can actually charge other e-bikes from this setup, but I mostly installed the convertor to power my heated helmet in the wintertime.

Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JimInPT on August 31, 2022, 07:29:07 AM
Quote from: Altema on August 31, 2022, 07:16:23 AMI've only used a third battery a couple of times
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Ronniedog on September 14, 2022, 06:41:29 AM
I simply bought a second battery and keep on the rear rack and switch them out when needed.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Tree on September 14, 2022, 07:58:29 AM
Quote from: Ronniedog on September 14, 2022, 06:41:29 AM
I simply bought a second battery and keep on the rear rack and switch them out when needed.

this is my plan as well, when i get around to purchasing a second battery.

Although I do need to figure out exactly where the battery plugs into, since I've got the 6 plus and won't likely be purchasing another rad branded semi-integrated battery.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: K2WW on September 14, 2022, 09:08:41 AM
won't likely be purchasing another rad branded semi-integrated battery.

Why not? I'm very new to my rover6+, but on my last 2 group rides with guys on 5's, their battery life was WAY better than mine. I too will be getting another battery if this one doesn't "settle in"
We rode 18 miles, I was on pas 1-3, average was 2, I had 4 bars left when we finished, the other 4 had 3 and 4 out of 5 bars.
Did the get a bad batch of batteries for the RR6?
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: DickB on September 14, 2022, 01:25:30 PM
Quote from: K2WW on September 14, 2022, 09:08:41 AM
won't likely be purchasing another rad branded semi-integrated battery.

Why not? I'm very new to my rover6+, but on my last 2 group rides with guys on 5's, their battery life was WAY better than mine. I too will be getting another battery if this one doesn't "settle in"
We rode 18 miles, I was on pas 1-3, average was 2, I had 4 bars left when we finished, the other 4 had 3 and 4 out of 5 bars.
Did the get a bad batch of batteries for the RR6?
I'm confused by your post. It reads like you got the same or better battery life than your companions. Did you have 4 of 5 bars on your bike's display, or 4 of 10 LEDs on the battery?
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Si1Dia on September 14, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I have the DateX3 on my Rover 6+ with the stock battery and 2 rad external batteries on the rear rack. I went from a 9-12v of voltage sag to 1.5v voltage sag with this setup. this is now a hill-climbing beast. And I can run the bike off of any one of the battery locations or combination of them.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Tree on September 15, 2022, 06:02:09 AM
Quote from: K2WW on September 14, 2022, 09:08:41 AM
won't likely be purchasing another rad branded semi-integrated battery.

Why not? I'm very new to my rover6+, but on my last 2 group rides with guys on 5's, their battery life was WAY better than mine. I too will be getting another battery if this one doesn't "settle in"
We rode 18 miles, I was on pas 1-3, average was 2, I had 4 bars left when we finished, the other 4 had 3 and 4 out of 5 bars.
Did the get a bad batch of batteries for the RR6?

do all 3 of you weight the same? are your bikes the same weight? did you use your throttle?

all of these are things that play a role in battery life.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Altema on September 17, 2022, 06:52:58 PM
Quote from: JimInPT on August 31, 2022, 07:29:07 AM
Quote from: Altema on August 31, 2022, 07:16:23 AMI've only used a third battery a couple of times

Yeah, something like that 🤣🤣🤣

Interestingly, there is a group ride coming up locally that set the requirements as "Must be able to maintain at least 30mph for at least 60 miles".
The ride is from downtown to a cider mill 28 miles away, then back, and the rest stops along the way have no working power outlets.
I think I'll be using that third battery after all, lol.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: joeliniowa on September 19, 2022, 08:38:19 AM
Quote from: Si1Dia on September 14, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I have the DateX3 on my Rover 6+ with the stock battery and 2 rad external batteries on the rear rack. I went from a 9-12v of voltage sag to 1.5v voltage sag with this setup. this is now a hill-climbing beast. And I can run the bike off of any one of the battery locations or combination of them.

Did RAD send you mounts?  I talked to someone there one day & they were NASTY and said they only would sell the battery, not the bracket! Where did you get your X3?

I've found a couple templates to 3D Print on Thingiverse.  I added some extra's to my printer.  Now I have to self edit the configurations for it.  Ahh, ain't IT great?   

Thanks,  JLH
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JedidiahStolzfus on September 19, 2022, 11:07:01 AM
Quote from: joeliniowa on September 19, 2022, 08:38:19 AM
Quote from: Si1Dia on September 14, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I have the DateX3 on my Rover 6+ with the stock battery and 2 rad external batteries on the rear rack. I went from a 9-12v of voltage sag to 1.5v voltage sag with this setup. this is now a hill-climbing beast. And I can run the bike off of any one of the battery locations or combination of them.

Did RAD send you mounts?  I talked to someone there one day & they were NASTY and said they only would sell the battery, not the bracket! Where did you get your X3?

I've found a couple templates to 3D Print on Thingiverse.  I added some extra's to my printer.  Now I have to self edit the configurations for it.  Ahh, ain't IT great?   

Thanks,  JLH

I know which model you're talking about, I considered printing it too, but I'd have to break it into 2 pieces and then come up with a way to put them back together.  It's just a bit too big for my printer.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: Si1Dia on September 19, 2022, 12:15:27 PM
Quote from: joeliniowa on September 19, 2022, 08:38:19 AM
Quote from: Si1Dia on September 14, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I have the DateX3 on my Rover 6+ with the stock battery and 2 rad external batteries on the rear rack. I went from a 9-12v of voltage sag to 1.5v voltage sag with this setup. this is now a hill-climbing beast. And I can run the bike off of any one of the battery locations or combination of them.

Did RAD send you mounts?  I talked to someone there one day & they were NASTY and said they only would sell the battery, not the bracket! Where did you get your X3?

I've found a couple templates to 3D Print on Thingiverse.  I added some extra's to my printer.  Now I have to self edit the configurations for it.  Ahh, ain't IT great?   

Thanks,  JLH

I was able to order the mounts from Rad with no problems. But I do have Rad bikes that could use them on my account.

Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JedidiahStolzfus on September 20, 2022, 09:22:48 AM
Quote from: JedidiahStolzfus on September 19, 2022, 11:07:01 AM
Quote from: joeliniowa on September 19, 2022, 08:38:19 AM
Quote from: Si1Dia on September 14, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I have the DateX3 on my Rover 6+ with the stock battery and 2 rad external batteries on the rear rack. I went from a 9-12v of voltage sag to 1.5v voltage sag with this setup. this is now a hill-climbing beast. And I can run the bike off of any one of the battery locations or combination of them.

Did RAD send you mounts?  I talked to someone there one day & they were NASTY and said they only would sell the battery, not the bracket! Where did you get your X3?

I've found a couple templates to 3D Print on Thingiverse.  I added some extra's to my printer.  Now I have to self edit the configurations for it.  Ahh, ain't IT great?   

Thanks,  JLH

I know which model you're talking about, I considered printing it too, but I'd have to break it into 2 pieces and then come up with a way to put them back together.  It's just a bit too big for my printer.

I just got done modding that model.  It will have a pair of aluminum strips on the back to keep it rigid and it's broken into two pieces that fit together like a puzzle piece.  Those two pieces can be super glued (I'm printing it in ABS).  It will mount to the bottle holder on my RR2.  I'll post pictures when its' done.  It's a 14+ hour print at extra fine.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JedidiahStolzfus on September 21, 2022, 06:13:47 AM
Quote from: joeliniowa on September 19, 2022, 08:38:19 AM
Quote from: Si1Dia on September 14, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I have the DateX3 on my Rover 6+ with the stock battery and 2 rad external batteries on the rear rack. I went from a 9-12v of voltage sag to 1.5v voltage sag with this setup. this is now a hill-climbing beast. And I can run the bike off of any one of the battery locations or combination of them.

Did RAD send you mounts?  I talked to someone there one day & they were NASTY and said they only would sell the battery, not the bracket! Where did you get your X3?

I've found a couple templates to 3D Print on Thingiverse.  I added some extra's to my printer.  Now I have to self edit the configurations for it.  Ahh, ain't IT great?   

Thanks,  JLH

Warning, before anyone prints that model and waste time and materials, double check the tab openings on the model with your battery.  I've found that the openings are a few mm too small.  I can make it work with my prototype modification, but it will need to be changed in the model itself before printing.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JedidiahStolzfus on September 21, 2022, 09:19:43 AM
With a little trimming, I was able to get it to fit the battery.  I'm going to have to reprint it though because the center slot is too narrow.  I fit it for an M4 screw, not an M5 screw.  No biggie, just another 14 hours of printing.  Maybe I'll do the next one on draft, I didn't really notice I had it set to ultra-fine when I stared the last one.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/lfgsQ4.jpg)

Just holding it up to the bike, I think it'll work just fine on the bottle holder.
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JedidiahStolzfus on September 22, 2022, 08:27:57 AM
Here is pretty much the final product.  The hardware isn't right, but I have the correct ones coming in later today.  I used 3/16" mild steel as the support plates behind the plastic.  I'll paint it eventually so it doesn't rust.  It feels sturdy enough but I can't actually test it, because I only have one battery for now.
This model took about 9 hours to print at 1.5mm layer heights.  I'll post it to Thingiverse later.  I'll also have a model that's all one piece for those with bigger printers.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/3493/m9JmXn.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/2421/anBFVo.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/6135/ymaTJb.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/2903/bjBRhB.jpg)
Title: Re: Multi Battery mounts using the DATEX-2 OR -3
Post by: JedidiahStolzfus on September 22, 2022, 08:57:12 AM
Thingiverse link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5526253