What is it?
I built a board with a 100 Volt battery - 24s1p using Molicel’s newest P45B 21700 cells in a TorqueBox.
I paired it with a Tronic 250R Controller and a SuperFlux motor.
Does it fit into a Stock XR box? No way! I had to use a Torque Box.
Why did I do it?
Mainly as an experiment in response to all the hype over the GTS’s 113 Volts (27s).
Also, P45B cells were only $6 on BlackFriday…
My objective was to demonstrate that 24s1p doesn’t make a whole lotta sense for most people. 18s2p in many aspects will be the better choice for most people.
After riding the 100V configuration for a few weeks, I will reconfigure the battery into a 12s2p and repeat some of those tests to see if it makes a difference (not the obvious ones!)
Expected Results - Obvious
These are the things that are well understood, so I’m not going to waste my time testing those:
Top Speed
Speed is proportional to voltage, 24s will run 20% faster than 20s when using comparable cells in both cases - that’s all.
Range
Range is primarily driven by Watthours (assuming equal cells). 24 x 3.6 x 4.5 is 388.8Wh, so that’s it.
For reference:
20s2p P28a is 403Wh
GTS aka 27s1p P45b is 437.4Wh
GT aka 18s2p P42a is 544Wh
18s2p P45B is 583Wh
*Stock XR is 324Wh
Now, you do the math - range is directly proportional to Watthours for those batteries.
Anecdotal Range Data from a San Clemente group ride:
13 Miles, 50% on hard single track, 2000ft of elevation drop/gain, 165lb rider - 3.25V/cell when finished (dip to 2.9V slowly going up my driveway). Reported Wh: 348 used, 52Wh gained (so 296Wh net)
GTS on the same ride was below 10%, didn’t let him ride any further (while I could have gone a bit more)!! NOTE: GTS rider was 185lbs, both our tires were just under 10psi.
MEAT pack SuperFlux/LFOCv3.1 had 40% left, 185lb rider!!!
Torque
Voltage has zero effect on torque really… google it…
Expected Results - Not So Obvious
How does higher voltage affect motor temperatures?
I expect no change and my first rides have confirmed that. More details to follow.
How does higher voltage affect efficiency
I expect no change and first tests have confirmed that. More details to follow.
Initial Results
Board rides great, just like any other VESC board I’ve ridden. Can I feel the 100 Volts? Nope, other than having a lot more headroom at any speed when looking at my phone.
Sidenote: Can the Tronic 250R handle the 100 Volts?
The Tronic is advertised as 100V max, but in reality all components from capacitors to MOSFETs are 130V+ capable, so there’s plenty of headroom. Out of an abundance of caution I still do not recommend using a saggy battery when going for 100V, so the P45B cells are the best possible choice there. 24s2p is obviously even better, but that’s impossible to fit…
will this work with a Hypercore FM motor?
Yes, no problem