THE
HERE
With the Editor
SPIN STARTS
Managing Editor
David Blenskey
Senior Editor
Paul Ramsey
Assistant Editor
Stacey Ann
Article Editor
Joseph Flax
Products Reviews Editor
Bill Spencer
Projects Coordinator
Harold Bernstein
Editor at Large
Chuck Swanger
Technical Editor
Art Director/Web Design
Dale Gibbs
Advertising Director
Jason Goldman
Published by:
Electric Bicycles Magazine
1642 E. Sixth Street
Long Beach, CA 90802
Email:
Info@ElectricBicyclesMagazine.com
Reproduction Rights Extended
Feel free to reproduce material from EBM so long as you credit the magazine and place a link to the magazine on your website.
Editorial Note
Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the magazine. In fact, we may even disagree with them. But, frankly, we usually do.
Publisher/Editor
Henry Holcomb
The Case for SLA Batteries
Lithium battery distributors have done such a powerful job of doubting the advantages
of Lithiums and discrediting SLAs (sealed lead acid) that they have convinced
much of the public that a Lithium battery is the only way to go. That is just not
the case. In this issue, Managing Editor, David Blensky–in his article: “How to
Purchase an E-
If you read his article, please note that he does NOT question the superior technology
of Lithium over SLA–great for cell phones and such. But for e-
The SLA battery has been a proven technology for many years and manufactured in the USA where service is always available, while the Lithium (for their use in powering electric bicycles) is still a ways from being a perfected product.
Battery Weight Comparison:
Lithium battery distributors scare off many potential SLA battery customers by exaggerating the importance of the difference in weight. A 36 volt Lithium battery including the necessary mounting plate will weigh 10 lbs. A 36 volt SLA will weigh 25 lbs–a difference of 15 lbs. Dave, in his article, explains how the battery–neither SLA nor lithium–rarely represents over 9% of the combined weight of rider and bike.
Price Difference:
A 36 volt Lithium battery will cost you anywhere from $450 up to $600 and sometimes more. And don’t forget to add $100 shipping. And if you purchase direct from China try to imagine a distributor in China servicing a battery in the USA. An excellent 36 volt SLA can be purchased for as little as $150 to $250 and it is made in the good ‘ol US of A.