18650 Battery, reliable, at least 23 amps

[StalinDaBomb]

I am looking into coverting a bicycle into an electric bicycle. I would like to use 18650 or 26650 batteries. Due to my 48v configuration to generate around 52v takes 14 cells. This means that the cells need to be able to carry 20.8 amps, or 23 if i could 25 or more. I am shooting for around 7 dollars a cell. The reason I am choosing an 18650 config as opposed to a 12v SLA battery is due to versatility of configuration. I don't know about the requirements of running in parallel though. If i can i would run the stacks in series to bump the voltage, then put these two stacks in parrallel this would drop the neccesary amperage, but I don't know if the final terminals on the output stack need to be capable of around 21 amps. If any advice thanks

 

[kanewolf]

Get some Anderson Powerpole 45 amp disconnects for your battery pack. http://www.andersonpower.com/us/en/products/powerpole/index.aspx
Solder the leads to the cells. That is what MANY RC racers have done for years.

 

[amtseung]

The vaping community has stood by its recommendation of Sony VTC 18650 cells since the VTC3. The 18650 is rated at 30A continuous output, 60A pulse, and is an IMR for that "safe chemistry" that leaves many with a warm fuzzy feeling of safety in their belly. I'm personally running 2 parallel pairs in series with no issues whatsoever. They do, however, typically cost around $20 each. $7 per cell puts you in very, very dangerous waters. The cheapest ones I could safely recommend with a half decent mah number and 25A continuous rating are typically around $15.

For an electric bike, I'd rather stack chipped lipo cells over anything in a standardized 18650/26650.