Retrofitting Levo Batteries

[Chris2]

Would it be possible to take a 2019 500Wh battery, open it up and replace the cells with higher capacity cell batteries to get maybe up to 1000Wh? Battery technology is there now, but wondering about the electronics or other issues. Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[salko]

I think you will already have problems if you replace the cells with exact same cells (AFAIK no one tried if it works), not to mention replacing with different (higher capacity) cells ...
Your question is more suitable for this theme: The real Specialized charging thread. - EMTB Forums

 

[ImSundee]

Battery tech hasn't changed at all in 3+ years (there are some tech that has being developed but nothing available outside of a lab). There are no advancements in density so no point in this.

Only thing I'd be tempted is if your battery is getting bad replacing the cells to give it a new lease of life.

 

[p060064h]

Yes.
I own an electric skateboard its very common to have the batt upgraded to better/more cells.

 

[Mabman]

Spec uses 5A 2170 cells in the same enclosure as the 500wh battery with 3.5A 18650 cells. The change to the 2170 cells came in the 2019 update and was unheralded as such other than the increase in watt hours. Other companies have also done this.

The cell size increases for the 2170 but they obviously allowed for the compatibility during design. As an internal battery they had to set the parameters and getting two different watt hour options was smart.

Doubtful you could find cells that would fit in there that equal out to 1000w though. But technically you should be able to rebuild a 500wh battery with 2170 cells to get to at least 700wh.

 

[Chris2]

Thanks. It is concluded then that its not worthwhile. Thanks for all the feedback.