Category

Personal Electric Vehicles

Plug-in electric vehicle related news, resources, and build guides for PEV building DIYers.

PEVs are becoming more and more commonplace. That shift is tied closely to the falling cost of lithium ion battery cells and the growing practicality of electric drivetrains at scale.

More electric vehicles are showing up on the road and people are starting to see the benefits of going fully electric. Electric vehicles usually cost significantly less per mile to operate than their gasoline counterparts.

Articles in this category are about high-energy battery packs, high-density battery packs, battery cooling techniques, and motor controllers.

This category page is meant to collect the older article context the Next.js frontend used to carry so readers landing from search have a quick explanation of what belongs here before they jump into a post.

If you just want the newest material in this topic, start with the featured article below and then work down through the rest of the posts.

Check-Lithium-Battery-Health-with-Multimeter

Personal Electric Vehicles

How do you check lithium battery health with a multimeter

Checking lithium battery health with a multimeter involves voltage checks, examining cell groups, testing under load, and monitoring self-discharge. Follow these steps for optimal performance and always prioritize safety.

charging-ebike-battery-with-car-charger

Personal Electric Vehicles

Can I use car charger to charge ebike battery

Charging an e-bike battery with a car charger may seem tricky, but with the right tools and knowledge, it's entirely doable. Discover how to safely use a car charger for your e-bike by understanding the key differences in battery technologies and charging requirements

essential-components-for-building-a-battery

Personal Electric Vehicles

What supplies do you need to build a battery

Discover the basics of building a battery, including key components like cells and a Battery Management System, tools needed for assembly, and important safety tips.

maximum-charge-voltage-of-12v-battery

Personal Electric Vehicles

Whats The Max Charge Voltage of a 12V Battery

Understanding the maximum charging voltage of your 12V battery is crucial for maintaining its health and efficiency. Whether you're using a lead-acid, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), or nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, knowing the right voltage for charging can help prevent damage and extend the battery's lifespan.

creating-a-simple-battery-level-indicator

Personal Electric Vehicles

How Do You Make a Simple Battery Level Indicator

Building a battery level indicator doesn't have to be complicated. This guide walks you through using an ESP32 microcontroller, a voltage divider, and LEDs to create a reliable tool for keeping track of your battery's charge. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, the instructions are simple and clear, making it easy to monitor battery levels effectively.

common-causes-of-bms-failure

Personal Electric Vehicles

What causes BMS to fail

Battery Management Systems (BMS) are key to keeping batteries safe and working well, but sometimes they fail due to mistakes in design or setup errors. By understanding what causes these issues, we can fix them and make sure our batteries last longer and stay safe.

Is it better to store lithium batteries charged or uncharged

Personal Electric Vehicles

Is It Better To Store Lithium Batteries Charged or Uncharged

Storing lithium-ion batteries right can make a big difference in how long they last and how well they work. It's all about keeping them at the right charge level - not too high, not too low. Check out these tips to make sure you're storing your batteries safely and smartly.

understanding-battery-level-indicators

Personal Electric Vehicles

How Does a Battery Level Indicator Work

Explore battery level indicators, those handy icons or numbers that show how much power you have left. Learn how they work, even when the battery's energy levels aren't straightforward, so you're always prepared to recharge.

Need all topics?

If this category is too narrow for what you are researching, go back to the main blog index and browse everything in one place.

View all posts

Looking for tools too?

Most article categories pair naturally with one or more planning tools. If you are done reading and ready to work through numbers, head into the tool suite next.

Open the tools