Answer First
The 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah is a 12 V sealed VRLA battery rated 38 Ah at the three-hour rate: 224 × 106 × 175 mm, 10.45 ± 0.2 kg, φ9.8-M5 terminals, 13.5 V float and 14.1 V equalise, 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge and a 2–5 year float life within a −15 °C to 50 °C operating range. It is the pack that most electric rickshaw and light tricycle fleets land on, and it is chosen for one reason above all others: 456 Wh of energy in a sealed case that needs no watering and no ventilation design.
Two numbers decide whether it is the right pack. The first is the rate basis — 38 Ah at C3, not at C20 — which means the 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah delivers its rating over a three-hour discharge, close to the length of a working shift rather than a long haul. The second is that 350–600 published cycles is the entire budget: a fleet that runs two deep shifts a day from the same pack will consume it in under a year, while a fleet on one shift with a mid-day swap will get more from it.
Key Takeaways
- 38 Ah at C3, which is 456 Wh per pack. A 12 V × 38 Ah pack holds 456 Wh; a 20 Ah pack holds 240 Wh and a 52 Ah pack holds 624 Wh. Pack energy, not the amp-hour label, is what determines range.
- Sealed VRLA means no watering. The 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah is a sealed case with immobilised electrolyte, so routine service is limited to terminal cleaning, torque checks and a visual inspection.
- Charge at 13.5 V float and 14.1 V equalise. In a hot climate those two set points drive the case temperature, and a charger with no thermal compensation will shorten the life of the pack.
- The published cycle band is 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge. That band, not the calendar, is the replacement trigger. Budget pack replacement on the cycle count and the shift pattern together.
- Float life is 2–5 years, which is normal for this class. It is a traction-class duty, not a stationary float duty, and a fleet that parks the vehicle for weeks should put the pack on a maintenance charger rather than assume the vehicle charger will hold it.
§1 — 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah Quick Specifications Table
| Parameter | 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah published value | Why it matters in a fleet |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 12 V | Directly matches the vehicle’s 12 V bus and controller |
| Rated capacity | 38 Ah at the 3-hour rate (C3) | A shift-length discharge, not a standby rating |
| Stored energy | 456 Wh per pack (12 V × 38 Ah) | The figure that decides range, not the amp-hour label |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 224 × 106 × 175 mm | Fits a standard battery tray of a light tricycle |
| Weight | 10.45 ± 0.2 kg | One pack per vehicle adds 10.45 kg of dead mass |
| Terminal | φ9.8-M5 | Sets the cable lug and the connector for the 38 Ah pack |
| Technology | Sealed VRLA (AGM / gel) | No water top-up, no venting plug, no spill tray |
| Float charge voltage | 13.5 V | The resting voltage a charger should hold |
| Equalise charge voltage | 14.1 V | Used only on a full charge after a deep discharge |
| Cycle life | 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge | The replacement trigger for the pack |
| Float life | 2–5 years design life | Applies to standby storage, not to daily cycling |
| Operating temperature | −15 °C to 50 °C | Hot climates cost cycles; cold climates cost range |
| Certifications | CE, RoHS, REACH, MSDS, IMDG | Covers export, transport and EU market access |
| Series range | 6-DZF-12, 6-DZF-20, 6-DMF-21/22/23/24, 6-DMF-32/35/38/40/45/52/58, 6-FD-72, 6-FD-75 | Same 12 V sealed VRLA technology and the same 13.5 V float setting, but the published case dimensions differ across the range, so each capacity needs its own tray and hold-down |
| Pack combinations | 2 in series gives 24 V at 38 Ah; 3 in series gives 36 V at 38 Ah | Lets one cell type cover 24 V and 36 V platforms |
§2 — The Pain
Fleet economics on light electric mobility are decided by pack replacement, and pack replacement is decided by two numbers: how deep the pack is discharged on a shift, and how often it is charged.
The published cycle band for the 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah is 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge. At two deep shifts a day from the same pack, that budget is exhausted in roughly six to nine months. At one shift a day with an opportunity charge at midday, the same pack lasts considerably longer because each discharge is shallower. Both patterns are normal across the markets where these vehicles run — Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh city fleets run two shifts, Lagos and Jakarta single-shift operations with charging at the depot — and the difference has to be priced before the purchase order, not discovered in the maintenance log.
The second pain is that the pack and the charger are specified separately. A charger set to 14.4 V continuous with no thermal compensation will cook a sealed pack in a 45 °C depot. The published equalise voltage is 14.1 V, and a good charger should hold 13.5 V float and apply 14.1 V only briefly, at the end of a full charge, with the current tapering as the voltage rises.
The third pain is documentation. Fleet operators buy on the “38 Ah” label, but the label means 38 Ah at C3. At C20 the same physical pack delivers considerably less, and at C10 less still. For a duty measured in hours, C3 is the relevant number, and the operator should confirm the rating basis on the datasheet and verify it with a discharge test on the first incoming batch.
§3 — The Choice
The 6-DMF range covers 32, 38 and 52 Ah, but the published cases are not one platform: the 6-DMF-38 measures 224 x 106 x 175 mm and the 6-DMF-52 measures 224 x 135 x 175 mm, while the 6-DMF-32 measures 267 x 78 x 170 mm. Capacity choice is therefore also a tray and hold-down decision, and each case needs its own tray.
| Selection metric | 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah | 6-DZF-20 12V20Ah | 6-DMF-32 12V32Ah | 6-DMF-52 12V52Ah |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 12 V | 12 V | 12 V | 12 V |
| Rated capacity (published basis) | 38 Ah at C3 | 20 Ah at C2 (2-hour rate) | 32 Ah at C3 | 52 Ah at C3 |
| Stored energy per pack | 456 Wh | 240 Wh | 384 Wh | 624 Wh |
| Case weight | 10.45 ± 0.2 kg | 6.1 ± 0.2 kg | 9.1 ± 0.2 kg | 13.7 ± 0.2 kg |
| Published case dimensions (L x W x H) | 224 x 106 x 175 mm | 180 x 76 x 170 mm | 267 x 78 x 170 mm | 224 x 135 x 175 mm |
| Published terminal | φ9.8-M5 | φ8.8-M5 | φ8.8-M5 | φ11.8-M6 |
| Published operating temperature | −15 °C to 50 °C | −15 °C to 50 °C | −15 °C to 50 °C | −15 °C to 50 °C |
| Pack count for a 2,500 Wh shift (assumption) | 5.5 packs, so 6 packs | 10.4 packs, so 11 packs | 6.5 packs, so 7 packs | 4.0 packs, so 5 packs |
| Pack mass for the same shift | 62.7 kg | 67.1 kg | 63.7 kg | 68.5 kg |
| Published cycle band | 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % DoD | 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % DoD | 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % DoD | 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % DoD |
| Float / equalise voltage | 13.5 V / 14.1 V | 13.5 V / 14.1 V | 13.5 V / 14.1 V | 13.5 V / 14.1 V |
| Swapping with the rest of the fleet | Compatible only with the 38 Ah tray and connector | Requires its own tray and connector | Requires its own tray and connector | Requires its own tray and connector |
The shift-energy figures in that table are arithmetic on published ratings against an assumed 2,500 Wh daily consumption, which itself must be replaced by the operator’s own measured consumption — an rickshaw carrying two passengers over 100 km a day at an assumed 25 Wh per km consumes roughly 2,500 Wh, and a loaded tricycle at 40 Wh per km consumes roughly 4,000 Wh. The choice between the 38 Ah pack and the 52 Ah pack is usually decided by payload and route rather than by price: the heavier pack adds mass that the driver feels, and it reduces the number of packs a rider has to carry in a swap operation.
The full capacity list for the series is on the 6-DZF and 6-DMF battery hub.
§4 — The Framework
Measure the actual consumption before the order. Fit a meter to three vehicles of the type, log the kilowatt-hours used per shift for a fortnight, and use that number. Everything else depends on it, and it is cheaper than a mis-sized pack.
Match the pack count to the shift, not to the range. Decide whether the vehicle carries one pack and charges at the depot, or carries two and swaps at midday. Two packs of 38 Ah per vehicle also doubles the spare stock a depot must hold.
Check the depth of discharge discipline against the published band. The 350–600 cycle figure is quoted at 50–80 % depth of discharge. Running the pack to a deep discharge every shift shortens the pack life; a mid-shift opportunity charge extends it.
Specify the charger, not just the battery. Charger output in amps should be around one tenth of pack capacity for a normal charge, so 4 A for a 38 Ah pack. The charger must hold 13.5 V float, limit equalise to 14.1 V with a current taper, and be temperature compensated if the depot is not climate controlled.
Set the operating temperature expectation. The published range is −15 °C to 50 °C. Above roughly 40 °C, expect a shorter service life and a higher water loss in the vehicle’s own cooling regime; below freezing, expect reduced delivered capacity on the first shift of the day.
Standardise the connector and the tray. The 38 Ah pack uses φ9.8-M5 terminals, but the range is not terminal-standardised: the 6-DZF-20 and the 6-DMF-32 publish φ8.8-M5 and the 6-DMF-52 publishes φ11.8-M6. The tray and the hold-down are what let a mechanic swap a pack in two minutes, so specify the tray with the vehicle build, not with the battery order.
Write the replacement plan into the purchase. A fleet that consumes a pack every eight months needs a standing order with a fixed delivery slot, because a vehicle out of service is revenue lost and the operator cannot wait for a spot shipment to arrive through Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Mumbai, Lagos or Chattogram.
§5 — The Trust
Sealed packs fail quietly, and the failures that matter are process failures.
The first is a charge that is never completed. A pack that is repeatedly taken to 14.4 V and left there in a 45 °C depot will lose capacity faster than the published cycle band implies. Specify the charge profile, require the charger to record the time to absorption and the ending voltage, and review those records monthly.
The second is heat. A sealed pack in a vehicle running 100 km a day in a tropical climate sits in a battery box that may exceed ambient. Keep the pack away from the controller and the motor, use a ventilated tray, and check connector temperature during a midday charge.
The third is the depth-of-discharge habit. Drivers who run the pack to the controller’s cut-off every shift are working at 80–100 % depth of discharge, outside the published band. A low-voltage cut-off set to 10.5 V per cell under load, rather than the manufacturer’s last-resort threshold, protects the pack and is a one-line change in the controller.
Fourth, insist on the transport and compliance documents with the delivery: MSDS, IMDG classification for the battery, CE marking and the RoHS and REACH declarations, plus the batch or date code on the pack. The 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah carries a 2–5 year float life, and a warranty claim two years after delivery is only actionable if the date code, the batch record and the incoming inspection are on file.
Finally, verify on delivery. Check the open-circuit voltage of the delivered packs, confirm the terminal torque on the M5 screws, and run one pack from each batch through a controlled discharge to confirm the 38 Ah at C3 rating rather than accepting the label. The 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah model page carries the full datasheet for that comparison.
§6 — FAQ
Q1. What is the rated capacity of the 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah and at what rate? 38 Ah at the three-hour rate (C3). A twenty-hour rating is a different cell and gives a materially smaller usable figure for shift-length duty, so the rate basis must be stated on the order.
Q2. Is this a flooded or a sealed battery? It is sealed VRLA, with the electrolyte immobilised in an AGM or gel matrix. There is no water top-up, no density reading and no spill tray, which is what makes it practical for a vehicle or a swap station.
Q3. How much energy does one pack hold? 12 V × 38 Ah = 456 Wh. Pack energy is the figure to plan a route with, because the amp-hour label alone ignores the voltage and the rate basis.
Q4. What charging voltages should the charger use? 13.5 V float and 14.1 V equalise, with the equalise step applied only after a full charge and the current tapering as the voltage rises. A charger that holds 14.4 V continuously will shorten pack life in a hot depot.
Q5. How long does the 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah last? The published cycle band is 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge, and the float design life is 2–5 years. On one shift a day with an opportunity charge the pack reaches the top of that band; on two deep shifts a day it will reach the bottom of it in under a year.
Q6. Can I use two or three packs in series? Yes. Two in series give 24 V at 38 Ah and three in series give 36 V at 38 Ah, which lets one cell type cover 24 V and 36 V vehicle platforms.
Q7. What is the operating temperature range? −15 °C to 50 °C. Cold reduces the energy delivered on the first shift of the day; sustained heat above 40 °C shortens service life.
Q8. What certifications come with the battery? CE, RoHS, REACH, MSDS and IMDG, covering EU market access and the transport documentation for sea freight.
Q9. Which other capacities are available in the same series? 6-DZF-12, 6-DZF-20, 6-DMF-21, 6-DMF-22, 6-DMF-23, 6-DMF-24, 6-DMF-32, 6-DMF-35, 6-DMF-38, 6-DMF-40, 6-DMF-45, 6-DMF-52, 6-DMF-58, 6-FD-72 and 6-FD-75, all 12 V sealed VRLA cells on the same 13.5 V float setting, in case formats that differ by capacity.
Q10. How do I get a quotation and a delivery plan? Send the vehicle platform, the daily route length, the payload, the number of packs per vehicle and the depot locations with the delivery port — Shanghai, Ningbo, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Manila, Mumbai, Lagos/Apapa, Karachi, Chattogram, Mombasa, Durban, Santos, Jebel Ali, Port Said, Tema or Dar es Salaam — and we will size the pack, confirm the charger profile and quote a scheduled delivery within one working day.
Expert Summary
The 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah is a 12 V sealed VRLA battery rated 38 Ah at C3, published at 224 × 106 × 175 mm and 10.45 ± 0.2 kg with φ9.8-M5 terminals, 13.5 V float, 14.1 V equalise, 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge, a 2–5 year float life and a −15 °C to 50 °C operating range. Each pack holds 456 Wh, so the fleet decision is an arithmetic one: a 100 km day at an assumed 25 Wh per km needs roughly 2,500 Wh, which is six 38 Ah packs, seven 32 Ah packs, four 52 Ah packs or eleven 20 Ah packs — and the operator’s own measured consumption, not the assumption, has to replace that number before the order is placed. Two published figures govern everything else. The rating basis is C3, a shift-length discharge, so a “38 Ah” quoted at C20 describes a different cell and produces a pack that disappoints on the first long shift. And the cycle band of 350–600 cycles at 50–80 % depth of discharge is the replacement trigger: a two-shift operation with no midday charge consumes that budget in six to nine months, while a one-shift operation with an opportunity charge stretches it, which is why the charger, the controller’s low-voltage cut-off at 10.5 V per cell under load and the battery tray belong in the same specification as the pack itself. The sealed case removes watering, density readings and spill containment, but it also removes the early warning that a flooded cell gives for free, so the substitute is a charge-recording charger, monthly review of absorption times and ending voltages, connector temperature checks in a tropical depot, and an incoming discharge test on every batch against the published C3 rating. Heat is the quiet variable: the pack operates to 50 °C, but sustained operation above 40 °C and a charger parked on 14.4 V will consume the cycle budget far faster than the datasheet suggests.
Contact CHISEN — 24-Hour Response
Send us the vehicle platform, the daily route length, the payload, the number of packs per vehicle and the depot locations, and we will size the pack, confirm the charger profile and quote a scheduled delivery for the 6-DMF-38 12V38Ah sealed VRLA battery.
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/861316226999 Email: sales@chisen.cn Factory: 8 production bases, 70 million kVAH annual capacity, CE, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, UL and IEC certified.
Related reading: the complete 6-DZF and 6-DMF battery range for 12 V mobility and stationary duty, and how CHISEN builds and certifies every cell.
This article is published on leadacidbattery.cn.
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