CHISEN 6-DMF Series: 11-Capacity Selection Guide for E-Bike, E-Scooter & E-Tricycle OEMs (2026)
For OEM e-bike, e-scooter, and electric tricycle packagers, choosing the right 12V deep-cycle capacity from CHISEN’s 6-DMF series is one of the highest-leverage procurement decisions. CHISEN offers 11 capacities in the 6-DMF family — 21Ah, 22Ah, 23Ah, 24Ah, 32Ah, 35Ah, 38Ah, 40Ah, 45Ah, 52Ah, and 58Ah — each tuned for a specific vehicle class and duty cycle. Picking the wrong capacity means either overpaying for capacity you do not need, or under-specifying the battery and creating warranty exposure.
This guide walks through the complete 6-DMF capacity ladder, shows you which capacity fits which vehicle class and voltage configuration, and provides a decision framework for selecting the correct capacity for your OEM product line.
CHISEN 6-DMF Series: Complete Capacity Ladder
| Model | Voltage | Capacity | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Terminal | Size Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-DMF-21 | 12V | 21Ah (3hr) | 180 mm | 76 mm | 170 mm | 6.1 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Compact |
| 6-DMF-22 | 12V | 22Ah (3hr) | 180 mm | 76 mm | 170 mm | 6.15 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Compact |
| 6-DMF-23 | 12V | 23Ah (3hr) | 180 mm | 76 mm | 170 mm | 6.5 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Compact |
| 6-DMF-24 | 12V | 24Ah (3hr) | 180 mm | 76 mm | 170 mm | 7.0 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Compact |
| 6-DMF-32 | 12V | 32Ah (3hr) | 197 mm | 130 mm | 168 mm | 9.1 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Medium |
| 6-DMF-35 | 12V | 35Ah (3hr) | 197 mm | 130 mm | 168 mm | 9.8 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Medium |
| 6-DMF-38 | 12V | 38Ah (3hr) | 197 mm | 130 mm | 168 mm | 10.45 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Medium |
| 6-DMF-40 | 12V | 40Ah (3hr) | 197 mm | 130 mm | 168 mm | 11.45 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Medium |
| 6-DMF-45 | 12V | 45Ah (3hr) | 197 mm | 165 mm | 168 mm | 12.3 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Large |
| 6-DMF-52 | 12V | 52Ah (3hr) | 224 mm | 135 mm | 175 mm | 13.7 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Large |
| 6-DMF-58 | 12V | 58Ah (3hr) | 224 mm | 135 mm | 175 mm | 15.4 kg | φ8.8-M5 | Large |
The series splits into three physical size groups:
- Compact group (180 mm long): 6-DMF-21, 22, 23, 24 — fits the standard 180 × 76 × 170 mm battery tray used by the vast majority of Chinese-exported e-bikes
- Medium group (197 mm long): 6-DMF-32, 35, 38, 40 — fits the larger 197 × 130 × 168 mm tray used by mid-power e-scooters and high-power e-bikes
- Large group (224 mm long): 6-DMF-45, 52, 58 — fits the largest 224 mm tray used by electric tricycles and high-power e-mopeds
Within each size group, the capacity models differ only in plate count and electrolyte volume. The decision rule within a size group is: choose the highest capacity that fits your budget, because higher capacity delivers longer cycle life at the same depth of discharge.
Capacity-to-Vehicle-Class Mapping
| Vehicle Class | Recommended Capacity | Size Group | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children’s electric ride-on | 6-DMF-21 / 22 | Compact | Low power, cost-driven |
| Folding e-bike / e-scooter | 6-DMF-22 / 23 | Compact | Daily 30–50 km range |
| Standard commuter e-bike | 6-DMF-24 / 32 | Compact / Medium | Daily 40–60 km range |
| Mid-power e-scooter | 6-DMF-32 / 35 | Medium | Daily 50–70 km range |
| High-power e-scooter / moped | 6-DMF-38 / 40 | Medium | Daily 60–80 km range |
| Electric tricycle (passenger) | 6-DMF-45 / 52 | Large | Daily 70–90 km range |
| Electric tricycle (cargo) | 6-DMF-52 / 58 | Large | Daily 80–120 km range |
For a standard Chinese-exported commuter e-bike with a 48V battery pack (four 12V batteries in series), the most common capacity choice is the 6-DMF-24 in the compact size group. The 6-DMF-24 delivers 24Ah per battery, or 48V × 24Ah = 1,152 Wh total pack energy, which is enough for 40–60 km of range per charge in typical commuter duty.
For a higher-end commuter e-bike targeting 60–80 km of range, the standard capacity choice is the 6-DMF-32 in the medium size group. This delivers 32Ah per battery, or 48V × 32Ah = 1,536 Wh total pack energy. The 33% larger capacity translates to roughly 33% more range, which justifies the price premium for the higher-capacity model.
Voltage Pack Configurations
The 6-DMF series is designed to be combined in series to build higher-voltage battery packs. The standard voltage configurations are:
| System Voltage | Batteries in Series | Total Pack Energy | Typical Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V | 2 × 6-DMF | 0.5–0.7 kWh | Folding e-bike |
| 36V | 3 × 6-DMF | 0.7–1.0 kWh | Standard e-bike |
| 48V | 4 × 6-DMF | 1.0–1.4 kWh | Mid-power e-bike / e-scooter |
| 60V | 5 × 6-DMF | 1.3–1.7 kWh | High-power e-scooter |
| 72V | 6 × 6-DMF | 1.6–2.1 kWh | Electric motorcycle |
For a 60V 32Ah e-scooter pack (a very common configuration in 2026), you would use five 6-DMF-32 batteries in series. The total pack energy is 60V × 32Ah = 1,920 Wh, which delivers roughly 70–90 km of range per charge in typical e-scooter duty.
For a 72V 38Ah high-performance e-bike pack, you would use six 6-DMF-38 batteries in series. The total pack energy is 72V × 38Ah = 2,736 Wh, which delivers roughly 100–130 km of range per charge.
Why DMF Instead of DZF for Sealed Applications
The DMF series is the sealed maintenance-free variant of the deep-cycle family. Two structural differences matter for in-vehicle use:
Sealed construction. DMF batteries use AGM separators that fully absorb the electrolyte, eliminating free liquid acid. This means the battery can be mounted in any orientation (within reason) and will not leak acid even if the outer casing is damaged. DZF batteries may have a small amount of free electrolyte that can leak if the casing is punctured.
Recombination vent. DMF batteries recombine the gases produced during charging back into water, eliminating the need for periodic water top-up. DZF batteries may require water top-up every 6–12 months in heavy cycling duty. For OEM vehicles where the battery is sealed inside a compartment and not serviceable, DMF is the correct choice.
For applications where the battery is in an accessible location (telecom cabinet, solar power room, floor scrubber), DZF is acceptable and slightly cheaper. For in-vehicle sealed compartments, DMF is mandatory.
How to Choose Between Adjacent Capacity Models
Within each size group, the capacity models share the same footprint and differ only in plate count and electrolyte volume. The decision rule is simple:
- Lowest cost: Choose the lowest Ah model in the group. Same footprint, less plate, less cost.
- Best cycle life: Choose the highest Ah model in the group. More plate = lower depth of discharge at the same load = longer cycle life.
- Best value: Usually the middle model (6-DMF-23 or 6-DMF-35 or 6-DMF-52). Slightly more cost than the lowest, but 30–40% longer cycle life.
For an OEM making a daily-commuter e-bike with a 50 km range target, the 6-DMF-32 is usually the correct value choice — sufficient capacity at the lowest price point in the medium size group. For an OEM making a cargo e-tricycle with a 100 km range target, the 6-DMF-58 is the correct choice — maximum capacity in the large size group.
Pricing Across the Capacity Ladder
| Capacity | 1,000 units | 5,000 units | 10,000 units | 20,000 units (40HQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-DMF-21 / 22 / 23 / 24 | $6.50 | $6.10 | $5.75 | $5.40 |
| 6-DMF-32 / 35 / 38 / 40 | $9.20 | $8.65 | $8.15 | $7.65 |
| 6-DMF-45 / 52 / 58 | $13.40 | $12.60 | $11.85 | $11.15 |
Within each size group, the unit price is the same across the four capacities — for example, the 6-DMF-21, 22, 23, and 24 all share the same price tier. This means the OEM does not pay a per-unit price premium for higher capacity within a size group; the price difference is only between size groups.
Lead Time and MOQ
Standard 6-DMF production orders run on a 15-day lead time for orders under 5,000 units and 25–30 days for full container loads. MOQ is 200 units per model for standard SKUs. CHISEN accepts mixed-capacity orders across the series at the same total MOQ — for example, you can order 500 × 6-DMF-24 + 500 × 6-DMF-32 + 500 × 6-DMF-45 as a single 1,500-unit order, with the 15-day lead time applying to the entire order.
A 20GP container holds approximately 5,000–9,000 units depending on model; a 40HQ holds approximately 12,000–21,000 units. DDP terms are available for the United States, Germany, and the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix DMF batteries of different capacities in the same series string?
No. Mixing different capacity batteries in a series string forces the smaller batteries into over-discharge, which destroys them quickly. Always use identical capacity models across the entire series string.
What is the warranty on the DMF series?
12 months from B/L date for manufacturing defects. Warranty does not cover improper charging, deep discharge below 10.5V, physical damage, or operation above 60°C ambient.
Can DMF batteries be shipped by air?
Yes. CHISEN’s DMF batteries are sealed and pass the IATA DGR test (UN 2800 Special Provision A67). Air freight certificates are available with every shipment.
Do you provide custom dimensions?
For orders over 20,000 units, CHISEN can produce a custom-dimension DMF variant to fit a specific vehicle tray. The tooling fee is $8,000–$15,000 depending on complexity, and the lead time is 60–75 days. For most customers, one of the standard 11 DMF capacities fits their tray without modification.
What about BMS integration for the series string?
CHISEN supplies cells only for OEM packagers; the BMS is sourced separately by the pack assembler. For 24V systems, use a 7S BMS (for 6 × 2V nominal cells or 2 × 12V batteries). For 48V systems, use a 13S or 14S BMS. CHISEN can recommend BMS suppliers (Daly, JBD, ANT) for customers who do not have an established BMS source.
Ready to select the right 6-DMF capacity for your e-bike or e-scooter program?
📧 Email: sales@chisen.cn
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