Series-connected battery packs, system and method

A power system comprising:

• a first battery pack including a first plurality of battery cells;
• a second battery pack including a second plurality of battery cells;
• and
• a battery power device operable to provide an output voltage to a motor, the battery power device including
• a housing defining a first support operable to support the first battery pack, and a second support operable to support the second battery pack,
• a circuit selectively electrically connecting the first battery pack and the second battery pack in series, the circuit including
• an output terminal to provide the output voltage to the motor,
• a first bypass portion operable to selectively electrically disconnect the first battery pack from the circuit, and
• a second bypass portion operable to selectively electrically disconnect the second battery pack from the circuit, and
• a boost converter electrically connected to the circuit and operable to boost a voltage at the output terminal, wherein boost converter is controlled to boost the voltage based on a characteristic of the motor.

A method of powering a motor, the method comprising:

• selectively electrically connecting a first battery pack and a second battery pack in a circuit in series, wherein the first battery pack includes a first plurality of battery cells and the second battery pack includes a second plurality of battery cells;
• providing an output voltage at an output terminal;
• boosting a voltage at the output terminal;
• receiving, at the motor, the output voltage from the output terminal;
• and
• when one of the first battery pack and the second battery pack reaches an end of discharge condition, selectively electrically disconnecting the one of the first battery pack and the second battery pack from the circuit
• wherein the voltage at the output terminal is boosted based on a characteristic of the motor.