The battery is one of the core components of an electric bicycle. It powers you and helps you ride. Therefore, if you do not properly maintain your e-bike battery, the battery may become damaged over time and require replacement. And for many people, the cost of repeatedly buying new batteries will be much higher.
For longer rides, proper battery usage is crucial. Here are some tips to help extend battery life.
1. Charge The Battery Regularly
Regular charging can extend battery life. So, should you charge your e-bike battery after every ride? Or should the e-bike be left plugged in at all times?
- If your e-bike battery is brand new, you should let it charge for up to 12 hours. This initial long charge will ensure that current flows through all the cells in the bike battery and will help condition the battery out of the box.
- The best time to charge your e-bike is before riding (about 30 minutes before).
- When charging the battery, always remember to connect the e-bike charger to the battery before plugging it into the wall power supply.
- The charging environment should be dry, clean, and at a suitable temperature.
- You should keep the battery charged when the battery capacity remains between 30% and 50%.
- Don’t forget to check the battery level after every ride.
- You should remove the battery from the bike every 1 to 2 months to keep it charged.
2. Don’t Overcharge
Never leave a battery plugged in or plugged in for more than 24 hours at a time, or the battery will overcharge and eventually become damaged. If a fully charged battery is left on the charger for a long time, the charging state will change to trickle charging, which will damage the rechargeable battery and shorten its service life. Therefore, the battery should be unplugged as soon as it reaches 100% charge.
3. Don’t Completely Drain The Battery
It is not recommended to completely drain the battery as this may damage the circuitry, gradually shortening its life and reducing its overall capacity. If you're going to leave your bike unused for weeks or months, it's best to store the battery indoors and maintain a proper charge level.
When the e-bike is not used for a long time, fully charge the battery and store it at room temperature. Keep in mind that e-bike batteries will discharge over time, even if not used. In this case, you should check the battery capacity every few days. If the battery gets low, keep it to charge again.
4. Use The Correct Type of Charger
Using the right charger is crucial to keeping your e-bike battery healthy. Using chargers designed for other types of batteries may result in reduced battery performance or even damage to the battery. It is recommended to use a charger specifically designed for your e-bike battery that has been tested and certified by the manufacturer. This will ensure your battery charges safely and efficiently and helps extend its life.
5. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
You should always avoid extreme temperatures, both when charging and in use. High temperatures can trigger chemical reactions in the battery, causing battery damage and even fires and explosions. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can also lead to reduced battery performance and safety. A battery's internal resistance increases as its temperature drops, meaning it requires more effort to fully charge. In cold temperatures, battery capacity is reduced and the battery drains faster.
6. Keep The Battery Dry
Keep your bike battery away from water and metal objects to prevent damage.
- Never place the charger near water. Moisture can corrode the internal components of the battery, causing leakage, overheating, or rupture and short circuits.
- Do not store it with metal objects such as keys or coins.
7. Safe Transport
When transporting on a rack or truck, always use the key to remove the battery from the bike frame and protect it with a waterproof cover.