If you have an e-bike, you know that battery life is a big part of moving your e-bike. If the battery dies, the bike won’t go anywhere. It is therefore essential to take good care of your battery and charge it correctly.
To help you take care of your electric bike battery, I share with you 9 battery charging tips that will tell you everything you need to know. Follow these tips because I need to make sure your e-bike battery lasts a long time!
Each type of battery has its own duration
E-bike battery life expectancy is mainly determined by the battery type. The most commonly used batteries are:
- lithium batteries: tend to become widespread and may hold up to 1000 charge cycles, or even more for the latest Lithium Iron Phosphate models
- nickel batteries: expect around 500 cycles
- lead batteries (on first-generation electric bicycles): expect around 300 cycles
Make sure the seller has a minimum two-year warranty as required by law. Also, consider the health of your battery. If you notice that it drains faster after a few months, it’s probably a manufacturing defect.
Tip #1: Don’t ever let the battery drop to 0%
Batteries work best when their charge level is always kept between 20 and 100%. Whenever the battery level drops to 0, the maximum battery life decreases. This means that if you want to stay on the road as long as possible each shift, it is best to try plugging it in when the battery reaches 20% charge, so you can be sure that the next time you unplug it, you are above the top 80%.
Tip #2: Charge your battery to nearly full, and charge it overnight
When you charge it to 100%, make sure you use it as soon as possible so it doesn’t stay at full capacity when not in use. Bolt bikes take an average of 6-8 hours to charge, so try to schedule the battery charge to be fully charged as soon as you’re ready to hit the road.
Tip #3: Take every opportunity to top up the battery
Take a break after your lunch rush. Grab a quick bite before dinner. Make it a habit to carry the battery and charger with you and find a place to plug them in. Charging the battery for even an hour here and there can extend the delivery time.
Tip #4: Manage battery life
A large 17Ah battery will last around 3 hours when used at full speed. This is perfect for a quick night run and for maximizing your earnings during a promotional period.
If you’re looking to extend your shift, switch to medium speed and the battery should last 6-8 hours before recharge. So your schedule might be:
Option 1: Travel at full speed for 3 hours during the lunch rush between 11 and 2, recharge the battery and then go out again for the dinner shift from 6 to 9.
Option 2: Drive at medium speed during the night shift, 5 pm to 11 pm.
Tip #5: Don’t blow a fuse!
A critical factor with batteries and their chargers is making sure you connect and disconnect the charger correctly. You do not want to turn on the charging block when unplugging or plugin, so please turn off the power (socket) first, then plug in or unplug the battery to charge. The incorrect operation could cause the charger to break, leaving you without a working electric bike, until you can get a new charger.
Tip #6: Buy a second battery charger to keep at work or school
Instead of stressing about not having enough charge to get home from work or school, buy an additional charger that fits your battery. Leave the charger at work or in your backpack or briefcase in case you need to recharge it to go home.
Buying an additional charger from Amazon will cost you between $20 and $100 instead of the additional $500 or more for an extra battery!
Tip #7: Test your electric bike battery if it is not charging
If you have any doubts or concerns about the quality or battery life, you should give it a try. You don’t want to get stuck on a trail or commute long distances without a working battery (electric bikes are heavy to ride and push without one).
Before testing your bike battery, please charge it fully. Make sure it is unplugged from your electric bike. Then connect a voltmeter or multimeter to both sides of the battery. This way you will get a voltage reading which can confirm your suspicions that the battery is malfunctioning.
However, if you find that there is no problem with the battery, you may want to check the bike controller.
And, if you get sparks or feel an electric shock, turn off the battery and ask your electric bike manufacturer for help. While they can be expensive, it’s worth buying a new one (Amazon) if yours is making you nervous.
Tip #8: Keep the bicycle battery away from water
Never charge the battery near or in water. This will cause buildup and eventually corrosion which could lead to a short circuit! If charging space is limited, you can connect the charger to an extension cable. It is best if the original outlet is near a sink, toilet, or shower.
If there is any chance of precipitation while charging the bike battery, cover it with something like a plastic bag or tarpaulin before attaching anything. It may seem like a waste at first, but if rain hits even one cell, all cells are affected and can greatly reduce the potential lifespan!
Tip #9: Super important tip: check the battery level after every ride
Check the battery charge before and after each trip:
-Check it first to make sure you have enough energy to go the planned distance.
-And watch it later to determine if you’ll need to charge it before your next trip and to make sure it hasn’t run out below 30% if you don’t use it for a while.
I hope these tips for charging the electric bike battery were useful to you
Follow these 9 tips to keep your electric bike battery charged and ready for use whenever you’re ready for use. These charging tips should also help you take the best possible care of your battery so it lasts as long as your brand manufacturer says … or maybe even longer!
