How to make the most of your electric bike battery

An electric bicycle is essentially an ordinary bicycle with a motor, a display, and a battery added. Ordinary electric bicycle users can hardly affect the service life of the motor and display, but the battery is within our control. It is our "power" (pun intended) to take steps to keep the battery in its best condition in the next few years. A well-maintained battery will bring greater range and performance, and extend the time it takes to replace the battery. The exact approach varies from brand to brand, so always follow the battery manufacturer’s guidelines.

How Often to Charge

The charging frequency of electric bicycle batteries is usually lead acid, lithium ion (Li-ion) or nickel metal hydride (NiMh). The most popular electric bicycle batteries today are lithium ion because of their weight, cost and power. But a characteristic of lithium-ion batteries is that they degrade over time, and the longer they stay at higher voltages, the greater the loss. Specific practices may vary from brand to brand, but there are some best practices:

l Plan to charge the battery every few weeks

l If you don’t plan to ride for a long time, please avoid charging to 100% and keep it fully charged

l Do not discharge it completely to zero-it is best to recharge when the remaining power is between 30% and 60%

How to charge

If you can store your bike in a powered room, just plug the charger into a standard electrical outlet while the battery is still on the bike. If not, make sure your bike is designed to allow you to easily remove and reinstall the battery so that you can charge it from the bike.

Battery usage

The manufacturer gives a very different range for the distance that can be traveled after charging, usually 25 to 100 miles, so how do you know the actual battery usage time when you are out riding? The range depends on the rider's weight, wind, tire inflation, temperature, slope and other factors. These factors may not be affected in the short term, but you can control how many motors are used. Most electric bicycles have different levels of assistance, and the more assistance you use, the faster the battery will drain. If your bicycle has a gas pedal, you can push the bicycle without pedaling, which consumes a lot of battery power. When traveling long distances, be sure to manage the amount of assistance you use so that you have enough power to return and are not forced to step on a heavy bicycle without assistance.

To maximize your mileage on a single charge, follow these tips:

l Maintain a constant rhythm over 50 rpm

l Use gears to maintain a stable performance-when you start climbing, your first action should be to slow down

l reduce weight

l Avoid frequent start and stop

l Use tires at the maximum recommended pressure

The battery is waterproof, not waterproof. You can ride in the rain, and your battery can withstand drops, splashes, and drizzle. You can store the battery outdoors. But long-term exposure to water can cause problems. Do not immerse the battery in water, and do not use an electric washing machine to clean the bicycle.

Battery storage

l Store in dry conditions, ideally 32-68 degrees Fahrenheit and no more than 86 degrees Fahrenheit

l Keep it neither fully charged nor fully discharged, ideally 30-60%, especially if you don’t plan to use the bicycle for a while.

l Prevent extreme heat above 140 degrees and cold below 14 degrees

l Store at room temperature in winter, do not install on the bicycle before use

Battery replacement

According to the management method, the lithium battery can be charged approximately 1,000 times. As the battery ages, the voltage decreases with battery performance. This will translate into slower acceleration and overall speed. This indicates that it is time to replace the battery with a new one. The price of a new battery is between 500 and 900 US dollars.

Battery safety

l Remove the battery from the bicycle before transporting or repairing the bicycle

l Do not open the battery because there is a risk of fire and damage to the casing seal, which will also invalidate the warranty.

With good management, your electric bicycle battery will enable you to go further, faster and easier than ever before.