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Tips and tricks on how to properly handle your e bike batteries
As we enter a world of technology dominated by electronic devices, people tend to acquire things that make their lives a bit easier. For one, transportation has always been burdensome not only for people who rely on the public transportation system but even for private vehicle owners.
On the other hand, as an alternative mode of transportation, a traditional bicycle has a perfect build that can get through heavy traffic but won’t be an efficient choice for the main reason that it’s literally exhausting. Luckily, developments have been made to make almost everything electronic or electric-powered, including a regular bicycle.
An electric-powered bicycle goes by the names; electric bike, electric bicycle, e-bike, or ebike. Whichever name you prefer to use, an electric bike has a promising potential that can change the whole game of cycling and perhaps the world.
What is an Electric Bike?
An electric bicycle is a motorized bicycle. It has three essential parts, which consist of the electric motor, battery, and the display & control system. Each one plays a significant role in making sure that you get the best of your e-bike.
An electric bike motor gives you an extra boost while you pedal. There are also e-bikes that have throttle controls that you can use exclusively to propel even without pedaling at all.
The display and control system of an electric bicycle lets you see information about your e-bike, the battery, how far and how fast you’re going, and many more. The display system can come in two variants, either an LCD screen or an LED display. Both are useful in controls, navigation, and estimating the capacity of your e-bike battery.
Lastly, the most important and expensive part of an electric bicycle, the battery. It basically serves as the heart that pumps or supplies the electric energy to the e-bike motor that consequently powers the whole electric bike.
When the e-bike battery runs out of charge, you can still use it through its fully operable pedals, but the weight you’ll be carrying is going to be heavy, and riding it without electric pedal assistance will be much more challenging. So technically, without the e-bike battery, an electric bike won’t feel like an electric bike at all.
Importance of an e-bike battery
Electric bicycles make use of rechargeable batteries that allow them to travel as far as 40 miles or 60 kilometers in just one full charge. Most electric bikes have batteries of the type Lithium-ion. This is the most popular and optimal choice for an e-bike battery because not only is it handy but it can also store an incredible amount of power.
While a few electric bikes still make use of lead-acid batteries that are larger and heavier, all e-bike batteries serve the same purpose of delivering electric energy to the motor. The electric energy that the battery provides is transformed by the electric motor to mechanical energy in the form of the electric pedal assistance. The battery is somewhat the life of an e-bike. It brings life to all the e-bike’s key components and gives you the most out of your electric bike.
However, an electric bike battery has its own limitations. Truth be told, no matter how expensive your e-bike battery might be, it’s still prone to accidental damages, and of course, it will still reach its designated life span.
The time will come when your e-bike battery’s efficiency will decline, and soon you won’t be able to use it for your rides any longer. When an e-bike battery's effectiveness falls off, it means that the energy it had stored escapes faster than when it was still new. Whether you’re regularly using it or not at all, chances are your e-bike battery will still wear out.
Knowing how expensive e-bike batteries can be, as much as possible, you want to ensure that it lasts longer and does not incur any damages. The importance of an e-bike battery does not only depend on its price but also on its functionality in the electric bike, and upon knowing both of these, you’d want to take care of your e-bike battery in the best way that you can.
E-bike battery care
If you are here because you’re planning to save and take care of your e-bike battery as much as you can, then congratulations because you are perfectly in the right website! There really are things we’re willing to go the extra mile for so they could stay and serve us for a longer period of time. An e-bike battery, for that matter typically lasts for 3-5 years when taken care of properly. Protecting and prolonging the life of your e-bike battery is our utmost concern here. So get ready with your pen and paper, or just try to keep in mind the following tips and tricks on how to properly handle your e-bike battery.
The service life of an electric bike battery is affected by many factors:
- The overall weight that your e-bike has to carry affects the life of your e-bike battery as well. Lighter load adds life to your battery while heavy weight from the rider and his/her cargo weighs down your electric bike and may require heavy-duty performance from the electric bike battery.
- Using the brakes, starting, and stopping your electric bike frequently may take a toll on your e-bike battery
- Overcoming steep and difficult terrain requires a greater amount of power from the motor hence your e-bike battery must provide the same load of energy. Sticking to a flat and smooth surface can extend your electric bike battery range.
Charging tips
- Make sure to always use the charger and adapter that came with the electric bike battery originally. Use what is specifically designed for your e-bike battery. This will ensure efficient and fast charging and will avoid short circuits or any mismatch in the level of current flowing in.
- For a new e-bike battery, it is best to charge it for up to 12 hours to ensure that current flows through every single battery cell in the battery pack.
- Charge your battery regularly. You must also use your e-bike battery regularly in order to charge it regularly. Experts say that although fully discharging your e-bike battery once in a while is good, charging it when it reaches the range of 30-60% would be better.
- After a short or long ride, let your e-bike battery cool first before plugging it in to charge and do not use it immediately after recharging.
- Always charge your e-bike battery up to 100% and don’t overcharge it. It would be best to charge your e-bike battery at a dry condition with room temperature.
Storage tips
- NEVER store an empty charged e-bike battery. Check your e-bike battery manual for the recommended discharged state before storing it.
- Store it in a safe, cool, and dry place. If possible, make sure to store it with a cushion all around.
- For Lithium-ion batteries, whether being used frequently or not will still wear out over time, so storing it in general is not recommended.
Cleaning tips
- An e-bike battery stores electrical energy and we all know that water and electricity do not mix well so washing and fully submerging your e-bike battery in water is a NO-NO!
- Use a damp cloth to wipe all dust and dirt from every corner
- Applying a little amount of grease to the plug terminals once in a while is good.
Management tips
- If the budget permits a complete electric bike kit would be best to ensure your electric bike and its battery are well taken care of.
- The health status of your e-bike battery can be checked using a diagnostic unit provided by your e-bike battery’s manufacturer.
The Do’s and Don’ts
After knowing the detailed guides to taking care of your e-bike battery, it’s time you should also know the exact Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to taking care of your e-bike battery. There are many things you should do and much more things you should not do to ensure your e-bike battery’s safety. Both of these are crucial in both the performance and longevity of your e-bike battery. Make sure to take note of these Do’s and Don’ts before you head out there and parade your electric bike because what’s better than having a cool-looking electric bike is a well performing, perfectly efficient electric bike battery.
DO’s
- Store your e-bike battery in a cold and dry place
- Cleaning it with a damp cloth is enough
- Let your e-bike battery cool down before charging it
- Always use the original adapter and charger specifically designed for your e-bike battery
- Always try charging it to 100%
DON”Ts
- Do not leave the battery near a heat source
- Do not expose it to extreme temperatures
- Never completely drain the battery
- Never submerge it in water when cleaning
Summary
Now that you already know the dos and don’ts in handling an e-bike battery, it’s time to check up on your beloved e-bike battery! Having sufficient knowledge in taking care of your e-bike battery can save you a hundred to thousand dollars from battery replacement.
As you have seen, it’s not that hard to give your e-bike battery some extra love and care. You just have to make sure that you strictly follow these simple guides, and you’ll be perfectly good to go anytime.
Keeping all these tips in mind can help you prolong your e-bike battery’s life and prevent it from suffering any accidental damages. Treat your e-bike battery as if it’s someone close to your heart, with love, care, and respect.
Treat it like a princess or a queen because, at the end of the day, an e-bike battery is not just the most expensive part of your electric bike, but it is also the heart of it. Without it, you will not be able to maximize your electric bike’s full potential. So always keep your e-bike batteries safe and sound after every use.
If you haven't gotten your own electric bike yet, don't worry because we got you covered! Here are the Best Electric Bikes so have a look!