From the moment of purchase we haven’t been told how to charge e-bike correctly. It takes just a few steps but are they the right ones to take? Apart from discussing the proper charging process, we will tell you how to prolong your battery’s life.
We won’t stop there. We will explain factors that affect e-bike battery lifespan, so you can control them and protect your bike. We’ll also tell you how to charge ebike battery without charger. At the end of this article, you should have all the necessary information to charge your e-bike. So, keep reading!
As hinted above, e-bike battery charging is a process; you don’t just pull out a charger from anywhere, plug it into a power outlet, and connect it to your bike. Charging ebikes doesn’t work that way. So, how do you charge an electric bike? That’s what you’re about to find out.
Even though a manufacturer typically determines how to charge an e-bike, some universal guiding principles won’t fail you. Whether you’re learning how to charge Bosch ebike battery or any other brand’s battery, these principles will work for you.
Step 1 – Find the e-bike battery pack key
A new electric bike has a battery pack where the machine’s battery sits. This pack is typically locked to prevent theft. So, it comes with a key that you must find to get the battery out. The key is usually inside the accessory box or connected to the hand bar.
Step 2 – Remove the e-bike battery
Unlock the battery pack with its key. Then, remove the e-bike battery. As a rule of thumb, your e-bike battery should not be on during charging. Charging an inactive battery will help you charge faster.
Ideally, the cathode releases lithium ions to the anode Trusted Source How Does a Lithium-ion Battery Work? | Department of Energy How does a lithium-ion battery work? Find out in this blog! www.energy.gov during charging. The opposite happens when the battery is on/discharging. When you leave the battery on during charging, you let both chemical interactions happen simultaneously. The result is a longer charging time. So, we recommend switching off the battery before charging.
Note: Some e-bikes let you keep the battery on your machine and charge from there. So, read your manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Step 3 – Find your e-bike battery charger
Your e-bike will come with a battery charger. Find the charger and get it ready to work.
Step 4 – Plug the battery charger into an electrical outlet
Next, plug the charger into an electrical outlet. You should make this move before connecting the charger to your e-bike’s battery. The action prevents a spark that can harm your charger or battery sockets.
Step 5 – Plug your charger into your e-bike battery
Place your e-bike’s battery on a clean surface (don’t use a metal surface). Then, remove the rubber cap covering the battery’s charging port and plug the charger into the battery. Once you connect the charger to the battery, a LED will light up to indicate that the battery is charging. The indicator is usually a red light that turns green when the battery reaches full charge.
We can’t talk about how to charge electric bike battery without mentioning charging equipment. Here are the tools you need to charge your e-bike:
Beyond charging your e-bike, you need to be concerned about your safety and the battery’s protection. We advise that you read the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure proper maintenance. Charging your bike’s battery correctly keeps you and your battery safe. Below, we will highlight general safety tips you should keep in mind:
There are times you need to charge your e-bike. There are times you don’t need to. You should be able to identify these times to protect your battery’s life. Generally, e-bikes sport light indicators that tell when your machine needs charging. You’ll likely see a red light when the battery is running low. The red light is your cue to charge the battery.
You’re probably wondering, how long does it take to charge an ebike? Frankly, there is no specific charging time. The duration depends on the battery capacity, charger type, and manufacturer.
It’s not enough to learn how to charge your e-bike; you must work to prolong the battery’s life. That includes learning how to charge ebike battery to 80 percent and not overcharging it. Below, we will discuss various moves you can make to protect your bike’s battery.
Temperature is a significant factor that affects any battery’s life Trusted Source Optimal operating temperature of Li-ion battery Several battery technologies exist amongst other available electric energy storage technologies for both large and small-scale energy storage applications. Lead-acid and Li-ion batteries are presently the two most widely used battery storage technologies for small scale applications. www.researchgate.net . So, you can’t ignore it if you want to protect your e-bike’s battery life. You must track battery temperature regularly and ensure it’s well within the optimal condition. Bosch, a top manufacturer in the e-bike industry, recommends temperatures between 50° F – 68° F (10° C – 20° C).
Essentially, ensure that the room temperature is not too hot or cold while charging your e-bike’s battery. The same precaution applies to storage.
Just as leaving your laptop’s battery uncharged will ruin it, storing an empty e-bike battery will shorten its life. This might even make the battery too weak to hold a charge. If you’re traveling or taking a break from riding, ensure that you charge the battery before storage. The optimal battery life range for storage is between 30% – 70%.
You need to charge your e-bike battery regularly to keep it in the proper condition. Don’t let the bike’s battery run out of power entirely before each charging. We recommend recharging your bike after each ride. Also, try to recharge your battery immediately after it indicates low power.
Overcharging is a common problem with batteries. You should not overcharge your e-bike’s battery because doing so can cause the battery to overheat and shorten its lifespan. Although there’s no universal charging time, most e-bike batteries take between two to seven hours to charge fully. Also, always look out for the full charge indicator.
Now that you know how to prolong your e-bike’s battery life, let’s discuss some factors that spoil battery life.
The riding style is perhaps the most decisive factor affecting battery lifespan. How much you use your battery’s electric aid and how much you pedal to propel yourself will directly impact your battery life. Relying too much on electric assistance will deteriorate your battery faster than usual.
Another part of your riding style that influences battery lifespan is your speed. The higher your speed, the faster your battery will die.
Invest in a powerful bike if you want to be immune to these conditions. It doesn’t even have to put a hole in your pocket. You can find the best electric bikes under $1500 without any hassle.
Cargo weight is another factor that impacts battery life. The amount of weight you’re moving, including the bike’s weight, your weight, and what you’re carrying, will exert pressure on your battery. The amount of pressure on your battery is up to the overall weight. You can take lighter weights to reduce the rate at which your battery life drains.
Moreover, cargo weight won’t threaten the best electric bikes for hunting because they typically boast higher weight capacity than regular bikes.
Weather conditions can spoil your e-bike’s battery too. As already discussed, certain temperature conditions can mess with your battery life.
Any temperature lower than 50° F or above 70° F is unsuitable for your bike.
However, weather conditions might not be a problem for the best electric gravel bikes because they are designed to withstand rough situations.
If these conditions ruin your battery, you should invest in a high-quality replacement. Many buyers consider the X-go 36V Ebike Battery a strong candidate. It comes with an 18-month warranty and has a life expectancy of five years.
There’s a likelihood that we’ve not answered all your questions. We’ll answer some more questions below.
Place the new battery on a clean surface that’s not metal and turn it off. Then, plug the e-bike’s charger into the electrical outlet. Next, connect the charger to your battery and turn on the switch. Since it’s the first time charging the battery, keep it charging for up to 12 hours. This long charge makes current flow through all the cells, properly conditioning the battery for use.
Charge your e-bike after every low battery indicator. Moreover, lithium batteries struggle to hold their charge if left for long without charging. So, if you’re not riding for an extended period, we recommend charging the battery at least once a month.
If you can’t figure out how to charge an ebike battery off grid, here’s how to charge ebike battery with solar panel. Connect between 100 and 200 watts of solar panels to an inverter. Then, power your e-bike charger with the inverter. If you want to charge the bike at night, add a 50Ah lithium phosphate battery and a solar battery charger to the party.
Without question, a lot of work goes into charging an electric bike. It’s even more challenging if you’ve never charged an e-bike before. But the charging process is not complicated as long as you follow the simple steps. Also, adhere to safety precautions to protect you and your battery. Additionally, follow our tips for prolonging your bike’s battery life.
Ultimately, we believe this step-by-step guide on how to charge e-bike has given you the insight you need. If you haven’t decided on an e-bike to buy, you might want to consider the Ecotric 350W Peacedove City Electric Bike. According to most reviews, this bike offers stable, comfortable rides, and it boasts three levels of support and a powerful motor that reaches a top-assisted speed of 20 mph.
