How to charge and maintain your electric bike battery efficiently
The service life of an electric bike battery is an essential factor in getting the most out of your electric bicycle. In this article, we’ll give you tips and tricks on how to charge an electric bike battery correctly and optimize its lifespan.
The importance of a full first charge
It is vital to charge the battery to 100% before using it for the first time. This first full charge has a significant impact on the battery’s performance and lifespan.
The role of the first load
An initial full charge balances the individual cells in the battery. This ensures an even distribution of energy between the cells and avoids imbalances that could lead to premature battery degradation. Forbatteries sold with our electrification kit, we recommend a full 100% charge every 10-20 incomplete charge cycles.
How do you charge your electric bike battery?
The charging process is straightforward, but you should follow a few recommendations to ensure optimal charging and preserve the life of your battery.
Loading stages
- Use the original charger supplied by the manufacturer. Generic chargers may not be suitable for your specific type of battery, and may damage it.
- Switch off your electric bike before charging.
- First connect the charger to the mains, then plug it into the connection socket on your battery.
- The charger’s indicator light will generally show the charging status (red for charging in progress, green for fully charged).
- When charging is complete (green light), disconnect the charger first from the battery, then from the mains.
Precautions to be taken during charging
- Charge your battery at room temperature and avoid extreme temperatures (very cold or very hot).
- Do not expose your electric bike to direct sunlight or moisture during charging.
- To avoid overcharging, do not leave the charger permanently plugged in.
Optimize charging frequency to extend battery life
Optimum charging frequency may vary according to manufacturer and battery type. However, here are some general tips for keeping your battery in good health.
When should you recharge your battery?
We recommend recharging your battery when its charge level reaches around 20-30%, or even after each outing. This avoids a deep discharge that could damage the cells.
How long does it take to recharge your battery?
We recommend recharging your battery to 80-90% to improve its lifespan. This will increase the life of your battery by 2 to 4 times! To avoid overcharging the battery, simply set a timer for a 3-hour charge, for example, if your 540Wh battery was at 30% (with a 2A charger). The other option is to use a timer-controlled socket to switch off the load automatically.
Calculating charge duration is easy! Your 2A charger on a 36volt battery charges around 72Wh per charging hour, so multiply the charging time by 72 and you’ll get the charge you need. Compare this value with the total capacity of your battery (540Wh or 360Wh for our batteries).
The consequences of overloading
Overloading can cause an increase in the internal temperature of the cells, leading to rapid deterioration in their capacity. To avoid this, do not leave the charger connected for longer than necessary. Our batteries and chargers are protected against overcharging, but malfunctions can occur, so never leave a battery charging unattended (at night, for example).
Storing your electric bicycle battery
Proper storage of your battery is essential to prolong its life and ensure optimum vehicle performance.
Storage precautions
- Store the battery in a dry place away from moisture.
- Protect it from extreme temperatures and wide temperature variations.
- Do not store the battery completely discharged. It is recommended to maintain it at 40-60% of its capacity.
The ideal storage temperature
The ideal temperature for storing an electric bicycle battery is between 10 and 25°C.
How do you check your battery’s state of charge?
Most electric bikes are equipped with an electronic management system that allows you to view the current charge level on a display or indicator light. Please refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for further information.
Key factors for optimum life of your electric bicycle battery
To sum up, here are the essentials for optimizing the life of an electric bicycle battery:
- Carry out an initial full charge
- Use original charger
- Take precautions when charging
- Adapt charging frequency according to use
- Correct battery storage
- Regularly check the state of charge
- Keep your battery charged between 20% and 90%.
Rigorous, regular maintenance of your battery is crucial to prolonging the life and performance of your electric bike. By following these tips, you’ll help preserve your vehicle’s autonomy and reliability over the long term. Have a nice trip!
