E-Bikes are very much in fashion these days. The heart of the E-bike is its battery. These are great devices storing a lot of energy in a small space. If looked after properly, these things can last a long time, but you need to take care of them on and off your bike. So here are a few tips on how you can maintain the health of your battery.
Keep That Battery Charged
First things first, there’s a lot of time which must’ve passed between the battery first being activated and it finally reaching you. So, the first thing you would want to do is get that battery on charge. Lithium batteries are best kept fully charged even after a short little ride. If you regularly flatten that battery, it’s really going to struggle to hold a full charge. A vital tip would be to not keep the charger plugged in for hours and hours even after it’s fully charged. As soon as that battery is topped up, remove that charger! A real nice way of doing that is by using a plug-in timer. Setting it to 4-5hours will fill your battery with ample charge.
If you’re using that battery in the winter, the best thing would be to bring it in and charge it at room temperature. Some batteries won’t even charge at below-freezing temperatures or when it’s too cold. Using a battery sleeve to cover your battery will help it maintain its core temperature.
For the best overall health and lifespan, it won’t be a good idea to stick that battery in for charge as soon as you get back from a ride. It is advised to give your battery a “Cooling period” after a ride and before putting it on charge. Just give it around half an hour to get back in the run of things then stick it back on.
How Do I Clean It?
People fear getting their batteries wet while cleaning it. Little do they know, there is little danger from a wet battery. Actually, the battery is one of the most waterproof parts on your E-bike. Most of them have an IP-67 rating, which means it can be fully submerged in water without any damage.
Keep an eye on the contact points. If they become corroded or rusty, just give them a quick wipe with some electrical contact cleaner because it can cause problems connecting to the bike. The best way is to just wipe them down with a damp cloth. Do not get it too wet!
How Do I Carry It Around With Me?
What do you do when it comes to traveling with that battery? A lot of manufacturers recommend removing that battery before traveling. If it’s not compactly packed, there’s a high probability of your battery getting damaged. If you’re off to a bumpy ride, the sensible thing would be to wrap the battery tightly in a towel and stash in your backpack.
What Do I Do If It Gets Damaged?
You might notice a few screws, nuts, and bolts holding the cases of these batteries together, but whatever you do, DO NOT try to open these up! They are packed with extremely dangerous, highly flammable lithium powder, which can prove to be fatal. So, if you’re having a battery problem, take it to your dealer and get it sorted out.
If you’ve crashed or hit that battery hard somewhere, it’s likely that some of the cells must have gotten damaged, which can set off a chain reaction and screw the battery. It can heat up to extreme temperatures. So, if you’re suspicious about the battery in any way, take it to your dealer immediately.
How Do I Store It?
A lithium battery is best stored in a nice cool condition. Temperatures below -10 and above 60 degrees Celsius should be avoided. If you know you’re not going to be using your E-bike for a long time, it’s really worth thinking about how you’re going to be storing your battery. The best way to keep it is to keep it about 60%-80% charged and keep trickling it up a little every week to help keep the capacity levels in that battery topped up.
