Every cyclist wants to get maximum satisfaction from riding an electric bike and tackling long and challenging cycling routes. To achieve this, the condition of all components of the bike must be perfect. But there is one very important component that directly affects the functionality of your e-bike. This component is the electric bike battery. Before each ride, it is essential to ensure that it is well-charged, especially if you are going to ride far. After reading this article to the end¸ you will know how to charge an electric bike.
What do I have to do to charge my battery?
To do this, you need to detach the special battery pack from the electric bike and turn the battery switch off. After that, you need to connect the charger to the e-bike’s battery pack and plug it into a power outlet. Turn on the plug to begin charging and let the battery charge for 3-6 hours.
As easy as this action may seem to you at first glance, there are certain things to take into consideration to ensure that your electric bike’s battery is effectively charged. You can also use methods to extend the electric bike’s battery life and performance without putting a lot of effort into it.
You don’t need to do any specific steps to charge your e-bike. It’s as easy as charging your smartphone.
Your electric bike battery includes three parts:
- A plug that attaches to a mains outlet;
- The housing, which is designed to protect and cool the electronics;
- The adapter attaches to the charging port.
If you want to charge your e-bike, install the plug into the main outlet and the adapter into the e-bike’s battery. The charge level is shown on your bike’s display.
Modern models of electric bikes have removable e-bike batteries. They are removable with just a push of a button, which makes recharging the e-bike’s battery very convenient. This way, you can quickly remove and install the battery. You don’t have to keep your e-bike close to the charging source, which is a huge advantage.
How long does it take to charge the electric bike battery?
Normally, it takes 3 to 7 hours to fully charge the electric bike battery. But to calculate the exact time, you need to know the battery size and battery capacity.
For example, it takes about 3-6 hours to fully charge a lithium battery. By comparison, a lead-acid battery needs about 10 hours to fully recharge.
Such differences are due to the unique nature and amazing properties of the lithium battery, which can accept an electrical charge at an enormous rate to provide a faster charge.
In addition, charging a more durable battery with a higher capacity takes much longer. Also, the charge time is affected by the device’s service life. The newer it is, the faster it will charge.
It is impossible not to mention the influence of the charging cable on the charging time. It is necessary to supply the right amount of charge to prevent electric bike battery breakdowns.
Typically, the charging cable that is supplied by the manufacturer of the electric bike is not known for fast charging. But certain electric bike chargers can provide a full charge and still reduce the time of this process. Operating a super-fast charger can seriously damage the battery and even burn it. You should keep this disadvantage in mind if you are going to buy a charger separately.
The voltage of the power supply also affects the charging time. The higher the voltage, the faster your battery will be charged.
How will I know if my battery is fully charged?
Most E-bike batteries come with an LED indicator light installed that displays a red light. Typically, this indicator lights up when the e-bike battery is fully discharged.
This indicator begins to glow yellow or orange when connected to a charging source. This flicker indicates a successful charge. When the bike is fully charged, the light indicator will begin to flicker green. Electric bike owners should take the battery off the charge at this time to avoid overcharging.
How else can I charge my electric bike?
Theoretically, any electronic device can be recharged with both electric and solar power supply.
To recharge the battery of an electric bike from solar power, you need to do the following steps:
- connect the solar panels to an inverter, which can be purchased at a specialty store;
- connect the e-bike battery inverter to the battery of the electric bike;
- connect the panels to the charge controller;
- check the battery indicator or display to see if the recharging process has begun.
How do I charge my electric bike if I’m not at home?
So you don’t have to worry about your battery running out when you go somewhere far away on your e-bike, you need to:
- Take a charging cord on the road with you wherever you go. These gadgets do not take up much space and can easily fit in any bag, backpack, or pocket. That way you can always recharge your battery wherever you go. All you need to do is find a mains outlet and plug your battery into it;
- If you find yourself in an awkward situation where your battery is dead, you can visit an electric bike store and recharge your battery there;
- Find a station that recharges electric cars and charge your electric bike there;
- Use the car’s charge to recharge your electric bike;
- If you often ride in places where there are no nearby electricity or e-bike supply stores, take an extra battery for your e-bike with you (depending on the e-bike, you can swap multiple batteries or attach a second battery). This action will ensure that you can ride long distances without having to worry about your battery running out at any time.
How to charge an electric bike safely and correctly?
Before you charge your new electric bike for the first time after purchase, read the instruction manual. This will better understand your battery type, capabilities, voltage, and charging time. You should also be sure to read the rules prescribed by the manufacturer so you know what not to do.
The following recommendations will help you extend the battery life:
- Follow the rule of thumb of using only the charger recommended by the manufacturer and avoid using third-party chargers that don’t fit your battery;
- Devices designed specifically for your electric bike model provide the perfect electrical charge for your battery. For the future, this gives you the ability to save power reserve and overall operating time for your battery;
- A cable that provides a fast third-party recharge may reduce the charging time, but at the same time will seriously damage your electric bike’s battery;
- Do not leave your electric bike unattended while it is charging. Be sure to keep your battery away from flammable objects, especially for electric bikes with lithium batteries;
- Do not charge an electric battery that is damaged in any way. Fuel that may leak from the instrument’s exposed battery cells can easily ignite and cause an explosion. Check the battery thoroughly after it has been dropped, even if it appears to be in good condition.
Learn more about how to safely charge your ebike.
What if I need to ride long distances?
There are a few smart tricks that will allow your electric bike to ride long distances.
The first, and easiest thing you can do to increase the battery range, is to reduce the level of assistance. If you put too much effort into it, it tells you that your battery doesn’t need to do that and will last much longer.
Also, use the right gears given the road situation you find yourself in. Shifting gears will give you a softer ride that requires minimal energy expenditure. For example, if you’re heading for a traffic light and don’t change gears until you get there, you’ll need to put in as much effort as possible to move out of the way. This in turn will drain your battery quickly.
Also keep in mind that as you pick up speed, there is a need for power. That is, the faster you travel on the road, the faster your battery will drain. To avoid this, you can apply high gears and less power when you’re speeding.
What driving factors affect battery recharge levels?
Most electric bikes are equipped with lithium chemistry batteries that have the best performance with regular use. Anyway, It will take some time and the capacity of your battery will be different. The battery life depends on the charging cycles. At the same time, the negative effects of extremely high or low temperatures can significantly reduce the battery life of an electric bike battery. Too low a charge also has a negative effect on the battery’s condition. Stick to a 40-80% charge and your battery will last a long time.
If it’s too cold or too hot outside, the battery will use more energy and will drain much faster in these weather conditions. In more comfortable conditions, the battery lasts much longer.
When you’re riding on hills or you have a strong wind blowing toward you, the electrical components of the bike will be working harder, you’ll have to recharge the battery after every ride you take.
The terrain has a huge impact on your range. When you’re regularly trying to move or stop climbing hills, or even navigating a soft road, the battery will need more power and will work harder.
One of the best ways to gauge your path in terms of battery range is to think of a route on a traditional electric bike. The harder you navigate the terrain, the more power your battery will need to expend.
How long will my electric bike battery last?
Most electric bike batteries are rated for 500 full cycles before the battery loses more than 80% of its battery capacity. Some batteries are rated for 1200 charge cycles.
Pedal-powered e-bike owners can expect the battery to last between 10-30,000 miles, which is a pretty serious distance for an electric bike.
Learn more about the battery‘s life here.
How can I take care of my e-bike battery?
Store your battery in a temperature range of 0 to 40 degrees. If you store your electric bike in the garage, think about how warm it is.
Keep water out of your electric bike. Think about whether the place where you store your bike is prone to flooding.
Use only the charger that works for your bicycle, and do not use a third-party device to recharge it. There are times when neglecting this rule leads to fires and battery damage.
Conclusions
The electric bike battery is easily removed and recharged with electricity within a few hours. If you are far from home, you can recharge your electric bike at an electric car charging station. You can also use workshops or carry a car battery with you.
To ensure that the electric bike batteries are protected from serious damage, you need to think about the right charging mode. Protect the bike’s battery from extremely low and high temperatures and moisture.
Also, do not overcharge the battery of your electric bike. Doing so will cause the battery to self-discharge to approximately 95% of its capacity. The charger will try to resume it to 100%, which in turn may create a weak charging cycle and lead to battery failure. Use a reminder on your mobile device to remember to unplug the battery.
FAQ
How can you charge an electric bike?
Disconnect the battery pack from your bike and make sure it is turned off. Connect the battery charger to the power supply and charge the battery.
Can you charge electric bikes at home?
Yes, of course, you can charge your electric bike at home. It is very easy to do this because most models of electric bikes have removable batteries. To recharge the battery, you need to remove it from the bike and plug the power supply cable into an outlet.
Can you charge an electric bike by pedaling?
In theory, it is quite realistic to charge the electric bike battery by pressing the brakes and pedaling. However, in practice, this process is quite complicated and inefficient. To achieve your goal, you will need to spend a whole day riding!
How much does it cost to charge your E-Bike battery?
Tips for charging electric bikes
If you want your electric bike’s battery to last a long time, follow proper battery charging practices:
– it is recommended to charge a new battery pack within 12 hours. The first long charge will ensure that your e-bike battery is in good condition;
– charge the battery systematically. Most electric bikes are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. They have a longer service life if used and charged regularly. Do not allow the battery to run out completely;
– most electric bike batteries require not just regular recharging but also use. Therefore, it is a good idea to go outside and ride your bike after each charge;
– to prolong the battery life, do not ride on hot days, as extreme heat can damage it;
– stay close to where you are charging your bike;
– do not leave the battery charging for more than 13 hours;
– avoid overcharging the battery, as this may severely reduce the efficiency of the electric battery;
– do not store for long periods the e-bike empty battery. Keep the charge at 40-80% of full capacity.