Detectorguy
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When is the best time to charge a E bike battery, right after you rode the bike or let the battery rest for a while before charging ?
Charging a battery on ebike
- Thread starter Detectorguy
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I let mine rest for a minimum of 25 minutes before charging if i can't let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes before charging.
Detectorguy
Member
Thank you for the fast response. I put my battery on the charge after I let it rest for about 1 hour.
It seem that as I ride and coast the battery drops from 100 % to 97 %, but when I coast the battery goes back to 100 % . Is that normal for a battery to do that ?
It seem that as I ride and coast the battery drops from 100 % to 97 %, but when I coast the battery goes back to 100 % . Is that normal for a battery to do that ?
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Yeah that's normal. You're seeing the voltage drop from the motor and controller calling for more voltage.
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pagheca
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It depends if I need a full charge or not.
Usually, if I need a full charge, I try to charge it at the last moment - compatibly with my plan and convenience, of course - unless the charge is below 20%. In this way it is almost never below 20% and above 80%.
Usually, if I need a full charge, I try to charge it at the last moment - compatibly with my plan and convenience, of course - unless the charge is below 20%. In this way it is almost never below 20% and above 80%.
LightningP38
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For longevity of your battery, it is best to store it in a charge state of 20% - 80%. So I wait until the day before I need the battery to charge it up to 100%. While it would be better to charge it the day of use, it is not practical for me to do that, as I would have to get up early to plug in the charger.
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Freddy1
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I charge mine to around 80% straight after returning home. Then when I'm going to use it (and need 100% for the task its used for) stick the last 20% in at the last possible moment. That way its at 100% for the minimum practical time possible.
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pagheca
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I have the same problem. For that reason I plug in the battery a few hours before going to bed the evening before, and I unplug it before going to bed for safety reason. The problem is that sometime, like in this period of blazing sun and extremely high temperature, I have to change plans the day after, and the battery remain charged 100% for a few days.
The advice I’ve been given here in SW Florida for this time of year, because of the heat charge at night leaving enough time to take it off charger before bed.
Also, a common sense thing, plug charger into the wall first, then plug into charger into the bike, and reverse order when it’s done charging.
Also, a common sense thing, plug charger into the wall first, then plug into charger into the bike, and reverse order when it’s done charging.
LightningP38
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I have the same thing happen, but not a big deal in my mind. So, if my battery is rated to be good for 800 charges, and if I never charge it past 80% the night before a ride and finish charging it to 100% the morning of my ride, I should expect to get 800 charges over the lifetime of the battery.
So if I ride 50 times each year I have this battery, it could last me 16 years.
Now assume I always charge it up to 100% after every ride and the bike sits fully charged until I ride it again….what% loss will there be to those 800 charges, lets assume a 20% loss, or 800 - 160 = 640 charges vs 800. Or 3 years less of use, which would be 13 years. 13 vs 16 years. I have no idea if 20% loss is the right factor to use.
And my battery cost $600 or $60 a year for 10 years of use. Or $46 per year for 13 years. Bottom line…I am not going to lose any sleep over getting only 13 years service from the battery.
BUT, for off season storage for 6-7 months, I make sure it is not charged over 80%.
LightningP38
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I have been advised to plug the charger into the bike first, and then into wall. And reverse when unplugging. Something about not causing a surge when you plug into the bike with the circuit live.
Homeless by Choice
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I have been always taught to connect the charger to the battery and then the charger to the wall outlet. And as said by LightningP38 above, disconnect the charger from the wall outlet first and finally disconnect the charger from the battery. I also just googled the question and all the sources that I read stated the same procedure.
LeRoy
LeRoy
Actually on this "Charging Procedure" - the whole eBike Web Riders are Split 50/50. What can be mutually agreed - 1. YES after a ride ONLY charge a eBike battery when it has had time for the cells to cool back to room temperature. 2. If battery is removeable BEST to charge off-bike. 3. If battery is not removeable ALWAYS check that eBike is Switched Off - then the Chartging War : 50% plug charger to the wall 1st - wait few secomds for the charger to light RED - THEN smoothly plug into battery charge Port - the "Charger 1st brigade. 50% do the reverse "the Battery 1st Brigade" am a earnest and sincere Charger 1st guy.
Have seen both methods, from knowledgeable folks. I go wall plug first, then battery.
Something being missed on the sitting at 100% charge is not the reduced number of charges you get, but the permanently reduced range you get from time spent at 100%.
Something being missed on the sitting at 100% charge is not the reduced number of charges you get, but the permanently reduced range you get from time spent at 100%.
What do you thnk about using a programmable RC brushless motor controller in place of a traditional ebike controller with all the nonsense "features" on them?
Seems like a good idea, BUTT - A room-temperature battery can contain MORE WATTAGE than a battery which is very hot, or very cold. So, a fully charged battery, in the AC, taken out on a very hot day, may be dangerously overcharged.
Not likely to be a real problem here in SWFL, but for people in very cold climates, the capacity difference combined with a major temperature change can have extremely negative results.
Do let it cool down after a ride, but charging indoors is not really necessary. Not a big enough temp swing to be a major factor. Also the capacity drop for higher temps is less extreme than the drop for really cold temps.
Not likely to be a real problem here in SWFL, but for people in very cold climates, the capacity difference combined with a major temperature change can have extremely negative results.
Do let it cool down after a ride, but charging indoors is not really necessary. Not a big enough temp swing to be a major factor. Also the capacity drop for higher temps is less extreme than the drop for really cold temps.
I’m going with the philosophy of erring on the side of caution!
I bring my battery inside after the ride and store in a fireproof bag in an empty bedroom until the next ride!
When it NEEDS to be charged, I bring it in AFTER the ride, put it in the fireproof bag for a minimum of 2 hours.
As per manual, I plug into the battery first, then into the outlet, set my charger on a laptop cooler, zip the bag closed with just the wire sticking out!
Overkill? Probably, but I’d rather be safe than sorry!
I bring my battery inside after the ride and store in a fireproof bag in an empty bedroom until the next ride!
When it NEEDS to be charged, I bring it in AFTER the ride, put it in the fireproof bag for a minimum of 2 hours.
As per manual, I plug into the battery first, then into the outlet, set my charger on a laptop cooler, zip the bag closed with just the wire sticking out!
Overkill? Probably, but I’d rather be safe than sorry!
I’ve done a lot of research, being retired, and I’ve seen published articles by battery/electronic experts and I’ve seen a lot of contradictory opinions.
There’s only ONE thing that tells me for sure is that they TRULY don’t know, which is why I decided to probably’overkill’ and cover ALL bases!
My biggest concern is heat and fire!!
If I’m depleting battery life some, I can afford a new battery but don’t want to risk losing my home!
