How to Charge an Electric Bike
If you have an electric bike, you’ve likely realized how invaluable it has become on your commutes. Even if you simply own an electric bike for leisure, you know full well that it will not work unless the electric bike battery is properly charged.
How to charge an electric bike:
- Remove the battery pack from the e-bike.
- Turn the battery switch off.
- Connect your charger to the battery pack.
- Plugin the charger that came with your bike into a mains outlet.
- Turn on the plug to begin charging.
It should be noted that some electric bikes allow you to keep the battery on your bike and charge from there.
It seems simple enough; however, like most of our electronic items these days, there are ways to optimize battery life as well as improve the overall lifespan of the battery itself. There are a number of factors to be considered beyond simply plugging and unplugging your battery pack.
The Basics of an Electric Bike Battery
The basic principles required to charge the battery on an electric bike will be relatively universal, while each manufacturer will have slight nuances and differences.
When you first get an electric bike, take the time to read through care instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure that you are getting the most out of your bike’s life.
Charging Equipment
When you first get your electric bike, there will be charging equipment included. Your specific bike will have instructions to identify how to use and charge your bike. Charging equipment you can expect will be:
- Battery pack with the bike battery inside
- Battery bay to connect the bike to the battery
- Charger consisting of the power supply with two slots
- Two cables to connect to the power supply
When to Charge Your Electric Bike Battery
The majority of electric bikes will have light indicators to tell you whether your bike needs charging or if your bike is now fully charged. When your bike runs out of power or the battery is getting low, the light will turn red, and when the battery is done charging, the light will turn green.
For the majority of electric bike models, the indicator light on the battery will blink in some fashion while it is being charged.
Once the red light indicator has illuminated, you will need to remove the battery from the bike bay. Be sure to turn the battery off before you connect it to the power supply. The power supply itself will then need to be attached to the mains outlet.
After it has charged for the appropriate amount of time, which will vary according to the bike, the light will turn green, and you can reattach it to your bike’s battery bay.
Depending on the brand of electric bike you own it can take anywhere between 2 to 7 hours to fully charge the battery. It should also be noted that for most of the time you won’t need to charge your battery after every single ride.
Ways to Improve Battery Life
While the act of charging your electric bike’s battery is relatively simple, there are some do’s and don’ts to consider in order to improve the overall life of the battery. Major things to keep in mind when charging your battery include:
- Don’t charge a battery for longer than 12 hours
- The battery will last longer if you keep it between 20% and 80%.
- Be sure to charge your battery on a regular basis
- Do not let the battery get too cold or too hot (50°F –77°F // 10°C–25°C).
- Don’t charge the battery for too long
- Do not store your battery when it is empty
- Store your battery on a flat, hard surface
- Make sure battery is clean from dirt, grime, or water
Charge Brand New Battery for Proper Time
When you first get your electric bike, the battery will likely not be charged at all or at least not fully. So, when you first go to ride your bike, be sure that the battery has been charged according to the user manual before the first use.
This first initial charge is critical in the overall life of your bike’s battery.
Having a long initial charge pushes an electric current throughout the cells of the battery that are vital in keeping the battery flowing throughout its life. So, in order to get the most out of your electric bike, give it a good charge before you take it for a ride.
Charge Battery on a Regular Basis
It is generally not recommended to let your electric bike battery be completely drained before each charging.
Most electric bikes are equipped with lithium chemistry batteries that have the best performance with regular use. Now, keep in mind that when you regularly ride your bike, that means that your battery will also regularly need to be charged.
Do your best to try and charge the bike battery when it gets between 20-60% capacity remaining in order to avoid full battery discharge.
It is okay to allow the battery to go completely dead every once in a while to allow for a full system charge, but the battery will last longer if you don’t allow it to fully drain every time.
Keeping the battery at a slight charge before charging allows some of their cells to retain a longer life cycle. Depending on the distance that you ride your electric bike, it may be good to simply get into the habit of charging your bike battery after each ride.
Keep Battery at Moderate Temperature
As we may know from using our smartphones in extreme heat or extreme cold, the batteries can die rather quickly. This is also an important factor when it comes to your electric bike battery.
This is important both when you are charging the bike’s battery and when you are riding or storing your bike, allowing a prolonged life of the battery both in the short and the long term.
While the outside riding temperature is hard to control, you can sometimes more easily control the temperature when you are charging the battery or storing your bike.
Optimal temperatures are between 50-77 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, that is not always possible. The general rule of thumb is to be sure that the battery is not charging or stored in temperatures below freezing or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoid Overcharging
The initial right out-of-the-box battery charging will be much longer than your usual charge time. All other charge times will be much shorter, and the battery should be kept off of the charger once it has reached a full charge.
Avoiding an overcharge will become easier as you learn how long the battery usually takes to charge, but as long as you don’t leave the battery sitting on the charger for a day or more, it should be okay.
Most electric bike batteries will take somewhere between 2-7 hours to fully charge.
The primary reason overcharging can be an issue is due to the fact that when left on the charger beyond full capacity, the battery can begin to drop it’s charging capacity in order to continue the recharge. This can create a cycle of small battery discharges of up to 5% that would require the charger to recharge the battery over and over again.
In the long run, this will be detrimental to the battery life as the battery will never again be able to reach a completely full charge, it will likely begin to end it’s charging cycle around 95%. This shortens the life of the battery as well as shortening the efficiency while riding your bike.
Do Not Store an Empty Battery
It is best to avoid storing a dormant bike battery at all as electric bike batteries function best when they are used and charged on a regular basis. However, if you have to leave for a trip or maybe are just taking a break from riding, be sure not to store your bike battery when it is empty.
The optimal range to store a battery for any period of time is between 30-70%. If you choose to store an empty battery, it will become increasingly more difficult for the battery to not only charge, but it will no longer hold a charge for as long as it used to.
Factors Impacting Electric Bike Battery Range
The model and manufacturer of your electric bike will impact the battery life and battery range. Some higher-end electric bikes will have a display screen that indicates how much further you can ride on your bike with the charge, where others just have a light indicator from green to red.
No matter the indication marker on your electric bike battery, it will be important for you to not only know the average range of your bike, but also the other factors that impact your bike batteries range.
Weight You’re Transporting
The overall range of your bike battery will be impacted by the amount of weight the bike is moving. This will include the weight of the bike, your weight, and the weight of anything else you’re carrying (i.e. a backpack). This can also include a small wagon or trailer if you are hauling small children.
The more weight that the battery has to move forward, the harder it is working. This means that the heavier the transporting conditions are, the faster your battery will be drained.
Hey, I’m Tyler. I’ve been cycling mad ever since I was knee-high to a bike pump. True story. I once cycled for a week from California to Mexico just to get some tacos. The tacos were OK, but I’m not sure they were worth the chafe. Anyway, if you’re into cycling in any shape or form then come on in and take a look around.
Can You Overcharge An Electric Bike Battery?
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide a great way to get around without relying on fossil fuels. E-bikes popularity also grew to unprecedented levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With new technology comes new systems. Charging an electric bike battery is a key part of keeping your e-bike in good working order, so it’s important to know how to do it correctly.
What Is an Electric Bike Battery?
An electric bike battery is a rechargeable battery used to power an electric bicycle. It helps provide the pedal power needed to make the bike move. Electric bike batteries come in various sizes, shapes, and voltages, so you’ll need to choose the right one for your e-bike.
Types of Electric Bike Batteries
Electric bike batteries come in several types. Lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, and lithium-ion are the options at your disposal. Each type of battery has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s pivotal to choose the right one for your needs.
Lead-Acid Electric Bike Batteries
Lead-acid electric bike batteries are among the most common batteries used in e-bikes. They are typically cheaper than lithium-ion batteries but also have some disadvantages. These include:
- They are heavier than lithium-ion batteries.
- They have a shorter lifespan than lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-Ion Electric Bike Batteries
Lithium-ion electric bike batteries are a popular type of battery on the market. They have several advantages over lead-acid batteries, including:
- They are lighter than lead-acid batteries.
- They have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries.
- They provide more power than lead-acid batteries.
Nickel-Cadmium Electric Bike Batteries
Nickel-cadmium electric bike batteries are another type of battery that is available. Some of the outstanding features of nickel-cadmium batteries include:
However, there are some disadvantages to using nickel-cadmium batteries, such as:
Nickel-Metal Hydride Electric Bike Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride electric bike batteries bear similarities to nickel-cadmium batteries but do not contain cadmium. As a result, they are less toxic, but because they contain nickel, they still need careful disposal.
Is It Possible to Overcharge an E-Bike Battery?
Now that we know a bit more about electric bike batteries, let’s answer the question: can you overcharge an electric bike battery?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to overcharge an electric bike battery. However, it is not often something that will happen if you accidentally leave your battery plugged in for too long.
Instead, overcharging most often occurs when there is a problem with the battery charger.
How Do You Overcharge an E-bike Battery?
Rechargeable batteries are designed to cycle off and on as they charge and discharge, which helps to protect the battery from overcharging.
When a battery overcharges, it receives too much voltage for too long, which can damage the battery.
There are several ways an electric bike battery can overcharge. These include:
- Using a charger not designed for the battery
- Using a charger with the wrong voltage
- Leaving the battery plugged in for too long (less common due to the battery’s built-in protective measures)
- Charging the battery in extreme temperatures
Can Overcharging Damage an E-bike Battery?
Regular overcharging of batteries can cause several problems.
Reduced Battery Capacity
Overcharging can reduce the capacity of your battery, meaning it will no longer be able to hold as much charge.
Why does this happen? When a battery overcharges, chemical reactions may occur inside it, breaking down some of the materials and reducing its capacity.
Increased Battery Temperature
Overcharging can also cause the battery to heat up. When a battery is overcharged, it produces more heat than it can dissipate, which causes the temperature to rise rapidly.
Although rare, fires have resulted from overheated e-bike batteries. As you can imagine, the damage can spread to more than just your battery. It may also damage the bike itself.
Sulfation
Sulfation is a process that occurs when lead-acid batteries overcharge, resulting in a build-up of lead sulfate on the plates inside the battery. In turn, the battery capacity reduces.
Decreased Battery Life
How is battery lifespan defined? Battery lifespan is the number of charge/discharge cycles a battery has. Overcharging a battery can shorten its lifespan by reducing the number of cycles it can go through.
A complete charge cycle occurs when a battery is charged from empty to full and discharges back to empty. When a battery overcharges, it goes through partial charge cycles, which can shorten its lifespan.
Caring for an Electric Bike Battery
It is imperative that you take care of your electric bike battery if you want it to last. There are a few simple things you can do to extend the life of your battery and keep it in good condition.
Storage
How you store your battery has an impact on its lifespan. You should always keep your battery in a cool, dry place.
Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or near any heat source. Heat can cause chemical reactions inside of your battery and damage it.
You should also avoid storing your battery in a completely discharged state. Make a habit of it, and the battery capacity will reduce.
If you need to store your battery for a long time, it is best to keep it at around 50% charge.
It is good to recharge the battery every few months to keep it in good condition.
Charging
It is essential to use the correct charger for your battery. Using a charger not designed for your battery can damage it. Make sure you always use the charger that came with your bike or one specifically designed for your battery.
It is also important to avoid overcharging your battery. As we have seen, this can damage the battery and reduce its lifespan.
Always follow the instructions that came with your charger and stop charging when the indicator light turns green.
When charging the battery, ensure it is done in a cool, dry place away from flammable materials. You should also avoid charging the battery in extreme temperatures as this can result in permanent damages.
How To Make E-Bike Battery Last Longer
There are several ways you can extend the life of your e-bike battery and keep it in good condition.
The Right Mode in the Right Moment
It is important to use the right mode when riding your bike. For example, if you only ride for a short distance, it is best to use the low or eco mode. These modes exist to help preserve the battery and make it last longer.
Riding in the Right Conditions
You should also try to avoid riding in extreme conditions, such as in very cold or hot weather. Extreemes can put a strain on the battery and reduce its lifespan.
Storing the Battery Properly
We’ve already talked about how important it is to store your battery properly. Remember: cool, dry, and halfway charged.
Regular Maintenance
It is also good to regularly maintain your electric bike and its battery. Clean the bike and check the tires. You should also check the battery regularly to ensure it is in good condition.
Do Not Overload Your Bike
You should also avoid overloading your bike. Too much weight will strain the battery and reduce its lifespan. If you need to carry a lot of weight, it is best to use a trailer or cargo rack.
Checking Battery Health
It is important to check the health of your battery regularly. Do so by checking the voltage with a multimeter. If the voltage is below 36V, it is time to replace the battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We can help!
An electric bike battery’s lifespan depends on several factors, including how it is used and stored. With proper care, an electric bike battery can last several years. Store it in a cool, dry place, avoid extreme temperatures, and regularly clean the bike.
When in use, it is best to charge your electric bike battery every few months. If you are not using your bike regularly, it is still a good idea to charge the battery every few months to keep it in good condition. It is of utmost importance that the charge cycles are completed properly to avoid damaging the battery.
You’ll need to check the voltage with a multimeter. If the voltage is below 36V, it is time to replace the battery. Another way to tell if your battery is dead is if it will no longer hold a charge. If your battery can’t maintain its charge, you won’t be getting very far!
Your battery has a built-in charging system that will shut off when the battery is fully charged. Therefore, leaving your electric bike battery charging overnight is relatively safe, but if you can
Conclusion
Overcharging an electric bike battery is not recommended as it can shorten the battery’s lifespan. It is important to understand the proper way to charge your battery and how to care for it properly.
By following these tips, you can extend the life of your electric bike battery and keep it in good condition.
Jason Hawkley is a biking enthusiast, which is a nice way of saying he’s a total nerd when it comes to bikes. One day while mountain biking through the woods in New Hampshire, the idea came him to create Our Streets as a way to share his biking passion with you.
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E-Bike
Samsung SDI, the Total Battery Solution Provider
Samsung SDI’s high-capacity and high-quality cell technology enhances the mobility of E-Bike with its differentiated design and performance.
Product features
It’s the perfect cell solution for an E-bike
Extend driving distance Samsung SDI provides high capacity 3.5Ah (35E) cells for E-bikes. High capacity cells such as 3.5 Ah improve the driving distance of the E-bike and provide convenience to the customers.
Enhance design flexibility Samsung SDI’s high capacity 3.5Ah (35E) cells enable the design of battery packs with less number of cells but with the same capacity. Using the lighter and slimmer battery packs, the customers will be able to develop E-bikes with varied and differentiated designs.
Improve safety and quality Since the cells in E-bike battery packs should be connected in serial-parallel, cell balance is one of the most important factors determining the product quality.Samsung SDI’s superb cell balance technology contributes to the uniform quality of the packs and driving units, and ultimately to the quality of the E-bike. Our batteries help to provide E-bikes with reliable quality to the consumers. As a testimony to their outstanding quality and safety, Samsung SDI’s Li-ion battery cells are preferred by high-end E-bike makers and driving unit companies that lead the E-bike market.
Product specifications
Cells with specification different from the above products can be provided upon customer’s request.
Cells with specification different from the above products can be provided upon customer’s request.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Get to where you need to go faster and easier than on a regular bike. Depending on how you choose to ride, you can travel without significant effort at up to 20mph on some bikes and even up to 28mph on others.
- Climbing hills is a breeze. and we aren’t talking about the breeze from huffing and puffing.
- No sweat. Even though you can ride much faster, you won’t feel like you have to take a shower once you are there.
- Safer. That might seem counter-intuitive, since you can go faster than on a regular bike, but you also get an easier start from stopped positions, allowing you to get through an intersection steadier and quicker. When climbing steep hills with cars nearby you can FOCUS more of your energy on controlling the bike instead of propelling the bike.
- Easier on those joints. Use the electric assist to ease the pressure on your knees and hips.
- Staying together. You may have a riding partner that rides at a different pace than you. An e-bike can even out the pace for both of you.
- Ditch the car. The convenience, the ease and the speed of an electric bike make it an alternative to an automobile more often than a regular bike. A study by Portland State University shows that e-bike owners ride more frequently and farther than when they relied on their traditional bike. This was the case for all age groups.
- It’s FUN. Just try one and you’ll see. Or catch a friend coming back from their first test ride with a big smile on their face.
Do I need a license?
No. As long as the e-bike has a motor size of 750 watts or less (1000 watts in Oregon) and is programmed so that it can’t go more than 20mph without pedaling, there is no need for a license. No electric bike sold by Cynergy E-Bikes requires licensing. FYI – you must be at least 16 years of age to operate an e-bike in public places.
Where can I ride my e-bike?
First and foremost, make sure your bicycle with an electric motor is classified as an e-bike. The definition of an e-bike and rules on where to ride will vary state by state. For federal land the rules vary depending on the branch of government. For the most complete resource, check out PeopleforBikes.org
For Oregon, you can ride an e-bike on:
- Any bike lane on the street.
- Shared use paths that are reserve for bicycles and pedestrians
- For state parks, you can ride on paved trails that allow bicycles, but check with the individual park’s management for their rules for unpaved trails. It varies from park to park.
- Any trail where motor vehicles are permitted, such as unpaved forest service roads.
In Oregon, you must be at least 16 years old to ride an e-bike on public property. While most states have motor wattage limits of 750 watts, Oregon’s limit is 1000 watts.
- National Parks – opportunities are expanding, but check with the park.
- Bureau of Land Management trails – the trend is to allow e-bikes wherever non-electric bikes are allowed, but we advise you to check with BLM office that manages that trail.
- U.S. Forest Service – opportunities are expanding, but check with the Forest Service.
- Another resource for finding mountain bike trails where e-bikes are allowed is People for Bikes nationwide EMountain Biking Map.
What about theft?
As best as we can determine, e-bikes don’t get stolen with any more frequency than non-electric bikes. That’s most likely because people tend to lock them up better and because a bike thief needs to get a charger and a battery key to make the bike truly saleable.
The best ways to protect your bike from theft are:
- Get a high-quality bike lock. Cable locks are way too easy to cut. High-quality u-bolts and folding locks are better.
- If you are parking your bike in your garage, lock your garage. It’s probably the #1 location we’ve seen bikes get stolen from.
- When in public, lock your bike in a visible location.
Do I need special insurance?
Check with your insurance company. Some insurance companies do not treat e-bikes as bicycles, so you may need to get a rider added to your homeowners/renters insurance for theft protection. You can also check with two bicycle specialty insurers – Velosurance.com and Spokeinsurance.com.
Aren’t electric bikes heavy?
As one of our customers told us, “E-bikes might be heavy to lift, but they are heavenly to ride.”
Electric bikes are typically heavier than regular bikes. But the weight of any bicycle (electrical or non-electrical) is felt the most when climbing hills. The electric assist on an e-bike makes up for the additional weight many times over. Where weight does matter is if you need to lift the bike. That’s one of the many reasons why e-bikes are favored over electric scooters, which often weigh 150 pounds or more.
If you have to climb several flights of stairs to store your bike, we strongly suggest finding a more accessible storage location.
CHARGING, BATTERIES RANGE
Do electric bikes recharge when applying brakes or going down hill – like a hybrid car’s regenerative braking?
It’s rare and the concept doesn’t work very well. A few models of electric bikes include a feature to recharge the battery, usually while you are braking. In those cases the range of the battery can be extended 5-10%, while adding several hundred dollars to the cost. However, due to the design of the motors that provide regeneration, you’ll often find that the bike is harder to pedal if you are using the bike with the power off.
What is the range I can get from a single charge?
The biggest factor contributing to your range is whether you pedal or just use a throttle without pedaling, along with what level of assist you use. Cynergy E-bikes is a strong proponent of the synergy cynergy resulting from combining human pedal power with electric power, so we’ll tell you the expected range when you do both. With relaxed pedaling expect 22-50 miles on a single charge for most e-bikes. In some cases you’ll go even farther. We have bikes that are getting 80 miles on a single charge. Range will also be impacted by the battery capacity, the hills, wind and your size. Many electric bikes pedal easily as regular bikes. So you can extend the range even further by using little or no power on level surfaces and down hill.
How long does it take to charge an e-bike battery?
A lithium ion ebike battery that is fully depleted will take 3.5 to 6 hours to recharge. Batteries that still have a partial charge when you start charging will take less. In addition, the last hour or so of a charge is used to “top-off” the cells, and you don’t have to wait for that process to be completed. So some batteries can be 90% charged in 2.5 hours or less.
How many charges can I get out of a battery?
Most e-bike batteries sold in North America are lithium-ion, which will provide a minimum of 500 full charge cycles at which point the battery will hold about 80% of its original capacity. Some batteries can deliver up to 1200 charge cycles. If you recharge the battery when it is only 50% depleted, that counts as only 1/2 of one charge cycle. If you usually use your e-bike in pedal-assist mode, combining both pedal power and electric power, you can expect to go 10,000-30,000 miles before replacing your battery. That is a lot of miles on a bicycle.
How much electricity does it take to charge a battery?
Depending on the capacity of the battery, it will usually take 500-800 watt hours (0.4. 0.8 kilowatt hours) to charge the battery. Assuming a rate of 0.10/kWh, it will cost you 5-8 cents for a charge that will last you 20-80 miles.
MOTORS, SPEED PERFORMANCE
What is the difference between Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric bikes?
This system of classifying electric bikes is being adopted by several states as a means of regulating electric bikes. The classifications are as follows:
- Class 1. is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling (thus no throttle), and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 2. is a bicycle equipped with a throttle that can propel the bike up to a maximum of 20mph with the rider pedaling, and may also have the ability to achieve up to 20mph with the rider assisting, without the use of a throttle.
- Class 3. also known as a “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
For all classes, the maximum power output is 750 watts (1 h.p.).
Several states, including our neighbor to the north, Washington, have adopted regulations that use this class system. Our home state, Oregon, has not yet done so.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this classification system is how some states are treating Class 3 e-bikes. While these bikes are permitted in bike lanes on streets, they can be restricted from shared use paths, such as those in parks and “rails-to-trails” paths that are designed to be shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
Should I buy a bike with a mid-drive motor or hub-motor?
They both have their benefits. Hub motors tend to be a little easier to operate if you are a less experienced cyclist, because they require less shifting of gears. Mid-drives tend to get a little better range for equivalent battery capacity, because you’ll get more efficiency by shifting. While theoretically you get better hill climbing with a mid-drive, you’ll usually find both types will climb just about any hill.
Finally, it’s usually easier to change a rear tire with a mid-drive.
But the real test of determining which type of motor is best for you is to ride both and compare.
What’s the difference between a cadence-sensor and a torque-sensor?
With a torque sensor, the power that is delivered is increased in proportion to the amount of pedal force the rider is applying. So as you pedal harder, the motor automatically delivers more assist. As you reduce pressure, you get a little less assist. It’s essentially amplifying whatever power you are applying to the pedals. You have multiple levels of pedal-assist, with each level representing a higher or lower amplification of your own power. A torque-sensor can feel more like riding a conventional bicycle than a cadence-sensor. It also tends to deliver power smoother.
A cadence-sensor, perhaps more appropriately called a crank-sensor, delivers a uniform amount of assist at each assist level, regardless of the amount of pressure you are applyng. It is activated just by getting the crank turning. Because a cadence-sensor is not reading your pedal pressure, the power delivery is not quite as smooth or “bike-like”. But it’s fairly easy to adapt your use of the controls to smooth out the power delivery. Some people prefer a cadence-sensor because it tends to provide a great sensation of power without applying much pedal pressure.
The best way to know which type of pedal-assist is right for you is to try them both.
How fast can an electric bike go?
If you are pedaling, you can go as fast as you are able to pedal it. However, most bikes stop providing electric assist while pedaling at 20 mph (Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes). Some will provide assist going at speeds up to about 28 mph (=45 kilometers per hour – Class 3 ebikes.)
How important is motor wattage? (also. I’m really big, so don’t I need a 1000-2000 watt motor? or. I want to go fast, so don’t I need a lot of wattage?)
The benefits of a high wattage motor are very overstated. A street legal e-bike in Oregon can go only 28mph, and only 20mph unless you are pedaling (and we recommend pedaling). You’ll be able to get that with even some 250 watt motors.
With a properly designed e-bike and e-bike motor, you’ll find that you get far more power than you need with 500 watts or less. There are many 250 watt motors that deliver as much torque as motors that are 500 watts or higher. The design of the motor and the gearing of the bike are far more important than the wattage of the motor.
Higher wattage correlates with higher power consumption, so using a higher wattage motor means you’ll need a bigger battery to go the same distance. The most expensive part of your e-bike is the battery, thus a larger motor, requires a larger battery which leads to higher cost.
As for hauling a lot of weight, we have several 300lbs customers that do fine at 250-350 watt motors.
Can I ride an e-bike as a regular bike. without the electric power?
Yes. And it is easy to switch back and forth. For example, you might want to use the power only when you are going up hills.
Do I have to pedal?
It depends on the bike. Some electric bikes sold in North America allow you to operate by simply turning the throttle without pedaling. Europeans have stricter rules, requiring that you pedal. which we support. If you think you’ll get by without pedaling, think again. Even for e-bikes that have a throttle, you’ll need to pedal when going up long, steep hills, although you won’t have to pedal hard. Pedaling is more fun, extends the range of your battery, extends the life of your motor, and extends your own life too.
SERVICE
Is servicing an e-bike any different than a regular bike?
Look at an e-bike as being comprised of two groups of parts – mechanical and electric.
- Mechanical parts are the same parts that you’ll see on non-electric bikes. Servicing mechanical parts can be performed at any bike shop. You might find that your bike parts might wear a little faster than on a non-electric bike – especially brake pads, chains, cogs and tires. But that’s because most people put many more miles on their e-bike. There is some basic maintenance that you can do on your own, like keeping your tires properly inflated and lubricating your chain. For some basic bike maintenance tips, check out our recommended maintenance videos.
- The electrical parts don’t require any maintenance. If you do run into a problem with an electrical part, you’ll want to go to a shop that has some expertise in servicing e-bikes. While not really a maintenance task, you do want to make sure that the battery keeps some charge in it. If you don’t, it might discharge to a point so low that you can’t charge it anymore, thus killing your battery – an expensive mistake to make.
Cynergy E-Bikes has a complete service department for both mechanical work and electrical work, with expertise servicing electrical parts for from many different e-bike brands.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
How much will I reduce my carbon footprint if I use an ebike instead of a car?
Our favorite question! In Oregon, which depends on hydropower and wind more than coal and gas, it takes the carbon footprint of over 60 e-bikes to equal the carbon footprint of one single occupancy, gasoline-powered car. In states that depend more on coal, it might be around 20-30 e-bikes compared to one car. No matter how you calculate it, even though an ebike uses electricity that might come from fossil fuels, the amount of CO2 emitted compared to a car is miniscule.
What about leaving my electric bicycle out in the rain?
The motor and battery are sufficiently sealed to be protected from the rain. However, we do suggest that if you are carrying your bike on the back of a car and rain is in the forecast, that you place the battery inside the car. Driving 70mph in a downpour with the battery exposed is like pressure-washing your battery. That’s a lot different than riding your bike in the rain.
Which 18650 battery is best for an e-bike?
There are a lot of different 18650 batteries on the market, and it can be tough to know which one is best for your e-bike. In general, you’ll pay attention to a battery’s capacity (mAh rating), discharge rate (C rating), and compatibility with the e-bike’s controller.
In this article, we delve into the 18650 battery in more detail, battery specs, and how to identify the best 18650 battery for your e-bike.
What is a 18650 Battery?
A 18650 battery is a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged. The 18650 designation comes from the physical dimensions of the battery, which are 18 mm in diameter and 65 mm in length. The 0 represents the cylindrical shape of the battery.
18650 is one of the most common types of lithium-ion batteries. They are used in a wide variety of devices, including laptops, vapes, flashlights, and light electric vehicles.
Light electric vehicles such as e-bikes prefer 21700 and 18650 batteries.
How to Choose the Best 18650 Battery for Your E-bike
When choosing battery packs for your electric bike, you’ll want to consider the main factors:
Capacity
The capacity of a battery is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). The higher the mAh rating, the more energy the battery can store. A higher capacity lithium-ion rechargeable battery will give you a longer range on your bike. A higher capacity also means that the battery will take longer to charge.
Continuous Discharge Rating
The discharge rate of a 18650 battery for an e-bike is measured in terms of continuous current (C). A higher C rating means that the battery can provide more current for a longer period without being damaged.
Higher Continuous discharge ratings are important if you’ll be using your bike for high-performance applications, such as racing or off-road riding.
Compatibility
It’s important to make sure that the 18650 lithium-ion batteries you choose are compatible with your bike’s controller.
Other factors that can guarantee you a good pack of li-ion for your e-bike include:
18650 e-bike cell manufacturers
Some 18650 battery brands are better than others in terms of quality and performance including continuous discharge rating.
There are many brands of 18650 batteries from reputable manufacturers, such as:
Panasonic 18650 lithium-ion batteries are among the most popular on the market. They are known for their high quality, good prices, and performance.
LG Chem 18650 is also very popular. They are known for their high energy density and long life.
Samsung SDI
Samsung 18650 is common in laptops and other devices. They are known for their high quality and reliability.
Sony 18650 is also common in laptops and other devices.
CATL is known for manufacturing high-quality 18650 lithium-ion. They are among the best batteries on the market with good prices.
BYD is a Chinese battery manufacturer. They are known for their good quality and competitive prices.
Toshiba 18650 li-ion are also common in laptops and other devices. They are known for their high expectancy and more power.
A123 Systems
A123 Systems is known for its high-quality 18650 li-ion. They are used in a wide variety of applications, including electric vehicles, digital cameras, and vaping devices amongst other devices.
18650 battery chemistry
The chemical composition of 18650 batteries is very important in choosing a rechargeable battery. The chemical composition includes:
Each of these chemistries has its advantages and disadvantages.
Lithium iron phosphate (FePO4) is the most stable of the four chemistries. It has a very low rate of self-discharge and is not susceptible to thermal runaway. However, LiFePO4 has a lower energy density than the other chemistries.
Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) lithium battery comes with a high power density and good stability. It is one of the most popular battery types on the market. It is quite affordable with a low continuous discharge rating.
Lithium nickel cobalt magnesium oxide (NCM) batteries are the most popular type of lithium battery on the market. They are affordable, have a long cycle of life, and are very stable. NCM is available in a variety of voltages, ranging from 3.6 volts to 4.2 volts.
The 18650 e-bike battery voltage
18650 batteries come in a variety of voltages. Your choice of 18650 e-bike battery voltage will ultimately depend on the voltage of your bike.
The e-bike battery voltage you choose will also affect the amount of power your bike has. A higher voltage battery will give your bike more power, while a lower voltage battery will give your bike less power.
Features of the 18650 battery packs for e-bike
Some 18650 batteries come with built-in protection circuits Multi-function Protective Circuit Board (PCM). PCM is used to protect the cells from overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, and short circuits.
Overcharging protection: When the cell charging voltage reaches a certain voltage, the charger will stop supplying current to prevent overcharging.
Over-discharge protection: When the cell voltage drops below a certain voltage, the device will stop using the cell to prevent damage from over-discharging.
Overcurrent protection: If the current exceeds a certain A, the PCM will shut down the circuit to prevent damage from overcurrent.
Short circuit protection: If a short circuit is detected, the PCM will shut down the circuit to prevent damage from a short circuit.
Cell balancing: The PCM will equalize the voltage of all the cells in the pack to prevent one cell from being over-charged or over-discharged.
Temperature protection: The PCM will shut down the circuit if the temperature gets too high to prevent damage from overheating.
Your budget
The price of an ebike battery can vary depending on the brand, capacity, discharge rate, and other features. Choose the battery that fits your budget and needs rather than just an expensive battery.
The durability of the 18650 battery for the e-bike
The 18650 should be of high quality and durable. This will save you money in the long run as you will not have to replace it often.
The battery should also be able to withstand extreme temperatures and maintain the bike’s power. This is important as the battery will be exposed to different weather conditions.
The Tritek 18650 e-bike battery pack can withstand temperatures as low as.20 degrees Celsius and as high as 60 degrees Celsius. This makes it a great choice for those who live in areas with extreme temperatures.