A Guide To E-Bike Battery Maintenance Over Winter
As the weather changes and the temperature begins to drop, it’s essential to ensure you consider how this affects the battery on your e-bike. By following our simple advice, you can keep riding over the colder months without any drop in performance or range you would usually achieve.
Let’s start with why temperature can have such a significant effect on the battery. Nearly all e-bikes out there use a Lithium battery. We use a specific type of Lithium-Ion battery, namely Lithium Cobalt Manganese.
This particular type of battery has the lowest discharge rate of all E-Bike batteries, as well as boasting impressive charge cycles. This means it can comfortably be charged 1000 times without degradation, significantly more than many competitors on the market. It will also hold a charge for much longer than plenty of the competition too.
These electric bike batteries use a gel-like substance to transfer electrical energy from the cells around the battery. When the ambient temperature drops below 5 degrees °C, this gel starts to stiffen up. When this happens, the charge level that the battery can handle (both incoming charge and outgoing charge) is reduced as the gel cannot move as freely as it would at a normal operating temperature.
With this in mind, it makes sense that the colder the temperature becomes, the stiffer the gel becomes, and the charge reduces further.
As even the slightest temperature changes can affect the battery, it can be common for riders to find that they get less range from a single charge over the winter than they would in the spring or summer. However, by following the below steps, the effect can be minimised.
Store The Battery Inside
If the bike is stored in a cold place overnight, such as an outside shed or garage, the battery gets cold. During this time, the gel inside will stiffen up and therefore reduce the range available. especially inconvenient if you planned a long-distance morning ride or commute.
We understand it’s not convenient for everyone to store the E-bike inside; therefore, we advise removing the battery from the bike and bringing the battery into the house when not in use.
The bike itself can remain in the shed or garage, as it’s only the battery that’s affected by the cold. Then whenever you want to ride, re-fit the battery as normal.
Charge The Battery Inside
Similar to the point above, if the battery is charged in a cold environment, the charge won’t move as freely around the battery and will therefore struggle to achieve full capacity. Not only will this affect the range as the battery will never reach a full charge, but it can also reduce the lifespan of the battery.
Therefore, whenever you need to charge the battery, we recommend removing it from the bike and placing it on charge indoors. It’s also worth pointing out that the battery should be at room temperature before charging it, so if you’ve just come back from a cold ride, let the battery rest inside for several hours before plugging it in.
Remove The Battery If Unused
If riding in through the winter months isn’t your thing, and the bike will be unused for a period of time over winter, then we’d recommend removing the battery from the bike and storing it indoors at room temperature.
For optimum battery care, once removed, charge it to around 60% capacity and then store inside until you’re ready to ride again. Our Smart batteries have a useful function designed exactly for this scenario. By pressing the button on the charger, it will charge up (or discharge) the battery to 60% and the battery management system will automatically place it into hibernation mode, which protects the battery when not in use for some time.
Cleaning The Bike
It goes without saying that you’re bound to encounter more rain and dirt during the winter months. This isn’t an issue as the bikes are designed to protect the battery in the event of a downpour. However, you may need to clean the bike once the ride is complete.
We don’t recommend using a pressure washer on our e-bikes, as this can damage the connections and force water inside areas it shouldn’t get into. Instead, wash the bike by hand (we’d suggest doing this with the battery installed to ensure the terminals are covered) and then thoroughly dry the bike before removing the battery to recharge or store.
Practice Good Battery Maintenance
While not so much linked with temperature, it is good practice to run the battery completely flat at least once every three months. This will help to keep the maximum charging capacity as high as possible.
Don’t Worry About The Cold When Riding
Despite what we’ve said so far, don’t be afraid of using your bike during the cold weather!
Lithium-Ion batteries will warm up slightly when in use and that warmth will help keep the battery above 5 degrees. It’s important to highlight that the cold cannot damage the battery; our advice will help to get the most from your batteries life.
Electric bikes are designed to withstand all the elements from the British winter, so don’t let it stop you from enjoying your bike out on the roads. Riding in the cold is fine and will do no lasting harm to the batteries health.
By following this advice, you should be able to ride year-round with little change to the range you would expect to receive. But if you do forget any of the above, it’s important to remember that cold weather does no lasting damage to the battery at all. it has a temporary effect, but it will go back to normal.
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E-Bike Batteries Are Causing Fires: Is Your E-Bike Safe?
Repeated fires have prompted the FDNY to release recommendations for the care and keeping of e-bike and other lithium-ion batteries.
- A spate of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries throughout New York City on April 21 has prompted the FDNY to issue lithium-ion battery safety tips, including for e-bike batteries.
- Similarly, a Florida bike shop burned down on April 9, after a refurbished e-bike battery was left on the charger overnight.
- E-bike batteries can be fire hazards when used and stored incorrectly. Below, we discuss how to use an e-bike battery correctly.
Between New York City’s fire department (FDNY) issuing a warning about e-bike batteries and a Florida bike shop going up in flames after a battery was left unattended on a charger overnight, it’s been a worrisome week for e-bike owners. But don’t panic: Your e-bike is likely safe, but consider this a warning to check your e-bike battery charging and storage practices.
Because lithium ion batteries—commonly found in everything from cell phones and laptops, to e-bikes, scooters, and electric cars—can store a large amount of energy, improper care and keeping of the batteries can result in fires.
“If using a lithium-ion battery, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device. If a battery overheats, discontinue use immediately,” the FDNY tweeted earlier this week.
From Bicycling
New York Daily News reports that the FDNY was called to the scene of four different fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, all on April 21. The batteries were used in an array of vehicles ranging between electric motorbikes and scooters. The vehicles pictured in the fire department’s tweets are all motorbikes, rather than e-bikes—but e-bike batteries have caused fires in the past.
The largest of the four fires reportedly happened due to several batteries stored on a work shelf. While no deaths were reported, 12 people were injured in the fires. And the FDNY issued the grim reminder that four people were killed last year in fires caused by these batteries.
How do you prevent charging incidents like this from happening to your e-bike? Avoid aftermarket and off-brand or bargain batteries for your bike, first of all. Stick to the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. Furthermore, e-bike batteries that are charging should never be left unattended. If you’re charging your e-bike in the garage, set a timer to remind yourself to unplug it when it’s done, and if you’re leaving the house, unplug it and finish charging it when you return.
Bike shop owners should be just as careful. Unfortunately, earlier this month, Andante Bike Shop in Cutler Bay, Florida, learned this the hard way. The shop was destroyed on April 9 when a rebuilt battery was left on a charger overnight. While a normal e-bike battery from a reputable brand shouldn’t set itself ablaze when left too long on the charger, a malfunctioning battery is a serious fire hazard. Inexpensive lithium-ion batteries also present a serious risk of malfunctioning. Regardless, it’s important to never leave any e-bike battery charging overnight or without supervision.
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It may sound excessive, but considering the number of buildings destroyed just this month due to these batteries, it’s worth taking precautions. New York Daily News reported that in the U.S. alone, charging lithium-ion batteries caused 330 fires from 2015 to 2018.
Human Powered Solutions provided Bicycle Retailer a detailed set of instructions for bike shop e-bike charging protocol, and you may want to take some of their advice for your own at-home e-bike charging station.
How Can I Safely Store My Electric Bike?
The popularity of electric bicycles has continued to rise in recent years. A proposed federal bill in the U.S. would provide a 30 percent refundable tax credit to Americans who buy pedal-assist bicycles. This advocacy is a reminder that electric bicycles are an emerging form of transportation that can contribute to saving the planet. California has also introduced a state-level e-bike affordability bill to encourage the purchase of e-bikes as a means of reducing traffic and reducing air, water and noise pollution, and helping Californians get more active. These policies and the awareness of eco-friendly travel are driving accelerated growth and dramatic changes in e-bikes. Altering the landscape of road traffic, with e-bikes now becoming a fixture in commuter transportation, is a sign that we’ll start to see more Infrastructure for parking e-bikes. Whether you’re riding long distances sightseeing around town or travelling long distances at high speeds through the woods, when you want to store your e-bike you should learn how to store your precious e-bike safely and adequately. As a professional electric mountain brand, Cyrusher provides some solutions for riders to properly store their e-bikes. This gives you more peace of mind when storing e-bikes and related accessories.
Choice of Storage Space: Indoor or Outdoor?
Electric bicycles, like cars, require a dedicated parking space. Ideal storage spaces for e-bikes are in a garage, shed or apartment. Taking into account that riders have different spaces available, there are also different methods for indoor and outdoor storage of electric bicycles. These include floor racks, wall mounts, ceiling pulleys and waterproof covers.
Do you ride often?.- If you use your e-bike daily, storing it in an easily accessible area is the best option.
Living space is limited. If storing in an apartment is inconvenient, a bike rack outdoors with strong locks and waterproof covers is recommended. Or, if there isn’t enough space to store your e-bike, sturdy wall mounts and ceiling pulleys are ideal for safely hanging your bike and wall-mounted storage for e-bikes also brings more flexibility.
How Should Electric Bikes Be Stored in Outdoor Environments (Garages, Sheds)?
When riders take their e-bikes outdoors or have a more expansive space for e-bikes, they might choose to have them in a garage, yard or shed. When storing in an outdoor environment ensure your outdoor temperature is moderate enough for your electric mountain bike. The ideal storage temperature for e-bikes is between 32º and 68º, between freezing and room temperature.
Store Your E-Bike Correctly in the Garage
E-bike riders whose homes are equipped with a garage can park it in the garage in the following ways, depending on how spacious the garage is and its condition.
Floor Stand
If you have a garage suitable for parking your bikes you can design a rack for your beloved electric trail bike or buy a floor rack that fits your home e-bike space. Most importantly, make sure that the size range of the floor stand matches your tire size. Cyrusher XF900 tires are 26 x 4 inches while Kommoda’s are 20 x 4 inches. A fixed floor stand allows you to push the front wheel into the stand and secure it with a pole.
When using a floor stand to store your e-bike in the garage for an extended period make sure nothing obstructs the stand so you can access your e-bike easily.
Wall Mounted in the Garage or Shed
When parking your vehicle on the floor space may be cramped. To save floor space you might consider using a suspended ceiling pulley or wall-mounted configuration to store your e-bike.
If your e-bike weighs between 60 and 100 lbs, like the Cyrusher Electric Fat Tire Electric Bike XF800 which weighs 66 lbs without the battery, and you don’t have enough floor space in your garage it’s best to use ceiling pulleys. Generally, the ceiling mounts are a set of hooks on a pulley system. As long as the e-bike doesn’t hang over your car, you can use a manual or electric crank to lift it from the floor to the ceiling.
Try to avoid stacking debris in the garage and add a waterproof cover to effectively protect waste and other particles in the garage from entering the components. At the same time, it’s necessary to do a proper inspection after riding in the rain to shield the electric bicycle from rain erosion and rust. Storing e-bikes in exposed weather conditions can cause permanent damage to e-bike components through rusting or freezing. Finding a cool dry environment for storage is a basic principle that cannot be ignored.
Improperly installed sheds that are used for storage may attract the attention of burglars who may even tear the shed down. Therefore, it’s important to install strong anti-theft hinges and buckles on the shed and it’s a good idea to install alarms and lighting in a shed where electric bikes are stored at night.
Find a Dedicated E-Bike Parking Spot
When a rider uses an e-bike to commute, they should look for a good spot where the e-bike can be parked. It’s necessary to pay attention to the surroundings. Try to park the electric bicycle near a densely populated area, secure the bicycle frame safely and set up anti-theft devices. Keep in mind that the more expensive the lock, the more likely a thief will guess that something of value is locked up. Cyrusher Kommoda and Kuattro use a battery pack built into the frame that locks the battery nicely to prevent battery theft when in storage. If it’s raining, put a rain cover on your electric bike to avoid the rain from getting on the motor and its various components.
How are E-bikes Properly Stored in an Indoor Environment (Apartment)?
Store Directly on The Apartment Floor
If you live in an apartment you can store your bike indoors on the floor of your apartment. However, the indoor environment also generates more dust and other household items or obstacles might be in the way. So, to keep your e-bike safe and protect it from dust you can put a covering on your beloved e-mountain bike such as an old sheet that will no longer be used.
Wall-Mounted Storage on the Side of the Wall
If there’s a wall in your apartment that’s suitable for mounting an e-bike, a wall-mounted pendant is a good option. When installing a wall-mounted device, it’s necessary to consider the weight and tire width of an electric bicycle so that the space of the apartment can be maximized. Also, don’t use a wall mount to store your e-bike in your apartment if the bike weighs more than 65 pounds.
Do My E-bike Batteries Need to Be Stored Separately?
The body and battery of an e-bike need to be kept separate, and ensure the charger is turned off and kept in a cool dry place.
Electric bikes have many different types of batteries. The battery used to power the Cyrusher ebike is a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries shouldn’t be stored with their charge fully depleted. Leaving a fully charged battery with an e-bike for extended periods may cause the battery to depreciate over time. If you’re using a lithium-ion battery please ensure that it has 50%-80% power during storage to ensure that the battery can be in the best condition for a long time. Check the number of times the battery is used every month and keep it away from heat and humidity to help prolong the battery’s life.
E-bikes Need Careful Cleaning Before and After Storage
If you’re riding more often in winter when salt is used on the roads, keep the bike clean to prevent corrosion of the components. Don’t use high-pressure cleaners and be extra careful around cleaning the motor. Like all traditional bicycles, electric bicycles are especially prone to rust when the chain is wet. Make sure that the chain is lubricated regularly. Other components must be regularly checked for looseness, even if the cleaning is done protected. When the electric bicycle is stored for a long time and then ridden again, it’s also necessary to check the tire pressure to be sure that there’s enough air pressure to carry you forward.
Electric bicycles are precious treasures for riders to enjoy life and it’s necessary to know how to store electric bicycles properly. In addition to following some of the above tips for indoor and outdoor storage, you can get better advice from an online community or by contacting Cyrusher’s professional e-bike brand service personnel. Cyrusher ebike has set up offline stores in the United States and the United Kingdom. Professional service staff will provide detailed advice on electric fat tire bikes to make your riding journey smoother and longer.
Storing Your Ebike and Battery in Winter
When winter is upon us, if you’re like me, then you will tend to wheel out the ebike less, or perhaps you will want to store it away till spring time. If so, here are some tips and advice on storing your ebike, especially to do with battery storage.
You can store your ebike in a garage, basement, or garden shed, as long as it is well protected from rain and snow. Batteries though should be better protected, so detach your battery from you ebike and store in a mild dry area, preferably insulated against extremes.
Don’t Let Your Battery Die
How to Store and Maintain Your Ebike Battery
Do not leave your battery connected to your charger all winter long, even if it automatically cuts out when charging is complete. Disconnect when around 80% charged if the battery is to be stored away for any length of time.
Do not leave your battery to drain to zero and die. Batteries are expensive, you do not want to have to replace a battery due to laziness or negligence, it only takes a minute to check.
Once a month, check the battery charge level. If it has dropped by much, top up to around 80% once more.
Keeping your battery indoors at normal room temperature is the best policy to lengthen the life of your battery and have it performing optimally. Plugging a freshly charged warm battery into your ebike will have it raring to go far more efficiently than a cold battery in a cold ebike on a freezing cold day.
How to Keep Your Ebike Safe to Use
Give Your Ebike a Winter Check Over
If you plan on using your ebike throughout the winter months, it is advisable to give your ebike a winter check over. When the days begin to darken and night comes earlier and darker, it is essential to ensure that your lights are properly working, for your own safety as well as others. See and be seen!
Keep your ebike clean, do not let dirt accumulate and dry in areas that should allow free movement.
Use oil to keep the chain in tip-top condition after cleaning.
Pay attention to brakes and ensure they are working efficiently and pads are not worn down or damaged.
Ensure your tires are in good condition, have a decent tread, and are properly inflated.
Pay attention to brakes and ensure they are working efficiently and pads are not worn down or damaged.
Use Your Local Ebike Shop – Book Your Ebike in for a Service
Motors tend to need little or no maintenance, consult your dealer documentation relating to your particular circumstances to learn the best way to maintain and store your ebike regarding the motor. If you are in any doubt and want to be sure everything is well and good, phone your local ebike shop and book it in for a service. They will check the whole ebike and ensure everything is working as it should. Most local shops are quick, obliging, and can be a font of knowledge regarding advice for owners of all ebikes.
Cold Can Affect Batteries and Range
Remember, in very low temperatures, batteries can be affected and lose capacity. Plan your routes and ensure you will still have enough battery capacity to get you to your destination with charge to spare.
Keep Warm and Safe
Ensure, when riding in the winter, that you also protect yourself against the elements. Comfortable breathable and insulated clothing is a must to keep yourself warm, as are a decent pair of gloves that keep your hands warm but allow you to easily use the controls. Clothing should preferably be bright and reflective to enhance your visibility to other road users. Always wear a helmet, there are also thin insulated hats that can be worn under a helmet to help in keeping your head warm.