Common E-bike Battery Problems and How to Fix Them
There’s nothing worse than having to spend hundreds or thousands on an eBike only to have problems with its battery. Don’t get me wrong; e-bike batteries are built to last. but they’re still prone to failure if they aren’t adequately taken care of during their lifetime.
What happens if your battery fails?
Well, in this article, I’ve covered some most common eBike battery problems and how to fix them. So, if you’d like to know more. keep scrolling!
Ebike Battery Problems
When it comes to eBike troubleshooting, there are a couple of things that might be causing your battery problems, including:
- eBike battery pack swelling
- eBike battery not charging
- eBike battery not running for very long
- eBike battery pack not holding a charge
- eBike not turning on
- eBike not speeding up
Don’t worry, though. I’ll walk you through each one here!
eBike Battery Pack Swelling
If your eBike battery pack is swelling up, well, you likely have a pretty serious problem with one. or more. of the lithium-ion cells.
Some electric bike models use flat pack cells. and these are known to swell if they suffer some damage. On the other hand, the 18650 lithium-ion cells are far more resistant to swelling and, in turn, more reliable.
If you notice that your eBike’s battery pack has a bulge in it, be sure you turn off the power and carefully remove the battery from your eBike. It’s a good idea to recycle the battery; most cities have a place where you can do this.
Now, some eBike battery packs are positioned inside the bike’s frame. That makes it somewhat harder to notice if you have a swollen battery pack.
The only way to check if the battery is swollen is to drop the lower plate and take out the battery pack. Note that you’ll have to disconnect some cables before you do this.
eBike Battery Not Charging
If your battery isn’t charging, start by checking the following:
- Is the power turned on at the outlet?
- Is the charger working and outputting over 36 Volts?
- Is the battery hot?
- Is the battery charger port full of dirt?
- Has the battery been left discharged for several months?
- Has the fuse blown in either the eBike battery pack or the charger?
eBike Battery Not Running For Very Long
Lithium-ion batteries generally have a life of 700 charge cycles. They usually tend to lose full charge capacity over this mark.
That is entirely normal. and will, unfortunately, only get worse as time goes on.
Still, if you’re charging your bike every few days, you should be able to get many years out of your electric bike before you begin to notice the capacity of your battery is starting to degrade.
If you notice your eBike battery isn’t running as long as it used to, check the following:
- Is the battery pack being charged to 100%?
- Do you have a dragging of a disc brake?
- Is the terrain uphill?
- Are you assisting your battery by peddling?
- Are your eBike’s wheel bearings freely spinning?
- Do you have a short circuit in the battery, wiring, or motor?
Any of the scenarios mentioned above could lead to your battery discharging rather quickly.
eBike Battery Pack Not Holding A Charge
Lithium-ion batteries are good at holding a charge. However, like any other type of battery, they will slowly discharge over time.
If your eBike hasn’t been charged for a more extended period, it would be a good idea to give it a top-up. and see how it goes.
If you notice that you’re charging your battery, but it still discharges quickly without being used, you might have a short circuit somewhere or a faulty battery at your hands.
Here’s a quick test that can detect the problem:
Remove the battery pack from your eBike and charge it up on a bench. Once it’s fully charged, test the battery by leaving it off the bike.
If it holds a charge, the issue will be your electric bike. most likely a short circuit in the bike’s wiring or the motor. However, if it doesn’t hold the charge, your lithium-ion cell is faulty.
How Do I Know If My Bike’s Battery Is Charged?
Your battery charger will probably feature a LED light indicator that changes states depending on the bike’s battery level. It’ll go from red to green when the battery is fully charged in most cases.
However, in some chargers, the LED light will turn off completely when the battery is charged.
Either way, the point remains the same. you’ll have a way to track the progress while charging the battery.
Remember not to leave the battery pack on the charger longer than 24 hours, though.
Lithium-ion batteries don’t prefer being left on the charger. In the short term, this won’t hurt. but after a while, the battery’s capacity will go down.
You’ll also have an indicator of the battery’s current level on the battery pack itself or the speed controller. Some will use a 0-100% range, while others have a series of LED lights, depending on the model.
eBike Not Turning On
Let’s start with the obvious solution:
If your e-bike isn’t turning on, be sure to check if the main switch is in the “On” position.
Next, check the fuse for the battery pack. This fuse is usually located on the side and could blow up because of short circuits, vibrations, over-current, or old age.
If the fuse is in good condition and the battery pack is fully charged, check if the speed controller is in good condition, as well. The speed controller is the component that sends signals to turn on the battery pack.
These speed controllers could malfunction if damaged. either by dropping your bike or allowing water to get into them.
Hold the bike’s “On” button for about 10 seconds to force the speed controller to turn on. Some speed controllers are turned on by pressing the “M” button. Again, it depends on the e-bike model you have.
Be sure to check that your battery pack has at least two bars of power. An extremely low battery power level can lead to your electric bike not turning on, by the way.
Another thing to check here is that the electrical cables are correctly connected. Sometimes, the dirt roads can dislodge the cable connections; this is often the case with mountain electric bikes.
Water can find its way into these connections, too. Pull them apart and ensure the connection is tight.
eBike Not Speeding Up
There are numerous reasons why your electric bike isn’t speeding up.
often than not, the feedback magnets. positioned on the pedal crank or the rear wheel hub. for the proximity switch get dirty. Clean them with a rag, and you should be good to go.
This common eBike battery issue is often wrongly diagnosed.
Most quality electric bikes feature a switch on the back and front brakes to stop the drive motor. In some cases, these switches can get stuck. leading to their failure. Activate both brake levers a couple of times to try and free up the switch.
To check the limit switch, though, you might have to remove the whole rear or front brake lever. That’s another reason why you should avoid leaving your eBike out in the rain.
Also, while it might sound obvious, be sure to check if you’re in the proper mode. for example, pedal-assist, throttle-only, or pedal-only. I’ve sometimes found myself in the wrong mode, and I couldn’t figure out why my eBike isn’t speeding up.
There is typically a minimum speed that will activate the drive motor. That is just a safety feature. and it’s usually around 1.8 mph.
What Speed Are eBikes Limited To?
eBikes are limited to 25 km/h. or 15.5 mph. to conform to the majority of road rules around the globe. Once the motor reaches this speed limit, it will stop providing power further.
Of course, you can still pedal faster than 25 km/h, but you won’t get any assistance from the main motor.
Once the speed controller recognizes that you’re under 25 km/h, the battery management system will again supply power to the main motor. That is a standard component on most electric bikes. and, again, its role is to ensure that you conform to road rules.
Is 250Watts Enough For An eBike?
In most standard cases of use, 250W is more than enough power for you to ride your eBike on asphalt or dirt roads casually. A 250W drive motor is usually limited to 15 mph and can handle up to 240 pounds in rider weight.
If that doesn’t sound impressive, remember that you can always assist the main drive motor by pedaling.
You can always upgrade your bike with a Bafang conversion kit, though!
Conclusion
We can agree that e-bikes have come a long way since their first appearance. Granted, battery problems can occasionally happen, but most can be solved easily and quickly.
Hopefully, the tips I’ve outlined above will help you keep your eBike running fast. and for a long time. And remember:
The most significant danger to batteries of eBikes is excessive heat and low voltage. Make sure you keep your eBike battery topped up. and it will last for a very long time.
Aostirmotor All-Terrain Electric Bike, Black, S18, 750W
The AostirMotor S18 750W comes in black and can give you the absolute best riding experience. With a front suspension fork, 26 x 4.0 fat tires, and exceptional handling, you can be sure of the most comfortable ride across whichever terrain your spirit chooses. Suitable for big game hunting the backwoods on the normal slope, trail riding in rough terrain, or cruising down the beach. The S18–750W is designed with a powerful 750W hub-motor to make it easy to climb steep hills and carry weight up to 300 lb.
FEATURES
- A Powerful 750W Rear-Hub Motor
- A High-Quality 48V 15 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- A High-Performing 26″ x 4″ Fat Tires
- Can go up to 20 Miles Per Charge
- Top Speed 28 MPH
- LCD Displayer
- LCD Front Light
OUTSTANDING DESIGN
Our powerful 750W motor is coupled with our 720Wh high-capacity lithium battery! This combination will take you further and have you tackling hills and terrain you’d only ever dreamed of. S18 features a front suspension fork and a rear spring shock for a controlled, engaging, smooth ride.
GREAT PERFORMANCE
The 26 x 4.0 fat tires provide the comfort, stability, and confidence to take your S18 wherever you want to adventure. It can ride 19 miles in pure electric mode.
EASY TO ASSEMBLE
90% pre-assembled. Our electric bicycles still require customers to assemble pedals, handlebar, front tire, display, etc.
SPECIFICATIONS
| MOTOR | 750W Toothless Brush Motor |
| BATTERY | 48V 15Ah Lithium-IonCharger: 110-220VCharging Time: 4-6 hours |
| DRIVE MODE | Pedal Assist or Throttle |
| DISPLAY | Backlit LCD Display |
| READOUTS | Battery Capacity, USB Charging, Odometer, Speedometer |
| DERAILLEUR | 7 Speed |
| SHIFTER | 7 Speed Thumb Shifter |
| RANGE | 20 Miles |
| TOP SPEED | 28 mph |
| FRAME MATERIAL | 6061 Aluminum Alloy |
| BRAKE | Front Rear Mechanical Brake (With 4pcs Brake Pads） |
| SUSPENSION | Fork Shock Absorption Rear Spring Shock |
| LIGHT | Front Light |
| TIRES | 26″ x 4″ Granulated Fat Tires |
| PRODUCT WEIGHT | 75 lbs |
| MAX LOAD | 300 lbs |
| WARRANTY | 1 Year |
Let customers speak for us
I bought this Nakto Bike for my 10 year old niece and it’s the perfect bike for her! If ever I need another bike like this I will be purchasing from Electric Zip. Thank you!
I rarely write reviews,but felt it was important to put my opinion out there. You’ll never be sorry you made this investment for your health and wellbeing. I got mine (mint green) and within one week my husband wanted one too so we got him the white one. I put well over 500 miles on it in 3 months time and don’t have fancy trails to ride on. I rarely use the throttle as the pedal assist is enough and often just use 2 (out of 5) PAS mode. I have found the throttle helpful at an uphill stop sign and need to get through it quickly. It’s easy to learn and feel very safe on it. I highly recommend this Bike and supplier. I had a bit of a wait time for the first one, but it was coming from across the ocean. Electric Zip kept me informed the best they could and this was when all of the container ships were backed up at the ports! When we ordered my husband’s bike, it was here within the week. I run out of energy well before the battery does. I’ve never used up the whole battery at one ride! You’ll love your decision on this bike once you make it so do it today before they’re out of stock. Enjoy the fresh air and be sure to be safe by wearing a good helmet, bright clothing, and using your lights during the day even! Happy rolling!
Ecotrik Vortex, super fast shipping, great price and a excellent bike. Electric zip is in my opinion where to purchase a ebike from.
I absolutely love my Catalina Cruiser I received for my 69th birthday. I have to admit, I was a bit scared at first, but after my maiden voyage, I was hooked! I am averaging 10 miles a day and burning calories effortlessly. I rarely use the throttle because the pedal assist is so easy. I am having so much fun on this ebike and I can’t wait to get out on the bike trails in the Fall to enjoy all the beautiful colors.
Great bike. I have 6 EBIKES and it is my favorite
Fun the very start! Andrew kept us informed during the delivery process. Would consider purchasing another bike in the future.
Hello Electric Zip Team, Thank you for all your assistance offered in both the chat Windows and the company customer service. I could not be more thrilled with my City Cruiser from Electric.ZIP. I can transport it to any location just as I could my former manual bike. I must say I had taken the bike on 4 separate outings. The original charge was still well above 1/2! I can see I will wear out far before my battery life would be of concern. Thank you.I feel like I have the confidence to go out on longer trips. I am so excited to head into Summer. All the Best, Mags
Really fun. Best electric bike I’ve ever owned.
The bikes were received in excellent condition. Went online for assemble instructions and assembled (not to hard). Bike rides and goes easily. Very much enjoying it so far.
I’m loving my new Cheetah Electric Bike. Great Customer Service. Might buy another couple of bikes for my wife and Son !
I always loved riding a bike but after some years of no riding my legs weren’t quite up for pumping up hills. Now I’m back with my riding with the help of this wonderful electric bike and it’s stylish too.
It took a little extra time to receive the bike but other than that the bike is wonderful. We bought this as a present for my mom and she uses it daily to get out and about. She loves it and is now planning to buy my dad one as well. It was the best deal we found for this particular model and very happy with the quick response from the company when we had questions about the delivery.
I love this bike!! It took a little while to get, but once it came I have been enjoying riding it almost every day! Great amount of power and feels sturdy and safe.
I love ️ my new bike. It took me a couple rides to get used to and comfortable with. Now I ride it everywhere. So glad I got it!! And customer service (Andrew V) are so great. Thank you.
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Let customers speak for us
I rarely write reviews,but felt it was important to put my opinion out there. You’ll never be sorry you made this investment for your health and wellbeing. I got mine (mint green) and within one week my husband wanted one too so we got him the white one. I put well over 500 miles on it in 3 months time and don’t have fancy trails to ride on. I rarely use the throttle as the pedal assist is enough and often just use 2 (out of 5) PAS mode. I have found the throttle helpful at an uphill stop sign and need to get through it quickly. It’s easy to learn and feel very safe on it. I highly recommend this Bike and supplier. I had a bit of a wait time for the first one, but it was coming from across the ocean. Electric Zip kept me informed the best they could and this was when all of the container ships were backed up at the ports! When we ordered my husband’s bike, it was here within the week. I run out of energy well before the battery does. I’ve never used up the whole battery at one ride! You’ll love your decision on this bike once you make it so do it today before they’re out of stock. Enjoy the fresh air and be sure to be safe by wearing a good helmet, bright clothing, and using your lights during the day even! Happy rolling!
I absolutely love my Catalina Cruiser I received for my 69th birthday. I have to admit, I was a bit scared at first, but after my maiden voyage, I was hooked! I am averaging 10 miles a day and burning calories effortlessly. I rarely use the throttle because the pedal assist is so easy. I am having so much fun on this ebike and I can’t wait to get out on the bike trails in the Fall to enjoy all the beautiful colors.
Was looking for a Bike that is built for Bigger Guys and found this one. Working great and price was great also. Plenty of battery life for a day of riding and really makes a difference on pedaling uphill.
I purchased 2 e-bikes from Electric Zip and I must say these are like my title line says. better than expected. I was and still am very impressed with the quality of these bikes. I ride it everyday with a smile and can’t wait to take it for a ride. Being able to go 3 times farther than I would on a regular bike is a plus all in itself. When I saw all the buttons and LCD screen I thought it was going to be a little confusing. Not at all. Very easy to use and fun to shift gears and adjust the PAS. I had to make a few small adjustments on the front brakes but that was easy as well and you get a nice tool kit to do what you need. I love this bike and have told all my friends and co-workers about them and to buy them from Andrew at Electric Zip. And finally. talking about Andrew, he is the most responsive, helpful and caring individual. I trust his company and I trust these bikes.
AOSTIRMOTOR S18-1500W Electric Bike 26″ Fat Tire, 48V 15AH Removable Lithium Battery
The unique triangular frame increases the payload capacity of the bike to 300lb.The grey frame and black linear decals give the bike more sporty.
S18 1500W is coupled with a 1500W toothless brush motor with torque of 85Nm. The high-speed motor allows you to handle rough roads with ease.
48V 15Ah (720Wh) removable upgradable Ithium battory. The battery charging problem can be casily solved by choosing a removable bettery frame.
Backlit LCD display can monitoryour speed, get your mile, battery capacity and other important metrics. Our meter is also equipped with a USB port, which can charge your devices.
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