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.
Dead Ebike Battery: How to Revive Charge? (Explained)
Batteries are the most expensive and essential parts (lifeline) of an electric bike as it powers the entire bike but what if the battery dies suddenly while riding an ebike?
Would you be able to ride it again using the battery power? Well, the answer is NO! You can’t turn on the battery if it dies without reviving it. You need to revive your dead battery and then charge it. But how?
Reviving and charging a dead ebike battery is very complex and dangerous too. But don’t worry I have explained the process step by step of How to charge a dead ebike battery after reviving it.
Along with that, I have also covered the common causes of dead ebike batteries and how you can prevent your battery from being dead.
Read this article to learn more about e-bike batteries, the charging process of dead e-bike batteries, and tips to make them last longer.
Dead Ebike Battery: What it Means
An ebike battery is called dead when the battery’s electric power (voltage) comes down the minimum voltage limit and is thus not able to power the ebike or any electrical device. Therefore, a dead battery cannot restart the electric bike.
Symptoms of a dead ebike battery
As I have already mentioned that a dead ebike battery does not have the minimum power to restart anything. So when your ebike battery is dead, your ebike display, headlights, motor, throttle, and many more electric devices of ebike will not turn on.
Hence, you won’t be able to restart your bike using the battery because the battery has become dead and is not capable enough to supply the power to the motor to assist you while pedaling.
We will surely discuss the possible reasons why ebike batteries become dead but before that, let’s know whether you can charge your dead ebike battery or not.
Can you charge a dead ebike battery?
If your ebike battery is dead, you can’t charge it normally as you always do. It means you can charge a dead electric bike battery but there is a different method to do it.
Actually, when the battery is dead the BMS of that battery stops receiving and supplying the electric power and hence you are not able to charge a dead battery normally.
Therefore, you need to open the battery and cut out (exclude) the BMS and then charge the battery to the minimum voltage level then you can connect it to BMS again and recharge it normally.
But this process is not as easy as it sounds because this process is very risky and may lead to the ebike battery catching fire or exploding. Scroll down to learn the entire process of how to charge a dead ebike battery step by step.
Can you revive a dead electric bike battery?
Reviving your electric bike battery means trying to restore the battery and fix the problem. Yes, it is possible to revive a dead e-bike battery by charging the battery with its compatible charger.
But there is some twist in the process, otherwise, your battery won’t revive.
You need to remove the battery management system from the charging line. I have explained the process in detail of reviving a dead ebike battery later in this article. But before that let’s know what are the reasons that cause ebike battery dead.
Why Does an Ebike Battery Dies? Common Reasons
There are a lot of reasons why your e-bike battery is dead such as an incompatible charger, undercharging the battery, exposure to extreme weather, and so many more.
Exposure to Extreme Weather
It is one of the suspected causes of dead ebike batteries because ebike batteries are built to survive in extreme environmental conditions, but if you give your battery extreme exposure and keep it in an extremely hot or extremely cold environment, it will affect the battery’s temperature and lifespan.
Therefore, It’s suggested that you don’t ride the electric bike in the rain or snow and store it at room temperature, or 40–60 degrees Fahrenheit. (Source)
Undercharging the Battery
How much you charge the battery also determines and affects the overall lifespan and performance of the e-bike battery. It is recommended to charge the battery after every ride to ensure its longevity if the battery level is around 20% or 30%.
Don’t let your battery deplete completely or drop below 20% – 30%. If you are not using the bike, even then don’t let it completely discharge.
Damaged and Poor BMS
A BMS, or battery management system, performs many functions and protects the battery from catching fire or exploding. The BMS controls the charging and discharging of the e-bike battery.
If this battery management system fails and gets damaged or breaks, it makes the ebike battery dead and thus affects the overall performance of the battery and can reduce its lifespan.
Battery’s Lifespan
There is no doubt that lithium-ion batteries are one of the best ebike batteries used in electric bikes. But these batteries also have a lifespan, and after every charge, they degrade.
Generally, Lithium-ion batteries last up to 500 to 800 charge cycles and more or have a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years, whichever is earlier. If your battery has completed its lifespan, it is more likely to be dead.
Overload on the Battery System
It is important to understand that e-bikes also have power limits; if you keep overloading them, it will impact the battery and its lifespan in the long run or also degrade the battery faster.
E-bikes work well if you use them moderately without overloading them. Don’t be too hard on them otherwise, they may catch fire or become dead.
Due to Cheap-Quality Charger
When you charge your battery with a local charger, it rather transfers current to the battery fastly or very slowly as a result it damages the cells or the entire battery pack including the BMS, and hence the battery becomes dead.
How to Charge a Dead Ebike Battery?
We are going to revive the dead electric bike battery so we need some tools for this process. I have got a charger, screwdriver, and a voltmeter. Follow the following steps:
Step 1: Take out the battery off the ebike remove its cover
The first step is to take out the battery and remove the cover using a screwdriver. Take out all the volts carefully and put rubber gloves on your hands so that you don’t get shocked.
Step 2: Measure the voltage of the battery
The next step is to measure the voltage of the battery using a voltmeter from the BMS side. You need to place the positive probe on the positive end of the BMS and the negative probe on the negative end of the BMS.
Step 3: Measure the voltage of each cell
Also, measure the voltage of all the battery cells one by one and find out the lowest voltage cells. Using the voltmeter, place the positive probe on the positive end of the cell and the negative side on the negative end of the cell.
Once you find the cells with the lowest voltage, mark them using a pen or marker.
Step 4: Disconnect the Battery Management System (BMS)
Once you have identified the cells with low voltage in the battery pack the next step is to disconnect the BMS from the battery pack so that it doesn’t stop the inflow of current to the battery pack while reviving the battery.
Step 5: Start charging all the cells
The next step is to charge the cells slowly using a low-amp charger. There are two ways to charge the cells, the first way is to charge the cells separately using a slow charge but it’s time-consuming and needs some specialized devices.
So it’s best to go with the second method in which we would connect the charger directly to the entire battery pack and charge the cells at a low charging rate.
Do charge your battery to 50% only because the rest of the charging will be done using the BMS.
Step 6: Reconnect the BMS to the battery pack
Simply reconnect the BMS by attaching the wires to the negative and positive terminals. And check whether the required voltage has crossed the minimum voltage from the BMS points.
Step 7: Put the battery cover and reattach it to the ebike
And in the final step, you just have to put the battery cover and reattach the battery to the bike frame and connect the required wires and try to restart the ebike. If your bike display starts working, it means your dead battery is revived.
Bittoo Gupta
I am the founder and editor of The Bike Fetcher, a passionate E-Biker. My passion for E-bikes led me to build this blog site where I share electric bike news updates, my e-biking experience, e-biking tips, e-bike battery tips and help people to get the best e-bike. Feel free to contact me on my social accounts or through the contact form.
Get Ready to Ride: Learn How Long Your eBike Battery Lasts
Electric cargo bikes are a popular type of transportation that has continuously risen in popularity in recent years for people all around the globe. They are the perfect choice for anyone who wants to travel long distances with heavy loads like cargo or extra passengers without using traditional vehicles like cars or motorcycles. One of the most costly and essential parts of an electric e-bike is the batteries, so taking good care of them from the beginning is critical for getting the most out of the bicycle purchase.
Electric cargo bike batteries have some peculiarities, such as their limited capacity, which will vary depending on the brand, type, or model and their temperature sensitivity. Learning how to take care of the specific battery type on any model will contribute to the question of how long will an ebike battery last.
How Long Does an Electric Bike Battery Last
When exploring options for purchasing a new electric bicycle. someone may wonder how long ebike batteries last. E-bike battery life depends on how well it is maintained. Three types of batteries are used in e-bikes: lithium, nickel, and lead. Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type for newer bike models because they have been proven to be durable, safe, and long-lasting. A well-maintained lithium-ion e-bike battery can last three to five years and upwards of 1000 charge cycles throughout its lifespan. Riders may wonder how long e-bike batteries last on one charge. The length of a battery charge will also depend on the battery a bike uses.
Tips for Extending Electric Bike Battery Life
When the manufacturer’s guidelines are followed, getting the most out of an electric bike battery life is easy. There are common ways to extend e-bike battery life that apply to most models. While it is always imperative to read the manufacturer’s recommendations for a specific battery, here are some tips for getting the most out of any e-bike battery.
Always Use the Original Charger
Each electric bicycle battery will come with a charger made specifically for that brand and model. Using an off-brand charger can cause damage to the unit and degrade battery life.
Never Submerge An E-Bike Battery in Water
Electronics and water do not mix, so riders should avoid getting their e-bike batteries submerged in water. Electric bike batteries are water-resistant but not waterproof. E-bike batteries will not be affected by riding in the rain, but if water penetrates through the water-resistant battery case, it will likely affect its lifespan or ruin it completely.
Always Store E-Bike Batteries at an Adequate Temperature
Storing an e-bike battery in any extreme temperature condition can cause short-term or long-term damage. Cold weather can cause short-term damage that is reversible but sub-zero temperatures may separate the battery components and ruin the entire unit. Extreme heat will also damage an e-bike battery and can cause long-term, irreversible damage. Avoid excessive heat and cold for the best results by keeping the battery at medium temperatures from around 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Follow Charging Recommendations
Electric cargo bike batteries have charging requirements that should be followed to extend the unit’s life. These recommendations include not draining the battery down to 0 percent when possible but always charging it up to 100 percent. The ideal range for battery levels is between 30 to 80 percent. Frequently charging an e-bike battery from 0 percent to 100 percent will take a higher toll on it and reduce battery capacity and life. While batteries should be charged to total capacity after each use, they shouldn’t be left on a charger overnight or long after the battery is fully charged. There will inevitably be times when the battery will be drained below 30 percent, or charged for too long, but trying to keep those instances to a minimum will determine how long does ebike battery last. Purchasing additional batteries for any electric cargo bike is a great way to make these guidelines easier to follow.
Battery Options for Ferla Electric Bikes
The team at Ferla has spent years researching the highest-quality, longest-lasting battery options to include in our line of electric bicycles. Every bicycle in the Ferla line utilizes the top-rated batteries available in the industry. In our latest cargo bike release, LAGOM, we also added a dual-battery technology paired with a high-powered motor that will take people and their families further than ever before. Two main battery options are used in Ferla electric cargo bikes:
The Royce Original Samsung E-Bike Battery is a replacement or additional high-quality battery to add to any Royce Ferla family cargo bike. Riders can use extra batteries to extend the e-bike’s travel range by 80 miles. Users can also extend the travel range of their LAGOM model bike to up to 120 miles with the dual battery option.
The mid-drive Samsung e-bike battery is a perfect addition or replacement for the Royce Mid-Drive line of Ferla cargo bikes. They are easily removable and ideal for storing and charging indoors.
Getting The Most Out of an Electric Cargo Bike
Electric cargo bikes are designed to take those who ride and their families further, and the best way to accomplish this is with top-quality batteries. It doesn’t matter if you are researching a new electric e-bike purchase or are the proud owner of an electric cargo bike already; purchasing an additional e-bike battery is a way to get the most out of your cargo bike for years to come.
How Long Do Ebike Batteries Last?
The maintenance requirements of an ebike are roughly equivalent to or even easier than a traditional bike. However, one thing is a little different: the battery. How long do ebike batteries last? Let’s take a look at an average lifespan of an ebike battery and what you can do to ensure yours goes the distance.
How Long do Ebike Batteries Last? Industry Average and Blix Batteries
In perfect conditions, the battery in an electric bike can last up to 8 years. However, because lithium batteries slowly decline in capacity over time, a more realistic lifespan is between 3 to 5 years.
For Blix batteries, you can expect a 25,000 mile (500-800 charging cycle) lifetime.
Even if it’s not being used, lithium batteries will slowly degrade. This is the case for the lithium-ion battery in your ebike, the one in your laptop, and even the ones powering electric cars.
Many factors contribute to battery degradation. When the battery goes through the charge-drainage-recharge cycle, it can wear down some of its inner components. The mobile lithium-ions that move between electrodes can be lost over time. Regular use can also damage the electrode structure, reducing the battery’s capacity.
While many worry about cold temperatures diminishing the lifetime of a lithium-ion battery, the opposite might be even worse. The battery’s capacity in cold weather may be temporarily reduced, but its lifetime is diminished at high temperatures. This is a result of electrodes that break down in the heat, which will eventually impact the capacity of the battery to shuttle lithium ions.
While there are many factors you can’t control, you can take a few steps to ensure your ebike batteries last as long as possible.
Helpful Tips to Ensure a Long Battery Life
You can expect a longer lifetime from your Blix batteries with proper maintenance.
- Maintain a charge of 20-80% at all times. A depleted battery affects its overall lifetime. Try to keep the battery above a 5% charge and avoid leaving the battery fully uncharged for extended periods.
- Only use the Blix charger. It’s best to use the charger that came with your Blix. Replacements are available, too.
- Charge the battery in appropriate conditions. The Blix battery charger is designed to be used in well-ventilated, dry, indoor environments.
- Avoid storing your ebike battery in extreme temperatures. As mentioned above, cold weather may impact the battery’s capacity. But really cold, sub-freezing temperatures can fracture the battery cathode, separating it from other components. The best thing is to avoid both extreme heat and cold, keeping the battery at room temperature (50-77℉).
- Regularly charge the battery during storage. Even when not in use, charge the battery for two hours every month.
Show Your Ebike Battery a Little Love Today
When it comes to how long ebike batteries last, the answer is mainly up to you. You can do wonders for your battery’s lifetime with a little bit of regular maintenance. Just be sure to charge your ebike battery often, especially between rides. As always, Blix is here to answer any questions you might have about your ebike battery.