How to Extend the Life of Your E-Bike Battery
Today’s eco-friendly e-bikes are suitable for everything from exercise to commuting. E-bikes are easy to park, reduce your carbon footprint. and give you a great view of your surroundings. They’re fun in the city and on the trails.
As the price of lithium-ion e-batteries comes down, so does the cost of electric bikes. Technology continues to advance. Quality e-bikes are more affordable than before for people at all income levels.
Most electric bike manufacturers use long-life lithium e-bike batteries. They’re a significant improvement over previous battery types. Lithium electric bicycle batteries are compact and lightweight. That means electric bikes don’t weigh as much. The batteries operate in a variety of temperatures. This means cyclists can ride their electric bikes in more situations throughout the year.
The self-discharge rate is low, usually around 5% per month. Lithium batteries are non-toxic and can be recycled. With proper care, the cycle life can be as high as 1,000 cycles.
Make sure your bike is ready for your next adventure with the following tips for e-bike battery maintenance and care. Follow these guidelines to extend your electric bicycle battery life and running time.
Properly Charge Your E-Bike Batteries
If you fully discharge a lithium battery, it reduces its ability to hold a charge. That results in a diminished capacity. It’s best to keep a lithium battery charged. Plug it in after a ride, even if you’ve only gone a few miles. If you do empty the entire charge on a battery, you should recharge it as soon as you can.
Use the Charger Provided
Don’t mix and match chargers. Only use the charger that came with your e-bike or conversion kit. It’s possible to cause an explosion and fire by using the wrong charger.
Fully Charge Your Battery Before Your First Ride
When you get a new e-bike or conversion kit, fully charge the battery before your first ride. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. A full charge may take four to eight hours.
Create a Safe Charging Station
As mentioned above, there’s a risk of fire with all large lithium batteries. It’s Smart to designate a safe place to charge your e-bike batteries. Outside or in the center of an empty garage floor are two good options. Make sure the location is dry.
Here are some specifics regarding e-bike battery maintenance :
- It’s worth repeating: use the charger that came with your bike battery.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby that works on battery fires in case of emergency.
- Pay attention to how long the battery is on the charger. Smart chargers sense when the charge is complete and turn off. As a backup, unplug the charger when you aren’t using it.
- If your charger isn’t a Smart charger, pay close attention to the time while it’s charging. Unplug it when the charge is complete.
- You can’t go wrong with charging the battery after each use.
- If you store the battery for several months, charge it once each month when it’s not in use.
- Turn off the e-bike after every use. If the power switch stays on and the battery hasn’t been charged in a while, it may fail. Some battery systems have auto-shutoff features to prevent over-discharging and extend the electric bicycle battery life.
Never charge a battery if you think it’s damaged. Never charge it unsupervised inside a building. Always buy your battery from a reliable vendor and charge with care.
Don’t Regularly Fully Discharge Your Battery
As mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t fully discharge your e-bike batteries on a regular basis. Discharging lithium-ion batteries to 0% is harmful. The batteries don’t have a charge memory.
Shallow discharges and recharges are better. They don’t add stress to the battery, which makes the battery last longer. Use partial discharges with regular top-ups to extend battery life. When your battery reaches 50%, top it off with a charge.
It’s okay if your battery fully discharges once in a while. But, it’s best to charge it every few rides to avoid 100% discharge.
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Read the Owner’s Manual
The best tip for effective e-bike battery maintenance is to read your owner’s manual. Don’t assume you can figure it out. There are some dangers with lithium-ion e-bike batteries. They’re flammable if used incorrectly or paired with the wrong charger.
Following the manual recommendations means your battery will last longer. Electric bicycle battery life is calculated in charge cycles. It’s based on the number of full charges (from zero to 100%) the battery can undergo before losing effectiveness.
Lithium-ion electric bike batteries hold an average charge for 30 miles. When maintained, the battery lifespan is up to 1,000 full charges from a dead to a fully charged battery. The manufacturer specifies the maximum number of charge cycles. It refers to the number of recharging cycles a battery can go through without losing efficiency.
After reaching the specified number of cycles, expect a reduction in performance. The battery won’t hold a charge as long. At this point, you can decide if a replacement battery is needed. An electric bike battery usually becomes less efficient after three to five years of regular use.
You need to understand your battery and charger. Read the owner’s manual and any warning stickers on your battery or bike. Ask the manufacturer or your local bike dealer if you have any questions.
Create the Best Environment for Your Battery
Try not to expose your e-bike batteries to high heat, sub-freezing temperatures, water, or high humidity. Avoid shock, vibration, and punctures. The better the environment, the longer your battery will perform at capacity.
Stay Away from Extreme Temperatures
Extreme hot or cold temperatures will hurt performance. Lithium batteries like cooler temperatures. If you want to extend your electric bicycle battery life. don’t let it get hot. Warm is alright, but hot to the touch is bad.
The recommended temperatures for storing your batteries are between 32℉ and 77℉. Extreme temperatures, over 104℉, should be avoided. The lithium powder inside the battery cells loses electrical resistance when it heats up. Warmer temps make the battery discharge faster. You’ll have to charge it more often.
Cooler temps are better. Your battery will last longer. That’s because the lithium powder increases resistance in colder conditions. Maybe you’ve heard recommendations to store camera batteries made of lithium in the refrigerator. Manufacturers advise this to prolong the life of the battery.
Storing an e-bike battery in the fridge is hard. Instead, keep it in as cold a place as you can. But, remember to warm the battery to room temperature before you charge it. If you charge a frozen battery, it can damage it.
Keep the Battery Dry
Store your bike in a dry location. Don’t forget to consider humidity. Humidity isn’t good for any electrical device. Check the contacts on the battery every couple of months. Make sure they are clean and dry. If you find corrosion, remove it with an emery cloth.
Long-Term Bike Battery Storage
If you won’t use your e-bike for a few months, make a plan for storing your bike and e-bike batteries in a safe manner. First, choose a fire-safe location for storage.
A lithium battery will self-discharge, or go flat, at the fastest rate when it’s fully charged. It discharges at a much lower rate when it’s almost flat. Over a long period, the battery loses the least capacity if it’s partially discharged.
Yet, you don’t want to leave the battery almost flat. That isn’t good for it either. Try to store it with a charge between 40% and 80%. This charge amount reduces the loss of capacity over time while preserving the battery.
What does this mean for storage purposes? If you have a Smart charger, charge to 80%. If not, you can estimate the charge. Ride your bike for about 20% to 60% of a full-charge distance or time. Then, store the battery in a cold place. If possible, give the battery a short charge every four to six weeks.
If it’s not convenient to check that often, you can examine the battery every three months. Check the charge level and recharge to top it off if needed.
Don’t Ever Open Your Bike Battery
There is never a reason to open your e-bike batteries. Don’t try to examine them. Don’t try to repair them.
The lithium powder in lithium-ion batteries is combustible. It will explode on contact with oxygen. You could start a fire or hurt yourself and others. Don’t do it.
If you think your battery is faulty, contact a professional. Return it so it can be tested, repaired, and replaced. It is not worth the risk to open the battery yourself.
Get E-Battery Advice from the Experts
Now you know correct e-bike battery maintenance and storage increases the lifespan of a quality battery. Proper care of a lithium-ion battery makes it last three to five years. A neglected battery can be ruined in one season or less.
Here’s one final tip for maintaining your e-battery. Always buy a quality battery from someone you trust. If you need help choosing an e-bike battery. contact us at Leeds Bikes.
We have everything from electric bike parts to conversion kits. If you’re looking for a new way to commute to work or want a healthier lifestyle, we’re here to help. Visit our website to learn more about electric bikes.
Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide
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A good e-bike battery should last for hundreds of cycles. With average use, this means several years. Eventually, electric bike batteries need to be replaced as their life cycle comes to an end.
You can tell when a battery is nearing the end of its life when it does not provide you with much range. Some high-quality batteries that come on the top e-bikes such as a Bosch battery have a battery management system (BMS) integrated into the battery that actually tells you the current capacity and also how many charge cycles it has gone through.
But no matter what type of battery you have you’ll sooner or later be asking yourself the all-important question: how can I replace my e-bike battery?
Down below Electric Bike Report dives into this question and more in greater detail.
Are E-bike Batteries Interchangeable?
In general, the answer is no – you should only replace a battery with one that comes from the same manufacturer and is of exactly the same spec.
The reason is that the original e-bike or kit manufacturer has the responsibility to ensure that the battery pack, charger, and e-bike all work safely together, and using a ‘non-original’ replacement pack potentially introduces all sorts of uncontrolled risks.
It’s a little more complicated than this in some situations. For example, some Bosch batteries of different capacities are explicitly made to be interchangeable and there will be many instances where an original supplier and/or manufacturer of the e-bike cannot be traced or has gone out of business – in such cases we look at your options below.
As an important side note: you should always, if possible, use a charger that comes from the original manufacturer too. The one that comes with your battery should sync up well and not overload the battery. Pairing your battery with a different charger adds in risk of malfunction during charging.
Let’s first look at the basics of getting a replacement battery for your e-bike, then we will look at some of the major manufacturers of e-bike batteries and some of the main e-bike manufacturers to see which common battery types are still replaceable. Let’s consider the options for replacement in terms of desirability.
Where Should I Go to Get a Replacement E-Bike Battery?
On this last point it may help to note that there are a couple of manufacturing standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes. Although it’s not a legal requirement, it may be that one of the standards is actually marked on the battery itself.
The standards are BS EN 50604‑1 and UN38.3, the latter required for lithium-ion battery transport by air, sea or land. Just because these standards are not marked on a battery doesn’t mean it does not comply with them – but it is a reassuring sign if a battery does bear one or both of these marks.
Note that using a replacement battery that does not come from the original manufacturer (whether a dealer is involved or not) may void the warranty of your electric bike or kit. Check with the e-bike or kit company to understand what their policy is regarding the use of aftermarket replacement batteries.
Replacement Batteries from Original Manufacturers
Bosch E-Bike Batteries
Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.
There have been four basic designs made by Bosch over the years (good online overview here):
- Rack mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions which are all interchangeable with each other.
- Down tube mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions, current versions of which are all interchangeable with each other.
- Frame integrated batteries: PowerTubes in 400, 500, and 625Wh versions, with the 400 and 500 units being interchangeable with each other. The 625Wh may be retrofittable but it needs a compatible frame with a big enough space to house it (400 and 500 units are the same physical dimensions but 625 is bigger). 500 and 625 Wh units are used on the Dual Battery system to give a capacity up to 1250Wh.
- Frame Integrated ‘Smart’ Option batteries: This is a new 750Wh option for 2022 and will be only compatible with 2022 e-bikes that feature the Bosch ‘Smart’ system and will not be compatible with other Bosch e-bikes that are ‘non-Smart’. Similarly, other types of PowerTube batteries (400, 500, and 625Wh versions) will not be compatible with e-bikes featuring Bosch’s ‘Smart’ system.
Some third-party batteries compatible with Bosch systems are available as detailed in the section below.
There are some suppliers of batteries that will fit older models, in some cases dating back to 2011 when the Bosch e-bikes first entered the market, for example, The Holland Bike Shop in Europe sells some batteries compatible with much older Bosch-powered models.
Shimano E-Bike Batteries
Shimano produces its own brand batteries for use on their systems, but you may also find new e-bikes powered by Shimano motor systems with batteries manufactured by their licensed partners Darfon and SMP. These third party batteries are not interchangeable with any Shimano batteries.
Shimano’s current range includes rack-mounted, downtube-mounted and frame-integrated batteries from 418Wh to 630Wh. You can see a brief overview with detailed links to each battery on offer here.
It’s important to note that each battery model has a limited number of specific battery mounts it will work with, so it is important to replace an old battery with one that is compatible with the mount on your e-bike. You can check out detailed compatibility info here and here.
Shimano says that ‘the oldest current battery we have is the BT-E6000 and the corresponding battery mount BM-E6000. These are compatible with all five of our current drive units (DU-EP8/E8000/E7000/E6100/E5000), but not earlier systems. For reference, DU-E8000 is the oldest in that list – it was introduced in 2016.’
Brose E-Bike Batteries
The only battery listed on Brose’s own website is a 630Wh frame-integrated option.
However, Brose systems are widely used by other manufacturers who also spec own-brand or third-party batteries. These include the likes of the widely respected battery manufacturer BMZ and well-known brands like Scott and BULLS.
For example, Specialized’s ‘full power’ range use Brose-based mid drives and a range of their own brand frame-integrated batteries. Although information on interchangeability is scarce, a Specialized FAQ page, in response to the question ‘Can I increase range by using the 604Wh aftermarket battery in any Turbo Vado/Como?’ says yes, all Vado batteries are cross-compatible as long as you are running the latest firmware (by implication so are Como and Turbo full power batteries are cross-compatible too).
The above appears only to address compatibility on current Specialized models and battery availability for older models appears a bit more complex with lots of debate online over the matter.
The fact that the latest Specialized e-bike batteries contain a Bluetooth chip to communicate with the latest Mission Control App certainly suggest both backward compatibility and availability of third party batteries will be very limited. Current e-bike batteries available from Specialized can be found here.
Yamaha E-Bike Batteries
Yamaha has integrated, rack-mounted and frame-mounted options ranging between 400Wh and 600Wh but information on backward compatibility is rather hard to find. Their systems appear on Haibike models and in the US on their own brand models too.
Giant use Yamaha motor systems but apparently have their own brand of battery – the EnergyPak range. The standard EnergyPak comes in rack-mounted and frame-integrated options whilst the Smart Compact variant allows for faster charging.
Finally, there is the Giant EnergyPak Plus, for use with the Smart Compact – a range extender style battery that fits onto the frame and effectively increases the capacity of the main Plus battery.
Giant’s Service web page states that there are EnergyPaks with 300, 360, 400, 500 and 625Wh capacities and also states ‘Giant EnergyPaks are interchangeable’.
Fazua E-Bike Batteries
This lightweight German-made system uses a frame-integrated 250Wh design and there have been two types of battery, Battery 250 and Battery 250X, the latter having the ability to be switched on and off remotely.
The latest Fazua Evation 250X battery is compatible with all Fazua electric bikes from 2019-22.
GRIN and Cytronex E-bike Kit Batteries
Canada’s GRIN is a true expert in producing a wide variety of e-bike kits. Whilst they do several designs of batteries, one of their best options from a replaceability point of view is their own brand LiGo batteries.
LiGo batteries are very unusual in being modular so that you can easily connect together as many as you like to increase or decrease battery capacity at will. They are particularly suitable for lightweight and folding bikes (I use them on a GRIN Brompton kit) and also for those who want to air travel with e-bikes as the individual battery units are only 98Wh and so are generally allowed on passenger aircraft (disconnect them from each other for travel and reconnect them on landing to make a useful e-bike battery).
The design has been around for several years and is backward compatible.
The UK’s Cytronex produces both European and US spec lightweight kits which use a unique own-design of ‘bottle battery’.
Cytronex says all their lithium bottles are compatible forwards and backward from the first version in 2017. They have different firmware for the new Bluetooth variant but both this and the non-Bluetooth version allow you to use the new 2-way – 5 level Boost Button or the previous one-way 3 level button.
In fact, if you have old and new kits on two bikes you can switch the bottle between both and it will recognize the two different button types automatically.
E-bike Manufacturers Own Brand Batteries
There are hundreds of e-bike manufacturers in the more budget space so it’s way beyond the scope of this guide to cover the options for each one; rather we’ll take a look at a couple of the market leaders.
Rad Power Bikes E-Bike Batteries
Rad Power Bikes first started producing e-bikes for the North American market in 2015 and now claims to be the US market leader. Their website lists several replacement batteries and their current lineup of bikes uses one of two battery designs.
There is the External Battery Pack (with the option for the smaller pack specific to the RadMission) which is compatible with all 2018 and newer model ebikes except the RadRover 6 Plus and RadCity 5 Plus, which use the Semi-Integrated Battery Pack.
Rad Power Bikes does offer legacy options for bikes older than that 2018 ‘cutoff’ and although some of these legacy batteries are currently out of stock Rad says they have plans to restock them.
The battery packs are consistent across their main sales areas of Canada, US and Europe.
The Rad Power website has a great filter system so you can track down the compatibility of what batteries are in stock against all current and previous models, right back to the original 2015 RadRover. All e-bike manufacturers’ websites should provide this service!
Pedego E-Bike Batteries
A longstanding US manufacturer with a clear set of battery specs for current models here. However, there doesn’t appear to be any info about legacy batteries or backward compatibility.
Interestingly, and it seems uniquely amongst the mainstream manufacturers, Pedego have recently introduced a serviceable battery (pictured above) – designed to be easily maintained at the local Pedego store. It features a rear light, brake light and indicators to boot.
Batteries for Out-Dated Motor Systems
There are a number of older motor and battery systems that are either not used or little used these days but there are still some suppliers out there who may be able to help out and if you are in this position a bit of internet research might just turn something up. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
BionX E-Bike Batteries
BionX operated between 1998 and 2018 and were once one of the leading e-bike system manufacturers in North America, with the likes of Trek and Kalkhoff using their systems.
There are still limited stocks of spare parts available here and there, including batteries, for example on this Ohm webpage.
Heinzmann E-Bike Batteries
German company Heinzmann had a great reputation for quality and produced the now obsolete Classic system and the newer Direct Power system. At various times both were available as kits or fitted to off-the-peg e-bikes.
In the UK Electric Vehicle Solutions are the main stockist of complete Direct Power kits and of spare parts for the Classic system.
What About Non-removable Frame Integrated Batteries?
A relatively small number of e-bike batteries are incorporated into the frame and not designed to be removed by the rider – they must be charged on the bike. Whilst perhaps inconvenient for some, the system has the benefit of a sleeker and simpler design and keeps the battery cells well-protected.
The Ebikemotion X35 system is one example of the most common lightweight systems out there to feature a frame-enclosed battery.
When it comes to replacing these batteries, to be clear, our official advice is that this is a job for the dealer, or expert shops to do only.
DIY in this area can get tricky in a hurry. Looking into service options to replace batteries in an integrated system is something to consider before purchasing the bike.
Third-Party Replacement E-Bike Batteries
For some older batteries – or even some current ones – there may be manufacturers other than the so-called OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) who made the original batteries. These third-party companies are not recognized by the original e-bike manufacturers so if possible it is always best to go back to your dealer or the manufacturer directly to source an original battery.
However, third-party batteries may be a solution where no original batteries appear to be available.
There are a growing number of companies that provide third-party batteries and here we take a look at a couple of the bigger operations.
Please note that on e-bikes that are still in their warranty period, replacing the battery with one from a third-party manufacturer will most likely void the warranty.
FTH Power has a good amount of experience in the electronics business and has diagnostics and assembly capabilities. They look to have good stocks of popular far eastern battery brands such as Reention (used by the likes of Juiced and Surface 604) and Hailong. They also have this handy battery/model finder to see if they have batteries for your particular model of e-bike.
Third-party battery provision (and recelling services) appear to be bigger business in mainland northern Europe than in the U.S. It makes sense, this is where e-bikes have been around much longer and where the average value of e-bikes is higher. The need to keep older bikes going longer is greater. For example, Heskon is a major supplier of replacement batteries to dealers and Fiets Accu Revisie is the part of Heskon that sells direct to customers.
The UK’s Electric Transport Shop network offers battery diagnosis (refundable against a replacement battery or recell if required). The ETS says they also have stocks of Battery Management System chips that can be used on certain packs, usually on older e-bikes.
The ETS also says ‘There are so many shapes of e-bike batteries now that we cannot guarantee that we have cell packs to fit them all and it is usually cheaper to buy a factory-built replacement than to hand-build a replacement pack in the UK so we usually recommend buying a battery from the original supplier if the diagnosis proves that’s what is needed. If their supplier is no longer available to supply a replacement pack in this instance we will help people find a suitable replacement or as a last resort we will offer to wire in an alternative pack which may be in a different position on the bike.’
What Should I Do With My Old E-bike Battery?
If at all possible the ideal solution is to take it back to the dealer you bought it from who will send it on for recycling.
In the US the industry is in the midst of setting up its own recycling scheme. It was organized by People for Bikes and will be directly coordinated under the auspices of Call2Recycle. There will be a network of battery drop-off locations from the nation’s roughly 3,000 independent bike shops. Manufacturers and retailers can sign up here.
The batteries will be sent on to ‘processing partners’, four of which are domestic and two of which are foreign—one in South Korea and one in Belgium.
The consortium brands are funding the recycling service, which will be free to riders; of course, consumers will still have to pay for replacement batteries. There are also plans for a consumer-direct mail-in recycling option in the summer – EBR will keep you posted on its development.
There are already such ready-made recycling networks in mainland Europe and the UK is just beginning to establish such a network.
This guide to replacement electric bike batteries hopefully covered the basics of what is out there for you. It’s certainly just the tip of the iceberg though. If there is anything else that wasn’t covered here, let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below and we’ll update this guide with the info our readers are looking for!
The Ultimate Starter Guide to DIY Ebike
Electric bikes gradually replaces traditional and regular bikes. They are not only efficient but also premium with sleek designs. Since it’s becoming a trend in society, an individual needs to understand the concept of DIY Ebike. Sometimes, users decide to update their existing traditional Ebike into the electrical mode. However, a user needs the best e-bike conversion kit to achieve this purpose. A user also needs to choose the right bike. It will be unrealistic to pick any random motorcycle in your garage with the hope of achieving a premium electric bike. The bike shop in your residence should be able to recommend the best option for you.
The fundamental concept of the DIY Ebike is to curb the high rate of electric bicycles. Users can beat the traffic at a lesser cost using a DIY e-bike kit. This article contains information about electric bike conversion kits and other related exciting topics for the readers.
Choosing the Best Battery for Your DIY Ebike
An electric bike’s battery is one of the critical features you need to develop a DIY e-bike. Electric bikes operate on electrical energy against the traditional means of commuting with fossil fuel. Hence, the battery serves as an energy reservoir for this transport mode. Meanwhile, a battery determines the rider’s maximum speed, voltage, and riding capacity.
Your battery capacity describes how far you can travel before it runs out. If your battery capacity is high, a rider can cover a longer distance and vice versa. However, some factors may influence the distance level, such as weather conditions, support, and body size. Most electric bikes with high battery capacity are usually more expensive than those with low battery capacity. Nevertheless, Haidong has several battery capacity ranges that suit many users’ preferences.
An electric bike with a high voltage rate also yields massive motor operation and power. Several users request different voltages, depending on the ride’s intended purpose. For instance, the required voltage for rough terrain will vary from a south road. Meanwhile, experts and experienced riders opt for high voltage e-bikes for driving on rough terrains. Other factors to consider in choosing a suitable battery for a DIY e-bike are highlighted below.
Understanding the basic battery parameters, bearing in mind your requirements, financial capacity, and taste.
Communicate effectively with your battery provider and in more explicit terms for every product or kit agreement.
Ask yourself the maximum weight of the electric bike.
Installing Motor in your Bike System
There are popular motor types in electric bikes: the rear hub, front hub, and mid-drive motor. It would help if you altered the front wheel of an e-bike to use the front motor. Users with rear hub motors put the motor in the middle, alternating the rear wheel position. Also, a mid-drive motor has the pedal assist function, with the motor located at the bottom of it. Each of these motors serves a distinct function. They all have pros and cons, while a user is in the best position to make a choice or preference.
The mid-drive motor is often popular among DIY e-bike enthusiasts. They are user-friendly because they allow riders to adjust their speed and torque appropriately. It is also the best option for a rider who wants to go uphill. Meanwhile, hub motors are cheaper than mid-drive motors. An average engineer can try the hun motor drive, especially riding downhills.
Assembling your Electric Bike Kits
Assembling electric bike kits has its challenges, except you have studied the engineering input. Hence, it will become easy at this point. The start phase will require you to put the inner tube and tire at the rear wheel. These components are usually removed from the hub motor wheel. Slowly screw them to the electric bike motor to prevent the elements from threading. If you have trouble aligning your motor unit to the disc brake, adjust them properly before continuing. This is a DIY e-bike strategy you should be cautious of.
If your kit already marked the torque arms as the left and right positions, fix them into the axle nuts. It may take about ten minutes, then set the controller upright. If the pedal is immediately above the down tube, it may not be easy to notice it. After successfully fixing the controller, return the electric bike to its previous position. Afterwards, place the e-bike upright and let the tires support its weight. Then, go ahead to include the e-bike battery.
Implement basic engineering skills while fixing the battery, especially if the mounting plate holes do not align with the bottle bolts. Hence, draw small holes in this frame region, where the screws can fit perfectly. The best solution is to replace the shock so that the battery can fit in. Hence, this will not require a shock replacement. In most cases, a 21’’ frame is compatible and ideal for most electric bike systems.
The next assembling tool for your DIY e-bike is the cycle analyst meter. Make sure the handlebars can accommodate the cycle analyst meter. Also, the throttle assembly should fit into the right handlebar appropriately. The bottom bracket will bear the pedal-assist function, considering it’s a DIY e-bike. Wherein pedal-assist is also based on users’ choice. After setting these, assemble all the cable wires. Connect the cables to the controller, following each unique size and location. You can try cable wires for a neatly done connection.
The Step-by-Step Procedures
Beyond batteries and motors, other features contribute to the conversion success rate. Any slight fault from these features is powerful enough to affect the overall performance. The best bikes are categorized by their features, performance, and effectiveness. An e-bike conversion kit often has an installation manual. However, this guide provides the step-to-step process of installing your electric bike kit.
Step One
Many users make a mistake by starting the bike without prior testing. You want to make sure the needed materials are complete. Even though having a complete package will attract an extra fee, it is the best caution step.
Step Two
The best step is to install your motor unto the machine. However, the installation procedure will be determined by the rider’s type of motor. Also, check that the brake is in good shape and fix the speed controller and accessories to the e-bike frame.
Step Three
The three key features at this stage are the throttle, battery, and speed controller. When these three are appropriately connected, your e-bike will operate without interruption. Also, make sure to use the proper cables to prevent any fire outbreak or spark.
Step Four
The handlebar region is the spot for an electric bike display. This is where you see activities with the e-bike, such as the speed. Unscrew the display region, and tighten it back.
Step Five
A throttle should be connected to the brake lever. However, some DIY e-bike enthusiasts only fix the throttle to the brake level already. The ignition button will prove if you have done an excellent job or not. When an individual uses the switch button, the battery will be ignited, and the cycle analyst meter will light up. However, ensure the battery is fully charged before riding your bike into the cities.
Top Challenges while Assembling E-bike Kits
One of the main challenges people have is removing the shifter. Meanwhile, this can be quickly done when you have removed the handlebar. This can be time-consuming, so you need to use premium tools only. Also, make sure every other thing is in order before fixing the handlebar. A pretty tricky handlebars grip can be removed with water instead of oily spray. This will stop the substance from messing up the whole process.
Another challenge is installing the bottom bracket shell with the whole system, even though the diameter is compatible with the system. New bikes often have little pieces of metal at the bottom bracket. The solution is to identify if they are any metal stuck in the shell. When the bottom bracket area is free of anything that could stand in the way, you shall overcome these challenges.
Conclusion
If you have been thinking of investing in transportation, maximize the advantages of DIY e-bikes. Both cyclists and random riders are saved from the high of electric bike features. This is most especially common for mountain bikes. You can still enjoy the benefits of electric bikes without losing the attachment to your regular bike. Also, many young people find it attractive to convert their pedal bikes to electric bikes. This mainly applies when they live in a dense urban area.
Once you have the basic technical and electrical skills, you can easily add conversion kits to your bike. Ensure the electric bike conversion kit has everything you may need, and follow the instructions stated above in this article. However, make sure to run your DIY ebike in a less congested area before going into the cities. You can quickly identify any error or fault in the installation process and fix it up.
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.