General advice and tips for storing, maintaining, and using Li-Ion e-bike battery and other types of Li-Ion based batteries.
You’ll also find it helpful to learn about special advices for the use of Li-Ion e-bike battery after e-bike battery rebuild and repair by replacing Li-Ion energy cells with new ones.
To extend the service life of e-bike batteries assembled using Li-Ion elements, a set of simple recommendations can be provided for their storage, charge and usage:
The rules for storing Li-Ion e-bike batteries
For a e-bike battery, it's best when it's used and regularly undergoes charge and discharge cycles. But if there is a need to store it without use, it's essential to follow a few simple pieces of advice:
1. Store the e-bike battery at room temperature, ideally between 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. Extreme storage temperatures can accelerate battery degradation. Additionally, this storage temperature helps prevent harmful condensation of water vapor inside the battery, which can damage the BMS (Battery Management System). Therefore, during the winter, it's better to store the battery in a heated room.
2. The optimal e-bike battery charge level during storage is 40-60%. Battery degradation significantly speeds up when stored with a charge level below 20% or above 80%.
So, if the battery is not used, it's necessary to check its charge level at least once a month and charge it to 50-60% if needed.
3. Store the e-bike battery not only in a warm but also in a dry environment without significant temperature fluctuations.
Why is this important, considering the battery case is splash-resistant and allows using the battery during rainy bike rides?
The battery case is indeed splash-resistant, but it remains non-sealed. This means that when the temperature inside the battery changes due to periodic air expansion and compression, there's an exchange of air with the surrounding environment. Consequently, when the battery temperature drops, a certain amount of air with moisture present enters the case. The desiccant we often place in the free space inside the battery case does an excellent job but has limited moisture-absorbing capabilities. The additional sealing we perform to enhance the battery's design is very useful, but it only improves the case's splash-resistant properties and does not make it completely airtight.
The rules for charging Li-Ion e-bike batteries.
There are several simple rules and recommendations for charging the e-bike battery to maximize its lifespan:
1. Charge the battery when it has a temperature of at least +10-15 degrees Celsius. If the e-bike battery has been used in cold weather with temperatures below +5 degrees, it is advisable to let it warm up in a warm room before connecting it to the charger. However, avoid overheating the battery above 35 degrees.
2. It is not recommended to frequently or without special need use a "fast" charger. Li-Ion elements prefer slow charging. They perform better and have a longer life this way.
3. After the e-bike battery has discharged below 20%, especially to 0%, try to start charging it as soon as possible. Do not let the battery remain discharged for an extended period. This contributes to accelerated degradation of Li-Ion elements.
4. Also, do not leave the battery with a charge level above 80%, especially in a fully charged state. This also contributes to the accelerated degradation of Li-Ion elements. Therefore, do not leave the e-bike battery connected to the charger for an extended period. It is optimal to initially charge the battery to about 60-80%, and then complete the charge to 100% shortly before your trip. This process can be easily automated with a simple and inexpensive programmable timer that can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet and turn the charger on and off at a specified time.
5. Use only standard and high-quality chargers. Do not trust your e-bike battery to cheap chargers that can damage your battery.
Maintenance of the battery's surface and contacts.
It is recommended to clean the e-bike battery's surface by wiping it with a damp cloth without using solvents.
If the battery contacts become dirty or wet, they should be cleaned of dust and dirt and then dried. If necessary, the contacts should be cleaned one by one (without short-circuiting them!) until they shine like metal to ensure good electrical contact.
After cleaning, thoroughly remove any dust that has accumulated during the cleaning process using a vacuum cleaner.
During Li-Ion e-bike batteries storage and operation, it is strictly forbidden to:
1. Subject the e-bike battery to impacts and drops.
This can lead to not only visible external damage but also initially unnoticed internal damage, which can later cause a short circuit and a fire.
2. Expose the battery to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Do not operate the battery in ambient temperatures above 40 degrees.
3. Wash the bicycle with the e-bike battery (or the battery itself) using a high-pressure washer, under a stream of water, or by submerging it in water. Typically, the battery casing is designed only for splash protection and can only shield the internal part of the battery from freely falling water droplets. This means it does not protect against pressurized water, which can enter the battery casing. Moisture inside the casing has a highly destructive effect on the BMS electronic board and other components. This can lead not only to premature battery failure but sometimes to a short circuit and a fire.
4. Allow the e-bike battery contacts to short-circuit with each other.
5. Use the e-bike battery for any purpose other than its intended use.
6. Connect the battery to any power source other than a functional standard charger.
7. Open the e-bike battery casing and make changes to its structure.