How to recharge the battery of an electric bicycle?
Knowing how to ride an electric bike is not enough to use it well. You also need to know how to charge it properly. Indeed, the functioning of an electric bike differs from that of a classic bike by the presence of a battery powering a pedaling assistance system.
To benefit from this assistance, it is then necessary to recharge the battery of its electric bicycle. But how to do it? What are the right steps to take?
Zoom on the different steps to follow to recharge the battery of an electric bike.
1st step: remove the battery from the electric bike?
Is it necessary to remove the battery from the electric bike in order to recharge it? This is a question often asked by beginner cyclists. The answer is: this is not automatically the case.
It is perfectly possible toleave the battery on the electric bike when charging. As long as the electric bike can be placed near an outlet, it is usually not necessary to remove the battery from the electric bike.
However, for convenience or to protect the battery under certain conditions, it may be preferable to remove the battery. If it is easier to leave the bike in a storage area or in a garage without electrical outlets, the battery should be removed for charging elsewhere. In addition, it is advisable to remove the battery from the electric bicycle in case of low temperatures (less than 5 degrees) and to charge it in a place where the temperatures are better.
So, even if it is not always necessary to remove the battery to recharge your electric bike, it is still important to know how to do it when needed. To properly remove the battery from an electric bicycle, you should:
- Make sure that the battery and the console of the EAB are switched off;
- Unlock the lock on the battery with a key (different locations possible depending on the model);
- Remove the battery by sliding it out of the carrier or by pulling it towards you if the battery is located on the seat tube or down tube.
It is best to watch your movements as you remove the battery and carry it to its recharging location to avoid shocks. Once recharged, the battery can be replaced and locked again with the key.
Tip: To avoid losing the battery key, it is recommended to leave it in the lock when the battery is removed.
Step 2: Connect the battery to the mains
Whether or not the battery is removed from the electric bicycle, the second step is to connect the battery to the mains so that it can be recharged. The good news is that the battery in an electric bicycle is similar to the batteries in any other electronic device. The way to charge an electric bike battery is the same as for other devices.
To avoid overcharging, first plug the wire into the wall outlet and then connect it to the electric bike battery. It is important to follow this order to preserve the battery as long as possible.
Good to know: it is recommended to use the original charger sold with the EAB. In case of loss or damage, it is preferable to choose a new charger of the same brand or to make sure that the new charger is compatible with the battery.
Step 3: Recharge the battery as long as necessary
Just like for a smartphone, the charging time and especially the level of charge of the devices have a great influence on the life of the battery. In the case of an electric bicycle battery, the announced lifetime is 1500 cycles on average. This means that the battery can be recharged to 100% 1500 times (a lifetime of about 5 to 7 years).
Thus, it is not always necessary to recharge the battery of your electric bicycle to 100%, especially if the cyclist does not need the full autonomy offered by his EAB. It can be more judicious to carry out small charges to remain above 30% and below 70%. In any case, this is what the manufacturers recommend.
However, it is important to be aware of the importance of not going too often below 30% (2 lights out of 5) of charge. You should not wait until the battery is empty to recharge it. Indeed, when the batteries are empty, the life span declines. It is also for this reason that it is recommended to charge the battery at least once a month even if the electric bicycle is not used.
Finally, during charging, you should pay attention to the temperature of the battery. If it overheats, it is best to wait for it to cool down before plugging it in again.
Step 4: Optimize the use of your electric bicycle to save battery power
Following the previous three steps is a good start to using your electric bike properly and preserving the life of your battery. Other good habits can help protect the battery in the long run.
First of all, it is recommended that you ride with properly inflated tires. Under-inflated tires consume more fuel in cars. For electric bikes, the battery will be more stressed. The correct tire pressure for an electric bike is marked on the tire blanks.
Adapting the way you ride your bike is also a very good way to preserve the battery's autonomy. The great accelerations or the dry braking solicit much the battery. It is then preferable to anticipate your driving and to slow down naturally when approaching a red light or a stop sign for example. Overall, it is by getting to know your bike, its gears and its range that a cyclist will be best able to take care of the battery of his or her bike.
It is also preferable to use the battery regularly to avoid its lifespan declining. A simple ride at least once a month can be enough to preserve the battery.
Finally, it is recommended to protect the battery from rain or wind with a protective cover, especially if the electric bike is parked outside.
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