Battery charging recommendations
Posted by Shadow-Legion-1203@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 2 comments
How often should I be charging my batteries?
I’ve been told not to let the batteries drain less than 10%, I’ve been told to drain them completely. I’ve also heard batteries should be charged after 50%
Which is correct? I typically charge them overnight. Each battery lasts me about 20-25 miles before they get to 10%/ nearly dead.
Also should I be having both batteries on at the same time or can I use one fully then kick the other one on? I’m afraid if I have them both on they’ll both drain equally or will one drain the other one take over?
Lastly, should I be turning the batteries off after use? I typically turn of the bike after use but don’t switch the batteries does this affect the longevity of the batteries?
jnyc777@reddit
Don’t charge it hot and don’t ride it right after charging. Slow charge is definitely better than fast charge. Other that cycle life is hard to say. If you charge to 80% drain to 50%, get double the cycle life, wouldn’t that be the same as using more of the power per charge?? I’ve read from multiple sources lithium ion doesn’t like to be at 100% though !
chrispark70@reddit
Probably the single best thing you can do is charge before you ride, not after you ride. NEVER plug your bike in when you come in from a ride. To begin with, your battery may be either hot or cold. Like if it January and it's 20 degrees (F) out, your battery will likely be only slightly warmer. It is very bad to put a battery at sub-freezing temp on a charger. In the summer, your battery may be over 100F internally which is also very bad for charging. But even at ideal temps, batteries hate sitting at high state of charge. So if you ride Monday and need to ride again Friday, your bike is uselessly sitting at a high state of charge for 3-4 days if you charge it when you get home.
Also, try to hit 3.9 or so volts per cell. Charging to only 80% is much easier on the batteries. Try your best to not go below about 3.2 VPC. If you accidentally get your battery so discharged, when the temp equalizes, you should recharge it to 50% to let it sit there between rides.