Whether you’re hitting the trails on your e-MTB or cruising to work on an e-commuter, the battery is one of the most integral parts of any e-bike.
Here at Leisure Lakes Bikes we are committed to safety & customer satisfaction, which is why we carefully curate our stock from the best brands available.
The safety of our customers is always foremost in our minds when selecting the e-bike models and parts we provide in our stores & online services. Before we select a bike we consider the manufacturer’s commitment to quality, both fabrication and design, before we commit to retailing their products to you as customers.
We always ensure our brands meet the highest levels of quality control before the bikes reach our shop floor. Added precautions are taken in the design and manufacture of batteries for e-bikes; and of course, a well-designed and manufactured battery is very safe if stored and used correctly.
With increased media attention regarding electric bike battery faults, below we have highlighted some key care principles to help our customers maintain the performance, integrity and longevity of their e-bike batteries and enjoy many years of safe riding.
Cleaning
For bikes with easy access to the battery, we recommend using a damp cloth to clean the battery casing.
The terminals should be cleaned occasionally and lightly greased. The battery should be completely removed before cleaning the e-bike.
To protect the electronic components, batteries must not be cleaned with direct water contact. If your bike does not have an easily removable battery this will be well protected from water ingress but the care and cleaning of charge ports is essential.
Charging
Batteries should be charged at room temperature in a dry location where a smoke detector is installed.
The longevity of your battery will be adversely affected if it is in prolonged storage in a fully charged or fully discharged state.
Storage
When storing your batteries, excessive heating and direct sunlight must be avoided. Batteries and chargers must also not be stored in the vicinity of heat sources or flammable materials.
We always recommend disconnecting the battery
from the e-bike for storage purposes and storing it in rooms fitted with smoke detectors.
Dry locations with an ambient temperature of roughly 20 °C are the most suitable. Batteries must not be stored below –10 °C or above 60 °C.
Storage & Use During Winter
Store the batteries in a dry location at room temperature.
Fully charging or fully discharging results in higher loading of the battery. The ideal charge status for lengthy periods of storage is approx. 30 to 60% or two to three LEDs on the battery indicator.
During winter use (particularly below 0 °C) we recommend charging and storing the battery at room temperature before inserting the battery in the e-bike immediately before riding it.
For longer journeys in the cold, it is advisable to use thermal protective covers.
Disposal
Electric Bike rechargeable batteries are considered industrial batteries and should not be disposed of as household waste or in the usual battery collection containers.
Faulty e-bike batteries can in some cases be returned to the dealer or taken to your local recycling depot.
Safety
We recommend customers purchase a small fire extinguisher. Small lithium batteries contain very little lithium, so they can be doused with water.
To put out large lithium-ion battery fires, use a foam extinguisher containing CO2, powder graphite, ABC dry chemical, or sodium carbonate.
For bicycles without easy access to the battery, customers should take care considering the impact of extreme temperatures when considering storing the bike for lengthy periods of time.
Remember: The safety & longevity of your battery will be adversely affected if it is in prolonged storage in a fully charged or fully discharged state.
Leisure Lakes Bikes hopes you have many years of happy e-biking!
Here are a few tips to help maintain the high performance of your battery:
Factors that shorten the service life:
● Heavy-load use
● Storage at over 30°C ambient temperature
● Prolonged storage in a fully charged or fully discharged state
● Parking the e-bike in direct sunlight
Factors that extend the service life:
● Low-load use
● Storage at a temperature between 0 and 20 °C
● Storage at approx. 30 – 60 % charge status
● Parking the e-bike in the shade or a cool location
For more information on e-bike battery storage & safety get in contact with your local Leisure Lakes Bikes store here!
You can also get in contact with one of our experts here!
