Tips for Battery Maintenance

Tips for Battery Maintenance

One of the most important components of your electric bike is the battery. To prolong the life of your battery and ensure the electric bike performs to its optimum efficiency, diligent and purposeful care/maintenance must be done throughout the life span of the electric bike and its battery

Because electric bikes make use of batteries, the user can select the amount of power required. And since the user can determine the amount of power, electric bikes can also be used as a regular bike if no power is selected.

All bikes manufactured by DJ Bikes, have an option of regulating the amount of power from Level 1 to Level 5. The bikes will travel at 20% of the speed limit at Level 1 and 100% of the speed limit at Level 5. If you select Level 0, no power will be supplied to the pedals, therefore at Level 0 the bikes functions like a regular bike.

Electric Bike Samsung Battery 48V 13Ah

All electric bikes manufactured by DJ Bikes come with lithium-ion batteries. They are preferred to other batteries, as they are rechargeable. The other advantages include:

  • Low maintenance, as compared to lead acid batteries, where water levels have to be checked regularly
  • They have a longer lifespan, which reduces the total cost of your electric bike
  • It is easier and faster to charge. The maximum charging period for the batteries provided with all bikes manufactured by DJ Bikes is 6 hours
  • They are lighter in weight when compared to other same sized rechargeable batteries

The question now arises, what can be done to improve the efficiency and longevity of lithium-ion batteries? What are the necessary steps required to get optimum performance of an electric bike battery?

Charging

It is advisable to charge your electric bike’s battery immediately upon assembly of your bike; however, it is also highly recommended you stop charging the battery as soon as the battery is full (100%). If you continue to charge the battery when the maximum battery level has been attained, please note this leads to over-charging at elevated temperatures, and may result in internal lithium metal plating accelerated by a lasting loss in capacity. In layman’s language, it causes irreparable damage to your battery.

Re-charging

It is not advisable to allow the capacity of your battery to drain off completely, i.e. 0%, before recharging (always avoid full discharges). It is highly recommended you recharge your battery, when the battery level is between 20% and 30%. When charging your battery for the first time, it is OK to reach the maximum battery level (100%), however, it is highly recommended you avoid charging to the maximum capacity on subsequent occasions. As far as it is possible, always avoid fast charging or high loads.

At temperatures below 0oC, it is advisable not to charge your battery. This causes metal plating at the battery anode, and can make the battery volatile and dangerous because of the generated heat.

 

Electric Bike Samsung Battery 48V 13Ah for DJ Fat Bike

 

 

Storage

For an elongated battery life, it is recommended batteries be stored at 40% battery level at a cool temperature. The advisable range of temperature storage is between 5oC or 20oC. This is because lithium-ion batteries do not like high or low temperatures. Temperatures above 20oC decrease the battery life. It is also not advisable to leave the batteries unused for an extended period of time. Therefore, charge at least once every six months to a 50% capacity and store separately from the electric bike. Since 4oC corresponds to the temperature of a refrigerator, you might be tempted to store your battery in a fridge. Never do so, as the humidity can cause rust to the battery parts.

Operating conditions

When operating your electric bike, the advisable range of battery level is between 30% and 80%.

Handling guidelines

  • Do not attempt to dismantle, deform or create holes in the battery
  • Fire or water should not be used to dispose a lithium ion battery. Always check with the local regulatory authorities if you want to dispose or recycle. Do not dump batteries in the local dump or landfills
  • Always keep far from the reach of children
  • Do not touch any leaking fluids on your battery
  • Do not rub your eyes should there be any eye contact with battery fluid. Instead, lift upper and lower lids, and use water to wash eyes carefully and thoroughly for at least 20 minutes, at least until there is no indication of the fluid. Then seek medical help immediately
  • Do not use batteries that have been damaged

In summary, the lithium ion batteries (especially the ones that come with the bikes manufactured by DJ Bikes) are superb, and are designed for longevity. However, its performance and efficiency depend on the maintainability and usage by the user.

All batteries that come with bikes manufactured by DJ Bikes come with a Hazmat Safety (UN38.3) and UL certification, which have passed all quality assurance and control product tests. They are also shipped using the best practices and standards.

You can buy batteries directly from DJ Bikes to ensure a compatible fit with your DJ Bike, and you can find your Battery FAQs answered in our Knowledge Base.