E-Bike Battery Charging & Maintenance
If you're an ebike owner, you know how crucial the battery is to keep your bike rolling smoothly. However, issues can arise when it comes to charging and maintaining your battery, particularly in extreme temperatures. Here in the Okanagan, we experience both scorching hot summers and freezing cold winters, which can impact the health and longevity of your ebike battery. That's why we're here to provide you with the tips, tricks, and advice you need to ensure your battery stays in top shape, no matter the weather!
How to Charge Your eBike Battery
Charging your ebike battery is usually as simple as disconnecting it and plugging it into the wall socket.
However, there are steps you can take to extend the life of your ebike's battery:
- Charge within the temperature range on your manufacturer's specifications. For Giant bicycles, a 'healthy' charging range is 0 degrees to 40 degrees (celsius). Any colder or warmer may interrupt charging and harm the battery life.
- Don't overcharge your battery. This happens when you leave your battery charging for a long time after it has already finished charging. Instead, you should charge it while keeping an eye out for the green light. Once it's fully charged, disconnect it from the charger as soon as possible.
- Charge your battery to around 60% when you plan to store it for a long time - like over winter. It's best to not fully charge or fully empty your battery before storing it.
Read the Giant Bikes Manual for eBike Battery Charging Tips
Your ebike will come with a manual. That manual contains up-to-date information about the technology and features your ebike (and battery) has - and which can drastically improve the lifespan of your eBike's battery.
Tips for eBike Battery Charging
These quick tips can help to ensure your battery is ready to go when you need it:
- Create a calendar reminder to check your charge levels. If you ride regularly, check your charge once a week. If you only ride on weekends, check your charge once per month.
- Charge your battery at least once every three months (some manufacturers require this or the warranty may be void. Check your manual!)
- Ensure your battery won't get wet when you're charging it. It should always be charged in a safe, dry location.
Finally, always use the chargers provided by the manufacturer. If you misplace or lose yours, think twice before replacing it with a cheap aftermarket charger. These chargers are often non-compliant and have been linked to a higher risk of fires.
