It has been common practice in Europe for some time to use electric bikes and the trend is spreading across the globe. Despite its ease of use and ease of use, the electrical component is not without faults. E-bike owners are regularly faced with problems relating to batteries. So for this reason, you can rely on us for assistance in understanding electric bike batteries. That’s why in this article I am going to share the most common E-Bike Battery Problems with you. So if your E-bike battery is not charging, then it’s true you are facing the below issues. After reading this, you will handle batteries with no trouble.
E-bike battery problems
If your electric bike doesn’t turn on, consider the following troubleshooting guide. Or, If your electric bike battery is not working, then our guide is best for you. You see eBike Battery dead signs if you face the below problems.
- Swelling of an E-Bike Battery Pack
- Batteries on e-bikes don’t last very long
- Battery Not Holding a Charge
- E-Bike Not Speeding Up
Don’t worry; later on in this article, we will discuss every problem in detail. So stick with us till the end of the article.
Types of Batteries
Battery types used in electric bicycles are largely the same in the United States and Europe. Liquid lithium polymers (LiPo) and liquid lithium-ion batteries (LiIon). China is the strongest market for lead-acid batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries have the advantage of being rechargeable batteries. It is not necessary to completely discharge these batteries before recharging them. The batteries hold their charge well, and they can be recharged many times. The lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 150 watts per kilogram more than the lead-acid battery.
However, these batteries also have some disadvantages. Furthermore, these batteries rapidly deteriorate when discharged. Batteries degrade more quickly at high temperatures. Generally, they last 2-to-3 years. The inside of lithium-ion batteries is soft, but the shell is hard. A soft polymer shell makes the battery more flexible. One of the reasons these batteries are becoming more popular with electric bikes is their flexibility.
What you need to know about E-bike batteries Protection
Charging an e-bike in direct sunlight is not recommended. In this case, it’s also possible that your battery gets damaged easily. The charging process should occur in an area with good ventilation, away from direct sunlight, and at a cool temperature. Never allow the battery to discharge completely. Ideally, the battery pack should be charged about 10-20%. It will prevent the internal batteries from falling into a low charge state, making them incapable of recharging.
Whenever you use your battery, ensure that it is fully charged. It’s a good idea to charge your e-bike once a month, even if you don’t use it. Lithium-ion batteries atrophy over time, so it’s best to charge them frequently. Whether you’re riding an e-bike in a river or a puddle, do not enter any water. E-bikes are not waterproof, regardless of how water-resistant they are. Ingress of water can damage your e-bike’s speed controller, battery, and motor.
How to Test an E-Bike Battery?
Batteries are a vital component of a bike. If you are thinking about E-Bike Battery Problems all day and night, then make sure to test the battery too. How well it performs or how far it can travel is determined by its performance. It is worth your time and money to maintain your E-Bike battery, and it will probably give you the most bang for your buck if you do so. E-bike users need to test their batteries as part of e-bike maintenance. A multimeter is a useful tool, so you should learn how to use it. Using the test, you can test the battery’s performance and determine its lifespan.
Make sure your e-bike is fully charged before you begin testing it with a multimeter. The battery might need to be removed from the frame. Using a digital multimeter, you can perform diagnostics after completing the first two steps. A battery can be tested to see if it works as a replacement battery for your bicycle if it is old or spare. Adding a second or bigger battery to your bike will boost its performance. We have related articles on how to do this. Be sure to test your recycled battery before recycling it, especially when it’s an older battery.
Use a Multimeter to Test an E-Bike Battery
I recommend checking out the INNOVA 3320 digital multimeter. I have found it very easy to use, inexpensive, and effective. This is a great product! You might damage your battery if you misuse a multimeter. Check your multimeter’s user manual for more information on connecting it and using it properly. Afterward, start the diagnostic process.
As you first test your battery, use the multimeter to keep the bike stable while you set the front wheel firmly against a wall. A multimeter must then be selected based on the test it will run. A “test load battery” option is usually available on digital multimeters. As the first test, you should check how your battery is performing. Also, make sure the meter is set to DC voltage.
Afterward, you need to check the battery voltage. If you have the battery attached to the bike, you can test it by turning it off. Check the voltage with a multimeter by connecting it to your battery. Once the vehicle is turned on, the voltage should be checked again. Unless you can keep the bike from rolling forward, have someone else sit on it.
Comparing the voltage displayed by the multimeter with your e-bike is a good idea. A couple of volts over the specified voltage should be displayed by E-bikes. Next, you should determine how much capacity the battery has. A multimeter can help you determine this. Check the resistance of the battery as the last step. This indicates the battery is not storing electricity as well as it should. You should find these numbers outlined in the technical specifications in your owner’s manual. You can use these numbers as a reference later. Moreover, stick with us if you want to know about E-Bike Battery Problems.
How to fix your electric bike Battery
First, ensure you have properly charged the battery. Ensure that you have plugged in the charger. The correct way to charge a battery should be outlined in the manual, and then you should connect your charger to it. If nothing happens, you need to jumpstart the battery. Double-check the battery voltage again to make sure it is close to full. Your battery should now be charged. Our next step is to jumpstart the battery if this is not the case. Perhaps the BMS has tripped, or you are experiencing a charger issue.
Jumpstart your battery
It is your battery’s responsibility to keep it safe through the battery management system (BMS). Many times, they tend to overreact in an attempt to be safe. Your battery will be good, but only your BMS will be bad, so you’ll need to jumpstart your battery to resolve this. Please do not charge your device using the discharge port, as we explained at the beginning of this article. As for using that advice to jumpstart the battery, we’re not following it. It’s only a few seconds that you need. Consider it as a form of defibrillation. Not a full charge; just a jolt will do.
You should continue to charge your battery as usual after this. In this way, it is likely to charge, and then discharging after being placed back on the bike should be relatively straightforward. The discharge port should not be used to charge for more than a minute as you can potentially cause many problems. A silly accident won’t cause your house to burn down.
Explanation of E-Bike Battery Problems
Swelling of an E-Bike Battery Pack
You probably have serious problems with your eBike battery pack if those lithium-ion cells are swollen up. Occasionally, flat-pack cells are used in electric bikes, and they are known to swell when damaged. Lithium-ion 18650 cells are more reliable because they are much less susceptible to swelling.
Be sure to turn off your eBike’s power and carefully remove the battery if you notice it has a bulge in it. Batteries can be disposed of in most recycling bins in your city. Many eBike batteries are now placed inside the frame of the bike. It can be difficult to notice that your battery pack is bulging as a result. Only by removing the battery pack can you determine whether the battery pack is swollen. Before disengaging cables, you will need to do so.
Batteries on e-bikes don’t last very long
About 700 cycles are typical for a lithium-ion battery. Once the capacity deteriorates after this point, there is usually no hope for it. There is no problem here – and as time passes, it will only worsen. After a few years, you will notice that the capacity of your electric bike is diminishing even though you can use it for many years with just a few days’ charge.
Your eBike battery may not be lasting as long as it once did, so here are the things to check:
- Is the battery pack charged to 100%?
- Does the terrain have an upward slope?
- Is pedaling helping your battery?
- Do the wheel bearings on your eBike spin freely?
- Are there any shorts in the motor, battery, or wiring?
Your battery could quickly drain if any of the scenarios above occur.
Battery Not Holding a Charge
The lithium-ion battery is very capable of holding a charge for a very long period of time. These batteries, however, will slowly deteriorate over time, just as any other battery. It’s a good idea to charge up your electric bike if you haven’t done so in a while. You may have a short circuit somewhere or you may have a faulty battery if the battery is discharging quickly while you are charging it.
Trying charging the batteries separately on a bench will allow you to see what’s wrong. After fully charging, you can disconnect the battery from charging and then test it. It’s most likely the wiring in the bike or a short in the motor if the battery holds a charge. A bad lithium-ion cell or a short circuit is to blame if the battery doesn’t hold a charge.
E-Bike Not Speeding Up
You may not be able to speed up your electric bike for numerous reasons. Most of the time, the magnets for proximity switches on the rear wheel hub or pedal crank end up getting dirty. Use a rag to wipe them clean, and you’re done. Many people incorrectly diagnose this problem. The drive motor is usually shut off by switching between the front and back brakes on electric bicycles. This can cause a switch to be stuck, which may cause it to fail. You can try releasing the switch by activating both brake levers a few times.
It might be necessary for you to remove the entire brake lever on either the front or rear brakes to check the limit switch. Leaving your eBike out in the rain is another reason not to do so. Regardless of whether you’re pedaling with an assist, using throttle only, or pedaling only, you must be on the proper gear. The eBike’s speed sometimes does not increase when I am in the wrong mode. Once the bike reaches a certain speed, the drive motor will kick in. Usually, the speed is around 1.8 mph, just a safety feature.
After reading all these E-Bike Battery Problems given here, I hope you can fix all of your problems easily. But still, if you are unable to do it, then you can comment below. Our team is ready to help you!
Final Verdict
We have come a long way with electric bikes, and they are the future. Sometimes, when mountain biking, I encounter some problems with my E-bike battery, but it is always a simple fix. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone in need. Our E-Bike Battery Problems tips and tricks are there to help you to maintain the bike. E-bike batteries are most at risk from low voltage and excessive heat. Keeping your battery charged will enable it to last as long as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of a bad e-bike battery?
Answer: Batteries for e-bikes can be tested for voltage, current, and resistance. Make sure to use a multimeter for accurate measurements. Connect a battery to the multimeter. Following the connection of the multimeter, the user must select the desired function and then perform the test.
What will you do when an e-bike battery is a Dead terminal?
Answer: In the event of a dead battery, the bike will be powerless. You won’t be able to turn on the brake lights or the electric headlight. Also, you are not able to charge your phone (if your electric bike has a USB port).
Can e-Bike batteries be replaced?
Answer: If you do it correctly, replacing an old eBike battery with an upgraded one is not too difficult. You don’t need to purchase a new e-Bike if the old battery is dead.
Can you still ride an ebike with a dead battery?
Answer: Yes, in a nutshell. When the motor is turned off, whether by choice or a flat battery, an e-bike will function as a regular bicycle, E-bikes aren’t fun without power, as we regularly review them.
