5 WINTER battery care tips for e-bikes, e-scooters and esk8s

[@rocheuro]

golden rule discharging your li-po's: - using your batteries - try not to discharge below 15-20% (should avoid discharging completely) - during winter 40-100% - for long storage - 50-75% charged. (preferably around 50%) , - for safety should use batteries below -15/-20max degress C. - after riding below 0*C bring home wait 2hours in warm and then recharge. the worst thing you can do to your batteries 1. expose to heat (45*C and more) and use / charge when its very cold (below -15*C) 2. store on a full charge or full discharge for long peroid of time 3. discharging batteries to flat 0%.

[@mattalford3932]

My scooter has BMS. It protects the battery pack from overcharges. It also prevents 100% drain on the battery. If you leave it 100% dead the BMS will brick the battery, and void the warranty. Pretty neat for a 700 dollar electric scooter. Most lithium ion battery packs have some form of BMS. Even lithium drill battery packs.

[@jimjim2822]

Thanks… great tips! Got a Giant e-Trance a couple months ago. I’ve never done any winter riding but I am now. Living in the “great white frozen north” (Canada) your tips are exactly what I needed. 👍👍

[@kellyfarrell542]

I live in Upstate New York where temperatures are below freezing for most of January. I have taken scooter out, quick trips to the store or pharmacy, 5 city blocks away. I have MS, don't drive anymore.. Does it where on the battery? Yes. I can see that it takes double amount chrg normally use in above-freezing temperatures. I never take it out in snow or rain. I've been riding ft for probably 5 yrs. I changed the batteries myself and I always have a backup.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

I ride a 1000w electric bike, I had fantastic fun all summer, I went all over the place and used the throttle most of the time, it was just great. I'm paying the price now because my battery is only taking me about a third of the distance {even If I do a lot of peddling}. a new battery will be £500 and I'm not very well off, I'm almost a pensioner lol but it's worth every penny. The bike has been possible the best £1,500 I ever spent and has changed my life, I'm breathless through illness so had to stop using my mountain bike the year before last and I even prefer the bike to cars, I can do a large shop and the bike just carries me along fine, {IT still does this trip on full battery and it takes no time lol it is very hilly where I live. IF your thinking about one DO IT, it is great fun and will save you a fortune

[@shadowdance4666]

I thought on how to insulate my battery on my trips and came up with using 2 neoprene thigh wraps on top of a bread bag for wind. You can cut or tear the bag to make your connections. The wrap goes across battery & down tube

[@ANTxMC]

Its cold 80% of the time here in the UK so thanks for the tip. I'll take my battery out when i get to work. Thanks!

[@environmentalcanadian2338]

Just the information an Ebiking Canadian needs. Thanks brother, Calvin.

[@jamesgrennan]

Good advice, didn’t realize the damage I could cause to my battery in winter . Top man . Thanks

[@Mishakol1290]

That's about he stupidest and more retarded thing to have to learn from someone on the internet, when the battery manuals never say anything at all about cold weather charging being forbidden or bad for your battery. Sounds like a bunch of bs trying to make you worried for no reason.

[@Makemrule1973]

Just repaired my 48v eMTB battery after watching your school, I had x5 dead cells - replaced and back out on the dirt. I don't think the winter killed them as your advice I had done already so maybe they were NG anyway and the lack of use over the past few months. Keep up the school :)

[@mikelech1545]

I put a couple of cheap 5v boot warmer pads under my battery bag, keeps the battery a little warmer.

[@elizabethsoro3421]

You're a really good communicator. I learned a lot from you. thank you.

[@TheElokim]

Thank you, adding a bikeboard to the front this year (live in Mtns), so your info is really GREAT!! Thank you!!!

[@Awsomeman328]

I've always kept it as a general rule to never store &/or charge the battery outside except for the summer and to never ride my bike when it gets to around 0*F.

[@sergiocastillo380]

i would love to see a video explaining the differences between mid drives vs hub motors

[@ronhearell2668]

Use small rv watse heaters to leave it at a good temp it will only turn on when close to freezing put a protective barrier between it and the battery itt will turn itself off and on and you can get them 12v or 48v so easy also you should add a cold trickle charger and cold protection bms

[@a-aron2276]

Great video, a lot of people dont realise the affect winter has. Another point to add is to check what your cell capacity is at 0°c . As i know i was caught by this on my first ebike, along with the increased voltage sag is that your battery capacity is infact lower due to the lower voltage. So where you might have 2.9ah for the summer you might only have 2.5 - 2.7ah in winter. Which also means a 1C discharge is different in winter than summer so watch your power output. Safe riding :)

[@a-aron2276]

I said lower voltage when i ment lower temperature, woops. Micah if you pick my comment can you ignore the typo :P

[@redbets1]

This was really helpful. Charged my battery full before storing it for the winter. Now I'm hoping for a warm day to discharge some of it.

[@colonelwirehead2045]

WOW.... snow not seen that for many years, were lucky to get below 15c here in winter and summer 25c to 45c. how about a how to care for batteries in HOT climates.

[@97ajf]

Love the tips. Defintitely will help me maintain my escooter that I have been experiencing issues with battery in winter. I would not charge fully, of course to maintain battery longevity, but I found that my performance was pretty terrible and I was even running out of charge by the time I hit my destination, as my e scooter is for short commutes only with a modest max range of only 8-10 miles in optimum conditions. Now I know how to maintain performance through winter to get me to my destination safely. 👍👍👍👍

[@edwardshonka4068]

I like watching your videos I learn a lot from your videos keep up the good work

[@stackcruiser7]

Love the free swag endorsements at the beginning. Mica lives my dream job.

[@jamesnewsom5899]

Another great and informative vid. Thank you. Do you have recommendations on 4" fat studded tires for E-bike cruisers?

[@lamasta1]

Commuting to work in low teen temps (Fahrenheit) so this info is very timely.

[@LChow-xq3xm]

Thanks for all those informitive videos you make for us.

[@BillyLew]

Thanks for the upload. Really need some good info for my scooter.

[@samclarke1495]

Great help I live in a colder climate and was wondering if it was good for the battery to run them in cold weather

[@GeorgeFryd]

Any ice on the road will still flip you off on a corner, even at lower speeds, especially with bikes where the weight of motor and battery adds that extra umph. I learnt the hard way, once or twice.

[@hughmccormick6844]

really like the videos, they help me to learn about batteries for my bikes

[@michaelkerr4545]

Great videos ! Keep up the great work Could you make a video or comment how to waterproof your electric devices ? I.e bike e-skateboard etc (Would like to waterproof my Onewheel)

[@chrisackert8774]

Great advice for cold weather, Thanks!

[@pirpy2]

Hello Should I put my e-scooter in to the garage to 18 C or shal I leave it outside over te winter.

[@dimamanzano]

I really love your videos, great job.

[@R.B.forMER_S.]

Yeah so do I Micah is good at giving tips and hints,very useful info.

[@awo1fman]

A couple of things I hadn't heard before. Informative as always.

[@jovahsangel]

Good information for cold conditions. 😎🤙

[@drrobotnikmeanbeanma]

I'm trying to keep my 500w ebike charged as I'm riding. I have a 4lb scooter battery that powered on a 750w power inverter. So I thought about plugging the ebike charger in the inverter with just 1 small scooter battery. So I asked the man that works at the battery store he told me since the charger is 48v , he said I need to have 4 small scooter batteries to make it 48v. Do I need 4 batteries or can I just use 1 battery. He said if I use less than 48v it can mess up something. Is that true or false ?? May some 1 tell me the names of the jump starters that has 1000w and more that's all electric and very light weight or the lightest possible like around 23-50 lbs so I can mount it on my ebike ??

[@constancelovejoy7308]

Can u do a video on riding an ebike in the rain and snow. People do it. So what should one look out for? 😊

[@pseltoro4]

I would say look out for sand, snow, ice, wet, puddles, snowshoe rabbits, Abominable snowman. etc.

[@hidinbo]

Salt

[@americanchucker4181]

For those who don't know, a 50% charges Lithium battery has a 3.7 volt voltage level, to be clear.

[@R.B.forMER_S.]

But it's 4.2 When fully charged... Right?😐

[@bengrobben2582]

@@R.B.forMER_S. yes

[@quentinrufin4025]

or 3.6v for some

[@R.B.forMER_S.]

😏Yeah 3.6 🔋fully charged is 4.1 and 3.7 🔋 fully charged is 4.2 🔌

[@alibro7512]

@@R.B.forMER_S. New batteries I've received were charged to between 3.65V and 3.75V so I guess that must be the optimal storage charge for Li-Ion batteries.

[@Kyle22030]

Thank you! Very useful tips 😀

[@observinthelaws]

I want to purchase an electric scooter that has a lithium battery. The scooter's speed is 30mph. If I drive it in -15c, will the speed decrease, and if yes, to what speed? Or only the range decreases? And if yes, by what percentage?

[@Slamm1983]

I live in Northern NYS (on Canadian border) and I have been riding my Gotrax scooter 3.5 miles to and from work everyday..I have found that I only have about 50% power when temperature drops below 40°F and of course I have to charge battery before I leave for home at night now that it is starting to get colder..during spring/summer months I could go whole 7miles and still have 1 bar left

[@LAPGOCHINSTRUCTOR]

Great very timely and useful video Happy Thanksgiving all

[@carlbole2142]

very good video dude(coming from a 11 year lifepo4 user)...cheers

[@crowhurd]

Subscribed! Great content!

[@charleswerba8722]

Another great video... keep them coming!

[@MoeWeston-tx1or]

Small e bike would be great to ha someone make quick attach third wheel basket to take to stores, farmers markets,ect.

[@super-sim1665]

You can buy a ebike battery from em3ev with temperature built into the Bluetooth app otherwise it's very difficult to know how cold it is.

[@WHITELIONNYC]

Pretty much if it's too cold for me to go outside to buy coffee just leave the ebike alone. Got it!

[@mrmafia602]

I ve read an article saying you shouldnt ride your ebike below 0 Celsius ,because it will degrade the battery discharge cycle ,meaning you will do less km/miles even in Good Conditions ,after taking its damage.

[@jozefznanec9826]

Nice video Mike

[@pl-ps2pd]

Great tips. Thanks Micah

[@DOTCurrency]

Do one about hot batteries. Also is it okay to house batteries in an insulated container when driving in winter?

[@stvcolwill]

Looks Freaking Freeeeeeezing!!!!! Thanks for another great video!!

[@rynmcmahon]

Thanks for all the videos. Can you do a video on the best setup for getting a heavy (fat) guy up a hill on a 700c road bike?

[@JohnnysCafe_]

Very useful information, thank you 👍

[@kyleniedermeier6651]

Great tips! I didn't know all of these!

[@xTinBenderX]

Great info! Where were these tips years ago?

[@jordanthomson8675]

Hi what would you recommend to protect a battery in a electric scooter when the battery can’t be removed to be bought inside It is starting to get cold in the morning hours in Ontario Canada and I work when my bike is left outside

[@stevenm9236]

Great info. thanks

[@jaimesmoran4136]

Great video, very informative.

[@joeltaylor4821]

Good video. With a smart charger, is there a scenario where the smart charger will not charge the battery because the pack is too cold? Or does the battery controller decide if the pack is in temperature range to charge?

[@StigBSivertsen]

Thanks for the great tips and thanks for the video 😊

[@DENSUTUBE2008]

Great info everyone should know.

[@JCBike32]

Very informative and very well done .! just ran across your channel... just got an Ebike ... rarely gets that cold in South Mississippi but love the charging tips 👍👍

[@Troobeli69]

Good advices. Thanks!

[@AKIYIAKELLY]

I left my E-Scooter in the Garage. Now it won't charge. What can I do?

[@carltrottier1324]

Thanks for the heads up. Appréciated !

[@mikebravo6636]

Thanks Micah will discharge ORBEA GAIN to 50 percent rather than keeping topped up. Only problem battery not removable and garage only location. Any tips for insulation for battery or not necessary?

[@xeroxwc]

Thanks for your tips. But Could you please tell us about the motorcycle on which you are sitting? is it an electric motorcycle? What technical characteristics does it have?. Thanks

[@badgeofhonour]

Thanks for the tips.

[@morenituvieja]

cool tips!!! thanks m8!!

[@nettoyageadriance]

Awesome tips!

[@theamazoner4075]

does the ancheer battery use lifepo4 or Li-ion i like lifepo4 because of it's longevity but Li-ion for the price thanks

[@jdmccorful]

I'm about to do a mid Bafang upgrade on my bike. Looking forward to this project. I've enjoyed reading two of your DIY'S, the one on Batteries and the other on bikes. Keep up the videos. Thanks

[@carlosmoran9957]

How do they do with electric cars, do I need to keep it in a heated garage? Thank you

[@recipehacker9752]

Carlos Moran no, keep it inside the house. Garage is too cold.

[@samforgione9237]

My question is how long could you keep a battery topped off at full capacity before it affects the battery?

[@AdamSolar]

Nice Tips! What kind of capacity loss do you think happens from storing at 100%? Or how long is it ok to store at 100%? I tell people as long as they are riding at least weekly not to worry about it. Trying to keep a pack around 50%- 80% SOC might be a bigger deal for a lot of people than it is worth.

[@RavindraKempaiah]

The loss could be such that the usable cycles may reduce to 400 instead of 700+. The decay in capacity is not linear... it is exponential. The impedence build up is what prompts this exponential decay.

[@samw514]

great video, thanks for the tips.

[@etiennegignac]

Good info! I was just wondering about that the other day!

[@bradybrown510]

Great info, thx again for sharing

[@mrbenjaminvincent]

I bought my first li-ion battery problem is it didn't come with a cord the connects the battery to the controller. So I bought and PC cord the connects to but I don't know how to connect the green black and white wires to the red and black wires.

[@l3MTA3l]

Are there trickle chargers if you plan not to use your electric vehicles for several months maybe a year?

[@jrotor3301]

Great info Micah. Is it helpful to cycle the battery once a month during the winter or is keeping it at storage level adequate?

[@nl1cat]

Jrotor 2nd option and check the soc now and then.

[@chrisvergari2705]

I think you mentioned that you're living in the Boston area now so I see you did get some snow from that storm a few days ago.

[@patswayze2493]

Is there a way to discharge the batteries. It's already full blown winter here with a lot of snow, so riding is out

[@markgratto8734]

Great video

[@giotinez]

Thanks it helps a lot

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

Cool thanks for the information!

[@deathincarnatesplace]

how about one about the ones that break but shouldn't mathematically. like step up generators. or ebike that use alternators to extend battery charge by up to four times the normal value.

[@TheronChaplin]

Thanks for the tips!

[@elscanoe]

thanks for the tips!

[@Shandougla]

Great advice.

[@milesfre]

I have a Talaria XXX and it can get to 15F here and sometimes even colder in NY during winter. It's kind of a pain to get the battery out because I have to swing down the rear wheel. And I'm unable to bring the entire bike inside. Is it fine to leave it in the garage? I've heard it shouldn't damage the battery but I've also heard that it will.

[@TeslaCanadaEh]

Excellent tips ! My Son has a Voltbike Yukon 750 and its typically below zero here in Waterloo Ontario Canada.. we use many of your tips ! Batteries are expensive and keeping them in good shape will ensure long life and good performance. May I post your video on the Facebook Yukon electric bike owners group ? Cheers

[@EbikeSchool]

Of course!

[@audiecarter8886]

Can you explain AH in batteries and how that relates to the power?

[@securitor8161]

I want to push my bike below -20 Celsius because I'm used to doing it with my mechanical bikes for years and years I've written as cold as -50 wondering if anyone has any solutions for battery protection for the bike for the winter if you wanna push it other than neoprene cover

[@NemoEUC]

Define how long when charge is at 100%. A week, a month, a year??

[@ebhodaghe5431]

Good video 👍🏿

[@R.B.forMER_S.]

What if a regenerative hub motor is charging the lithium ion battery while coasting down a steep long hill. How would that be???🤔

[@nettoyageadriance]

That's a good question. I'm wondering the same thing?

[@charleswerba8722]

You'll notice that he's talking about the temperature of the battery, not the temperature outside, so regenerative charging should work just fine since your battery keeps itself heated while in use.

[@nettoyageadriance]

@@charleswerba8722 thanks for the insight!

[@R.B.forMER_S.]

There was one time I brought my battery inside when I went over to a friend's house and left the bike locked outside.Then when leaving I plugged the battery to the controller and twist the throttle and nothing happened.(1000 watt regen hub motor ) So I pedaled the bike after a few minutes of pedaling I was finally able to get the throttle power to work.I must also add to this that it was a misty cold night and the controller was left secured to the bike which could explain the reason.Nevertheless even do I brought the battery inside the house it still didn't help.( ? )

[@BeezyKing99]

Hector Martinez it may be because your controller has dropped below its minimum threshold of operational temperature? Most electrical components don’t like to be frozen... especially the electrolyte components.

[@siyavash65]

nice tips! what about the motor and controller in very cold temperatures?

[@usdpaulp]

How about storing the batteries at -10f for extended periods like 2 or 3 weeks. Will that damage the battery if it's at 50%???

[@EbikeSchool]

No that’s ok. Just don’t use it while at low temps.