Reviving a dead e-bike battery might be an ideal task to extend its lifespan and regain its efficiency. Moreover, it improves range and overall riding experience. Although not all batteries can be properly revived, there are a few options you must try before purchasing a new one. Let’s learn the answer to a popular query on how do I revive my electric bike battery and hopefully save you from huge repair or replacement costs.
How Do I Revive My Electric Bike Battery?
To revive an electric bike battery, the general procedure to be followed involves charging it to its full capacity and using it on a daily basis. You must follow the charging and maintenance guidelines that come with every product provided by the manufacturer. The manual contains recommended charging duration and overcharging should be avoided as well. However, the battery should not be kept idle or unused for a longer period.
Additionally, replacing an aged or defective battery is also essential for optimal performance. Moreover, while charging, you must acknowledge that different electric bike batteries may have diverse charging specifications and longevity. Thus, proper research must be conducted before selecting a reliable battery that aligns with your specific needs.
How to Revive Dead E-Bike Battery?
In order to revive a dead e-bike battery, the most basic things you will need are a charger (power source), a screwdriver, and a voltmeter. The process to revive the electric bike battery is explained below-
1. Take Off the Battery Cover
First of all, with the help of a screwdriver, you need to remove the outer cover of the battery.
2. Measure Voltage Using Voltmeter
You can measure the voltage from the BMS side using a voltmeter. Next, you do the same for all the battery cells so that you can find which cells possess the lowest voltage. Once the cells with the lowest voltage level are known, you can mark them at your convenience.
If you are wondering how to use a voltmeter or a multimeter, note that you must place the positive probe of the wire on the positive side of the battery cell and the negative probe on the negative side.
3. Disconnect the BMS
Once the cells with the lowest voltage in the battery have been identified, next you will disconnect the Battery Management System (BMS). This ensures that the flow of electric current into the cells can be controlled during the battery revival process. To achieve this, you must separate the positive and negative sides of the BMS, according to the particular design of the BMS. This can be done by either loosening the solder or detaching the cable connected to the BMS.
4. Charge Slowly
Now, very slowly you can charge the battery, let’s say using a 1-amp charger. The two methods mentioned below will explain how to continue the charging process.
- First, you can charge every individual battery cell using a slow charger. Here you will have to reconnect the cells again.
- Then directly connect the external power supply to the poles (positive and negative) of the battery. You can do your adjustment as per the lowest possible charge rate.
- While charging, the battery should charge up to 50% only and then you can disconnect the power supply.
5. Reconnect BMS
During this step, you will proceed to reconnect the BMS and again measure the voltage levels to confirm that they have surpassed the minimum range.
6. Reattach the Battery Cover
Finally, put the battery cover and use an original charger to initiate the charging process.
Also Read: Can E-Bike Fat Tires be Offset by a Fat Battery?
Can Electric Bike Batteries be Repaired?
One of the most important components of an electric bike is its batteries, as they power the motor and enable various features. If the battery malfunctions, it will seriously affect the performance of the e-Bike. Hence, many e-Bike riders first consider repairing the battery instead of buying a new one to save some extra bucks.
Yes, minor defects in an e-Bike battery can be repaired, but there are several eBike batteries that should not be sent for repair. Those batteries are not worth the effort of attempting to repair, especially when they are severely damaged. It is important to note that trying to fix a severely damaged battery can be hazardous and pose a risk of injury.
Also See: How to Reduce Electric Bike Fire Risk?
How are Electric Bike Batteries Repaired?
Electric bike batteries should be effectively maintained and if you can detect minor issues, they can be repaired. Repairing and rebuilding e-bike batteries serves the primary objective of replacing defective parts, rather than restoring the batteries to their optimal state. Repairing includes replacement while rebuilding means replacing those parts before they become useless. However, compared to the replacement approach, opting to refurbish an older e-bike battery (if it no longer recharges) is more cost-effective, as it can restore the battery to its original condition.
The steps to repairing an e-bike Battery are:
1. The initial process involves conducting some basic tests to identify the broken or malfunctioning parts. Then you can disconnect the faulty parts so that it further does not affect the function of the battery.
2. Once the defective parts have been disconnected or removed, you can replace those with new effective components, thereby restoring the battery to its original optimal state.
Repairing an eBike battery is usually done for relatively new batteries that don’t require complete refurbishment. Additionally, the repairing process may vary depending on the specific damage. This will help you decide whether you should choose a replacement or repair approach.
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What are Some Quick Fixes for E-Bike Battery Problems?
These are some quick fixes you can try while encountering e-bike battery problems-
- Initially, complete a 24-hour charging cycle and make sure that battery is fully charged.
- You should also clean the battery, charging ports, and frame ports.
- To evaluate the voltage level, utilize a multi-meter tool for accurate measurement.
So by now, you must be aware of how I revived my electric bike battery. Since reviving an electric bike battery requires careful evaluation, attempting this approach before replacing can be cost-effective. If you are unsure, it is always best to get expert help to avoid any injury or risk. Moreover, by following the procedures, you can enjoy the benefits of electric biking for an extended period.
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