Introduction

Litium-ion batteries power many of today's household items. Their high energy density and widespread availability make them the obvious choice for powering electric bicycles. While they are a modern marvel, these batteries are not without their drawbacks. For example: All lithium-ion batteries will lose their ability to hold energy over time. In addition, they will lose performance in cold weather. The following article goes over tips on how to maximize the performance of these batteries and how to offset the limitations of today's technology. 


Charging Basics

How the battery is charged is one of the most important factors in prolonging the lifespan of the battery. The following tips outline

  • Only use the provided Ride1Up brand charger for your specific model. Chargers that are not the correct voltage can ruin the battery. All our 48v bikes use a 54v charger, and our 36v bikes use a 42v charger. The exception to this is the LMT'D V2 charger, which has an output of 48v).

  • Wait 30-60 minutes after riding to charge the battery. This is especially true in the hot summer months. Some batteries in our lineup have a thermal fuse that will prevent charging if the battery is too hot. These batteries will not start to charge until they have cooled down from use. 

  • Plug the charger into a grounded outlet before plugging it into the battery/ bicycle. 

    - All Ride1UP chargers will show a green light indicating it is ready to charge.

  • Visually inspect the charger's tip and charge port for damage or moisture. Damaged or soiled charging tips are the main reason we see batteries fail to charge. Moisture and debris in the charging port are also common so we advise inspecting both the battery port and the charger tip before charging. Closing the charger port after charging can also prevent this kind of failure. 

  • Unplug the charger when charging is complete. Batteries that are plugged in indefinitely, is the second most common cause of battery failure we see. These batteries will work correctly however, the charge will last only minutes. To avoid this, unplug the battery within an hour after the charger turns green again.

  •  Chargers will get warm during use, this is normal. In our tests, we have seen chargers get up to over 130 degrees. The charger will be warmest during the middle of the charge cycle which takes about 4-6 hours.  





Battery Care


What to do:

  • Charge the battery until the light on the charger turns green. Charging the battery until fully charged allows the BMS (Battery Management System) to balance each group of cells in the battery equally. Keeping the cells in balance will provide the longest range and lifespan of the battery.
  • If storing for long periods: Ensure the battery is stored with a minimum of 40% and a max of 80% charge. Ideal storage temperatures recommended are 50F – 77F. Storage should be done in a dry area.
  • Check the battery once a month. If the battery drops to 30% or below, charge it up between 40-80%.

What to avoid:

  • Do not leave the battery on the charger unnecessarily or for extended periods after the battery has been fully charged. Doing this can expedite battery cell degradation and reduce the lifespan of the battery significantly.
  • Avoid draining your battery completely. If your battery is nearly dead and your bike powers off, do not power the bike up or drain the battery any further. This can harm the battery and reduce its longevity over time. In this case, use leg power or wait until you get home to charge up the bike.
  • Avoid temperature extremes. Very hot or cold temperatures can negatively affect the performance of the battery and shorten its expected life. Avoid exposing the battery to extreme cold or heat for long periods.
    40F- 80F are ideal operating temperatures.
  • Do not leave your battery in direct sunlight for extended periods. If it is necessary to leave your bike outside in direct sunlight for extended periods, take your battery into a shaded place to keep it cool.


Cold temperatures affect your battery's capacity and performance:

  • The electrons in all batteries move slower when in temperatures below 50F. When the temps drop below 50F, the battery will have a reduced capacity and reduced range. This is normal behavior, and the performance will bounce back to normal when temperatures increase to optimal operating conditions
  • Do not charge a battery that has been allowed to go below freezing. Let the battery sit at room temperature for a few hours before charging.
  • If the battery is being stored for the winter, it is best to keep it indoors at room temperature. We also advise checking the state of charge monthly to enurse it does not fall below 20%. If it does, charge it between 40-80%.


Model-specific Battery Information 

All removable Ride1UP batteries can show the battery state of charge via one of more lights on the battery pack. By pushing the status button, the light(s) will illuminate for several seconds to display the level of charge. The following section can help to identify what each light/ color means. 


Core-5 and LMT’D Battery



The battery charge indicator can be found at the top of the center of the battery. This single light will change colors depending on the charge level. Press the button to see the status.

  • Flashing Red ≤ 20%

  • Red ~ 20-50%

  • Green ~ 50-90%

  • Blue ≥ 90%

Turris Battery



The battery charge indicator can be found at the top end cap at the center of the battery. This single light will change colors depending on the charge level. Press the button to see the status.

  • Flashing Red ≤ 20%

  • Red ~ 20-50%

  • Green ~ 50-90%

  • Blue ≥ 90%

700 Series, Portola, and Cafe Cruiser Battery



The indicator can be found when the battery is removed from the bike on the top. It is normal for one light to be red and the others green. Press the button to see the status.

  • One Bar ≤ 25%

  • Two Bars ~ 50%

  • Three Bars ~ 75%

  • Four Bars ≥ 90%


Prodigy (all variants) Battery



The indicator can be found when the battery is removed from the bike on the side near the top. 

Press the lightning bolt button to see the status.

  • One Bar ≤ 20%

  • Two Bars ~ 40%

  • Three Bars ~ 60%

  • Four Bars ~ 80%

  • Five Bars ≥ 90%


Revv 1 Battery



The LED indicator can be found on the lower front right of the main battery. 

Press the button to see the status.

  • One Bar ≤ 25%

  • Two Bars ~ 50%

  • Three Bars ~ 75%

  • Four Bars ≥ 90%


Further Reading

            - Learn more here: Used Lithium-Ion Batteries | US EPA