Proper Electric Bike and Scooter Charging Guide to Avoid Fire Hazards

Nowadays, the trend of using bicycles and electric scooters is increasing, but not everyone knows how to charge them properly to ensure safety and extend battery life.

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Bicycles and electric scooters have outstanding advantages such as fuel efficiency, simplicity, and convenience. Therefore, these types of vehicles are widely accepted by many customers. However, how to use and charge them safely to improve their lifespan is a matter of great concern.

First, users need to note that for newly purchased bicycles, they should be charged for at least 12 hours to age the battery.

To extend the lifespan of the battery, during the first 3 charging cycles, it is recommended to charge for 12-14 hours. After that, it is not advisable to continuously charge the battery for more than 12 hours. Charge the battery for the specified time according to each type of vehicle and unplug the charger when the charging indicator turns green.

There are 2 ways to charge electric bicycles and scooters:

Direct electric charging: You only need to plug the charger into a power source in the house. When plugged in, if the power is on, the indicator light on the charger will turn red. When the battery is fully charged, the light will turn green. This charging method is quite easy and is currently the most popular.

Advices for charging electric bicycles and scooters correctly to avoid explosion and fire-1
Electric bicycles can be charged directly or the battery can be removed (Illustrative image: KT)

Remove and charge the battery: First, you need to remove the battery from the bike and charge it. This charging method is more complicated but safer and more convenient for models that are easy to disassemble.

It is important to note that when using the remove and charge method, you should keep the battery in a dry and well-ventilated place, avoiding low-humidity areas. During the charging process, do not tilt the battery upside down, as this will quickly damage the battery.

Standard charging is the simplest way to extend the lifespan of the bike and ensure safety during operation.

When should you charge the battery?

When you see the battery has only about 1 to 2 bars (about 20% to below 20%) left, you should plug in the charger, avoiding waiting until the battery is depleted to charge it. You should not charge the battery too many times a day, as it can affect the durability of the battery and the overall battery pack.

You can monitor the battery level through the battery indicator on the electric bike. Depending on each type of vehicle, the battery monitoring feature may vary, but generally, the bike display will show a low battery warning light.

Each type of electric bicycle and scooter uses a different type of battery and battery pack. Therefore, the charging time depends on the specific vehicle model.

Charging time for bicycles and scooters using a battery pack with the specifications of 36V12A is from 4 to 6 hours, 48V12A is from 6 to 8 hours, 48V20A is from 8 to 10 hours, 60V20A is from 8 to 10 hours.

Generally, when the battery is fully charged, the charging system will automatically cut off the power. However, to ensure the battery lifespan, manufacturers recommend unplugging the charger when the battery is full rather than continuously charging it at 100%.

When selling bicycles and scooters, manufacturers usually provide users with the instruction manual. Therefore, by reading the manual carefully before use, you can determine how long your bike needs to be charged.

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Charging overnight is not recommended (Illustrative image: KT)

Is overnight charging recommended?

If your electric bike or scooter is equipped with an auto power-off feature when fully charged, overnight charging is normal because you don’t have to worry about overloading the battery if you forget to unplug it when it’s full.

However, if your electric bike or scooter does not have this feature, overnight charging is not recommended. Without an automatic power-off system when fully charged, the battery will be overloaded due to a large amount of electricity being charged overnight. This can lead to battery swelling, damage, or even explosion.

How often should you replace the battery and battery pack?

The normal lifespan of the battery corresponds to about 500 charging cycles. The lifespan of the battery pack corresponds to about 350 to 400 charging cycles. This means that the less you charge the battery, the longer the lifespan of the battery and battery pack.

In reality, there are cases where the battery and battery pack are fully charged, but the bike only runs for a short distance before shutting down. This is a sign that the battery is depleted, and you need to replace the battery and battery pack immediately to ensure the normal operation of the bike and avoid running out of power on the road.

In addition, if you notice signs of battery swelling or wetness on the surface of the battery pack, you should replace it to ensure safety during use when cycling on the road.

Important notes when charging electric bicycles and scooters

– Allow the electric bicycle or scooter to cool down before charging. Do not charge immediately after riding, as the battery and battery pack are still hot. Charging immediately can easily lead to battery swelling, deformation, and quick damage. It is best to let it cool down for about 1 hour before charging.

– During the charging process, turn off the motor of the bike. When the battery indicator reaches 100%, unplug the charger and restart the motor. This ensures your safety and the safety of others around you.

– During the charging process, unexpected situations may occur. Therefore, choose a dry, well-ventilated location, especially away from the reach of children, to avoid curious children causing regrettable incidents.

– It is especially important to use genuine chargers. Each type of bike requires a specific charger, so do not buy random chargers on the market. Using non-genuine chargers can cause electrical differences, leading to short circuiting and fire.

How to store electric bicycles when not in use for a long time

You should store the bike in a cool place at about 20-30°C, avoiding direct sunlight for a long time. The battery must be maintained with a charge level above 50%. If the charge level is lower, the battery will quickly lose energy and deteriorate.

If you do not use the bike for a long time, you should remove the battery and store it in a dry place, away from chemicals and detergents.

Source: VOV