I have several ebikes (some since 2015 like GB), and generally store them at 40-60%, even if only for a few days (sometimes 80% if I expect too use it soonly). I charge my smaller batteries (400-500Wh) to 100% before most rides, and my larger batteries to 80-90%. I'm not a distance rider, so that's always been enough for me to end up with at least 20% post-ride charge levels (usually more like 30-50%). Then I either use my "smart" chargers to juice back to 80%, or my 1-hour timer to pump 100-150Wh back into the mostly-depleted battery. This has worked well for me - my 2015 iZip still has at least 80% of original capacity, and my most-used bike (a 2018 with Shimano STePS) still shows 99% of its original capacity after nearly 100 full charge cycles.

@@pubcollab Sounds like you are caring for your batteries properly. If you are only using a small percentage of your battery on each ride, then charging to under 100% you will definitely get much more life out of your batteries. 2015 is a great run for an eBike and yours sounds like it has plenty more life left in it. Keep on rolling.

Hey Dan , I don't want to put an advertisement up but check jag35 for some used good condition batteries.

Would you recommend charging with a portable power bank achieved by a solar set up. If so do you have any recommendations? I have the aventon sinch 48v 14ah 500-750w brushless motor and I'm going to start using it for work. I am thinking I'll buy a back up battery and store it under the rear rack. The battery at use is inside the foldable frame. I'm a heavy guy so the 40 miles that the battery claims to last per charge is more like 28 for me. A few hills will cut that range even lower. Thanks Oh, and I'll be charging off the bike and not while charging the power bank whether solar or plugged in through my cars lighter or into the wall. Even if I wanted to simultaneously charge my power bank via solar and charge my e bike at the same time I'm not sure that I could with my current set up, but sounds like something I might look into for maximum efficiency in another build someday.

@@mytrigger5613 I have charged with both the Solar panels and from a battery bank. It to forever to fully charge. Like you, I'm a heavy rider so my batteries usually get discharged to 25-30% each time. As far as using the battery bank or the solar to charge all the time. I use both systems occasionally so I can't say from personal experience for long term use. However I have called the manufacturer and they said using a battery bank or solar to charge is OK and shouldn't cause damage to the battery. They even said It may better because of the slow charge. I have two 48 volt 21 amp hour batteries and I and when I ride in the hilly areas with PAS 3 I can get about 30 miles until the battery monitor is in the yellow. That seems to be average for the heavy rides I talk with using the same conditions. Of course, when I see I may not make it home I switch to PAS 2 or 1 and limit the use of the throttle to extend the range. As far as the recommendation, I've had my solar set up for many years and I don't think it's even made anymore. However, since charging with solar is slow I would recommend getting the biggest portable set of solar panels you can get and carry to help with charging time.

Thanks for the comments and tips. Sounds like your battery care and maintenance is working well for you. Generally, I don't argue with success, but If I was going to recommend anything different, I would say to charge to 100% more often. The older the cells are in the battery, the more they charge at different rates. Some cells may charge to 90% -95% while some only charge to 70% -75% averaging 85%-90%. But like I said, I'm one who doesn't argue with success, so if it's working weel don't change. I've traveled the world but never had the opportunity to visit the Scottish Highlands, but I've heard it's beautiful. I've also heard the area has some pretty steep hills. Does your eBike handle them well?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Hi there! I may well change my charging regime to perhaps 1 in every 4 charges being a full charge. Perhaps I'm just being too cautious! As for 'hills', I live just a couple of miles outside the Cairngorm National Park, so it is a bit of a cycling playground here. I'm lucky enough to tie into the Dava Way and West Highland Way (decommissioned railway-line in the 1960's) so it is pretty much the opposite of hilly, nice and flat routes which have been blasted out of rock and viaducts keeping things (for the most part) level. This helps me achieve around 90 miles between charges (Batribike Delta Plus 100nm 250w mid-drive 460Ah, I'm 11st in weight)

@@mattcameron9349 WOW! I would have thought your riding area was very hilly. It sounds like you have the perfect eBike and battery set-up for your type of riding. For me I need a little bigger eBike and battery for my very hilly area and my size, about 19 stones (265 lbs). However, I get to ride all year round because we get very little rain and snow only about 30 days out of the year. From what I've heard, it's pretty wet where you are. is that correct?

@@GreyBeardEBiking We tend to get all four seasons in just the space of a couple of hours! I'm only 4 miles from the coast, plenty of flat forest-trails, bridleways, old logging-roads, private estate roads (in Scotland we have the 'right to roam'. There are no laws of trespass, jaywalking, etc... so anything goes!) as well as the old 'Beeching Lines' which in Scotland are nearly all converted to cycleways. (Please see the link. These transport cuts were initially disastrous for local communities, but 50 years later are now spectacular for cyclists!!) en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeching_cuts

@@mattcameron9349 Sounds like you need to be very prepared for all types of weather when you ride out there. I have read about the "Right to travel or roam" and I really like the concept as long as the travelers are respectful the owner's land. Here in the US, many times a few irresponsible people, a few bad apples as it were, ruin a great thing for others. In the US we have many similar roads and trails as your Beeching Lines. The term generally used in the US a "Rails to trails". Old, discontinued rail lines or access roads converted to hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Do you carry Panniers on your rides to carry your gear?

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video and found it useful. Hope you will be enjoying some of my other videos.

Thanks for the great comment. Stay tuned for the follow-up video with new information regarding eBike Batteries.

Thanks, I appreciate noticing the extra work on the video. I hope you'll send a picture of your first eBike, I'd love to see it and I know you're going to enjoy it.

Thanks for the great comments. Have you had good luck with your batteries?

Thanks for watching and the comment. Keep me updated as to how your battery range is performing. 😎

Thanks John.

Thanks for watching and for the comment. I try to keep the videos simple to understand. Thanks again.

$365, though I'm sure it's worth it.

Thanks for the info. I take my batteries inside to charge them so I can make sure that both the charger and the batteries are in a controlled temperature environment. I also try not to discharge my batteries to 5% or less, however, if I'm on a ride and the battery is low, I prefer to ride it home even if it discharges 100%. A full discharge once in a while will not damage the battery. But fully discharging the battery often will damage it. A 2058Wh battery sounds like you can get some great range. Smart chargers or at least a shut off timer are very good options to help preserve your batteries. However, most battery experts recommend charging to 100% every 6 or 7 charges to let the cells balance. What is the voltage of the battery and your eBike type?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Once I saw a video of a lithium ebike pack burning I never wanted them inside the house again. As long as the charge cycle is over before the temperature hit freezing you are good. The batteries are 58.8V 35Ah 2058Wh lithium triangle packs using 18650 cells for $800 each. That leaves 1337Wh using only 65% of the pack capacity. After 7 years I can't tell a difference between now and when they were new. If the BMS is functioning properly you don't need to charge to 100% to balance, but most chargers don't give an option anyway. The Grin Satiator can charge at specific amperage and to a specific voltage. I change at 8 Amps without stressing the cells because they are large packs, approximately 4 hours to fully charge. It can also trickle charge when it reaches the set voltage. Once it reaches its charge point it displays how many amp hours it used. In the photo set below, I start with a picture of the 500C display showing the beginning voltage and end with all the ride data including GPS data, and finally, the Grin display shows how many amp hours it took to recharge. The most important thing is that you can easily read the voltage at all times. The bike is a Tout Terrain Panamericana German steel touring bike, arguably the best touring bike frame in the world. A BBSHD 1000W mid-drive with 1.34 h.p. and 160 Nm of torque, 26" X 2.5" wheels, Speedhub, Fox shock with lockout, RockShox fork with lockout, FAIV front suspended rack, and dynamo hub. My max range with only bar bags and Fugoo speaker is 126 miles on 85% capacity or 80+ miles with a moderate load (an additional 40 lbs. in two front panniers) on 65% capacity. Fully loaded and pulling a trailer I can get 60+ per pack depending on the surface and incline. I have never depleted past 20% capacity. If I know I am going to need more range or power than that I take the other battery along. 10 May 20 - 100 miles. www.relive.cc/view/vMv85EGzYNO photos.app.goo.gl/9ZbuKQNWsHtRH3Ft7 prnt.sc/sw0igi

@@SmokeyTreats Yup. Extend the life of a single battery and you pay for it. They also allow you to charge at different amps too. With big batteries like mine, I can charge at 8+ amps without stressing the cells, so it charges in 1/2 the time as a standard charger. It can be configured for virtually any lithium, nickle metal hydride, or lead acid battery pack. I like multi-purpose.

Thanks for the great comment. Take care of your batteries and you will be able to ride much farther, and your battery will last much longer. Have out on the road my friend.

Yup for some it will save some dough. For me, I don't worry about the life because, when cared for properly, the battery will last a long long time under normal use. I would rather sacrifice some charge cycles for always being charged up to 100% and ready to ride anywhere at anytime. I think the real keey is how you store your batteries and how you charge them. Thanks for watching and commenting.

​@@DanBronkmost last a little over a year. Gasoline is much cheaper.

Thanks for the comment. I try to keep the videos educational as well as entertaining. Thanks again.

Thanks for watching.

Thanks for the comment. I tried to make the video as easy to understand as possible. Are you still looking to purchase an eBike or have you made a purchase yet?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Yeah made my purchase I got my KBO Ranger 3 days ago.I love it so far. Can't stop riding it. Exactly what I needed in my life right now for my mental health. But again thank you keep doing what you're doing. You got to follow out of me.

@@notfakemaine1431 Great choice on the eBike. Are you planning to carry a lot of cargo?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Not quite yet just this is getting adjusted to it first... But soon. I haven't wrote a bike since I was 15. And that was almost another lifetime ago 29 years ago. Lol

@@notfakemaine1431 Well, you know what the ole saying is ... "It's like riding a bicycle, you never really forget how". The ole wind in your face and the smile on your face will come back quickly. Have fun getting to know your eBike my friend.

Thanks. Glad you found the video useful. Stay safe out there my friend.

Thanks for the comment. In addition to saving money, using the timer makes charging much safer.

How did it save money?

Thanks. Do you have any favorite eBike subjects or do you like to watch for entertainment?

Thanks for the great comment. What is your eBike and battery combo?

@Grey Beard E-Biking gotrax ebe5 fat tire ebike with a few modifications for comfort. A suspension seat, wider seat, extra lighting. As for batteries I have a 12.5 ah 48v that came with the bike. And a reention dorado aftermarket battery 25ah 48v.

@@techspot871 Did you add the extra lighting for night riding? What kind of range do you get out of your 25ah battery?

@Grey Beard E-Biking i added 2 extra lights to the bike for a total of 3 lights. For the rear light i got a brake sensing light. It flashes and goes full red when hitting the brakes. I have never driven the 25ah till dead. Longest ride was 50km still seemed to have a 1/3 battery left.

@@GreyBeardEBiking I also ride my bike to work daily (10km). My car stays home on nice days

Thanks for the comment. What kind of eBike and battery combo do you have?

@@GreyBeardEBiking thanks for asking. It's a Marlin 6 Trek with a Bafang mid drive conversion and a 1KW battery at 52v. That thing weighs a ton but has so much power and goes forever. My char controller is a 4 Amp charger and can charge to 80%, 90%, or 100%. Loving it.

@@mjj2u2 Wow! That's a great set up. Did you do the build? Also, as you said it's a very heavy eBike, how do you transport it?

Thanks. I have not had much luch purchasing an aftermarket battery. I generally purchase from the dealer I purchased my bike from. More expensive but I have good luck purchasing from the dealer.

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I totally agree with you. The best and safest way to charge is a slow charge.

Thanks for watching

Thanks. Just a little up-date. My batteries are almost 2 years old and are still going strong charging and maintaining this way, so I think this way is working well. In my latest video I talk about charging to 100% everytime. Do you charge to 100% after each ride. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ncCDabmh29iviWg.html

@@GreyBeardEBiking I’m planning on purchasing an E bike conversion kit for my vintage 90s Hardtail mountain bike. I have yet to get a battery, but I want to be educated from the best before I do!

@@banyanstudio Thanks for the kind words. Best advice I can give is go for the most amp-hour battery your budget will allow.

@@GreyBeardEBiking Gotcha. Thank you!!

Thanks for the comment. Yup, 2 batteries always makes good sense, and is a great way to have a back-up power supply. Stay safe out there my friend.

🙂 Thanks for the comment. Yes, the battery does need a little bit of time to "settle" after use before charging. Especially in very hot or very cold temperatures. Are you getting good performance from your batteries?

Thanks. Yup these shirts are great, and they stand out so people can see you when riding. Keep on riding my Hawaiian wearing shirt Brutha.

Thanks, I tried to make it easy to understand.

Thanks for the comments. Sounds like you are taking good care of your batteries. Yup, COLD and HEAT are enemies of batteries. Stay safe out there.

Thanks for thew great info. You are so right. And that's why temperature conditions are super important with regard to eBike battery use and storage. I treat my eBike batteries like I like to be treated, in comfortable conditions ... not too hot and not too cold. Thanks again.

@@GreyBeardEBiking your welcome 👍😉

For the colder months, I bought a neoprene sleeve with Velcro closure that wraps around the battery and frame to help negate the negative effects on the battery riding in cold weather.

@@RickMidds that a really good idea. Definitely worth doing especially in minus temperatures.

@@lbarnett748 I’m pretty sure I bought it off of Amazon. It was around $15-$20.

Great tip, Thanks. Generally, I recommend checking on your battery charge level every few months so the charge will not be depleted. Do you store your batteries for long periods of time ... such as winter-time?

@@GreyBeardEBiking here in the Netherlands we bicycle the hole jaar long. I own 5 e-bikes and try to sur thema all. I have a special one that I hand built and do not drive in the winter time. Its a 1909 Indian. Yes its electric. Its a good weather bike.

And we do not have Nice weather in the winter do it stands a long time still. The battery tot used up by the controller. A verg expensive mistake. The is hey i adder dat tip.

People if you are storing your ebike for months, at least ride it once every month or 2 months if you can, for sure once every 3 or 4 months Run batteries down n charge them up but not fully

Thanks for the complement. I have been using this charging pattern for over 2 years and have had great success. I haven't had any power or range issues. What is your eBike and battery set up?

@@GreyBeardEBiking My e- bike is a Biktrix Kutty X 2 with a 48Vdc 14Ah Bafang 13INR19/66-4

@@richardmigneault9411 That's a great eBike. What kind of range can you get out of it?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Haven’t had a lot of chance to ride it, but in our mountainous terrain the way I ride I would guess close to 50 kms. I have only had to charge the battery 3 times and yes I charge it to 100% which only takes a couple of hours, I got it on a timer.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the videos. I really do enjoy making them. Thanks

Thanks Ricky. I tried to make the video as easy as possible to follow. What did you think of the Mileage and the life cycle formula that I used?

@@DanBronk Seems about right too me. 👏🏼

@@rickyn1135 Glad you enjoyed the video. Positive Vibes to you foor this Holiday Season.

Thanks. What kind if battery and eBike set-up do you ride?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Lectric 3.0 Long - Range🔋

@@SteezyMcCheezie Sounds like a great set up and lots of fun. Are you a trail rider or city streets?

Thanks Dave. Hope you enjoyed the video and found it useful and helpful.

Thanks. Glad you liked the video. I've charged my batteries this way for years and it's worked great for me.

Thanks for watching. As a retired engineer I like to be prepared for anything. Thanks again.

Yes, Bosch is a very good brand. And good maintenance is also good for any brand. Keep on riding my friend.

Thanks for watching. Ride on my friend.

Thanks for watching and the nice comment.

Thanks for the comment. You are correct. Most people don't realize that the last 20% of the eBike battery takes longer to charge than the first 70%. And as you noted, if you only charge to 80%, you are losing that much power to your motor. This really affects the higher wattage motors. I'm like you, I like to charge to 100% every charge for many reasons, which includes the fact that I never know how long of a ride I'm going on and I want to have the options when I'm out on the road. Are your rides generally of longer distances?

Thanks for the question. When first charging your battery all the cells are being charge to full, however as the cells get closer to full the charger will "Slow Down" because some of the cells charge faster than others. The Charger doesn't need to send full power to all of the cells because some are already fully charged. Also, letting your batteries charge to 100% every 5th or 6th charge lets the cells balance out. All batteries are different and charging time depends on many things, battery condition, Battery age, ETC.

Hi, I also store my bikes in the unheated garage and sometimes in the unheated shed outside. However, I always bring my batteries inside during the winter for storage and charging. I'm not aware of any eBike batteries that have a BMS that protects against cold weather charging. Since I don't charge in freezing temps, I can't be sure of that. Possibly the charger has a low temp sensor. I don't really worry about that because I pretty much only charge at temps between 60 - 85 degrees (F). Also, I let my batteries rest for an hour or so after a ride before I charge them. In addition, I have the power to the charger on a timer, so the charger shuts off automatically in case I forget to turn off the power. Ride on my brutha.

Thanks. I've used this same information for over 5 years to keep my batteries in good health. Stay with the build, it will be so worth it when you get to ride. What kind of bike did you get?

It is a definite challenge to learn about, buy, and ride an eBike. But you know, It gets easier after the first ride. Then the first 100 miles and the follow-up checkup (eBike AND your body 😉😁) In my case, eBike: Lectric XP Premium, 100+ miles Body: 70+, back biking after 30+ years. No problems so far either way… Lots more miles & things to see and do.

When I carry an extra battery I strap it onto the side of my rear rack. Check out this video at the 2:50 minute mark on how I do it and let me know if this will work for you. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rryYepqKnLWqmX0.html

@@DanBronk Great idea. Thanks.

@@pedalingpete626 Good luck. Let me know when you decide how you're going to carry your spare battery. Love to see it.

I put 2 wire baskets on back rack one on each side, i carry 1 extra battery in one side n tools n straps n green slime n small air pump underneath in heavy duty plastic garbage bags so rain water wont hit it I carry water jugs n other stuff in other basket I also put stuff in garbage bag n bungy cord it on top, i can carry sleeping bag n pad n clothes in it You can carry a lot of stuff this way

Thanks for the comments. Yes, taking care of your batteries will very much help extend their life. In addition, proper battery care will also be much safer. A good quality battery will generally take care of the safety issues because of the quality BMS system. I recommend using the factory supplied chargers for each battery and not go to some of these "Fast Chargers" that have been advertised.

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I agree. I think charging the eBike battery off of the eBike is safer.

Hello Vicky, Not sure if my first reply went through but here it is again. eBike batteries don't like humidity. Out here in California we don't have to deal with that much humidity but I have many eBiker friends who live in Florida. They all pretty much said the same thing. They use a very small fan to continuously blow air over the batteries when they ore on the storage shelf. They said they have never had a problem with humidity. I've also read this is a good solution. In fact, even though we don't have humidity out here in Southern California, there are many benefits to having air circulate over the eBike batteries so I've started using a fan to blow air over my eBike batteries. I purchased a $10.00 little fan from Amazon. Thanks for the question.

Yes, a surge protector is a great idea Also I recommend a shut off timer for your charger so the power will automatically be shut off when the battery is charged. Thanks

Yes, gray, but no hurting. Gray just means wisdom. Sounds like we both have acquired a lot of wisdom. Thanks for the comment.

@@GreyBeardEBiking Yes my friend, we really appreciate you shere your knolege and experience. Thank You.

@@emilkermendy4595 Thanks for the thoughts. Hope you will watch my next video coming out in a few days. The video is about How much speed on an eBike is too much speed.

Great point. In reality, batteries should be used at least a little once every month or 2. With the cost of a new or even a re-built battery, regular maintenance of the battery can save you a lot of money. When you ride, do you charge to 100% everytime?

@@DanBronk I have been charging to 100% recently because I have been doing range tests on my new bike using each pedal assist level. Once I am finished with each range test i might not charge to full each time. On my old ebike I always charged to full since the battery was small.

@@klumze9911 I would love to hear how your range tests finish up. Sounds like you charge up to be ready for any kind of ride.

I have at least 1 year of experience with each of the following battery "brands": Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha. I also have 1+ years with several "off-brand" (much cheaper) batteries that at least claimed to use Samsung, Panasonic, LG etc cells. In my experience, the "mainstream" branded batteries lost little to no charge when stored idly for months on end, but the inexpensive ones lost large amounts of charge levels. For example, one Yamaha battery (from a Haibike) I had was an "extra" and I stored it at 60% for more than 6 months. Simultaneously, I had a Sondors battery that had about the same starting charge for the same period. The respective charge levels at the end were 59% and roughly 30-40%. I think that ebike batteries' cell quality has as much to do with the need to frequently recharge as anything else.

@@pubcollab Yes, you're so right. I have had the exact same results from the cheaper batteries. You definitely get what you pay for. In my view, a high quality battery pays for it self when compared to the low quality batteries. What kind of bike do you use your batteries on?

It can do. For Chinese batteries, you should make sure that the charger is switched on before you plug the jack into the battery, otherwise you can get a spark from the surge current that charges the charger's capacitors. The spark is generally harmless, but it erodes the contacts over time and can weld the jack to the socket if you have a 5.5mm coax jack, which can destroy it when you try to pull it out. There are many different arrangements, and that's not necessary in some of them, but there is no downside to switching on the charger first in any of them, so best to adopt it as normal practice.

There are many "add-on kits" to wire in a second battery with a switch to switch between batteries. However, I would talk to the Manufacturer to get the specifics for your bike and if it's possible with your eBike and battery set up.

@@GreyBeardEBiking Thank you !!

WOW! Thanks. What is your eBike set-up and what type of riding do you prefer?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Bafang Mid drive 750w and i like to go fast and long

@@Stanima68 Sounds like you have a great set up. Ride safe my friend.

Thanks for the question and the comment. When I charge, I have the charger turn off about 30 minutes after the battery shows 100% charged. With most of the newer and quality batteries, the BMS, (Battery Management System) will keep the battery from being overcharged and possibly being damaged, however, charging for an added hour generally will not increase the life of your battery. But keep in mind, that leaving your battery on the charger continuously after the battery is 100% charger could damage some older batteries with a low grade BMS. Stay safe out there.

@@GreyBeardEBiking thanks a lot bro with your answer regarding my question, 👍👍👍

@@rodolfobaliga7577 Say safe out there my friend. 😎

Thanks for the great question. You should always let your battery rest and adjust for an hour or so before you begin to charge after any ride. When you have extreme temperatures, hot or cold, you should allow your battery to get to or close to room temperature before you begin to charge. Where do you ride your eBike in the snow?

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I agree with you. I am very skeptical of the current rapid or fast chargers for eBike batteries. Many of the battery fires have been attributed to aftermarket fast charges. With a fast charger, the battery cells often times are not given enough time balance as they charge which can lead to all kinds of battery charging issues and damage to the battery cells themselves. In my opinion, using a fast charger on a long ride once in a while might be OK but for me, I'd just carry a 2nd battery and my regular charger. Yup, I'm with you on that.

Thanks for reaching out with your question. Sorry to hear you are having an issue with your eBike battery. The information you supplied is very limited but here are a few ideas. How long was the battery in storage? Years? Was the battery maintained with a minimal charge during storage? If your battery is an older battery and was stored for a long time with no ongoing maintenance, then the battery may have slowly discharged to the point of sustaining damage. All eBike batteries slowly lose their charge over time. I would recommend taking the battery to a certified eBike battery service shop and have them check out your battery. Also, have you checked the charger to make sure it is in good working order? If you have a second battery you can check the charge on a good battery to make sure it is working properly. Kepp e updated on what you find out. Good luck.

@@GreyBeardEBiking Almost 6 months. Is there any fuse inside the casing….?

@@mithranjanweerathunga2113 Some batteries have a fuse however, unless you are very experienced and a battery expert, I would take your battery to a certified eBike battery expert. Also, have you checked the charger to make sure it is working properly?

Thanks for reaching out. I would not recommend the 2 power ports together. I'm not clear as to the "waking up". Is it the battery or the bike that is not being activated. The first thing I would do is I would check the batteries on another eBike and then I would check different batteries in your eBike. That's how I would begin the process. Let me know what you find out. Thanks.

Yes, this is true, but I would rather get a larger battery that give up cupcakes and ice cream! 😂

H Frank. Thanks for reaching out. The Aventon Soltera 7 is a nice eBike. If your normal rides are only using 20% battery with no problems, then I would charge to 100% on every other ride. Keep in mind that when your battery gets to 50% charge or less, you will have much less power than when at 100% charge. However. your 350-watt motor doesn't "eat-the-power" like bigger motors do. In my situation, I live in a very hilly area, and I am a heavy rider. My usual rides are 20 - 25% charge left so I try to keep a full charge all the time. Even if I do a "Quickie ride" and use only 10 - 15%, I charge to 100% because I will need the power for my next ride back to home, which is all up hills. I also sometimes carry a second battery so I can have fresh power for that last steep hill climb to home. What kind of riding do you mostly do?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Can't thank you enough for responding and happy to hear you approve of the Soltera 7. I was shopping around damn near a year for an e-bike that I really liked, had a good rep, and in my price range. Aventon had them on sale a few weeks ago plus a $80 online discount coupon, free shipping, free rear basket. I'm in Amish Land....southern PA. Looks exactly like southern Germany where the Amish emigrated from. There are a few short, very steep hills that you can ride if you choose or stick to the flats which have no more than an average of 5% grade or so. I blend in 1 or 2 big hills on my typical evening ride but mostly flats. Typically 15 miles or so each ride. I never use the thumb throttle and usually on power assist level 3. Just like you said, the 350W motor doesn't consume much juice. I'll do exactly what you said and charge to 100% every other ride.

@@frankcastle5294 Glad to hear you are enjoying your new eBike. I love to hear that you put in your due diligence before making your eBike selection. A good choice has to fit many different categories that matches your individual riding style, typical riding area and style, and of course your budget. I've been through Southern PA and it's a beautiful are to ride. Do you ride solo or in a group?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Thank you Sir. I typically ride by myself or with neighbor lady who also has an e-bike. Would really enjoy a group outing sometime that's sponsored by local bike club. I believe most of those folks ride conventional bikes but I'll check into it. I'm an old guy and own approx 20-25 motorcycles at any one time but this Soltera 7 is my favorite new ride. Just very relaxing and pleasant and peppy speeds if I choose. Southern PA really is beautiful and we've managed to keep most of the builders and developers out of the bulk of Lancaster County, so riding is still pristine. Let me know if you ever return to southern PA and would be great to meet and take a long ride together. Many thanks Sir.

@@frankcastle5294 I'm sure if you check online, you will find some eBikers in your area. I kind of like the slowed down pace of things and that's why I'm planning a move from Southern California to North Idaho. Beautiful country up there also. Plus way less crowded. 20-25 motorcycles, WOW! How did you happen to acquire all those motorcycles?

Thanks for the comment. I agree with you. eBike batteries are expensive so it's worthwhile to try and make them last as long as possible.

Hi. I don't really recommend an ice-pack over your charger to keep your charger cool. I would recommend using a fan blowing cool air over the charger. Make sure your charging area is well ventilated and at room temperature. Thanks.

No answer 😅😅😅😅

Thanks for the question. I always recommend going back to the place you purchased your eBike or the manufacturer of your eBike and/or battery to get a spare or replacement battery. Always great to have spare battery. I'm not a big fan of aftermarket batteries even though the price may be less. Thanks again and stay safe out there.

Not sure what you mean, but generally you can change or add a new battery anytime. Thanks

I don't have very much experience with Regen, however charging a warm battery is not good for it.

I never travel with or leave the battery installed on my ebike when I'm not riding it. Right now, I live in San Diego, Ca. so I don't cover the connections for short trips unless I know I'm going through some bad weather. Also I store my eBike in an enclosed clean and dry garage However, when I'm on a road trip I cover the connections, the motor and the monitor with either plastic bags with bungie cords or for long trips I have a full bike cover. When it comes to weather, I guess I'm spoiled or maybe just a wimp, because I don't ride in bad weather. 😬The full bike cover is the best, but it does present some other issues, such as blocking the vehicle tail lights and license plate. I'm going to be producing a video in the very near future about how to make a simple and cheap taillight and license plate extender. Also, I never leave the eBike on the rack at a motel, I always bring it inside with me. Be advised, some hotels/motels don't allow eBikes or the eBike batteries in the rooms, so you will need check. I know some folks that just don't mention that they have an eBike with them.

If it is going to rain or be real dusty while my battery is off, i use a plastic garbage bag n bungy cord it around where battery hooks into so it dont get wet or dirty

@@michaeljohn7467 That's exactly what I do also. If I'm going for a long drive with the eBike on the rack I use a full bike cover, but I will still wrap a plastic bag with bungees around the connections.

Thanks for the comment. When planning a multi-day eBike ride I generally don't have enough time in one place to rely on a solar charger, so I try to plan my trip with recharging locations along the route. In addition, I pull a cargo trailer so I can carry up to 4 batteries. Then I only need to plan for 1 or 2 charging locations. Or worst case, pedal like heck with no power. This isn't an option for me though.

Hi James. If your rides are shorter and you generally only use about 10-15% of the battery on your rides, then I would just charge it every other ride. For me, my rides are generally around 20 miles and I use anywhere from 50-75% of the battery on each ride so I do a 100% recharge each time. If I happen to only do a 10% ride for some reason, I still charge to 100% because I know my next ride will need a full battery. But as I said, if your typical ride is only 10-15% then charge every other ride. But if there is a chance you might go on a long ride the next day then I would fully charge to 100%. Let me know if this info was helpful of if you need more info. Thanks

@@GreyBeardEBiking Thanks so much for the info. I'll do that. I appreciate your help!

@@GreyBeardEBiking I rode 17 miles and only used 3%. I was on PAS 2 most the time. Went to PAS 3 the last mile. Throttled twice for a few hundred yards just for fun. I want to still exercise and lose weight so I don't want to use PAS 3 or higher most times. Stick to PAS 2 or maybe 1. I still will ride my non-motorized 29er maybe 4 days a week and the ebike 3 times. 4 times a week on the 29er should help lose weight and the ebike maybe on 2 PAS will allow some calory burning if I go far enough.

@@jamesgibson3242 WOW! With those numbers sounds like you are really getting a workout on both bikes. Is your riding mostly on or off road?

@@GreyBeardEBiking All street riding. My ebike is built from a MTB, a 27.5 but in mt area there are no trails. I am in the San Gabriel Valley. If I go up to the foot hills in Pasadena I can ride mountain and trails. But so far just on road. Felt like a good workout. I may try PAS and see if it is something doable. These ebikes are sure heavy.

In my opinion, I always prefer to go with the factory supplied batteries. I have 2 batteries from the manufacturer, (Biktrix), and I alternate them on each ride. On longer rides I carry both for the extended mileage. In my 10 years of riding eBikes, I have not had good luck with the cheaper batteries of lesser quality. Personally, I think the quality and reliability of the batteries supplied by the manufacturer are well worth the added cost ... provided the manufacturer is a quality eBike manufacturer. (Aventon is a quality manufacturer). You are putting on some great mileage, a factory battery would be my choice. Where are you putting on the eBike miles.

@@GreyBeardEBiking 2/17/23 Thanks you for your reply and advise. I will purchase the backup battery from Aventon. There are paved paths along the roads and many parks just begging me to do another round. I can't wait for warmer weather here in MN. To expand the biking experience, I'd like to get a bike rack for my vehicle and also talk my husband into joining me on these rides. Enjoy the E-bike experience.

@@sonsandgrandsons Sounds like a good way t go on the Battery. I hear you about the cold weather. I just got back from a long trip through North Idaho. Coooooooooooold! Hope your husband will be able to join you for some rides, however, solo eBike is also lots of fun.

Thanks for reaching out with your question. Generally, eBike battery cells a figured at 3.6 volts per cell. I'm not really a fan or believer in charging your eBike battery to only 80% unless you are going to store it for a long time. So, I don't really ever worry about charging to 80%. I charge to 100% on almost every charge. These days, the eBike battery technology has come a long way and the internal BMS, (battery management system) keeps your battery from over-charging. For the best battery health, in my opinion, I recommend charging to 100% on every charge unless you will be storing the battery for a long period of time, like months. And even if storing the battery for a long time you need to give it a partial charge every-so-often to keep the battery maintained. How many times a week are you riding your eBike and how much of the battery charge are you using on each ride?

@@GreyBeardEBiking Thank you for your time.

@@Jhpc399 You are very welcome. I invite you to watch some of my other battery videos..

Thanks Mark. I tried to make the video simple and straight forward and base it on what I've learned over the years. Do you charge to 80% or 100% after your rides?

@@DanBronk because I really only use the ebike for short commutes, I charge to about 80% after I am sure a new battery has been balanced. If I knowbIbam doing an epic ride with friends along The Great River or Cedar Valley trails here, I'll fully charge, but those rides are 60-80 miles and I am too cheap to get the extra battery I know I need.

@@MHH3180 Sounds like the way you use and charge your battery, you're going to get a very long life out of it. And Man-O-Man I hear-ya on the cost of a new "Quality' Battery. 60 -80 mile ride is truly an epic ride. I have never ridden those rides but it sounds like they ar beautiful.

@@GreyBeardEBiking before my right leg went away, I was one of those weirdos that would really enjoy a century ride on a Sat. Afternoon (slow, lots of stops and tons of laughs). I still try to getaway for at least a few overnighters, but no more long distance touring unless they can fix my leg.

@@MHH3180 At least you still get to get out there and do some riding. My overnight rides include a stop at a motel. Still do enjoy an occasional century once in a while. Like you, plenty of stops, laughs, and good friends. Takes me longer to recover these days.

Thanks for the comment and good on you for being a big guy and staying active at 74 years young. Sounds like you have a pretty good charging routine. Is your riding mostly for commuting or for simple fun and exercise?

@@GreyBeardEBiking just for fun.

@@donbrloks3959 In my mind, that's the best reason to ride an eBike. Stay safe out there.

Thanks for the question. Battery cell imbalance can cause the issue you are describing, however, there may be other causes as well. I would recommend that you charge your battery to 100% then disconnect the charger. Let the battery rest for a few hours then reconnect the charger and let the charger run for an hour past when it shows full charge. Do not leave your battery unattended while charging. If this does not solve your issue, then you may have other problems. The battery could have been or be damaged, the charger could be defective, the controller on your eBike could be defective, or many other issues. You may need to bring or send your eBike and battery to an eBike battery specialist for evaluation. I don't know how old your eBike and/or battery are, so it could simply be the battery is worn out and a new one is needed.

@@GreyBeardEBiking thank you for the reply ❤️ the ebike battery is only 1 year old.. i did bring it to a battery technician and he said all battery cells are fine, bms also fine... He said its a balancing issue... After the technician balanced it, it works fine... But after i charged it again, the same problem occured ... I assumed the charger is faulty... Ive bought a new charger and will try to implement the trick you mentioned above. Thanks!

@@harizbadrulhisham3805 Thanks for getting back to me with that information. Keep me updated and let me know what happens. Thanks

Thanks for the question. Your battery is a good quality battery and should last at least 1000 charging cycles and even longer with the proper care, Maintenace and storage. As per the video. One of the biggest issues with batteries is being dropped or hit. This can damage the cells inside the case with no sign of exterior damage. Then when charging the damaged cells can overcharge and overheat causing a fire. How often and how far do you ride your Revv 1?

@@GreyBeardEBiking no more then proably 1-2 mils a day and every other week 30 mils in one day

@@nekomanz Sounds like you are doing some daily commuting and then some great longer rides every-once-in-awhile. With that type of riding and proper care and maintenance, both your eBike and battery should last a very long time.

@@GreyBeardEBiking thank you for the info and the great video i hope for great weather for use both and a safe ride. Ride on friend

@@nekomanz Have a great ride my ebike brutha.

Yes, you are correct. The more you ride the better you will become at using the correct gears and extending the range of your battery. Even on a hub drive, using a low gear and helping the motor get started by using some "Push" will help the batter and the hub motor. Not to mention, the more you ride the less PAS you will need which will definitely extend your battery range.

Thanks for the question. Actually, it is bad to completely discharge your battery on every ride. If your rides do require you to fully discharge your battery, then it is time to get a second battery or a larger capacity battery. The way you describe your battery usage should lead to a long life for your battery. The big issue is not to recharge as soon as your ride is over. Let the battery cool down and stabilize for an hour or so before recharging. What is your setup, bike, battery, terrain and commute distance? I'm always curious how people are using their eBikes for commuting. Thanks.

Thanks for the comment and question. I think I'll soon be experiencing the same type of weather as you. I will be moving to North Idaho this summer. My background is electrical engineering and as such I try to not plug in something with a load on it. The way I charge my batteries is I plug the charger into the wall outlet first then plug the charger into the battery. The I reverse the process when disconnecting. I unplug the charger from the battery then unplug the charge from the wall outlet. With the low charging amps, it probably doesn't really matter but that's just a habit for me on all of my electronics. I haven't tried Pickleball, but it looks like a lot of fun. Where I live, sometimes a 30-minute drive is actually shorter by eBike because of the traffic. What kind of eBikes do you have?

@@GreyBeardEBiking I read that when you plug the charger into the battery after the charger is plugged in, there is a small spark inside the battery charge port, and after a while you create a little weld line inside the port,or carbon left from the spark.....so I've been plugging charger to battery first,and then charger to outlet...

@@isawit9722 Thanks for the comment. I use the procedure of plugging in the charger to the power source then plugging the charger into the battery after the charger has been energized because in my experience, the order is easier on the charger. I have not experienced any spark when plugging in the charger to the battery with the charger being energized. However, if you are seeing a spark then I would reverse the order as you described. Thanks again for the comment.

@@GreyBeardEBiking I've never seen a spark.,. I just read a manual on ebikes by a professional electrician and I don't think letting the charger energize first would make much difference.... I also watched a video by same man.....with battery and charger hooked up to meter's to show the flow... when you plug charger into outlet it sparks on the plug, I guess that's what he was going by....

@@isawit9722 There are many differing opinions on this subject. And some manufacturers even recommend the 2 differing procedures on how to charge. However, as a retired licensed electrician, licensed electrical contractor, and with over 15 years of eBike experience, the industry standard "Rule of Thumb" is to never add any electrical load to any device, (the charger), before the device has been energized. The sudden load to the device coupled with being energized at the same time, can wear out or damage the device, (the charger). Generally, most of the charger to battery connections should be constructed so as not to allow cross shorting. Also, most of the time "if" there is a spark when connecting the charger to the battery, it usually means the connection points need some sort of Maintenace. Not saying connecting the charger to the battery before energizing the charger is wrong, but from my experience, and from the research I've done, I will keep the charging process as I've been doing it. For me it will be energize the charger then attach the battery to the charger. In addition, I unplug the battery from the charger before I de-energize the charger. I think some of your points are valid and I plan to do some more investigating on this issue. When I find more information, I'll let you know. I hope you will keep me updated also if you find more information on this subject. Thanks for the comment, I enjoy discussions like these. Stay safe out there my friend.