E-Bikes in the winter

[Maro]

How the e-bike performance (battery) is affected by cold weather, or rain, or snow?
A commuting bike is used year round and in any possible weather, like a car!

Canada, even Southern part can be very cold sometimes.

[BroadwayJoe]

It's not a good thing for batteries or fingers! Motors/controllers don't mind, probably even benefit, except for wet. My experience with SLA/NiMH/Lith is that they just don't input/output normally at extreme cold. I don't have a good answer for you except move to someplace warmer. Cold, rain, snow is tough. I know folks do it but it's never ideal and nothing a manufacturer is ever gonna be able to warranty for wet operation.

[The7]

Motors/controllers don't mind, probably even benefit, except for wet. My experience with SLA/NiMH/Lith is that they just don't input/output normally at extreme cold.

I would think so, especially for the battery. It is better to keep the ebike in a warm garage. Once you start using the ebike, the battery will get some warmth due to battery current and it may not cause any problem when riding in the cold.

[Lowell_]

At temps near freezing, you'll definitely notice the batteries drop in performance, but as long as you have some power to spare, you'll be ok. For rain and snow you just have to silicone the wires where they enter the motor and controller, and use a little common sense as far as where water/salt splash will end up.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=2830041791628409013

A properly sealed hub motor will run under water if need be.

[BroadwayJoe]

I would think so, especially for the battery. It is better to keep the ebike in a warm garage. Once you start using the ebike, the battery will get some warmth due to battery current and it may not cause any problem when riding in the cold.

Very true about internal battery temperature going up under use and in my NE USA experience it does help. Without warm garage this is where removable battery packs can be a wise idea. Bring 'em inside to charge - start out with 'em room temp. Unless it's really, really cold they should maintain a nice temp during use.

Most will agree that wet & slick is another set of obstacles...

[ken cummings]

I used to have an SLA headlight battery the size of a small car battery. Even at 5 to 15 degrees F it would work fine for my 45 minute commute in Colorado. I did keep the bike inside at home and the battery inside at work. Even D-cell lights would go dead in minutes at those temps. A lithium chemistry battery should do a bit better at lower temps.

[JeanCoutu]

Yup, 12ah sla bricks have no problem keeping heat for a handful of hours if you bring 'em in to charge. If you leave them outside they're gonna still be workable, but if it snowed then the large increase in rolling resistance will really tax them, and they'll feel quite lazy. Taking them inside to charge fixes that, perhaps a heater pad for the batteries would be allright if they stay outside.

[Maro]

You are right,

As long as is a load on the battery, it should stay warm.

[karma]

sounds crazzy to me to ride in the winter. just had my first spill this year and it not even winter yet.:p
note to self when locking up the front wheel dont use foot as brakes. flintstone syle:D

http://www.ehow.com/how_6399_treat-foot-sprain.html

cheers