linberl

So my new e-assist has a 36v battery, 12Ah. Because I use human power so much with it, and have turned the assist down to as little as possible, the range is obviously more than ~20Wh per mile. My rides vary daily from short 8 mile runs to 20 mile runs but that only takes the battery down a little (good, right?). So - the question is what is better for the battery - topping off even when I use just a little bit of juice or doing a couple days of rides and topping off? The goal is obviously to make the battery life and capacity last as long as possible. TIA.

Nightdiver

When you say topping off, do you mean to 100%? My understanding is that the best practice for the health of the battery, and extending the cycles past the minimum quoted amount is to charge to 80% with periodic 100% charges to re-balance the cells. Also to not allow the battery to fall past 20%. I've not heard much in terms of difference between charging less frequently from 30-40% compared to more frequently from like 60-70%.

linberl

So I figure some days I just use around 20% so on those days I should not charge and ride the next day, and then charge? Unless I have a huge ride planned and need full juice. Eventually i'm going to buy the Luna charger that lets you set if for 80% but haven't got the disposable income right this minute so. have a dumb charger.

2old

All above sounds like what I've used, that is to charge to 100% every few months to allow the cells to balance, never let the battery drain completely (it was unavoidable once and dropped to 10% or so and I charged it partially as soon as I arrived home) and maintain between 20% & 80% (you should be able to find a "V graph for 36V that depicts charge vs %of full charge)so that even with a "dumb" (pardon the expression) charger, you can maintain it within those boundaries. One addition: I don't charge below 50F (very easy in socal).

linberl

I had no idea about "v graphs" - very useful. So I won't charge if I get home with 37 volts or more left. I'll ride a second day and then charge. The smart charger also means I don't have to run out and check it to see if it's done; it shuts it down automatically. I'd set it to stop at 80% on slow charge, and then fast charge to 100% the next morning only if I had a long distance ride planned.