While discussing my battery problems with my 2015 epic SE, a friend of mine mentioned that there was a way to use the old battery as a power supply for less demanding applications. while the battery may no longer have enough power to run the bike it can certainly charge phones and tablets perform and other less demanding applications. Anyone heard of anything like this? I was told there is a way of connecting a USB charging port like they have on the 2016 and newer EJoe models. would love to hear comments on this from the forum. Thanks.
Uses for weak EBike batteries
- Thread starter akakpaws
- Start date
Great points! I was just looking for some way to re-purpose this very expensive battery rather than just toss it. Recycling is fine but repurposing is better am I right?
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Y. O.
You could keep it around for power outages to run a light bulb, play a radio or charge a phone... But that is going to depend on how big of a problem that is in your area. Keep in mind that to store your used battery for emergency use it would be best to do so at 50-65% so when an unexpected outrage occurs it will already be half drained, not to mention that it is weak already. Then you'll have to periodically check /charge it to maintain the storage voltage.
It could be used for this and it can always be recycled later on down the road...but it's usefulness is something that you will need to decide.
It could be used for this and it can always be recycled later on down the road...but it's usefulness is something that you will need to decide.
thanks again GR
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
There is some value in an old battery. For most, the case can be refitted with new cells for a lot less than the cost of buying new.
Check out this thread: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/electric-bike-battery-repair-repacking.16033/page-2
Check out this thread: https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/electric-bike-battery-repair-repacking.16033/page-2
Last edited:
6z I checked out that thread but I am not sure what you wanted me to see there. So what am I missing?
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
As Li-ion batteries age they lose storage capacity. Some ebike manufacturers actually base their battery warranty on remaining capacity after a certain number of charge cycles such as "75% minimum capacity after no less than 300 charge cycles". Under these terms a 500Wh battery would be termed OK if it still held 500Whx0.75=375Wh of energy after 300 charge cycles.
This graph from Battery University illustrates typical Li-ion cell capacity loss vs charge cycles.
Higher charge voltages boost capacity but lowers cycle life and compromises safety.
I like this article that discusses Li-ion Battery Repurposing. It argues that an old EV battery pack still has valuable applications as it would typically still have 70% capacity avaialble. An example is home battery backups for solar systems. I read a recent article that reviewed a business having good success with this but can't find it in a quick search tonight.
There's no technological reason this couldn't be done with ebike batteries as well. For now it will be volume limited, probably not enough ebike batteries to bother with. On a personal level I can see keeping an older ebike battery around as a range extender or as a power source for charging any number of devices much like Power Banks are used today. A voltage converter would be needed to get the desired output voltage. This $12 solid state converter will provide 5VDC @ 3A (think USB charger ports) from an input voltage ranging from 8-58VDC (12, 24, and 48 volt ebike batteries would work). This could be handy during power outages, some camping and boating setups, etc.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
My point was that a weak battery has value in that it can be refitted with new cells rather than be used for a purpose it wasn't intended. Just another option.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Not sure proprietary Specialized or Giant batteries could be refitted as you say. (Anybody knows for sure?)
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I don't know about Giant or Specialized. Generally speaking, if the case can be disassembled (screws or seams that can be cut) there is a good possibility it can be rebuilt. Some batteries have molded cases which can be very difficult to take apart.
A few places to check are:
Electric Bike Battery Service
www.hicbattery.com
Among others, this place lists Giant rebuilds:
E-bike Battery Replacement, Repair, Rebuild
Call ebikemarketplace to get a quote for any ebike Battery Rebuild 888-456-9410 How to Replace an Electric Bike Battery if the Model is Discontinued
ebikemarketplace.com
This site says they will rebuild ANY e-bike battery:
We will Rebuild Any old E-Bike battery - Contact Us for more Details
How to Replace an Electric Bike Battery if the Model is Discontinued or the Company is Out of Business?
ebikemarketplace.com
The best ebike battery for sale online
>> >>Reention Batteries >>Koloman Batteries >>Shan Shan Batteries >>Velotec >>LOVA Batteries >>AMD >>SYR Batteries...
www.fthpower.com
There are various you tube videos on how to do it yourself but it requires a good deal of skill. There is also a certain amount of risk involved should you make a mistake.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The possible issue is the proprietary batteries store a lot of diagnostic information, and I see a devil there.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Yes, I agree. The BMS in many batteries have a memory and need to communicate with the charger. Some also use Bluetooth to transmit information to a smartphone app. All of this could be affected by a rebuild.
Wow, really encouraging to see so many EBike enthusiasts take an interest in this issue. As the E bike thing takes off there will be zillions of these things out there and this is a good time to think about what to do with them so they don't end up someplace where they can do more harm than good. Thanks to all for your comments and insight to date and keep them coming!
I don't know about Giant or Specialized. Generally speaking, if the case can be disassembled (screws or seams that can be cut) there is a good possibility it can be rebuilt. Some batteries have molded cases which can be very difficult to take apart.
A few places to check are:
Electric Bike Battery Service
Among others, this place lists Giant rebuilds:
E-bike Battery Replacement, Repair, Rebuild
Call ebikemarketplace to get a quote for any ebike Battery Rebuild 888-456-9410 How to Replace an Electric Bike Battery if the Model is Discontinued
This site says they will rebuild ANY e-bike battery:
We will Rebuild Any old E-Bike battery - Contact Us for more Details
How to Replace an Electric Bike Battery if the Model is Discontinued or the Company is Out of Business?
The best ebike battery for sale online
>> >>Reention Batteries >>Koloman Batteries >>Shan Shan Batteries >>Velotec >>LOVA Batteries >>AMD >>SYR Batteries...
There are various you tube videos on how to do it yourself but it requires a good deal of skill. There is also a certain amount of risk involved should you make a mistake.
If anyone has had experience with this company Ebike marketplace getting their battery rebuilt hopefully they will share it here?I don't know about Giant or Specialized. Generally speaking, if the case can be disassembled (screws or seams that can be cut) there is a good possibility it can be rebuilt. Some batteries have molded cases which can be very difficult to take apart.
A few places to check are:
Electric Bike Battery Service
Among others, this place lists Giant rebuilds:
E-bike Battery Replacement, Repair, Rebuild
Call ebikemarketplace to get a quote for any ebike Battery Rebuild 888-456-9410 How to Replace an Electric Bike Battery if the Model is Discontinued
This site says they will rebuild ANY e-bike battery:
We will Rebuild Any old E-Bike battery - Contact Us for more Details
How to Replace an Electric Bike Battery if the Model is Discontinued or the Company is Out of Business?
The best ebike battery for sale online
>> >>Reention Batteries >>Koloman Batteries >>Shan Shan Batteries >>Velotec >>LOVA Batteries >>AMD >>SYR Batteries...
There are various you tube videos on how to do it yourself but it requires a good deal of skill. There is also a certain amount of risk involved should you make a mistake.
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