Can I switch batteries?

[DouglasB]

Both my wife and I bought the same bike at the same time and have the same mileage on our bikes. At the outset of our trip the other day she had a range of 65 miles in Eco mode and I had 47 in the same mode. My guess is it's because I'm 50 pounds heavier than she is but I would like to test my theory and switch batteries to see what my computer tells me, after riding with her battery? Will my computer continue to show the same higher range with her battery or will it sense that it's working harder and show less range? I know the computer monitors the battery use, so my concern is if I will be screwing anything up by switching them around for the test?

 

[DouglasB]

Both batteries only have a thousand miles on them in about a year's time. What I meant by "screwing up the computer" isn't because I was worried about actually harming anything. I was thinking that the computer and the battery it came with are somewhat paired. The computer saves information about that battery. I know that some of the computers do a lot more than show you how fast you are going and how much charge your battery has. My concern was minor in that I thought it might mess with diagonostics or something if you were to use a different battery?

 

[rich c]

I've swapped Bosch batteries between my two Haibikes for almost 3 years now. Not certain on this, but I think the range is based on the last mile ridden. I don't know all the parameters the computer uses, but it certainly doesn't care what battery pack I use.

 

[DouglasB]

I guess it's pretty much a non issue for most folks but I know on some bikes, the shop can use diagnostics to tell you a lot more about your battery and electrical system than is available to the rider. If you switch out batteries it might somehow effect this information? I'm thinking if you got a new battery, it would work perfectly fine but you might need to reset something? I'm not expecting anything drastic but I can see the shop technician looking at a diagnostic readout and scratching his head.

 

[Feliz]

I routinely switch batteries on my bikes, as long as the battery has the same form factor and connectors you shouldn't have any issue.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

t the outset of our trip the other day she had a range of 65 miles in Eco mode and I had 47 in the same mode. My guess is it's because I'm 50 pounds heavier than she is but I would like to test my theory and switch batteries to see what my computer tells me, after riding with her battery? Will my computer continue to show the same higher range with her battery or will it sense that it's working harder and show less range?

Here is a potential answer Doug:

Bosch calculates the remaining range using a built-in algorithm that monitors the previous usage pattern for the last few miles (assist level, speed, temperature) and projects an estimated range left.

Imagine you and your wife started with 100% battery and stopped 20 miles later. Your battery is showing 50% left and hers is showing 65% left. At this point, you switch batteries.
Now, you are few lbs heavier and just before you start, your capacity will not be 65% (as it was showing on her bike) but the controller will look into YOUR riding pattern and the new batter's state of charge (which is 65% on her bike) and as a result, your screen will show more than 50% remaining but less than 65% and after you go another 1-2 miles, the algorithm will re-adjust itself for your riding pattern and re-calibrate itself quickly.

I would love to know what you find.

PS: Former owner of Haibike(s), current owner of BULLS S-pedelec and Riese and Muller Delite and this is my observation of my Bosch batteries.

 

[DouglasB]

Here is a potential answer Doug:

Bosch calculates the remaining range using a built-in algorithm that monitors the previous usage pattern for the last few miles (assist level, speed, temperature) and projects an estimated range left.

Imagine you and your wife started with 100% battery and stopped 20 miles later. Your battery is showing 50% left and hers is showing 65% left. At this point, you switch batteries.
Now, you are few lbs heavier and just before you start, your capacity will not be 65% (as it was showing on her bike) but the controller will look into YOUR riding pattern and the new batter's state of charge (which is 65% on her bike) and as a result, your screen will show more than 50% remaining but less than 65% and after you go another 1-2 miles, the algorithm will re-adjust itself for your riding pattern and re-calibrate itself quickly.

I would love to know what you find.

PS: Former owner of Haibike(s), current owner of BULLS S-pedelec and Riese and Muller Delite and this is my observation of my Bosch batteries.

Thanks, that helps. I'll keep you posted. Might be a while though.

 

[rich c]

You know, you never did tell us what ebike you have. Most of us gave you Bosch information, but I'd say we are just spitting in the wind until you divulge the make. Why not go right to the dealer and have a certified tech ease your mind?

 

[steve mercier]

Here is a potential answer Doug:

Bosch calculates the remaining range using a built-in algorithm that monitors the previous usage pattern for the last few miles (assist level, speed, temperature) and projects an estimated range left.

Imagine you and your wife started with 100% battery and stopped 20 miles later. Your battery is showing 50% left and hers is showing 65% left. At this point, you switch batteries.
Now, you are few lbs heavier and just before you start, your capacity will not be 65% (as it was showing on her bike) but the controller will look into YOUR riding pattern and the new batter's state of charge (which is 65% on her bike) and as a result, your screen will show more than 50% remaining but less than 65% and after you go another 1-2 miles, the algorithm will re-adjust itself for your riding pattern and re-calibrate itself quickly.

I would love to know what you find.

PS: Former owner of Haibike(s), current owner of BULLS S-pedelec and Riese and Muller Delite and this is my observation of my Bosch batteries.

Ravi nailed it . I swap batteries routinely with my wife. After 50 km she will have about 12 more km remaining on any of our battieries and if at that point if we switch we usually run out at the same time.

 

[FlatSix911]

Both my wife and I bought the same bike at the same time and have the same mileage on our bikes. At the outset of our trip the other day she had a range of 65 miles in Eco mode and I had 47 in the same mode. My guess is it's because I'm 50 pounds heavier than she is but I would like to test my theory and switch batteries to see what my computer tells me, after riding with her battery? Will my computer continue to show the same higher range with her battery or will it sense that it's working harder and show less range? I know the computer monitors the battery use, so my concern is if I will be screwing anything up by switching them around for the test?

You can swap batteries back and forth without any problems. The current range data will be recalculated after riding.

Do you have the Shimano Steps system with Eco, Normal and High ranges?

 

[DouglasB]

Finaly got around to riding the e-bikes again. It's hard to get us off of our road bikes but the weather finaly turnes south and the road bikes don't have fenders and you can ride the e-bikes all bundeled up in warm clothes. No problem, off we went on a cold and slightly damp December day. This time I switched batteries between my wife's bike and mine. Previously, at the end of our ride, her remaining range was about ten miles greater than mine. The results were almost exactly the same this time with the battery switch. After a twenty mile ride and with the bikes in "Tour", I had 22 miles left and she had 33. I guess it's my larger butt. I weigh in at 215 and she at 140. The computer on the bikes seems to take in a lot of information to make this calculation. I noticed going up hill the range decreased drastically but then bounced back once we were on the straight away. My guess is that the difference I'm seeing in the batteries is just the difference between our weights. I was concerned that my battery was failing early. Still only about a 1,000 miles on the bikes. We still love them.

 

[DouglasB]

Ravi nailed it . I swap batteries routinely with my wife. After 50 km she will have about 12 more km remaining on any of our battieries and if at that point if we switch we usually run out at the same time.

The battery switch is a great idea. Next time we're on a long ride I'll suggest it. She may have other ideas.

 

[DouglasB]

The bikes are Bosch equiped Cannondales. (Contro-e)