How to charge a e bike battery when out for a ride

[Hanz]

I'm new to e bikes and have difficulty walking from a neuro muscular disease. Love my new rad rover fat bike. I'm paranoid if my battery runs out it would be difficult to push home. I know how to extend battery life, extend charge by pedaling etc. Is there any way for me to charge the battery if I run out while riding similar to bringing a small battery in case your iPhone battery dies and no electricity around? I usually ride alone

 

[opimax]

I carry additional batteries., part of owning an ebike in my opinion. I can also charge my phone from my bike if it runs down. I always have more battery than planned ride, range anxiety sucks . I can carry 1 battery ok and have a 3rd I can leave in the vehicle on my route on those 100+ mile rides.

After a few rides you will get some what more comfortable with your range per battery. when you do run out most likely you will be close to home and then next time maybe a mile less and see. Speed kills your battery, if you want distance ride you can slow down. I bet you could go more than twice as far at 10mph then twice the speed at 20mph

 

[Saratoga Dave]

I bring my charger on any potentially longer rides. It's not that heavy, and libraries, delis or lunch type places are always willing to let me plug in for half an hour or so - especially if you buy something - long enough to put several more miles in the tank. Fire stations tend to be friendly as well, almost always someone around. Spare battery of course is the best option if you've got one.

 

[mrgold35]

I'm about 270lbs and have about 20-25lbs of accessories, commuter back pack, rack, rack bag, tools, flat kit, and water when I ride. You can ride the Radrover without power; but, I've only been able in 1st-2nd gear on mostly flat and no wind for the most speed. I've been on a few long rides when I ran out of juice under a mile from my home and it was slow going for such a heavy bike.

What really zaps my range are:
- head winds, can reach 15-20 mph certain times of the year. I don't ride at +20 mph winds.
- inclines
- riding position, pedaling feels easier during high headwinds if I lean forward like a road bike
- weight, I use about 20%-30% more power at 270lbs compared to my wife at 130lbs on the same ride.
- tires and/or tire PSI, Kenda tires have a lot of drag and you will use more power and have slower acceleration. Vee8, Maxxis Hookworms, or Origin8 tires will give you a few more miles. I keep the PSI about 21-23 on my Vee8 for increased range and trail riding.
- cold, freezing temp can effect your range. +100 degree temp seem to have no effect.
- amount of assist, lower the assist level with maximum sustained pedal power = longer range. I've gone as far as 37 miles at PAS 2 with a mph avg of 10-13 mph on mostly level ground with one bar left on the battery pack. I'm usually around 25 miles at PAS 3 with a couple of PAS 4+full throttles on intersections and short inclines.

I usually pack my wife's Radrover battery if I run into any of these conditions and planning a ride pushing the distance limits. I will change out the battery if the LCD battery level indicator starts to blink. I ended up getting a 3rd battery because the wife and I sometimes ride together. I also purchased another charger to leave at work to ensure I have max power when heading home.

 

[Barkme Wolf]

Radwagon- 6500+ miles

I carry 2 batteries.
My 20 mile commute is hilly...very.
PAS2- Plenty of battery.
PAS3- Need a second battery for the last few blocks.

Currently I am switching from 2-3-4 depending. I have figured out a strategy where I get plenty of battery for the whole trip but still am able to power through traffic and up hills if need be.

It was well worth the extra expense of having two batteries. Although I do not carry them both all of the time, I keep them charged and ready to roll!
I alternate every other ride so both batteries wear evenly.

Everything mrgold35 said was accurate for my travel experience as well. Winter really zapped the battery.
I had to push the RW a few miles once- never again.

My daily commute-
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mor...72a951e7ea09:0xafdd4eb1c8c0bcb3!1m0!3e1?hl=en

 

[Barkme Wolf]

Radwagon- 6500+ miles

I carry 2 batteries.
My 20 mile commute is hilly...very.
PAS2- Plenty of battery.
PAS3- Need a second battery for the last few blocks.

Currently I am switching from 2-3-4 depending. I have figured out a strategy where I get plenty of battery for the whole trip but still am able to power through traffic and up hills if need be.

It was well worth the extra expense of having two batteries. Although I do not carry them both all of the time, I keep them charged and ready to roll!
I alternate every other ride so both batteries wear evenly.

Everything mrgold35 said was accurate for my travel experience as well. Winter really zapped the battery.
I had to push the RW a few miles once- never again.

My daily commute-
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mor...72a951e7ea09:0xafdd4eb1c8c0bcb3!1m0!3e1?hl=en

This is nearly the route google maps (for bikes) suggested but I had to make a few changes to stay on trails.

 

[Ann M.]

Hanz, if you plan to ride on more remote trails with few stop points, a second battery would be a good idea. If it's city trails where you're near coffee shops, eateries, even a library will all have outlets that you can plug your charger into and top off the battery. Those chargers are fairly small & lightweight; certainly worth a little extra weight to have the security of more range if you like to ride far. Happy Trails!

 

[tomjasz]

I have a Satiator charger that is waterproof and I carry it with me on some rides. I use the option to fast charge at 5A, my battery pack maximum, to plug in at the coffee shop.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

A spare charger at work solves most of the problem. No need to carry an extra 6lb battery in the pannier if its a regular commute.

 

[Barkme Wolf]

A spare charger at work solves most of the problem. No need to carry an extra 6lb battery in the pannier if its a regular commute.

Provided one battery will get you there and you have at least 4 hours to charge up before your return trip.
I have had the opportunity to leave work early but could not because I was waiting for my charge.

 

[Denis Shelston]

I have a Satiator charger that is waterproof and I carry it with me on some rides. I use the option to fast charge at 5A, my battery pack maximum, to plug in at the coffee shop.

I have purchased a Luna charger, where the amp setting is variable. But then I read that charging above 3A will melt the barrel connector... So I'm confused. What connector do you have your battery to charge it?

 

[tomjasz]

I have purchased a Luna charger, where the amp setting is variable. But then I read that charging above 3A will melt the barrel connector... So I'm confused. What connector do you have your battery to charge it?

No confusion at all. I have packs with xt60 and xt90 charge connections. Sadly your frame packs, and mine, are limited. My long range packs are limited by the BMS's to 5A. Actually 2A rates are said to be better for battery life. Which i think is true for lower end batteries(BMS). You'll need a different pack(BMS) for those faster rates.

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for the replies. Ended up ordering a second battery+ $60 shipping. Ouch. With my disabilities I do not want to run out and have to push but I'm sure I still push the envelope eventually

 

[Hanz]

Radwagon- 6500+ miles

I carry 2 batteries.
My 20 mile commute is hilly...very.
PAS2- Plenty of battery.
PAS3- Need a second battery for the last few blocks.

Currently I am switching from 2-3-4 depending. I have figured out a strategy where I get plenty of battery for the whole trip but still am able to power through traffic and up hills if need be.

It was well worth the extra expense of having two batteries. Although I do not carry them both all of the time, I keep them charged and ready to roll!
I alternate every other ride so both batteries wear evenly.

Everything mrgold35 said was accurate for my travel experience as well. Winter really zapped the battery.
I had to push the RW a few miles once- never again.

My daily commute-
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mor...72a951e7ea09:0xafdd4eb1c8c0bcb3!1m0!3e1?hl=en

Very impressive !