I am putting it up for the winter. Do I keep the battery (about 60% charged now) inside for the winter? Anything else?

[old guy 666]

I am putting it up for the winter. Do I keep the battery (about 60% charged now) inside for the winter? Anything else I should be doing? My storage place is unheated and might see -15 F.

 

[keithj69]

Yes on bringing the battery inside. What kind of bike? Hydraulic brakes?

 

[old guy 666]

Hydraulic discs, but I had the non-electric version with the same brakes for 5 years and always stored it out in the shed. Whatever fluid they use in the Shimano brakes must be temp stable.

 

[Losna]

231029 EDIT
Wrong info as only valid for certain battery management systems:


Yes keep the battery inside, fully charged

 

[keithj69]

Not fully charged.

 

[Losna]

80 pct. - but the charger usually manage that

 

[Sparky731]

The general rule for a UL approved lithium ebike battery is 60%-80% charge, store at near room temperature with modest relative humidity.

 

[PedalUma]

You can check the battery every month or six-weeks. Give it a bit of charge or take it down if it has a USB port with a USB fan. My batteries load balance at a 100% charge, that is why I use the fan to take it down a bar. Keeping it in something like an ash can or surplus ammo can inside is another idea some people use.

 

[AvalancheRun]

Check the manual for long term storage. For my Bosch battery (and likely other Bosch batteries), the recommended is 30-60% SoC for long term. In most EVs it's typically around 50%.

If anything, the cold will be better for the battery given that it will just be stored (Jeff Dahn).

 

[keithj69]

80 pct. - but the charger usually manage that

Not all chargers are smart, esp with some of the cheaper ebikes, Non-EU bikes. Assume the chargers will charge to full when a brand is not mentioned.

 

[rob feature]

I do a full-charge to balance the cells then discharge to about 50% - stored at room temp and humidity.

Brakes are probably fine if regularly maintained.

 

[peterh_nz]

Bosch recommendation:

"Storage during winter

Store the batteries in a dry location at room temperature. Fully charging or fully discharging results in higher loading of the battery. The ideal charge status for lengthy periods of storage is
approx. 30% to 60% or two to three LEDs on the battery indicator."

 

[peterh_nz]

Yes keep the battery inside, fully charged

That's contrary to all recommendations I've come across.

 

[Losna]

That's contrary to all recommendations I've come across.

OK - I was wrong and you are right.
Old and outdated knowledge happens when getting older ...

 

[Drbike]

Inflate your tires to upper range of psi recommendations as printed on your tires, have your tires resting on small pieces of wood (not concrete or dirt flooring) and empty or remove unnecessary weight from bike.

 

[harryS]

By UN3480 shipping regulations, lithium batteries must be shipped at 30%. They may sit in warehouses for months like that, Your bike battery should be fine if you put it away anywhere between 30%-60%, or even higher, but storage at 100% in hot climates is known to degrade capacity.

They're allowed to go down to around -13F too, so mine stay in my unheated garage,

 

[Stefan Mikes]

They're allowed to go down to around -13F too, so mine stay in my unheated garage,

But you must not charge the battery below the freezing point.

 

[peterh_nz]

OK - I was wrong and you are right.
Old and outdated knowledge happens when getting older ...

For me it isn't a question of one being right or wrong. It's about getting correct advice out there.

 

[PCeBiker]

By UN3480 shipping regulations, lithium batteries must be shipped at 30%.

Do you happen to know if a battery can be shipped with more than 30% charge if it's shipped by boat and truck?
No airplanes.

 

[kermit_xc]

From Stromer range efficiency guide