Ann M.
Well-Known Member
@EdVille started a conversation with several of our members about protecting his ebike battery during gnarly wintry wet weather and the feedback was very informative. We're sharing this with everyone and looking to learn how you protect your battery from damage in extreme conditions. Ed's got more of the winter issues and I've got more of the overheat, summer issues.
To start: from @EdVille: I've only used the bike in cold weather so far and I noticed that the battery never got hot or even warm. But in the summertime, is this going to be a problem? I want to shield the battery and connections from mud and water. I'm thinking Cling Wrap or Saran Wrap might work if wound tight enough, but is it ok to do that?
@Chris Nolte reply:
The Bosch battery runs very cool. They have many protections in their BMS to keep it that way. I'm not sure that the cling wrap is necessary unless you're planning on ridding in some really extreme conditions. I don't think it should hurt much although if you didn't seal it effectively you could keep water in rather than letting it out. That would be my only concern. I wouldn't be too concerned about the tempature as I can't the wrap changing things too much.
I think Eddie from the U.K. might have some posts on this as I know he's gotten his bike pretty wet and muddy.
@JayVee reply: Yup, I second that. If anybody knows how these bikes work in thick mud and rain it's@EddieJ.
I don't think the mud and water will be that much of an issue based on some of the adventures he's posted.
@Ann M. reply:
From what I see in EddieJ's videos & pics, there's no wrapping. Where do you live, Ed? If it's pretty warm and humid like it is in Central Texas with lots of direct sunlight, do not wrap that battery in the summer! Overheating can shorten the lifespan of most lithium batteries; yours is no exception. The humidity traps more heat, like a garage in summer and that can reduce the cooling ability of the battery. Yes, saran wrap is thin but it still would work like an insulator holding in the heat and not allowing the flow of moving air to pull away some of the heat as you ride. The more hills you do at higher assist the more draw on that battery, so it will be warmer in the spring and summer. Do not see any reason to wrap the battery; you're not supposed to ride these bikes through a river so a little water is not an issue. Do make a habit of wiping your bike down and letting it dry out if you've been caught in a hard shower. This will keep all of the bike components in better shape, too.
@Ravi Kempaiah reply:
For winter time, I highly recommend the Fahrer Bosch Battery sleeve.
I have been using it for 2 months and in the last 1 month, Chicago has had -20'C weather and this sleeve has served me very well.
There are 2 big advantages to the battery sleeves.
But for the summer time, I wouldn't use this. You need some sort of air cooling to vent the excess heat. Bosch batteries are very well built and as long as you're not riding in knee deep waters, I wouldn't worry about it.
But for the summer time, I wouldn't use this. You need some sort of air cooling to vent the excess heat. Bosch batteries are very well built and as long as you're not riding in knee deep waters, I wouldn't worry about it.
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
@Ann M. reply: I'm with Ravi on the neoprene sleeve! Keeping the battery warm during cold winter days and protected from damaging slush will be a boon to your range. Ravi's in the Northeast where they get a real winter; we get the effects of extreme summer here.
To start: from @EdVille: I've only used the bike in cold weather so far and I noticed that the battery never got hot or even warm. But in the summertime, is this going to be a problem? I want to shield the battery and connections from mud and water. I'm thinking Cling Wrap or Saran Wrap might work if wound tight enough, but is it ok to do that?
@Chris Nolte reply:
The Bosch battery runs very cool. They have many protections in their BMS to keep it that way. I'm not sure that the cling wrap is necessary unless you're planning on ridding in some really extreme conditions. I don't think it should hurt much although if you didn't seal it effectively you could keep water in rather than letting it out. That would be my only concern. I wouldn't be too concerned about the tempature as I can't the wrap changing things too much.
I think Eddie from the U.K. might have some posts on this as I know he's gotten his bike pretty wet and muddy.
@JayVee reply: Yup, I second that. If anybody knows how these bikes work in thick mud and rain it's@EddieJ.
I don't think the mud and water will be that much of an issue based on some of the adventures he's posted.
@Ann M. reply:
From what I see in EddieJ's videos & pics, there's no wrapping. Where do you live, Ed? If it's pretty warm and humid like it is in Central Texas with lots of direct sunlight, do not wrap that battery in the summer! Overheating can shorten the lifespan of most lithium batteries; yours is no exception. The humidity traps more heat, like a garage in summer and that can reduce the cooling ability of the battery. Yes, saran wrap is thin but it still would work like an insulator holding in the heat and not allowing the flow of moving air to pull away some of the heat as you ride. The more hills you do at higher assist the more draw on that battery, so it will be warmer in the spring and summer. Do not see any reason to wrap the battery; you're not supposed to ride these bikes through a river so a little water is not an issue. Do make a habit of wiping your bike down and letting it dry out if you've been caught in a hard shower. This will keep all of the bike components in better shape, too.
@Ravi Kempaiah reply:
For winter time, I highly recommend the Fahrer Bosch Battery sleeve.
I have been using it for 2 months and in the last 1 month, Chicago has had -20'C weather and this sleeve has served me very well.
There are 2 big advantages to the battery sleeves.
- Protection from elements. All the slush/salty ice on the street doesn't reach the battery. This brine solution has the ability to corrode materials.
- Prevent range loss and battery chemistry degradation at extreme temperatures.
But for the summer time, I wouldn't use this. You need some sort of air cooling to vent the excess heat. Bosch batteries are very well built and as long as you're not riding in knee deep waters, I wouldn't worry about it.
But for the summer time, I wouldn't use this. You need some sort of air cooling to vent the excess heat. Bosch batteries are very well built and as long as you're not riding in knee deep waters, I wouldn't worry about it.
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
@Ann M. reply: I'm with Ravi on the neoprene sleeve! Keeping the battery warm during cold winter days and protected from damaging slush will be a boon to your range. Ravi's in the Northeast where they get a real winter; we get the effects of extreme summer here.