Roadster V2 Extended Battery

[Jim5099]

Just bought a used roadster v2 that came with the range extender. The bike will only power up with the range extender in place. Is that normal? Also is there a way to determine the amount of charge left on each individual battery? Thanks!

 

[Ute4492]

Just bought a used roadster v2 that came with the range extender. The bike will only power up with the range extender in place. Is that normal? Also is there a way to determine the amount of charge left on each individual battery? Thanks!

I also have the v2 with the range extender installed. Mine powers up with the extender off the bike. Only advice would be to check the connections at the controller inside the downtube. This is the install video from the Ride1up website. Also contact Ride1up support. They are quite helpful.

Roadster v2: Add-On Battery Installation extra battery

Add-On Battery Installation If turning your bike over to complete the wiring and installation, be mindful of your display and brake levers. If laying your bike down, it would be best to lay it on the left side to avoid damaging the motor ca...

support.ride1up.com

As for checking the charge of the add-on battery, press the button on top of the battery and the light gives you a general idea of the battery charge.
I charge both batteries at the same time and for the same amount of time. Seems to be working for me. On assist level 1 or 2 I get 60 plus miles.
Hope this helps.

 

[Jim5099]

I also have the v2 with the range extender installed. Mine powers up with the extender off the bike. Only advice would be to check the connections at the controller inside the downtube. This is the install video from the Ride1up website. Also contact Ride1up support. They are quite helpful.

Roadster v2: Add-On Battery Installation extra battery

Add-On Battery Installation If turning your bike over to complete the wiring and installation, be mindful of your display and brake levers. If laying your bike down, it would be best to lay it on the left side to avoid damaging the motor ca...

support.ride1up.com

As for checking the charge of the add-on battery, press the button on top of the battery and the light gives you a general idea of the battery charge.
I charge both batteries at the same time and for the same amount of time. Seems to be working for me. On assist level 1 or 2 I get 60 plus miles.
Hope this helps.

Thank you. It seemed odd the bike wouldn't power up with the range extender off. It was probably miswired as you suggested. I'll check the video you linked. It might be the reason why he sold it (may have thought the range wasn't great even with the extender.

So you can charge both internal battery and extender through the bike's charge port as long as the extender battery is installed?

 

[Ute4492]

Thank you. It seemed odd the bike wouldn't power up with the range extender off. It was probably miswired as you suggested. I'll check the video you linked. It might be the reason why he sold it (may have thought the range wasn't great even with the extender.

So you can charge both internal battery and extender through the bike's charge port as long as the extender battery is installed?

No. They recommend you take the add-on battery off and charge them separately. Pretty sure you cant charge both batteries through the charge port on the bike.
I have two chargers. The add-on battery came with an additional charger.
The original charger that came with the bike and the charger that came with the add-on battery look to be identical.

 

[OrTrek]

Jim5099, it may also be as simple as the main battery is not charged. Have you tried charging the V2 from the bikes charge port, with the extender off the bike?

BTW and you may already be aware of this, but Ride1Up has good information on their site specific to each of their ebikes. Includes manuals, etc.

 

[PSm]

No. They recommend you take the add-on battery off and charge them separately. Pretty sure you cant charge both batteries through the charge port on the bike.
I have two chargers. The add-on battery came with an additional charger.
The original charger that came with the bike and the charger that came with the add-on battery look to be identical.

(After verifying with tech support) I charge both batteries on the bike, with each one plugged into two separate but identical chargers. Been doing this for 5000+ miles, ever since I got the extender.

 

[Jim5099]

Thanks for the help everyone. After opening the battery tube I found one of the extender wires completely disconnected. The previous owner mentioned it didn’t provide enough range for his commute so this was probably the reason. Thanks again!

 

[PSm]

Worthwhile wrapping some electrical tape around the connectors, to make sure they don’t come loose over time.

 

[PSm]

p.s. - I’ve gotten anywhere from ~ 40 miles to 100 miles on the internal + external battery, depending on PAS level, hills, speed, and my own level of fitness (how much of my own effort, and how much hypermiling I do)

 

[Ute4492]

(After verifying with tech support) I charge both batteries on the bike, with each one plugged into two separate but identical chargers. Been doing this for 5000+ miles, ever since I got the extender.

Certainly seems a more convenient way to charge both batteries. Perhaps they found its fine to charge while the add-on is still mounted. They still have this posted on the website.

1. Remove and charge the battery.
   1. Always remove the add-on battery from the bike before charging.
   2. Using the key, remove the battery from the hardware.
   3. Plug the charger into a grounded outlet.
   4. Connect the charger to the round charging port of your add-on battery.
   5. Never leave your charging battery unattended and unplug soon after charging is complete.
   6. Make sure all charging ports are sealed and covered when not in use.

 

[PSm]

Certainly seems a more convenient way to charge both batteries. Perhaps they found its fine to charge while the add-on is still mounted. They still have this posted on the website.

1. Remove and charge the battery.
   1. Always remove the add-on battery from the bike before charging.
   2. Using the key, remove the battery from the hardware.
   3. Plug the charger into a grounded outlet.
   4. Connect the charger to the round charging port of your add-on battery.
   5. Never leave your charging battery unattended and unplug soon after charging is complete.
   6. Make sure all charging ports are sealed and covered when not in use.

Yes, you’re right. To be safe and covered legally, maybe they might want to be extra careful, or they just haven’t updated the website. The Ride1 support person I contacted, reached out to their battery supplier to verify that it’s likely not a problem (but don’t blame me if something goes wrong!). I have my chargers on a timer to only charge overnight, and I unplug in the morning.

 

[PSm]

Just bought a used roadster v2 that came with the range extender. The bike will only power up with the range extender in place. Is that normal? Also is there a way to determine the amount of charge left on each individual battery? Thanks!

For a more exact reading of charge, I posted a thread about my upgrading the Roadster display to an aftermarket EggRider display. Still love it, for many reasons. Can’t provide voltage for the individual batteries though, only the total of what is plugged into the bike.

I can see battery voltage, [percentage remaining], R(ange in miles remaining, estimated), speed, assist level, ride time, ride mileage, on one of the two screens. And additional data on a second screen.

 

[Jim5099]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I asked CS at Ride1up for a diy on removing the internal battery. I'd like to remove the battery for the winter and only use the extender so both batteries could be brought inside.

 

[Jim5099]

Ride1Up sent a video of the internal battery removal. Site won't allow videos so let me know and I'll email it.

 

[Jimmy666]

Ride1Up sent a video of the internal battery removal. Site won't allow videos so let me know and I'll email it.

I would be interested in this video. I plan on getting the extender battery and maybe even a third party cuttle battery and just keep it in my bag and swap it when needed.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Ride1Up sent a video of the internal battery removal. Site won't allow videos so let me know and I'll email it.

up-load it to YouTube then post the link.

 

[Jim5099]

I didn’t save the video. I’m sure ride1up still has it. My battery was different from the video and was not able to remove it without cutting wires.

 

[PSm]

The external battery install is on YouTube, but didn’t see an internal battery removal video.

 

[PSm]

p.s. - FYI, for those considering external batteries, they generally make a rattling sound in the holder over any bumps, which I find annoying. I wrap a piece of Velcro around the battery and frame, problem solved.

 

[Jimmy666]

p.s. - FYI, for those considering external batteries, they generally make a rattling sound in the holder over any bumps, which I find annoying. I wrap a piece of Velcro around the battery and frame, problem solved.

Maybe some strategically placed electrical tape somewhere on the mount could work? I am ordering the range extender as we speak.