What's Needs to be Done if E-bike Kept In a Cold Garage?
- Thread starter MRE
- Start date
I have the same question, so I’ll be very interested in folks’ thoughts on this! My battery is also removable so I can always bring it indoors; but I’m wondering about the rest of the bike being stored in a cold dry garage. In particular, I’m wondering both about the effect of cold on various components, but also of temperature fluctuations and associated effects (like frost or condensation).
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
40 degrees is not cold. my garage can get down to 30 degrees or less when its 24 out side. the problem is it can effect my psi in the tires. my garage is not heated and when ti is 99% humidity for days and raining I have to blow the drivetrain off to keep it from rusting but other then that no problem.
scottsdalecommuter
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I’ve kept my bike in the winter this year and it seems to be running great. I think the coldest the garage temp got was about 30 and seemed to average closer to 35 or 40. I did keep the battery inside.
Thanks for the info
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Too cold for charging IMO. 40 works! Less could be a problem.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Lithium Ion: Li-ion can be fast charged from 5°C to 45°C (41 to 113°F). Below 5°C, the charge current should be reduced, and no charging is permitted at freezing temperatures because of the reduced diffusion rates on the anode. During charge, the internal cell resistance causes a slight temperature rise that compensates for some of the cold. The internal resistance of all batteries rises when cold, prolonging charge times noticeably. This also affects discharge performance noticeably with Li-ion.
Many battery users are unaware that consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged below 0°C (32°F). Although the pack appears to be charging normally, plating of metallic lithium occurs on the anode during a sub-freezing charge that leads to a permanent degradation in performance and safety. Batteries with lithium plating are more vulnerable to failure if exposed to vibration or other stressful conditions. Advanced chargers (Cadex) prevent charging Li-ion below freezing.
Advancements are being made to charge Li-ion below freezing temperatures. Charging is indeed possible with most lithium-ion cells but only at very low currents. According to research papers, the allowable charge rate at –30°C (–22°F) is 0.02C. At this low current, the charge time would stretch to over 50 hours, a time that is deemed impractical. There are, however, specialty Li-ions that can charge down to –10°C (14°F) at a reduced rate.
Some Li-ion manufacturers offer custom-made cells for cold-charging. Specialty chargers will also be needed that decrease the C-rate according to temperature and charge the battery to a lower voltage peak; 4.00V/cell rather than the customary 4.20V/cell for example. Such limitations decrease the energy a Li-ion battery can hold to roughly 80% instead of the customary 100%. Charge times will also be prolonged and can last 12 hours and longer when cold.
Li-ion batteries charging below 0°C (32°F) must undergo regulatory issue to certify that no lithium plating will occur. In addition, a specially designed charger will keep the allotted current and voltage within a safe limit throughout the temperature bandwidth. Certification of such batteries and chargers are very costly that will reflect in the price. Similar regulatory requirements also apply to intrinsically safe batteries (See BU-304: Why Are Protection Circuits Needed?)
There are cell and charger manufacturers claiming to charge Li-ion at low temperatures; however, most companies do not want to take the risk of potential failure and assume liability. Yes, Li-ion will charge at low temperature but research labs dissecting these batteries see concerning results.
Many battery users are unaware that consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged below 0°C (32°F). Although the pack appears to be charging normally, plating of metallic lithium occurs on the anode during a sub-freezing charge that leads to a permanent degradation in performance and safety. Batteries with lithium plating are more vulnerable to failure if exposed to vibration or other stressful conditions. Advanced chargers (Cadex) prevent charging Li-ion below freezing.
Advancements are being made to charge Li-ion below freezing temperatures. Charging is indeed possible with most lithium-ion cells but only at very low currents. According to research papers, the allowable charge rate at –30°C (–22°F) is 0.02C. At this low current, the charge time would stretch to over 50 hours, a time that is deemed impractical. There are, however, specialty Li-ions that can charge down to –10°C (14°F) at a reduced rate.
Some Li-ion manufacturers offer custom-made cells for cold-charging. Specialty chargers will also be needed that decrease the C-rate according to temperature and charge the battery to a lower voltage peak; 4.00V/cell rather than the customary 4.20V/cell for example. Such limitations decrease the energy a Li-ion battery can hold to roughly 80% instead of the customary 100%. Charge times will also be prolonged and can last 12 hours and longer when cold.
Li-ion batteries charging below 0°C (32°F) must undergo regulatory issue to certify that no lithium plating will occur. In addition, a specially designed charger will keep the allotted current and voltage within a safe limit throughout the temperature bandwidth. Certification of such batteries and chargers are very costly that will reflect in the price. Similar regulatory requirements also apply to intrinsically safe batteries (See BU-304: Why Are Protection Circuits Needed?)
There are cell and charger manufacturers claiming to charge Li-ion at low temperatures; however, most companies do not want to take the risk of potential failure and assume liability. Yes, Li-ion will charge at low temperature but research labs dissecting these batteries see concerning results.
AHicks
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
My garage, here in SE MI, is often unheated and it can get pretty cold in there when outside temps get down into the single digits and below! My batteries will be indoors, but the bikes will remain in the garage. I've been riding now for 7 years without any sign of damage.
dariusf2
Member
- Region
- USA
I would not worry about cold effecting your bike other then battery. Many ride bikes in very cold temperatures during winter. I ride whole year including winter. Its common for the temps to be in the 10s or 20s. Coldest I rode was -26 Fahrenheit this past December. This was on a normal fat bike so no battery. You will see suspension being effected due to the viscosity of the oil thickening up but I did not experience any issues with hydraulic brakes, in my case Shimano XT using standard mineral oil.
I also ride my gravel bike in the winter on asphalt trails when trail conditions are bad and ground is not frozen solid. Temps would be closer to 30 degrees on those rides and I do see big drop in range. From 47 miles to about 30 miles when I use lowest setting assist. Most of my asphalt rides are between 20 and 30 miles anyways so not really impacting me although its nice to be able to charge every other ride in the warm months.
Rudy Pekau
Member
- Region
- Canada
I have stored my ebikes and etrikes in an unheated garage and shelter all winter without batteries for seven years
down to minus 35 deg. C ( Alberta) with no problem.When the temperature is not dropping below minus 5 deg.C I leave the batteries ( LG,Panasonic )in the bike and also charge them, so far it does not seem to harm them.
Usually I don't go biking/triking below minus 10 deg. C
Thanks for the help. I brought my upstairs today and got in a ride.
Thanks for the help. I brought my upstairs today and got in a ride.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
If I’m reading this correctly you wrote minus 5C?!?
If yes, 23F, you’re flirting with a disaster. Please don’t encourage the same cavalier battery care.
Excuse my sarcasm but I always wonder how we come to the conclusion we’re smarter then the scientists that developed and set the standard.
If yes, 23F, you’re flirting with a disaster. Please don’t encourage the same cavalier battery care.
Excuse my sarcasm but I always wonder how we come to the conclusion we’re smarter then the scientists that developed and set the standard.
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
If your doing that most likely you have done perming damage to them charging cold batteries and they cold is a huge no no.
Similar threads
