Winter is coming: how do I protect the battery?

[2wheelsgood]

Recently got my first e-bike, a Specialized Vado SL and I am very happy with it, currently stored in a converted brick coal shed that is the perfect size to store 2 bikes.

I understand it is important to keep the battery above zero degrees in winter and I am planning ahead how to achieve this. I have a basic wooden shed that has power to it that I can move the bike into when the weather starts to get cold but I doubt that the wood and single glazed windows will be enough on their own. so what is the best and cheapest solution? keeping the shed fully heated would be prohibitively expensive so I need something that just keeps things about 1 or 2 degrees and thats it.

- a thermostat controlled heated blanket or heat mat?
- bike cover
- a tubular heater?

I would love to hear what others do.

Before anyone suggests it, moving the bike into the main building is just not going to get past the wife

 

[Stefan Mikes]

• Will you ride the Vado SL in the cold season? If not, it is doable to remove the main battery from the e-bike.
• If you will: what is the chance you'd get subzero temperatures during the winter in the UK?

 

[pete H]

I live in North Wales and keep my Vado SL in a concrete detached garage. In winter the inside of the window has ice on it. I ride all year around. For three years the bike has survived unprotected. You can buy one of these if you so wish. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39437697...TsB7-c5Rim&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[gogasless]

Thermostat-Controlled Heated Blanket or Heat Mat: This can be a cost-effective way to keep the battery at a stable temperature. You can place the blanket or mat around the battery or bike to provide consistent warmth. Make sure it has a thermostat to avoid overheating and to maintain that crucial 1-2°C.
Bike Cover: While a bike cover alone might not provide sufficient warmth, it can be combined with other methods to help insulate the bike from the cold. It’s a good supplementary measure, especially if you’re using other heating solutions. Also I would recommend charging the battery from time to time and twist the handlebar and rotating rear wheel.

 

[mrgold35]

No way I could store my ebikes inside the house; unless, I had a basement, personal home office, or man-cave. Probably a pain in the bottom to remove daily; but, I would store the battery pack inside the house if overnight temps get near/below zero most nights. It would be a few extra steps to place ebike on attach bike tire wall hook, slide out the battery pack, store/charge inside at room temperature (hidden away from spouse), and reverse the steps before a ride.

 

[2wheelsgood]

• Will you ride the Vado SL in the cold season? If not, it is doable to remove the main battery from the e-bike.
• If you will: what is the chance you'd get subzero temperatures during the winter in the UK?

I ride my bike at least once a day, sometimes two or three as it is my primary mode of transport - this will continue over winter.

Sub zero temperatures are quite a regular thing in the UK from Dec - March.

 

[pete H]

Same here, also my primary transport. Can't see battery removal possible as it's quite a complicated procedure!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Same here, also my primary transport. Can't see battery removal possible as it's quite a complicated procedure!

Yes, it requires dropping the motor. Could be done if the battery could be just stored at home for the whole winter.

I think an electric heating mat set to a low level could do.

 

[pete H]

Or what about a low voltage greenhouse heater?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38254229...TsB7-c5Rim&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[2wheelsgood]

Or what about a low voltage greenhouse heater?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38254229...TsB7-c5Rim&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

These do seem to be the neatest solution. I can install one of these against the wall that I park the bike.

The heater would be very close to the bike frame and hopefully put out just enough heat to take the chill off the immediate area.

 

[PCeBiker]

If it were me, I'd just wrap the battery tube with a heating mat.

If the entire e-bike keeps warming up then freezing again, the snow melts then freezes to the ebike.

Heating just the battery would cost less than heating the whole shed too.

 

[gromike]

This is from BigBattery.com:
"Lithium batteries are not likely to suffer any noticeable damage unless you store them at consistently extreme temperatures such as under 20 degrees or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Nevertheless, keeping them at a comfortable temperature is ideal for battery longevity. Being stored outside the optimal temperature range for long periods may cause them to self-discharge faster and require more maintenance while in storage."

I've kept the battery in my Oslo outside under cover year-round for three years. No problems so far. 20 degrees Fahrenheit, maybe a bit lower, is the winter lows where I live.

 

[PCeBiker]

You're not supposed to charge a lithium battery that is below freezing.

That can wreck the battery and can be dangerous.

This battery isn't being stored for the winter.

 

[PCeBiker]

A warm battery has more capacity too.
Keeping it warm with an insulated cover when you ride in the cold can help increase your range and power.
Your battery will be happier too.
They get sluggish when they're cold.

 

[dodgeman]

I’d bring it inside. If you’re worried about a fire hazard store it in some kind of fire box.

 

[PCeBiker]

I’d bring it inside. If you’re worried about a fire hazard store it in some kind of fire box.

Before anyone suggests it, moving the bike into the main building is just not going to get past the wife

I keep my ebike in the house, but I don't have a wife that I'd have to sneak it past.

He can't remove the battery without removing the motor as well.

 

[PCeBiker]

Coincidencidentally, I just bought a waterproof heating pad to make yogurt,..

It would work great as a battery warmer.

It came with a thermostat that the heating pad plugs into, but I didn't use it.

It's a 20 Watt heater pad that I have plugged directly into the outlet.

It can only overheat if I have the pad completely insulated where the heat can't escape.

I just adjust the towel around the pad and milk to keep the milk around 100° F

Waterproof heating pads are available in different sizes and Wattages.

I prefer to run the pad without the thermostat/timer because they have been known to fail.

Amazon.ca

 

[harryS]

0-2 degrees Centigrade is just above freezing. The cells inside the battery are rated for individual storage down to -20C, so the battery should be fine, Just don't charge a battery when the internals are under 10C.

In the OP's case, it's condensation during storage that is bad. I kept a battery outside in a damp storage area in above freezing weather, and it corroded.

 

[2wheelsgood]

I bought one of those seedling heating mats and wrapped it around the battery. Complete waste of money as the mat will warm up if it is above 10 degrees (ie if it is indoors) but anything below that and it does not even get warm to the touch.

Got a thermometer with min and max readings and it already gets below -2 in the night time.

 

[PCeBiker]

Well that sucks.
Try wrapping a blanket or something around the heating pad to keep the heat in against the frame where the battery is then check the temperature of the frame after a while.

The heating pad is only 20 Watts, but that should be enough to keep your battery above freezing?

The next option would be a higher power regular adjustable heating pad.
I've got a 70 Watt digital one, but it only runs for two hours then shuts itself off.

Sorry I helped you waste your money , but you might be able to get enough heat from the heating pad you have.
Try to get all the heat into the battery.