Electric vehicles, such as the electric bike, are great inventions revolutionizing how we travel. They are easier to handle, smaller in size, and faster than regular bikes.
Owning an electric bike is great but comes with its challenges. A top fear of all electric bike owners is the fear of running out of charge when on the road and away from their charger.
Here we will be looking into ways to charge your E-bike battery without a charger.
How Electric Bikes Are Usually Charged
Charging an electric bike is similar to how you charge your mobile phone or laptop. It takes about 4 to 6 hours for an e-bike battery to fully charge from a standard power supply.
Most electric bikes come with a removable lithium-ion battery and a charger. You can remove the e-bike’s battery and charge it indoors. You can also connect one end of the charger directly to the battery port on the bike and the other end to the electric mains outlet.
To charge the electric bike battery directly, switch off the bike and detach the ebike battery pack from the bike. Connect one end to the main outlet and the other end to the battery pack. Put it on the mains outlet, and it should begin charging.
How to Charge Your Bike without a Charger
In a situation where you are away from home and the battery of your e-bike runs out of charge, what will you do?
This is the challenge faced by many electric vehicle owners daily. Electric vehicles, such as the electric bike, need to be fully charged before leaving your home to prevent the need to charge the battery on the way.
But in a situation where you are on the road and your e-bike battery goes low, but you can’t seem to reach your charger at that very moment, what do you do?
We will be discussing different ways you can still charge an electric bike without having your charger with you or an external battery pack.
Find an E-bike Charging Station
Electric vehicles have stations where their batteries can be charged.
Companies that produce electric bikes, such as Tesla, Shell, etc., also have e-bike charging stations built across the country. Also, there are many indoor charging stations in most restaurants, bars, and other public places where you can charge your electric bike battery.
In a situation where you need to charge your e-bike battery while on a journey, search for and go to the nearest charging station around you. Remove your e-bike battery and connect it to any available charging port.
Use a USB Port Charger
In a situation where your e-bike battery is getting low, and you are nowhere near a charging station but have a USB cord handy, you are in luck.
Batteries of electric bikes can be charged using any regular USB cord and port charger used for charging mobile phones.
The USB port charger should be connected to any wall socket available or to any device capable of charging another device. Examples of such devices are power banks or even a computer system. The discharge end of the cord should be connected to the e-bike battery. Switch on the power source, and it should start charging.
This method is best used on smaller batteries, as not all batteries, especially larger ones, support USB charging.
Use a Car Battery
If you need to charge your electric bike’s battery and have access to a car battery and a piece of jumper cable, then you are in luck.
You can charge your electric bike battery by connecting the bike’s lithium-ion battery to a charged car battery. This can be fine by using a piece of jumper cable or any other strong piece of wire available.
This method can be dangerous and needs to be done carefully. Never leave the battery unattended. It can become overheated due to the large amps of power moving from the lead-acid car battery to the small lithium-ion battery.
Charge With Solar Panels
If you plan to go on a long ride with your electric bike, carrying along a solar panel could be a lifesaver.
Solar panels equipped with a solar charge regulator or an inverter can be used to charge your electric bike batteries. They are strong and can be easily used by just placing them directly under the sun.
Use protective coverings such as gloves and eye shields while handling the solar panels. This is to prevent electric shock and burns caused by exposed wires.
Borrow From a Friend
If you have friends or neighbors who own an electric bike, you can ask them to lend you their charger so you can top off your battery.
You can take your electric bike down to their respective homes to charge it there. If they are generous enough, they can also allow you to take the charger home with you.
Either way, you get to charge your e-bike and go on your planned journey.
Find a Wall Outlet
Once you have successfully borrowed an electric bike charger either from a friend, a neighbor, or even a stranger, your work is half done.
Search for a wall power outlet compatible with your e-bike charger and connect it.
E-bike chargers all come with a 3-pin plug compatible with most wall sockets. This makes it very easy to charge wherever you are, provided you have the charger.
Induction Charger
Wireless induction technology is a game changer in the world of electric bike charging. Although it is still in its early stages, it is a very easy and efficient way of charging your electric bike without having a charger.
It is a wireless form of charging that does not require any type of electricity outlet. The e-bike only needs to be positioned on the charging tile, and it automatically starts charging.
You can now travel long distances without worrying about having a charger as you can easily charge using “induction charging.”
How to Choose the Right Charger
Choosing the right charger for your battery is very important, as using the wrong charger is dangerous. It can damage your battery and also damage your electric bike if left unchecked.
Electric bikes do not have a universal charger that serves all their batteries. Batteries come in different sizes and therefore require a different type of charger. Batteries are classified according to their voltage. It starts at 24 volts and increases by 12 volts.
An e-bike with a 36-volt battery should have a 42-volt charger. Likewise, a 36-volt battery should be charged using a 54-volt charger. Also, ensure the charger connector matches your battery.
Safety Tips for Charging E-Bike Batteries
When it comes to batteries and electricity, the need for safety cannot be overemphasized to maintain the battery life and keep you protected.
Use the right charger
Using the right charger does not only save your battery from being damaged but also helps prevent fire hazards caused by overheating. Always compare your battery voltage to that of the charger you intend to use.
Don’t leave your battery empty
It is not advisable to leave your battery completely drained. An empty battery can weaken it and can shorten its lifespan.
If you won’t be using your e-bike for a while, it is advisable to charge the battery before storing them away.
Check it has overcharging protection
Before buying a new replacement battery, always check if it has overcharging protection.
This is a feature that helps prevent batteries from overcharging, as it stops charging when the battery is 100 percent full. This is useful for people who are usually too busy to focus on monitoring their charging e-bikes.
Keep away from moist environments
Never charge your e-bike in a wet environment, as this is not only dangerous for your battery but also you. Charging in a moist environment (such as a damp garage) can damage your battery and also cause an electrical shock.
Charge at the right temperature
Do not charge your e-bike whenever the battery is hot. Always feel the temperature of the battery when charging. And if you notice an increase in temperature, disconnect the charging cord and allow the battery to cool. You also shouldn’t charge the battery if it’s too cold. Keep it at a moderate temperature.
Best Time to Charge an E-Bike
The best time to charge depends on how often you use your electric bike. In general, it is advisable to always charge as soon as possible after the battery becomes drained.
For those who use their e-bike daily, the best time to charge will be immediately after every ride. This enables the e-bike to be ready for use the next day or when needed.
For those who use their e-bikes once in a while, the best time to charge will be after the battery goes below 50 percent. This way, you don’t continuously charge the battery when you won’t be using the bike.
FAQs
Can I charge an e-bike battery directly?
Yes. You can charge the battery of your e-bike directly by removing the battery from the bike and connecting directly to an electrical outlet.
Can I charge an e-bike with a car battery?
Yes. You can charge your e-bike battery with a car battery by connecting the terminals of both batteries using a jumper cable.
Final Thoughts
Electric bike batteries can be charged either directly or when attached to the bike. If you ever run out of battery juice when on the road, search for the nearest charging station and charge up your battery.
If there isn’t a charging station around, you can also charge your battery by using a car battery. Also, you can use a USB cord in place of your charger. To escape all these troubles, ensure your battery is fully charged before taking the bike for a ride.
