Battery Care and Safety 101

How to Prevent E-Bike Fires

Despite the relative scarcity of e-bike fires in the U.S. And Canada, you should still take precautions to protect yourself from an accident. Here’s how:

  • Use only the manufacturer-supplied charger, Benjamin says. Aftermarket chargers and chargers for different e-bikes can cause batteries to overheat, which can lead to thermal runaway. Four people died in a Beijing e-bike shop fire where mismatched e-bike chargers were found.
  • Don’t leave a charging e-bike unattended, and don’t charge it near other flammable objects. “Do it in a place where if there is smoke, you can get out of the house, and there’s nothing right next to it to catch on fire,” Benjamin says. Even if you’re not equipped to put out the fire, you’ll be able to get to safety.
  • Don’t store e-bike batteries with a full charge for an extended period of time. More charge means more fuel for the chemical reaction that causes fire.
  • Don’t use e-bike batteries that have been dropped, punctured, crashed, or otherwise damaged in any way. They may look alright, but internal damage can cause the cells to contact each other, overheat, and ignite. Consult a local dealer if you’re unsure whether a battery pack is safe.
  • Don’t modify your e-bike’s drive system if you’re not an expert. We’re all for tinkering, but the e-bikes that catch fire mid-ride tend to be DIY contraptions, so don’t mess with what you don’t know. (A safer DIY approach might involve buying a full conversion kit, with components meant to work together, rather than piecing the electronics together yourself).
  • Use water and an A B C fire extinguisher (the most common type) to put out a lithium-ion battery fire. However, the fire and fumes from a lithium-ion battery fire can be extremely dangerous, so unless you can extinguish the reaction early or safely move the bike outdoors, your best bet is calling 911 and getting the heck away from it.

 

DO NOT CHARGE YOUR BATTERY IN TEMPERATURES UNDER 40 DEGREES CELSIUS.  DOING SO WILL DAMAGE YOUR BATTERY. 

BATTERY HAZARDS Do not charge the battery in a wet and/or humid places or anywhere exposed to strong sunlight.

To maintain battery life  never store or charge your battery in cold weather.  Do not charge or store your batter in temperatures under 40 degrees Celsius.  

BATTERY HAZARDS Do not charge the battery in a wet and/or humid place or anywhere exposed to strong sunlight.  Always charge the battery with the supplied charger only not doing so could result in explosion or fire.  Do not leave the battery unattended while charging.  Charge the battery on a non-inflammable surface with a smoke/fire detector nearby.  Inspect your battery, make sure there are no dents or signs of wear or damage, do not use if you see this. 

WARNING- FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER CHARGING PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR BATTERY, CHARGER, AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY.

CHARGE YOUR BATTERY REGULARLY Lithium chemistry batteries used on electric bicycles should last longer with regular use, and regular charging.  You do not necessarily need to let your electric bike battery to discharge completely.  Try to charge the battery when there is between 30 percent and 60 percent of the capacity remaining. 

DO NOT STORE AN EMPTY BATTERY Rather look for it to have about 40 to 70 percent of its full capacity in a totally dry area, away from combustible material in a temperature between 0 degrees C and 20 degrees C.  Keep battery indoors during extreme weather.

DO NOT TOUCH THE “+” AND “-“ TERMINAL CONTACTS WHEN BATTERY IS REMOVED FROM THE BIKE

USE CAUTION TO AVOID DAMAGES TO THE BATTERY CONNECTOR TERMINALS, WHICH ARE EXPOSED WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNLOCKED AND REMOVED FROM THE BIKE.  IN THE CASE OF DAMAGE TO THE TERMINALS OR BATTERY MOUNTS, DISCONTINUE USE AND CONTACT WATT BIKES IMMEDIATELY.  

NEVER USE A BATTERY CHARGER THAT HAS DAMAGE TO IT.   Check that the charging system is in good working order before use.

Incorrect assembly, maintenance, or use of your electric bike can cause component or performance failure, loss of control, serious injury or death.  Even if you’re an experienced rider, you must read and understand the entire manual and any documentation provided for subcomponents or accessories before riding.  If you are not sure you have the experience , skills, and tools to correctly perform all assembly steps in the manual please contact a local reputable bicycle mechanic technician.