E-bike chargers – which ones are there?

And what are the differences?

Whether before, during or after a tour – every e-bike battery will need power at some point. But which e-bike chargers are there? And how do they differ? This is exactly what we explain in this article.

Ten percent of all bicycles sold worldwide are e-bikes. This is the result of a recent survey by the World Bicycle Industry Association (WBIA) on the global bicycle market. In Europe, the figures are even higher. Depending on the country, electric bicycles now account for more than a third of all bicycle sales here. It is therefore not surprising that not only the variety of different pedelec models is now very large, but also the range of corresponding accessories. One example of this is e-bike chargers.

Just as a smartphone or car battery needs to be recharged, the battery of an e-bike regularly needs energy. The main reason for the large selection of suitable chargers is that a wide variety of drive manufacturers are now seeking the favor of customers. From Bosch to Panasonic, from Fazua to Shimano – the number of companies active on the market has grown significantly in recent years. As each manufacturer offers a different system and different drive models, the range of suitable e-bike chargers is correspondingly large.

E-BIKE CHARGERS: THESE ARE THE DIFFERENCES

A closer look at the different product ranges shows where the differences lie. Chargers differ, for example, in terms of charging connectors or charging power. And the voltage is also an important distinguishing feature. In short, not every charger suits every battery. It is therefore important that you pay attention to the specifications of your wheel and drive manufacturer when choosing – to ensure you decide on the right e-bike charger.

A look at the FIT range illustrates the point. Our battery chargers are available in a range of variants – for example, to take with you on an e-bike tour for quick charging on the go or for charging in your garage at home. Basically, our chargers differ in terms of purpose and voltage. Below, we will take a closer look at the various factors:

Selection factors for the right e-bike charger

• Mechanical compatibility: Is it the right connector?
• System compatibility:Is the charger compatible with the battery? (For example, a Bosch charger is not compatible with Shimano or FIT).
• Rated voltage: Measured in volts; readable on original charger and battery.
  
• Charging current: Measured in amperes, affects charging time; readable on original charger or in instructions for use. In the case of a FIT e-bike, the Fast Charger has a higher charging current and therefore charges faster. Please note: There are batteries that are limited in terms of charging current. That’s why it’s important that the charger suits the battery.

Selecting the right e-bike charger

If you want to buy a new e-bike charger, you have to check the compatibility of the charger with your e-bike battery, the rated voltage of the charger and the charging current. The compatibility, i.e. the right connector and the right voltage, as well as the ability of the charger to communicate with the battery on the system side, are the decisive basic parameters here. With FIT, for example, the charger communicates with the battery and therefore charging is only activated when the appropriate charger is connected.

We currently offer chargers with 36 V (4 A or 6 A) and 48 V (3 A or 4.8 A). It is essential to choose the correct voltage to ensure that the e-bike is not damaged when charging. For example, many users wonder whether they can use a 48-volt charger on a 36-volt battery. The answer to this question is a very definite “no”, as electronic components could be damaged by too much voltage. The cells could also become overloaded due to excessive voltage, which is very dangerous (fire hazard). You should therefore always choose a charger with the right voltage for your battery.

The third major factor when choosing the right pedelec charger is the charging current. This is measured in amperes and affects the charging speed. At FIT, for example, we distinguish between the Standard Charger and the Fast Charger. The former charges a little slower, but the battery is spared more. The latter ensures that your e-bike battery is charged in just under three hours. This makes it ideal for e-bikes that are used a lot or have to be ready for use again quickly. For example, if you want to go for a ride after work but find that the battery needs to be charged, the Fast Charger is certainly the better choice. The FIT Standard Charger is the ideal charger for everyday use. By the way: For more charging power, the FIT Standard Charger can be upgraded from 4 A to 6 A.

FIT Standard Charger vs. FIT Fast Charger

We would also like to point out that the charging current must not exceed the permissible charging current of the battery. If the battery is not designed for the particular charging current, too much current could damage the cells and electronics.

To prevent such situations, the FIT 2.0 chargers communicate with the battery via a CAN interface. The advantage is that the battery can tell if the correct charger is connected. By the same token, the charger detects whether the appropriate battery is connected. For example, if you connect a 48 V FIT charger to a 36 V FIT battery, charging would not even begin.

HOW CAN I CHARGE MY E-BIKE BATTERY CORRECTLY?

Have you found the right charger for your needs and your e-bike? Congratulations! Finally, we recommend that you take care of your battery by charging it correctly. For example, you should only charge your e-bike battery with an authorized charger. Using a third-party charger may not only harm the battery, but may even pose a safety risk. When charging, make sure the battery is not exposed to extreme temperatures. We recommend charging the e-bike battery at temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees. You should also avoid emptying the battery completely, as this may damage the battery. If you store your battery for a while – for example in winter – you should keep the charging status between 40 and 80 percent.

You can find more posts on batteries in our blog. Do you want to know, for example, how you can influence the battery range? You can find out using the following link:

Tips for more battery range

25.07.2023