BATTERY

E-bike batteries can be charged on a normal socket (230 V). We recommend that you use an adapter for trips abroad. Charging in restaurants does not usually pose a problem if you consume something and is free of charge. If no special charging station is available, it is advisable to ask operators if and where the battery may be charged.

FIT batteries can be charged in two ways. Directly via the FIT charging port (charging socket) or by removing the battery from the e-bike. If the battery is charged via the charging socket, the charge level will automatically appear on the display.

The charging time depends on the charger and battery capacity. Many models can be charged up to 50 % of their capacity in just two hours. If you want to know how long the battery actually charges until full, you can calculate this based on the charger’s current (ampere, A for short) and the capacity of the e-bike battery (ampere hours, Ah for short).

It is not only the capacity that is decisive for the e-bike’s range. Despite careful planning, or with e-bikes that have a recuperation option – they consume more electricity than they recover – the battery capacity may still be insufficient for the entire route. We thus suggest that you simply plan a break at a restaurant on your tour. You then don’t have to worry about the range and this has another big advantage too: all of your senses will be stimulated during the tour.

Calculating the time it takes to charge lithium-ion batteries depends on their capacity and the charger’s current. Take, for example, a TP-630 FIT battery with 16.8 Ah that is charged for two hours using the 4A FIT charger – which has a current of 4 amps. This will result in a capacity of 8 Ah (4A x 2 hours), or roughly half of the battery’s full capacity (16.8 Ah).

Modern lithium-ion batteries can be easily recharged without any loss of voltage as a result of repeated partial discharge. They can be easily charged at any time. Even a premature interruption to charging doesn’t harm them.

E-bike batteries lose some of their capacity over time (about 10% a year), just like other batteries. However, their exact service life depends on a number of factors – their storage, protection and general handling have an effect on their life. We recommend switching to a new battery after around 4 to 5 years.

Following simple rules for protection, transport and correct storage can a positive impact on the service life of the battery.

Store the e-bike battery in a dry environment and protect it from direct sunlight. A room temperature of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius is ideal. Batteries should also be charged at room temperature. Batteries should ideally have a charge level of between 10 and 80%, especially when not in use. It is best to remove the battery and store it safely in your car when transporting your e-bike.

Batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Their ‘comfort zone’ is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. We thus recommend that you store the battery at room temperature and only fit it into your e-bike shortly before setting off.

A cold battery charges very slowly. It is better to charge the battery indoors and at room temperature. You should let the battery warm up before charging to prevent condensation. Condensation could interfere with the charging cycle or, at worst, damage it.

Batteries should ideally have a charge level of between 10 and 80% when not in use.

Modern e-bike batteries no longer suffer from the memory effect.

When a battery loses capacity during charging due to premature charging, this is called the memory effect. What this means is that the battery, which has only been partially discharged, gradually loses its capacity and has to be charged more and more frequently. It only supplies the energy from the previous charge. The battery memorizes (thus, memory) the state of discharge and only provides this “remembered” amount for further use, so that the voltage drops.