Electric bikes are the commute preference for many people today. They are gradually gaining popularity in society, especially since they need to improve ecosystem balance. However, electric bikes cannot function appropriately if the components are not suitable. One of the critical components that determine the performance of an electric bike is the batteries. This is why many electric bike manufacturers produce several battery types for different e-bikes. However, how do you choose a suitable battery for your e-bike?
You can start by making equities from professional brands. For instance, Haidong Ebike customer relations involve professional advice for e-bike riders. With this, you can choose the best battery, ensuring your e-bike functions effectively.
Types of Batteries
Before discussing the factors to consider before choosing an e-bike battery, let’s briefly explain the four major battery types—lead-acid, Nickel-cadmium, Nickel-metal hydride, and lithium-ion.
Lead Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries have been existing for a long time. They are often known as the traditional battery. These batteries are pretty heavy, produce low power, but are affordable for many people. Lead batteries can work in cars’ motor systems and electric bikes. However, they are not the best type of battery.
Nickel-cadmium Batteries
Nickel-cadmium batteries produce more power than lead-acid batteries, and they are long-lasting. However, the battery density is high, such that it runs down quickly. These batteries are expensive and use a non-eco-friendly component like cadmium.
Nickel-metal hydride
Nickel-metal hydride battery density is not on the high side but can uphold up to 45% charge. Although these batteries are more efficient than lead-acid batteries, they are challenging to maintain. Also, many electric bike manufacturers do not have them in the market because of the high cost.
Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are readily available in the market, and they are the latest development. They are not as heavy as the previously mentioned batteries but have long durability. However, they are prone to self-destruction due to their small size. With the help of an experienced manufacturer, you may not need to worry about your battery disruption.
Choosing the Right Battery for Your E-bike
Having known the four common battery types, how do you choose the most appropriate one? Firstly, you need to understand that Lithium-ion batteries are the trending type in the world today. This is because it consumes lesser energy, exposing the earth to less risk. Hence, this article focuses on the factors to consider when choosing a Lithium-ion battery. The two primary factors are voltage and ampere because they play significant roles.
Voltage
Every electric bike has an input voltage that is best suitable for it. Going contrary to the required voltage may damage the bike, affecting its efficiency. If the e-bike voltage is more or less than the required amount, it may cause complications. This is proof that the battery is a critical component of an e-bike. When the battery’s voltage is insufficient, the electric bike has no power to operate on. This means you can only cover short distances per charge.
A voltage that is in excess poses a threat to other electrical parts of the e-bike. A standard electric bike can thrive between 36 and 48 volts in most cases. If you have the lithium-cobalt type, you can expect to have about 3.1v after the battery runs down. Also, a voltage is equivalent to the speed level of the e-bike. The higher the voltage, the higher the speed. It means you also need to bear in mind the e-bike’s purpose when buying batteries. For instance, a professional rider may want to consider a higher voltage battery for fast speed.
Amperes
Amperes refer to the battery’s current, which works closely with the voltage. Amperes are as well equivalent to the torque of an electric bike. A high torque would mean the battery’s ampere is high. However, your e-bike motor will only utilize the required ampere. This is why it makes no sense to get beyond the needed amount of ampere.
Ampere is also a show of your battery’s capacity. It describes the longevity of your battery within a stipulated time. For instance, a 15Ah would mean the battery can last for 10hours, at 1.5A. However, it may be difficult for some layperson to comprehend the relationship between ampere and battery performance. When you use reputable brands like Haidong Ebike, you can get recommendations on the most suitable ampere for your e-bike.
Conclusion
There are different lithium-ion batteries, including lithium cobalt, lithium manganese, and others. They all have similar functions but with varying densities of energy. This variation in energy density results from the voltage and ampere level. More so, always bear in mind your location weather because it may affect how your batteries operate. Hopefully, you will not find it challenging to select the best battery after reading through the article.