Preserving the performance level and range of your electric adult tricycle over the long term requires taking great care of its battery, especially during charging.
It is also the component that requires the most attention but is paradoxically the most often neglected by users. This is why, as specialists at DAMIUS, we wish to provide you with valuable advice to ensure its proper functioning. In addition to the article entirely dedicated to the overall maintenance of your tricycle, we will focus here on battery maintenance.
Use the appropriate charger for your electric adult tricycle
This may seem obvious, but it is essential. The reason is simple: using an unsuitable charger could severely damage your battery.
Even if this first piece of advice may seem trivial, it is of great importance. Indeed, using a charger unsuitable for your electric tricycle could fry the battery and force you to pay for a replacement – which would be quite unfortunate!
It is therefore necessary to use the charger supplied with your electric tricycle at the time of purchase. If for any reason you are forced to use another charger, ensure that it meets the same power and output voltage specifications, and that the plug matches in terms of format and polarity.
Charge regularly
It is advisable to ensure it is recharged regularly, even if the tricycle is not used during the winter, for example.
In general, we recommend performing a full charge once a month to prevent the battery from degrading and losing range.
To give you an idea, consider that an electric tricycle will react the same way as a motor vehicle: if it is left in the garage all winter without being used and the ignition is turned on when the good weather returns, there is a high chance it will not start. Well, it is the same with electrically-assisted tricycles.
Respect the necessary timing
The final precaution to observe concerns the various waiting times required between charging and using the tricycle.
To avoid harming the lifespan of an electric tricycle battery, it is strongly discouraged to wait until it is completely flat before recharging it. On the contrary, it is better to ensure that some range remains.
Furthermore, a break of about half an hour should be planned between using and charging the tricycle. Thus, after riding your electric tricycle, 30 minutes are necessary to let the battery rest before charging it. The same applies before using the tricycle following a charge. It is also very important to always wait until the battery is fully charged before disconnecting the charger.
Maintain your battery’s performance during heatwaves
When the sun is at its zenith and the temperature is above 30°C, you must ensure that your battery is not exposed for too long. When your electric adult tricycle is not in use, avoid leaving it in the sun; instead, find a small spot in the shade 🙂
Otherwise, the battery will overheat, which can subsequently lead to a decrease in its performance and lifespan.
We also recommend not starting the electric assistance at maximum power at the beginning of your ride. In these circumstances, it could cause overheating.
To ensure your battery has an optimal lifespan, be careful not to expose it to the sun or over-exploit it during large temperature variations. In this way, the consequences related to heat will be significantly reduced.
Preserving the battery during the winter season
The sun is not the only enemy of your electrically-assisted adult tricycle. Cold can also damage your 3-wheeled bike if it is not maintained properly. Indeed, the first element impacted by winter temperatures is the battery of your tricycle. In the event of a significant drop in temperature, your battery’s range can be considerably altered.
To this end, various means can be implemented to maintain the full performance of your electric bike.
One of the most effective practices for protecting your battery is the use of a specific cover to protect it from the cold and help it retain its internal heat. It is also absolutely necessary to store your battery in a dry place at room temperature when your adult tricycle is not in use. For optimal preservation, charging should take place in a space with a temperature above 10°C.
In short, as soon as you are no longer using your tricycle, it is essential to place your battery in a location with the characteristics listed above. If you do not go for rides with your adult tricycle bike for several weeks, remember to always remove your battery from your 3-wheeled bike and store it safely inside your home.
Your battery’s performance criteria
If a replacement is needed, you can now have your non-functioning battery reconditioned. This is slightly cheaper than a new battery and allows you to benefit from the latest Lithium accumulator technologies.
Your battery’s range varies depending on many factors such as:
- Battery maintenance
- The terrain on which you ride
- The type of bike/tricycle and its weight,
- The type of tires
- The temperature
- Etc.
A battery maintained and used in compliance with the cited recommendations can last tens of thousands of kilometers, allowing it to be kept for several years. However, technological advances make it possible to find increasingly powerful and efficient batteries for electrically-assisted bikes. By following the various recommendations listed, your battery will continue to have high-quality cells and will maintain its performance for longer.
There you go, we hope these few tips will be useful and will allow you to keep your electric tricycle battery in good condition for as long as possible!
