Battery Charging

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
848
349
South Coast
Due to my type of residence, my bike has to live outside. Albeit with 4 locks and under CCTV, web enable camera.

I am generally too lazy to take the battery inside and charge it via a long lead.

A good friend of mine told me is is not a good idea to charge the battery in low temperatures.

Any advice on this subject would be most welcome. Many thanks.
 

oigoi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 14, 2011
467
7
Dont see any harm by it. The battery's capacity isnt as high in low temperatures so you dont get as many miles for your charge, but your charger should do its job fine as long as it doesnt get damp. My bike is charged outside I have fitted the charger inside a 4 pint milk bottle with the bottom cut off so it still has some ventilation and the lead comes out through a small hole i the milk bottles lid
 

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
848
349
South Coast
Dont see any harm by it. The battery's capacity isnt as high in low temperatures so you dont get as many miles for your charge, but your charger should do its job fine as long as it doesnt get damp. My bike is charged outside I have fitted the charger inside a 4 pint milk bottle with the bottom cut off so it still has some ventilation and the lead comes out through a small hole i the milk bottles lid
Thanks, thought it may limit life expectancy. Getting a good 60, 75 miles per charge at the moment so some reduction in performance when cold is not an issue.

Many thanks for your response.
 

NRG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 6, 2009
2,592
10
Well ideally you should lower the charging current at low temps say 5deg C as you can damage the cells. Charging below 0deg C is a no no ...