New Kalkhoff 18Ah battery - have I got this right?

[danfoto]

Upon taking delivery, I charge to lights out.

I then fit battery, ride, and flatten it.

I charge to lights out for a second time.

I then ride and flatten it for a second time.

I charge to lights out for a third time.

Then I use normally, charging when down to one LED on the battery, and switching the charger off when 4 out of the 5 LEDs are lit?

Correct?

 

[indalo]

Then I use normally, charging when down to one LED on the battery, and switching the charger off when 4 out of the 5 LEDs are lit?

Correct?

I can't say whether or not that's correct but it's not how I charge mine. One of our battery experts will no doubt reassure you or correct you as the case me be but I always charge my battery till all the 5 lights go off as the BMS takes care of it. Mine is a different battery from yours so you may well be following the correct protocol for your type. I'll be interested to hear how it should be done.

Indalo

 

[Biged]

sounds right to me danfoto, when conditioned don't charge to the max everytime and don't drop below 20% charge if you can help it. Helps your battery 'Live Long & Prosper'

 

[flecc]

That's the recommendation, but the first time is probably all that is necessary, to set the meter zero on these to give the best accuracy.

 

[danfoto]

don't drop below 20% charge if you can help it.

Sorry if I'm being retarded here, so that's charge when down to two LEDs, not charge when down to one like I said? And by "don't charge to the max" you mean charge to 5 LEDs but not to LEDs out?

 

[flecc]

As Biged isn't in at the moment, yes, that does roughly approximate to using the central 50 to 60% of the content. Really about 1.5 LEDs would be more accurate.

That doesn't give a very big gain in life though, to get that needs a lower discharge rate than e-bikes commonly make the battery suffer.

 

[danfoto]

Thanks flecc.

 

[gerryscott]

i've always been charging mine till the 5 lights go out whether i've done 10 or 50 miles, so i should not be doing this?

 

[Kenny]

The general consensus is that this type of battery lasts longest when used in the 20% to 80% charge range. ie. don't charge to full and don't use to full discharge.

However the built in battery management system is designed to stop it being fully discharged or charged so whether you gain much by doing this is debatable.

As I only use mine every 2 weeks or so, I stop charging at 4 lights but if I was using it every day it wouldn't be worth the hassle.

 

[flecc]

i've always been charging mine till the 5 lights go out whether i've done 10 or 50 miles, so i should not be doing this?

Yes, you should for normal use and that's how I'd use them. That way you get the full charge and full range. In theory, using only the middle 60% of charge gives longer life, since the greatest chemical stress is at the ends of charge, both low in use and high in the final charge stages.

In practice though, only a little is gained since e-bikes give batteries a rough time anyway.

N.B. Crossed with Kenny's post