My wife has a relatively new eBike with a Bosche motor and battery. It has less than 500km on the clock.
2 weeks ago she had a stroke. It looks like she will, hopefully, make a very good recovery so I want her bike to be available when she is ready to try it. This could be 6-12 months.
Looking at this Bosche web page the advice for storage or non-use seems to be focussed around (a) winter. Should I do something differently given it will be more than winter?
https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/help-cen ... -ast-00046
Should I take the battery into the house rather than leave it on the bike in the garage?
Should I try to use it to allow the battery to drain through use (I can do this although it is a bit small for me and I'd rather use my time to keep fit on my usual bike.)?
Long Term Storage
Re: Long Term Storage
The most important two things are never to let the battery get completely flat (*), and never to charge it below 4 degrees or so.
Next most important is not to keep it fully charged for an extended period.
Charge it to about 70% and keep an eye on it. If it falls to 40% recharge to 70%. If you keep in outside and charge it inside, make sure it is nearing room temperature before charging.
(*) By completely flat I mean really really flat. If ridden till the battery cuts out it is still significantly being off completely flat, but has cut out to protect the battery. Avoiding completely flat is especially important for Bosch. With a normal batter it can often still be recovered. With a Bosch battery the BMS (battery management system) will fail because of the proprietary handshaking between the battery and the rest of the system and the battery will not be recoverable.
Good luck with your wife recovering.
Next most important is not to keep it fully charged for an extended period.
Charge it to about 70% and keep an eye on it. If it falls to 40% recharge to 70%. If you keep in outside and charge it inside, make sure it is nearing room temperature before charging.
(*) By completely flat I mean really really flat. If ridden till the battery cuts out it is still significantly being off completely flat, but has cut out to protect the battery. Avoiding completely flat is especially important for Bosch. With a normal batter it can often still be recovered. With a Bosch battery the BMS (battery management system) will fail because of the proprietary handshaking between the battery and the rest of the system and the battery will not be recoverable.
Good luck with your wife recovering.
Re: Long Term Storage
Thanks Stodd.
I was going to bring the battery and charger into the house. There is no charge indicator once the battery is out of the bike. I guess I'll just have to go back and forward on a weekly basis to check the charge level.
I was going to bring the battery and charger into the house. There is no charge indicator once the battery is out of the bike. I guess I'll just have to go back and forward on a weekly basis to check the charge level.
Re: Long Term Storage
Are you sure there is no charge indicator? Bosch batteries do vary but mine (old 2016 style rack battery) has a little button and 4 or 5 lights near the front.
When its off charge and you press the button the number of lights shows the charge. Very roughly, but enough to decide if its getting too low for storage.
When its charging the rightmost of the lit lights flashes; when fully charged they all go solid green, and then turn completely off after a little time.
When its off charge and you press the button the number of lights shows the charge. Very roughly, but enough to decide if its getting too low for storage.
When its charging the rightmost of the lit lights flashes; when fully charged they all go solid green, and then turn completely off after a little time.
Re: Long Term Storage
Who gave her the 6-12 month timeline? There's no such thing.
I had a stroke myself around 7 years ago and asked the same question...when will I be ok. Both the doctors and nurses said it was impossible to give a timeline on that as it was different for everyone.
I personally was cycling again after about 2 months but made sure it was with other people. Luckily there was a social cycling group run by the council at the time. Look into that if you cannot go with her.
Your wife will also benefit greatly from attending the post stroke help group (can't remember the exact name). These last about 2 hours if memory serves and she'll be given various exercises and watched over by nurses.
As for the bike...take it out once in a while. The battery needs to be worked to prevent it fading. Once a week should be enough from personal experience.
I'd also advise that when she's able to ride again, don't let her let the bike do all the work. I did that and lost a ridiculous amount of leg strength and overall fitness...which for a stroke survivor is not good news.
Hope she recovers well!
I had a stroke myself around 7 years ago and asked the same question...when will I be ok. Both the doctors and nurses said it was impossible to give a timeline on that as it was different for everyone.
I personally was cycling again after about 2 months but made sure it was with other people. Luckily there was a social cycling group run by the council at the time. Look into that if you cannot go with her.
Your wife will also benefit greatly from attending the post stroke help group (can't remember the exact name). These last about 2 hours if memory serves and she'll be given various exercises and watched over by nurses.
As for the bike...take it out once in a while. The battery needs to be worked to prevent it fading. Once a week should be enough from personal experience.
I'd also advise that when she's able to ride again, don't let her let the bike do all the work. I did that and lost a ridiculous amount of leg strength and overall fitness...which for a stroke survivor is not good news.
Hope she recovers well!
Bill
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” ~ Eddy Merckx
It's a rich man whos children run to him when his pockets are empty.
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” ~ Eddy Merckx
It's a rich man whos children run to him when his pockets are empty.