If you have an eBike or an electric bike then, you must be aware of the many benefits it has from convenience, sustainability to many health benefits. It is one of the best transportation available nowadays without spending any money on gas or maintenance.
But one of the biggest challenge which e bikers or e bike riders face while travelling with their e bikes is how to charge eBike battery without charger?
The answer of the above question is “Yes”. This article aims to provide multiple options, tips and alternative methods using which you can charge your e bike battery anywhere without a charger. So, read this full article to understand and use the methods to charge your ebike battery without any charger.
Different Options on how to charge ebike battery without charger?
1. Solar Charge the Battery
This is one of the best method to charge your e bike battery which is also very eco-friendly. But for this method, you will need a solar panel. So, if you have a solar panel then, you can use this method to charge your electric bike battery using solar power or sunlight.
To use this method, you’ll need a solar panel which has a built-in charge controller and a battery charger that has a solar panel adapter. This can be a really good option for you, if you are travelling somewhere outside or if you have a solar panel setup at your home.
When handling solar panels or performing this method, it is really very important to take appropriate precautions to ensure your safety. And to protect yourself from any exposed wiring or electric shocks, please wear protective gears like gloves, eye shield and closed shoes.
It is recommended to have at least two people present for the adjustment of the solar panels(depending on the solar panel’s size and weight) in order to prevent any mishap or injuries while handling the solar panels.
It is essential to select the right solar panels and accessories for effective charging. Consider some of the factors like amperage, voltage and wattage for selecting the solar panels as well as for the type of connector.
To setup a solar charging system, connect the solar panel to the charger and ensure that it is placed under direct sunlight.
2. Charging using a Power Bank
As we know that Power bank is a portable and very convenient solution for charging any electronic device. Everyone uses power bank for charging their laptops, phones and many other electronic devices that have a USB port. And, using this USB port you can also charge your e bike’s battery.
To charge your eBike’s battery using a power bank, the only thing that you need is a USB-to-battery adapter which are easily available on any e bike store or online eCommerce websites. If you already have one, then, great! you just have to connect this USB cable to your e bike battery and it will get charged. The only thing which you need to keep in mind is that it is possible that the battery of your electric bike may not get fully charged with a power bank especially if it is a large battery.
But if you have a big power bank matching the capacity of your e bike’s battery then, it can get fully charged so, please check your power bank and your e bike battery’s capacity.
3. Charging using a Car Battery
If you have a car which has a cigarette lighter socket. Then, you can charge your ebike’s battery using your car charger. To charge using this method, you will need a battery charger with a car adapter and just connect this charger to socket to start charging.
It is really important to exercise caution when charging your ebike’s battery using car battery as a power source because the voltage of a car battery is much higher than an e-bike’s battery. So, it is recommended to regulate the current flow while charging in order to prevent any damage to the e-bike battery.
One of the method using which you can regulate the current flow is by connecting light bulbs to the wiring between the car battery and the ebike battery. Here, the light bulbs will act as a resistors, hence reducing the flow of current to safe levels.
When using this method, it is really important to monitor the charging process closely as it is possible for the e bike battery to receive too much amperes of power and become overheated resulting in long-term damage of the battery.
4. Charging on Charging Station
With the increasing popularity of e bikes, there has been a consistent rise in the buildout of charging stations for electric bikes. You can easily find these e bike charging stations in many areas nowadays both indoors and outdoors at various locations like bars, restaurants, and many public places.
While out on a ride, if you find your e-bike with a low battery then, you can just simply locate or find any nearby charging stations and recharge your e bike battery there. To charge your ebike’s battery completely, firstly remove the battery from your eBike and then, simply place it in a compatible charging port. Also keep in mind that some charging stations may ask for a fee to charge your e-bike.
5. Charging using a USB cable
If your eBike has a small battery then, you can also charge your eBike using a USB port as these batteries don’t require high power input. This method can be a very useful for any rider who is on the go and doesn’t have any standard power outlet.
- Firstly, make sure that you have a USB cable that is compatible with your eBike Battery. It is important to find a USB cable that matches the USB port of your eBike’s battery as different eBikes might have different types of USB ports like micro USB, type-C port, etc. You can also check the manual provided by ebike manufacturer to know about the battery’s port type.
- After finding the right USB cable, now you need to provide a power supply using the cable from an electrical device to your eBike battery.
- You can choose any electrical device available such as power bank which is the most commonly used electrical device for charging your ebike’s battery.
- If you have a laptop or computer near you then, you can also charge your eBike’s battery using that also but one thing which you should keep in mind while charging your eBike’s battery with a computer or a laptop is that your battery might take a longer time to get charged compared to any direct power source.
- If you’re at your home and have an access to a wall socket then, you can charge your eBike’s battery with it also as it will provide a stable and faster charging experience.
Steps to charge eBike’s battery using USB cable:
- Connect the USB cable: To start charging, just connect one end of the USB cable to your eBike’s battery and another end to the power source.
- Start Charging: Now, just turn on the switch of your power source(if it has any) to initiate charging. If you’re charging your battery using a computer or a laptop then, you have to activate the charging using USB port in the settings of your computer. On the other hand, if your power source is wall socket or power bank then, the charging will get started as soon as the USB cable gets connected.
- Monitor charging status: It is recommended to check your battery’s charging status periodically to ensure that the battery is charging at an expected rate and to prevent it from overheating.
- Disconnect the USB cable: When the battery gets fully charged then, safely unplug or disconnect the USB cable from both the battery as well as the power source.
6. Charge using Pedal Charger
Nowadays, there are many eBikes which have a pedal-powered charger or a built-in feature of charging through pedals. You’re lucky if your eBike also has this feature of getting charged through pedaling. Using conservation of energy principle, these eBikes converts kinetic energy produced while riding into electrical energy that charges the battery.
Kinetic energy is produced when you ride an eBike, which is often wasted through wind resistance, heat in the brake pads and many other reasons. However, ebikes with pedal-powered charger are designed to capture that kinetic energy and convert it into electrical energy to charge the battery. Hence, this method is a practical and sustainable alternative to charge your eBike’s battery.
Conclusion
We discussed on all the possible different alternative methods on how to charge eBike battery without charger. If you don’t have an access to your charger then, you can try any of the methods discussed above to charge your eBike’s battery.
Whether you choose solar power, car battery, power bank, charging station, USB cable or pedal charger any of the alternative method to charge your eBike’s battery. Just be sure to take proper safety precautions while performing any of these methods.