Battery Advice

denwyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 17, 2013
414
41
We have owned couple of Wisper 705 t bikes from new since 05/2017. One has the heavier duty battery, the other the standard. While the heavier duty battery is fine, I’ve noticed the standard one doesn’t seem to charge fully anymore, I’ve swapped the charger over and it’s the same with either. Do I take it the battery is on its way out. If so is there anyone who replaces the cells etc, or am I looking at having to buy another battery. We’re both self isolating with this conovid19 scare, and getting out in the country really stops us going stir crazy being stuck in the house.
Any help appreciated.
 

denwyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 17, 2013
414
41
Oh and the bikes have only done about 400 miles, always kept indoors, batteries charged regularly.
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
19,568
16,493
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk
the best thing for batteries is to get used as frequently as possible and they shouldn't be repaired, cells shouldn't be replaced unless it's a simple change of fuse or the BMS module inside.
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,687
2,675
Winchester
Try Jimmy (I never have, but well recommended) for recell of what sounds like a dying battery.
Contact him and he will tell you the options (may well have changed over the last few days!).

One reason for short life might be that you kept the battery fully charged too much; that isn't an issue often highlighted in e-bike manuals (if you had one at all). If it is not to be used for more than a few days it should be kept well under full charge. Too late to do much about that now, but might help looking forward.
 

denwyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 17, 2013
414
41
We were told when we bought the bikes to keep the battery charged. We never charged it after every ride, only usually when it was half discharged, never done a lot of miles just short trips, 8 mile max, bikes rarely used in winter. I will look into getting it re-celled, but will have to take into account postage is around £33 to send it. I may ask the shop we bought the bikes off if they have new batteries in stock, although there after service is very slow. Maybe its worth buying a new one direct from Wisper
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,168
8,237
60
West Sx RH
What does the voltage read form the discharge pins after charging ?
If it is less then 4.14v then likely it has a balance issue, it doesn't necessarily men the cells are shot.

It is possible the smaller battery is unbalanced so once a cell group reaches 4.2v the BMS takes ages to balance it up properly. The job of the BMS is to balance cell groups which aren't widely out of balance it uses about 60-100ma to carry this out and typically cell groups need to be within 0.01 - 0.02v.
What you can do is leave the battery somewhere safe for 3 or 4 days to see if it will balance the Green charged light will always remain green.

Even 0.01v difference can take about 10hrs to balance out once the main 2a charge has taken place.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,168
8,237
60
West Sx RH
With batteries management is key so is use, only charge them up before a ride (up to 12 hrs before is fine). After a ride check the SOC (voltage) and if it is between 36 -39v then leave them at that charge until you need them again, If below 36v charge them up for about 40 - 60 mins to raise the SOC. If they aren't being used much check the SOC on a monthly basis and if need be just charge them for 10 or 15mins to top up any charge.
 

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