Cold Weather Riding

[Trogster]

Took my first winter ride yesterday.  Temperatures hovered just below freezing.   My battery was about 80% charge and stored indoors where it's warm (70degF).

It didn't take long before the bikes performance started to suffer.  I would estimate at least a 30% drop in power with a similar loss in range.

I've learned that low temperature riding can do permanent damage to your battery.

Has anyone experimented with insulating or perhaps wrapping your battery with a heater?  I've sourced a 12V-15W heater that I'm considering fastening to the battery in an effort to keep it warm.

Would be interested in hearing about your experiences as it promises to be a long, cold winter.

[Eric7]

What is your temperature? Maybe plowing through snow is like riding on sand or riding on grass, it reduces your performance somewhat.

But yes, I agree that the batteries don't work as well when they are allowed to truly get cold.

If your performance is decreased, you should notice it more the longer you ride because you initially start with the batteries at 70 degrees and my guess is that it would take 30 minutes to cool them down say, below 40 degrees?  Also, the batteries heat up as they discharge so that helps them fight off the cold.

I have not noticed any effect riding around freezing temperature if there is no snow on the ground. My rides usually don't last more than 2 hours.

[Altema]

For stock Rad batteries, they make battery jackets that keep them clean and a bit warmer. The batteries generate a little heat while discharging, so the jacket helps quite a bit. Without the jacket, battery loss was between 25 and 35%. With the jacket, loss is only 10%. I bought mine from DeepCycleBags, but my link is broken.

[Trogster]

For stock Rad batteries, they make battery jackets that keep them clean and a bit warmer. The batteries generate a little heat while discharging, so the jacket helps quite a bit. Without the jacket, battery loss was between 25 and 35%. With the jacket, loss is only 10%. I bought mine from DeepCycleBags, but my link is broken.

I'll have to give that a try...thx.

[nextcity]

Good thread.  Anyone find a good way of protecting your controller from the cold and rain?  Controller (box), not the LCD screen.

Like a neoprene sleeve that wraps around them.  I can't find anything online.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Altema]

Good thread.  Anyone find a good way of protecting your controller from the cold and rain?  Controller (box), not the LCD screen.

Like a neoprene sleeve that wraps around them.  I can't find anything online.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I did not find neoprene covers, but there are several hard covers on Amazon. One of them is listed below, but you'll need to measure whichever box you are considering to make sure it's big enough, but not too big. I thin neoprene would work better though in your case. That being said, the Rad controller does not really need any special protection. I've ridden mine in rain, mud and snow, and I wash the controller off with a pressure sprayer. Cold has never bothered my controller, and I've ridden mine at -2?F. Rad does not recommend riding in temperatures below 4?F, but that is for the sake of the battery, and I was using a battery jacket. If I fin any other suitable covers, I post it here. Stay safe in the cold!

Link to hard cover:  https://amzn.to/3WmEO8B

[nextcity]

Good thread.  Anyone find a good way of protecting your controller from the cold and rain?  Controller (box), not the LCD screen.

Like a neoprene sleeve that wraps around them.  I can't find anything online.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I did not find neoprene covers, but there are several hard covers on Amazon. One of them is listed below, but you'll need to measure whichever box you are considering to make sure it's big enough, but not too big. I thin neoprene would work better though in your case. That being said, the Rad controller does not really need any special protection. I've ridden mine in rain, mud and snow, and I wash the controller off with a pressure sprayer. Cold has never bothered my controller, and I've ridden mine at -2?F. Rad does not recommend riding in temperatures below 4?F, but that is for the sake of the battery, and I was using a battery jacket. If I fin any other suitable covers, I post it here. Stay safe in the cold!

Link to hard cover:  https://amzn.to/3WmEO8B

Thanks for the info.  It's good to know I don't have to worry about the controller.  Those ugly screws are reason enough for me to want to throw a neoprene cover over it.  Any idea where to get a neoprene cover? 

[Altema]

I didn't find neoprene covers specifically for controllers, but I did find the items below which could be useful

Sleeve with zipper, can be connected together side-by-side for larger diameter
https://amzn.to/3WtkkLj

Similar to above, but with velcro that can also be cut to length
https://amzn.to/3I8vrFe

Neoprene fabric for custom solutions (perhaps attach with velcro straps?)
https://amzn.to/3vm1pGs