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[Thumpalong]

Hi Guys
Just joined the forum and have been searching for an answer. I have just downloaded the Zero app to monitor various stuff as Im thinking of charging the bike to only 90 instead of 100% everytime. Bluetooth only seems to work with bike switched on. So can I switch it on while charging to check if im at 90%..reason I ask is when I used to have an electric bicycle I was advised to never do this as it could blow the BMS. Is it same with a Zero?

[Richard230]

Yes, you can get the Zero app to access the bike's computer while it is charging to check on the battery SOC (state of charge), along with battery condition and other information provided by the app - which changes now and then as the app is updated. It will do this without turning on the ignition as long as the on-board charger is connected. At least that was the way it worked on my 2014 S.

Do you have the owner's manual for your bike? My 2014 manual was well over 128 pages long and I still have a copy of it in my files. The size is 12 MB, so it is much too large to post here. But I bet you can find a copy on Zero's website. I would be happy to send you a copy of my 2014 manual, which will likely differ somewhat from the 2013 models, if you send me a PM. But getting a copy of the 2013 manual would likely be a better move.

[NEW2elec]

Mine is in my picture, so I know it should connect while the bike is charging.  With the OEM on board charger.
When the bike is charging pull up the app.  (One * here I have the old app on a burner phone the newer app might be glitchy.)
 It may show a spinning search circle looking for the bike.  I assume you did the rocker switch 13 rocks pairing process.  You can tap the settings icon and it will give you the bike that it's paired with.  You can tap it multiple time until it sees the bike.

All that said I would charge the bike to 100% before you ride as I have.  It balances the cells only at the 100% point.
Just don't leave it at 100% for like weeks at a time.

[Thumpalong]

Ok I was wondering about the balancing issue..I gather charging to 90 wont balance the cells so better to charge 100 as I have been. That said bluetooth wont connect it seems unless bike is on. I did do the ECO SPORT button 12 time toggle initially. Im still not sure if its wise to switch bike on while its charging..then I know bluetooth would connect tp check batt status.

[Thumpalong]

BTW i do have a 2013 owners manual. Cant find an answer in there.

[NEW2elec]

To be 100% honest I've never done it (turn on while charging) on my DS.  It really should pick it up when the charger is on.
There shouldn't be any harm turning it on you just shouldn't have to.  The contactor is closed for running and for charging so the bike is in the same "mode" either way. 
The headlight can get hot enough to melt the lens if left on long enough though.

If you can follow the steps I outlined and see if it will pick the bike up.  You might want to contact Zero or do a search to see if you can find the older app as that might work better with the 13 bike.

[Crissa]

I don't think the Gen2 bikes care if they're on or off during charging because the BMS and MBB are separate.

-Crissa

[Thumpalong]

Ok happy days..so just one tap on the phone where it says "trying to connect to Zero motorcycle" and it connected without switching on. So now I can see time to charge and charge status..result!

[Thumpalong]

Now the question is can I charge to 90% as the Tesla people do (I know they can set their cars to go to 90%) but then it wont do a cell balance? Was thinking to go 90% and once every few charges go to 100% to let it do a balance. The last 10% is what takes the longest as I understand.

[Richard230]

Now the question is can I charge to 90% as the Tesla people do (I know they can set their cars to go to 90%) but then it wont do a cell balance? Was thinking to go 90% and once every few charges go to 100% to let it do a balance. The last 10% is what takes the longest as I understand.

I think that may depend upon how out of balance your cells might be. On my 2018 S the cells are apparently very well balanced and watching my Kill-A-Watt meter near the end of the charging process shows no slowing down of the power input. It goes from 13 amps to 5 watts within just a few seconds when the bike decides to stop the charging process.

I checked my cell balance using the app a couple of days ago while the SOC was at 80% and it was showing a 3mV cell differential.

I believe the 2013 models use a different screen than does the later Gen 2 bikes and it may not show the SOC while charging on the display as does my bike. If that is the case, I am not sure how you would be able to cut off charging at 90% unless you kept your phone on and connected continuously - and unlike me, remembered to look at it now and then. 

[Thumpalong]

Im happy to check batt status all the time to unplug at 90%..just not sure if its wise to go to 90%. But If its better for the batt to go 100% on every charge then Id rather do that. Just not sure as Ive read its better not to go to 100% on every top up charge. I only run my battery to about 50% on the riding I do.

[NEW2elec]

Glad you were able to get the app to work.

The battery SOC importance in debatable.  "Battery guys" say try to stay in between 20% and 80% for longest life.  But it's a lot like eat healthy and exercise, nice advice but real world is a bit different.

The 13s are set up with different chargers, different charge operation, and someone said a separate charging part to monitor the process.
The biggest thing is Zero still says to ride, plug in, charge to 100%, and unplug.  While the bikes are under warranty that's exactly what I would say do.  Only Zero is willing to give you a free battery.  No one giving advice on battery longevity will. 

One of the things I don't like about cutting the charge cycle short is the plug arc at the wall when you unplug.  The whole bike is in the middle of pulling the most power it can and pop it's lost power all at once instead of ramping down as the 13s do.

The biggest concerns are:
Letting it drop below 10% and letting it sit for days or weeks.  That's good bye battery.
Trying to charge below freezing.
Charging to 100% and letting the bike sit in the hot sun for a long time.  The electrolyte could expand and burst the pouch cell and fire is possible. 

Anyway mostly just enjoy the bike.
I've got over 43k miles on mine.

[KrazyEd]

I have had a 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. The 2012 was lower voltage, so not comparable here.
The 2013 FX I have was an orphan year and is the only FX in the 96 volt category That is different.
Also, the FX seems to have a lower output onboard charger so that will also be different than your DS.
Until 2014 or so, Zero said that if your butt wasn't on the seat, the plug should be in the wall. Battery
people will disagree. Cell Balance on my 2013 is all over the place. Getting down to where it should be
when at or near full charge. My 2014 and 2016 were always charged to around 60~80 percent for
everyday use. Every few weeks, I would charge to 100% overnight before a ride to balance the cells.
No issues on my 2014 or 2016. I recently acquired a 2018 FXS which seems to be between 1 and 3
for balance when full or near full, but goes out to around 20 as charge gets lower. 2018 Manual
says that if cells are way out of balance then leave bike plugged in for as long as 72 hours to balance.
Not a lot of luck with that yet. My 2013 FX gives similar information to what all my other bikes do
so that should not be an issue. Bikes are never charged or stored in direct sunlight or extreme cold.
The only thing that I have noticed with the key on or off is that if bike has reached full charge and
been sitting a bit, key on will reengage the charger and bump the charge up a bit. It may make a difference
in how it reads, but, doesn't really add any real life range. The App " should " read all the way to full and
a little past where the charge light on the dash shuts off. The app " should " show it still charging at that point.
I live in Vegas, so Hot should be an issue, but, hasn't seemed to be.
Whenever possible, if using the onboard charger, I use a 1772 adaptor and 240 Volts. If using 120 volts,
I try to use a QuiQ charger.
All bikes prior to SR/F and SR/S should be similar information. Not sure about FXE.
If anyone disagrees, please let me know. We can never have enough education.
Hope this helps.

[Thumpalong]

Thx for the advice guys.