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[dkw12002]

I just bought a 2011 Zero S with the smaller battery.  Should I just plug in the charger and leave it plugged in whenever I am not using the bike, even if it stays plugged in for 2 or 3 days, or is it best to charge for 6 hours, then disconnect the charger? Also, anybody know the life expectancy of this battery? All I can find is 2012 model data. Thanks, dkw

[Richard230]

I once read the 2011 Zero owners manual. To the best of my recollection, they recommend keeping the charger plugged in all the time, if you can.  The on-board BMS takes care of the charging to make sure that the battery is not overcharged.  I have no idea what the life of the battery is, but it is likely to last quite a while.

[dkw12002]

Thanks, that's what the dealer said also. I bought the demo that he brought over from the other dealership so I won't get the owner's manual for a day or so.

[zap mc]

just leave it plugged in all the time as the charger montiors the voltage all the time.
Try not to charge it up immediately after a hard ride as the cells will be hot and stressed and do not take well to and extra electrical load

[dkw12002]

Thanks for that info. I always ride hard and when I come home, even in cool weather, the fan is on. I'm not sure if I should just turn the system off or let the fan run a bit.  I have been just hooking up the charger right away, but now I think I will wait a while. I wonder how the Zero is going to like 100 degrees F. in the Texas summer?

[manlytom]

just leave it plugged in all the time as the charger montiors the voltage all the time.
Try not to charge it up immediately after a hard ride as the cells will be hot and stressed and do not take well to and extra electrical load

good point - give the bike a break before charging it. I have put mine (2011S) on a timer switch so charging starts after midnight when the power is at 6.6cents/kWh compared to 33cents at shoulder or even peak times over 40cents !! (this is power cost in Australia, exchange rate about 1:1 to USD). Gives me at least still 6 to 8 hours of charging time before I ride again.

Did a longer ride when I got the bike new and found the range pretty much like my 2010S -- now with about 1000k's I might try it again to see if I get more range.

T

[dkw12002]

My rates do not change based on the time of day, so think I'll charge whenever I finish a trip.  Zero did get back to me today and told me to expect over 100,000 miles from my battery and to keep it on the charger all the time to "prevent a voltage drop or unbalancing of the cells/banks." E-bike forums always recommend hooking up to the charger immediately after every ride but I can't say if that is valid. I doubt it makes any difference with the Zero or else how would you commute if you didn't have a plug-in at work?