ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rider728 on April 09, 2012, 03:15:30 AM
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I've read a fair amount of posts regarding high ambient temperature performance experiences. My hope is that cooling systems for both battery packs and motors will hopefully address many of those issues in many ebike designs. I'd like to hear some anecdotal experiences with cold climate usage. In my home state of Minnesota there are many days that will include overnight, early morning, and late evening temps in the 20-30F range, while midday temps may stay low or climb upwards of 70F. Anybody have some analysis of their daily performance in similar temp ranges, especially with the vehicle having been "out in the cold" all night prior to a brisk early morning ride?
Unheated garage storage is the norm for all of my vehicles, and I enjoy riding in any weather as long as the roads aren't too icy. That reminds me, anybody have experience with the effects of road salt on ebike drivetrains and battery packs?
Cheers!
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My Zero manual says that the temperature range for the system is minimum 20 degrees F. I doubt that would be a problem for me very often here in south Texas, but in Minnesota, it could be an issue. If the pack were kept above that, and then ridden, it might have enough self-heating to stay in a healthy operating range. But if it is left in an unheated area at that temp, the bike may be sluggish performance-wise, may not charge properly, or the system may even lock out the motor (though the manual only says it does that last bit under high-temp conditions).
The max is well over 100 degrees F, but I plan to put that to the test this summer.
C