I have a 24v 10ah Lithium Ion Polymer Battery to use with my electric assist bicycle (Merida 550). I am replacing a 24v 12ah sla pack.
1) Is it best to charge Lithium batteries immediately after use or right before use? I have seen conflicting advice. (The sla's are charged right after each use.)
2) I make two ten mile trips per day-- is it better to charge the batteries once per day, if they can make the trip both ways on a single charge and save a charge cycle or twice a day, so they do not run down as far? (I charge the sla's twice per day)
3) I have two of the Lithium batteries, is it best to put them both into use now in terms of long term preservation or is there a best way to mothball one of the batteries until the other wears out.
Wear on lithium batteries is caused by a combination of:
number of deep discharges
number of full charges (to a lesser extent)
rate of charge and discharge
average temperature of the pack
calendar age (doesnt appear to apply to LiFePO4, at least nothing like as much)
id run both packs at the same time to keep average charge and discharge rates down.
charge only if you have used more than 10-20% of charge (though i just charge whenever im not using it for convenience)
avoid discharges more than 70%
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km