Jupiter Tech Basic Training

Common bike questions.

1. Brakes not working properly – This could be a slight adjustment on the brake pads or the brake pads need to be replaced due to usage.  If the brakes are squealing when the brake handle is engaged, recommend squeal out.  This product can be purchased at squealout.com or on amazon.com. The brakes could also be misaligned. If this is the case, refer the client to support.jupiterbike.com, choose the bike they have, and scroll down to “help articles” “how to adjust brake cables”.
2. Jupiter bike cutting out – This could be a number of issues. Controller malfunction or short, battery not holding a charge or battery cells being fully depleted “deep discharge state”, a display issue, or a short in one of the wires I.E., wires being cut or stripped, and grounding out on the bike frame.
3. Jupiter bike warranty – All new Jupiter Bikes have a 1-year warranty from date of purchase. Jupiter care can be purchased extending the warranty to 2 years. All new and refurbished Jupiter Bikes have a 1- year warranty from date of purchase. 
4. Batteries – All Jupiter Bike batteries and chargers have a 90-day warranty from date of purchase. This includes refurbished bikes. Overcharging, undercharging, moisture, not charging the battery once every 3 months if it is sitting idle, dropping and not locking the battery in the bike can all cause battery cell damage.

For all other question and concerns. Please refer the client to the technical department.

813-609-2453 Ext 319 or email at [e-mail]

Or to Support.jupiterbike.com

Lithium ion batteries.

How lithium-ion batteries work

Like any other battery, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is made of one or more power-generating compartments called cells. Each cell has essentially three components: a positive electrode (connected to the battery's positive or + terminal), a negative electrode (connected to the negative or − terminal), and a chemical called an electrolyte in between them. The positive electrode is typically made from a chemical compound called lithium-cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) or, in newer batteries, from lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄). The negative electrode is generally made from carbon (graphite) and the electrolyte varies from one type of battery to another—but isn't too important in understanding the basic idea of how the battery works.

All lithium-ion batteries work in broadly the same way. When the battery is charging up, the lithium-cobalt oxide, positive electrode gives up some of its lithium ions, which move through the electrolyte to the negative, graphite electrode and remain there. The battery takes in and stores energy during this process. When the battery is discharging, the lithium ions move back across the electrolyte to the positive electrode, producing the energy that powers the battery. In both cases, electrons flow in the opposite direction to the ions around the outer circuit. Electrons do not flow through the electrolyte: it's effectively an insulating barrier, so far as electrons are concerned.

The movement of ions (through the electrolyte) and electrons (around the external circuit, in the opposite direction) are interconnected processes, and if either stops so does the other. If ions stop moving through the electrolyte because the battery completely discharges, electrons can't move through the outer circuit either—so you lose your power. Similarly, if you switch off whatever the battery is powering, the flow of electrons stops and so does the flow of ions. The battery essentially stops discharging at a high rate (but it does keep on discharging, at a very slow rate, even with the appliance disconnected).

Unlike simpler batteries, lithium-ion ones have built in electronic controllers that regulate how they charge and discharge. They prevent the overcharging and overheating that can cause lithium-ion batteries to explode in some circumstances.

How a lithium-ion battery charges and discharges

 

As their name suggests, lithium-ion batteries are all about the movement of lithium ions: the ions move one way when the battery charges (when it's absorbing power); they move the opposite way when the battery discharges (when it's supplying power):

1. During charging, lithium ions (yellow circles) flow from the positive electrode (red) to the negative electrode (blue) through the electrolyte (gray). Electrons also flow from the positive electrode to the negative electrode, but take the longer path around the outer circuit. The electrons and ions combine at the negative electrode and deposit lithium there.
2. When no more ions will flow, the battery is fully charged and ready to use.
3. During discharging, the ions flow back through the electrolyte from the negative electrode to the positive electrode. Electrons flow from the negative electrode to the positive electrode through the outer circuit, powering your laptop. When the ions and electrons combine at the positive electrode, lithium is deposited there.
4. When all the ions have moved back, the battery is fully discharged and needs charging up again.

How to test a lithium ion battery

Testing an e-bike battery is fairly simple. Once you have a good multimeter at your disposal, you will be able to keep tabs on your overall battery health with ease. And, if you’re curious, then you’ll want to learn about an electric bike with 1000w torque.

STEP 1 Connect the Multimeter

The battery will need a full charge for this process– about 6 to 8 hours at least. If your battery pack cannot disconnect from your bicycle’s frame, make sure that the bike is steadied in place. Insert the multimeter into the connector or adapter port. Be sure not to force it or apply excess pressure, as this could damage either device.

STEP 2 Test Load Battery

Most standard multimeters have an AC/DC readout function and a ‘test load battery’ feature. Set your multimeter to DC. It is generally not advised to use AC, as it could overload your e-bike battery. This reading is not just the ability for the battery to turn on, but the energy density required to communicate with the motors and other applications of the entire bike.

STEP 3 Test the Voltage

Run your battery voltage test by switching the multimeter to the volts function. Consult with the manual to find what the voltage range is for your brand. If you’ve charged it for several hours, your voltage should match the listed figure in your manual. When your electric bike battery goes below a specific voltage reading, it will usually shut off to prevent damage to the device. That is when you’d receive a prompt to recharge. If the voltage is too low – usually ten or more volts below the figure listed in your manual- but the bike is still on, then the Bike Monitoring System may need attention.

STEP 4 Test the Current

Next, you’ll be testing the current. The current is how much energy and charges your e-bike battery can hold and the amount of power discharged per hour. You’ll be looking at the longevity of your battery life here. Compare the reading on the meter to that of your manual. If you find that you’ve been running out of power too quickly on rides, it could be that there is excess discharge from your e-bike’s battery.

STEP 5 Check the Resistance

Finally, test the resistance. Resistance is the amount of restriction a battery has and will directly impact the current. It should be the final setting on your meter. If you find your resistance is high, this could be the reason for overheating issues.

Battery And Bike USA Shipping

 In the USA:

A Lithium ion battery  when shipping alone or by itself is consigned as UN3481.  This carries the provision that the weight of the battery in EACH package does not exceed 5 kG or 11 lbs ( battery only).

Therefore we can only ship up to 2 batteries in one box as long as they do not exceed the 11 lbs.  If they do they are put into separate boxes.  If a battery exceeds 300 wh then it has to have a label saying that it is FORBIDDEN from transport aboard Aircraft and Vessel.

The bikes are a different story.  Bikes are shipping under the code of UN3171 – Battery powered Vehicle.  These are exempt from markings, placards, etc when transported in the USA via rail or highway.

This  is explained in the regulation 49CFR 173.185.