Frequently asked questions about Van Raam batteries

Van Raam's electric bicycles are equipped with Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries. In this article Rick de Jonge, electrical engineer at Van Raam, answers some frequently asked questions about these batteries.

The batteries on Van Raam bicycles

Van Raam has developed its own pedal support system. For this system, the electric bicycles are equipped with Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries. Van Raam has 2 types of Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries. Almost all tricycles have a Cube Li-ion battery, the other Van Raam bikes have a Slim Li-ion battery.

2. Is there a larger battery available for the Slim, like there is for the Cube?

No, there is no variant of the Slim with a larger capacity. But it is possible to optionally connect an extra Slim battery to the bicycle with an extra battery holder. You can switch between the batteries with a switch attached to the controller, giving you a longer range. The controller for the Slim battery is located under the carrier. 

4. I can cycle fewer and fewer kilometres with my battery, why?

Over time and use, a battery will wear out. This means that the original capacity of the battery becomes less and less. This is also called battery health.
 
The time frame in which a battery wears out depends of course on the use. A battery that is used often will wear faster than a battery that is hardly ever used. But also too high or too low temperatures can cause a battery to wear faster. An outside temperature lower than 5 degrees or higher than 20 degrees will cause the battery to empty faster.

6. How do I store my battery when it is not used for a longer period of time?

Store the batteries preferably dry and cool, but at least in an area between 5 and 20 degrees. Try to avoid higher and lower temperatures. A battery is best stored when it is charged with three to five LED lights on the display.

7. Why does my battery perform less in the winter?

Low temperatures below 0 degrees have a lesser effect on the battery's capacity. The chemistry of the cells cannot cope with this properly and every battery is affected by this. This can sometimes temporarily reduce the total capacity of the battery by 30%. So the battery gets empty faster. The capacity reduction is a temporary phenomenon, when the battery is warmed up, the regular capacity returns.

This effect can be reduced by charging the battery indoors, so that the battery itself already warms up a little. The battery is placed back on the bike just before riding. Because the battery barely cools down during cycling, you can cycle longer.

11. What is the service life of the battery?

The service life of a battery depends very much on its use. When properly used and stored, a battery can last up to 5 years or more. There are some basic rules when using a battery, which you can find in the article: "Tips for the optimum battery life of Van Raam’s electric bicycles".