Reconditioning

What should I do if my electric bike battery no longer charges?

An electric bike battery has an average lifespan of 5 years. When it becomes weaker, discharges too quickly or no longer charges, it should be entrusted to a Doctibike expert to give it a new lease of life.

After checking that the battery charger is working properly, the team will inspect the battery to test it and replace defective Li-ion cells.

At this stage, an old Decathlon or Nakamura nickel battery can be converted into a lithium-ion battery by changing its components so that it remains charged for longer. In this case, the workshop will also recover the connector from the old charger and its original casing to create a lithium-compatible charger.

Reconditioned Bike Batteries vs. New Bike Batteries: How to Make the Right Choice

A New Bike Battery: An Immediate and Reliable Solution

A new bike battery is sold with brand-new components. Its main advantage is its availability in different capacities and its quick installation: simply replace the old battery with a new one to restore optimal electric assistance.

This solution is particularly suitable when the battery is too badly damaged, when the model can no longer be reconditioned, or when you want to increase your bike's range.

However, purchasing a new battery often represents a greater investment and requires replacing an entire battery that could still potentially be repaired. It is also the less environmentally friendly alternative.

A Reconditioned Bike Battery: A Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Alternative

Battery reconditioning consists of replacing the worn internal components of a battery—particularly the cells—while retaining the original casing and electronic components whenever they are still in good working condition.

This solution gives your battery a second life while keeping a model that is perfectly suited to your bike. It offers both financial benefits, as it is generally 20% to 50% less expensive than purchasing a new battery, and environmental benefits by reducing electronic waste and avoiding the production of a new battery.

Reconditioning is particularly suitable for batteries whose casing, Battery Management System (BMS), and connectors are still in good condition. It is also an excellent solution when replacement batteries are no longer available on the market. At Doctibike, our experts can carry out a full diagnosis of your electric bike battery to recommend the most suitable solution: reconditioning or replacement with a new battery.

How does the reconditioning of an electric bike battery work?

The principle behind reconditioning an electric bike battery is very simple. In theory, all that is needed is to identify the defective cells and replace them with new ones.

In practice, it is better to call on a specialist because some steps can be delicate, and it is essential to fully understand the assembly and specific features of each component before replacing them. Some electric bike repairers therefore prefer to replace the e-bike battery or entrust its reconditioning to Doctibike to avoid any mistakes.

The first step in a battery reconditioning workshop is to test each component separately and check that the charger is working properly. The battery components (wiring, connectors, electronic components) are then sorted and recycled.

The next step focuses on the heart of the battery: the 20 to 70 Li-ion cells that make up the e-bike battery. Each one is tested and recalibrated using specialised machines. When customers want to take the opportunity to improve their electric bike’s capacity, the Doctibike workshop replaces the old cells with latest-generation cells. This does not increase the bike’s power but allows it to be recharged less frequently.

Everything is then reassembled with heat-dissipating cell holders, passive balancing BMS units and high-quality NF power cables, before being tested in our French workshop.

Are you hesitating between buying a new battery or refurbishing your electric bike’s original battery? Contact us by email or visit our workshop for a complete e-bike battery diagnosis!