Jump Starter

[MikeNovack]

Sounds like TWO issues, and while the question was about a suitable joint solution, maybe best to first separate.

a) Extra E-bike battery, not (now) needed as a range extender, what could it be used for.
b) Car needs frequent jumping.

Let's look at "b" first, because it is a SYMPTOM of something wrong (that might get much worse). I suggest finding out WHY, "test under load" of battery and test of alternator circuit. If the battery is OK but alternator failing to keep it well charged, replace before fails entirely. If the alternator is OK but the battery fails a test under load, replace the battery. One or the other not right, and just because NOW you can get by with the battery topped up foes not mean won't suddenly or gradually get much worse.

In other words, using the range extender to jump the car a stop gap, as is selling it to buy a proper modern "car jumper". Of course you SHOULD be carrying good jumper cables in any case << kind of standard around here where I live >>

Now "a". You don't need the range extender AS YOU ARE NOW USING THE E-BIKE. But are there other ways you could be using the E-bike where would be useful. I am assuming that given where you live, only needing short range. But let's say you changed what capacity was needed for that short range. For example, use the E-bike for shopping by towing a bike trailer. Would adding the trailer with 75# in it reduce the range enough so that you'd want the extra battery?

[Stinsy]

Sounds like TWO issues, and while the question was about a suitable joint solution, maybe best to first separate.

a) Extra E-bike battery, not (now) needed as a range extender, what could it be used for.
b) Car needs frequent jumping.

Let's look at "b" first, because it is a SYMPTOM of something wrong (that might get much worse). I suggest finding out WHY, "test under load" of battery and test of alternator circuit. If the battery is OK but alternator failing to keep it well charged, replace before fails entirely. If the alternator is OK but the battery fails a test under load, replace the battery. One or the other not right, and just because NOW you can get by with the battery topped up foes not mean won't suddenly or gradually get much worse.

In other words, using the range extender to jump the car a stop gap, as is selling it to buy a proper modern "car jumper". Of course you SHOULD be carrying good jumper cables in any case << kind of standard around here where I live >>

Now "a". You don't need the range extender AS YOU ARE NOW USING THE E-BIKE. But are there other ways you could be using the E-bike where would be useful. I am assuming that given where you live, only needing short range. But let's say you changed what capacity was needed for that short range. For example, use the E-bike for shopping by towing a bike trailer. Would adding the trailer with 75# in it reduce the range enough so that you'd want the extra battery?

In my experience a current leak is by far the most likely cause of a fast draining battery. Often the battery and alternator have been changed several times without fixing the issue. Finding and repairing the "leak" can be a feat of endurance!

[chris_n]

It folds up easily to fit in a car, just that bit heavy, though

That's because it's a motorbike not an ebike. Riding that anywhere that the public has access to is illegal, could lead to fines, points on licence and vehicle crushed due to no insurance. Until recently this didn't seem to be a big problem but there are reports of police crackdowns in the press every week. That design of bike (fat tyred folder) is an easy target because they are (nearly?) all illegal with their 750W+ motors.

[Joeboy]

It folds up easily to fit in a car, just that bit heavy, though

That's because it's a motorbike not an ebike. Riding that anywhere that the public has access to is illegal, could lead to fines, points on licence and vehicle crushed due to no insurance.

Cycle paths too? I have given no thought to the differences between E bike looking vehicles.

[chris_n]

It folds up easily to fit in a car, just that bit heavy, though

That's because it's a motorbike not an ebike. Riding that anywhere that the public has access to is illegal, could lead to fines, points on licence and vehicle crushed due to no insurance.

Cycle paths too? I have given no thought to the differences between E bike looking vehicles.

Yes cycle paths too, it's the same as riding an unregistered, uninsured etc motorbike on a cycle path. Also see my edit regarding police crackdowns.

[Joeboy]

That's because it's a motorbike not an ebike. Riding that anywhere that the public has access to is illegal, could lead to fines, points on licence and vehicle crushed due to no insurance.

Cycle paths too? I have given no thought to the differences between E bike looking vehicles.

Yes cycle paths too, it's the same as riding an unregistered, uninsured etc motorbike on a cycle paths.

Thank you Chris, learning curve. I'll post up the offerings and prices at my Turkish supermarkets when over next month. Just for comparison.

[Moxi]

It folds up easily to fit in a car, just that bit heavy, though

That is a cracker! We see loads of that style zipping about in Turkey. Swmbo has recently suggested we get a pair for the back of the van. It's a good bit of kit?

Agreed it’s the style I see a lot of and one that I like - I look at the Engwe version of it and I am watching the price slowly drop as it’s superseded by newer models until their price and my cash surplus match ! If they dropped to twenty quid I could get that tomorrow as I appear to be flush to the tune of twenty quid at present - can’t see me being so lucky tho.

Nice bike - thanks for letting me know me know the model .

Moxi

[MikeNovack]

In my experience a current leak is by far the most likely cause of a fast draining battery. Often the battery and alternator have been changed several times without fixing the issue. Finding and repairing the "leak" can be a feat of endurance!

Yes, IF both the battery and alternator check out all right, then can be a nasty problem to diagnose.

HOWEVER --- not sure if we are talking about the same symptom. Battery fails to start car not necessarily a drained battery. Might be "fully charged" (up to fully charged voltage" but contain little energy and/or be unable to supply power (high internal resistance, so if you try to draw power starting the car, voltage drop. Failure to start car because battery drained with the problem going away after a jump, something was left on. Persists, check alternator.

That's why I said "battery test under load". The chemical reaction depends on temperature, so we (here) experience our aging batteries fail in the late Fall.

[chris_n]

It folds up easily to fit in a car, just that bit heavy, though

That is a cracker! We see loads of that style zipping about in Turkey. Swmbo has recently suggested we get a pair for the back of the van. It's a good bit of kit?

Agreed it’s the style I see a lot of and one that I like - I look at the Engwe version of it and I am watching the price slowly drop as it’s superseded by newer models until their price and my cash surplus match ! If they dropped to twenty quid I could get that tomorrow as I appear to be flush to the tune of twenty quid at present - can’t see me being so lucky tho.

Nice bike - thanks for letting me know me know the model .

Moxi

As I already pointed out it is illegal, you are risking points on your licence etc by riding one of these. It is one of the most obviously illegal classes of bikes there is!

[Moxi]

I thought the European 250W motor version was uk and Europe legal ?

Moxi