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- Electric Trike Maintenance Summary Sheet
- Introduction
- Battery maintenance
- Tightening fasteners and bolts
- Inspecting and maintaining tires
- Lubricating chain and gears
- Conclusion
Electric Trike Maintenance Summary Sheet
• Battery:
- Keep charged when not in use
- Only use specified charger
- Avoid extreme heat/cold
- Keep dry
- Check charge during long term storage
- Never open or tamper with casing
- Follow charging guidelines
- Manage usage to maximize lifespan
- Store at 40-80% charge
- Follow all safety guidelines
• Tightening Fasteners and Bolts:
- Check and tighten after first few rides, then monthly
- Check wheel axle nuts, motor mounts, handlebars, battery holds
- Remove and inspect for damage, then re-tighten to specs
- Use torque wrench and check specs for your model
- Consider using threadlocker on prone fasteners
• Inspecting and Maintaining Tires:
- Check inflation and wear every few weeks
- Inflate to pressure listed on sidewall
- Under-inflation reduces performance and tread life
- Look for cuts, bulges, uneven tread indicating issues
- Check pressure when cold for accuracy, before/after rides
- Replace if >6 years old, cords showing, <2mm tread
- Rotate tires for even wear; store inflated
- Balance if vibrations develop
• Lubricating Chain and Gears:
- Chain: Lubricate weekly or every 1-3 rides, especially in bad weather
- Gears: Lubricate every 3-6 months or per manual
- Wipe clean before lubricating for penetration
- Use degreaser to remove built-up contaminants first
- Check for damage or excess wear when lubricating
- Adjust chain tension if too loose or tight
- Replace excessively worn chains
Regular maintenance key to performance, lifespan and safety. Follow tips and check components consistently to avoid costly repairs and keep riding! Preventative maintenance always better than repairs. Continue reading now!
Introduction
Electric trikes require regular maintenance to keep them running safely, efficiently and for many years. Proper care and timely repairs can not only extend the lifespan of your electric trike components, but ensure your safety and riding experience. Following the recommended maintenance schedule and tips will:
- Identify potential issues early before they become more serious and costly to repair.
- Maintain optimal performance of your electric trike's systems.
- Maximize the longevity of parts like your battery, tires, chain and electronics.
By performing simple checks and adjustments on a regular basis, you can avoid breakdowns, ensure your trike is road ready, and keep costs down over the lifetime of your electric trike. This guide will cover the most important maintenance tasks to perform, the frequency you should perform them, and signs to watch out for that indicate when parts may need to be replaced.
Battery maintenance
Extending the life of the lithium-ion battery requires some care and maintenance. After each ride, make sure you check the list:
- Keep the battery near a full charge when possible.
- Only use the charger specified for that battery and trike.
- Avoid exposing the battery to extreme heat or cold.
- Keep the battery dry at all times.
- Check the charge level during any long-term storage to prevent over-discharging.
- Never open or tamper with the battery casing.
When charging the battery, follow the guidelines carefully. Only use the charger recommended for that specific battery. Charge the battery in a safe area away from flammable objects. Monitor the charging periodically. And always turn off the battery before connecting or disconnecting the charger.
Managing battery usage properly can maximize its lifespan. Avoid fully discharging the battery whenever possible. Do shorter discharge cycles instead of long rides that deplete the full battery. Top up the charge regularly after partial discharges. Keep in mind that lithium-ion battery performance will decline over charge and discharge cycles.
For storage, keep the battery at 40 to 80 percent charge. Check the charge level every 2 to 3 months during longer storage to prevent over-discharging. And store the battery in a secure area away from extreme heat, cold, and moisture.
Follow all safety guidelines for handling, charging, and storing the lithium-ion battery. Never open or physically damage the battery casing. Routine maintenance and proper care will keep your electric tricycle battery safe and ensure many miles of enjoyable riding.
Tightening fasteners and bolts
Regularly checking and tightening fasteners and bolts is an important maintenance task for your electric trike. Over time, vibrations from riding and general use can cause bolts and fasteners to gradually loosen.
Some of the most common parts to check include:
- Wheel axle nuts
- Motor mount bolts
- Handlebar bolts
- Battery hold-down bolts
Loose fasteners can lead to noise, poor ride quality, components shifting position and even parts falling off completely.
To check fasteners:
- Remove each bolt or fastener and visually inspect for signs of damage like stripped threads or cracks
- Use a torque wrench to properly tighten fasteners to the torque specifications recommended by the manufacturer for your electric trike model.
Specific torque values will vary but as an example:
- Wheel axle nuts usually require 40 to 60 foot-pounds of torque
- Handlebar bolts typically need between 10 to 20 foot-pounds
- Motor mount bolts should follow the manufacturer's manual
It's a good idea to check and tighten all fasteners after the first few rides, then at least once a month going forward. Using threadlocker on fasteners that are prone to loosening can help, and always promptly replace any damaged or stripped bolts. Maintaining proper torque on your electric trike's fasteners will ensure components are securely installed and performing as intended.
Inspecting and maintaining tires
Regularly inspecting your electric trike tires will ensure they provide safe and reliable performance. Check your tires at least every few weeks for proper inflation, signs of wear and any damage.
Check tire pressure using a tire gauge and inflate tires to the pressure listed on the sidewall. Underinflated tires wear out faster and impact range and handling. Proper inflation optimizes performance and tread life.
Inspect the tires for:
- Cuts, abrasions or cracks, especially at the sidewalls. These weaken the tire structure.
- Uneven or excessively worn tread patterns. This could indicate alignment or balance issues.
- Bulges, large bumps or bald spots indicating the internal cords may be damaged.
Maintaining correct tire pressure is key.
Check pressure:
- When tires are cold for the most accurate readings
- Before and after long rides
- If tires have been sitting for an extended period
Signs it's time for new tires include:
- Tires are 6 years old or older
- Cords or fabric are showing through the tread
- Less than 2mm of tread depth remains
To extend tire life:
- Rotate tires periodically, front to rear, to promote even wear across both tires.
- Store your electric trike with tires slightly inflated.
- Have the tires balanced if vibrations develop.
Regularly inspecting and maintaining proper inflation and condition of your electric trike tires will maximize tread life, optimize performance and ensure safe riding.
Lubricating chain and gears
Regularly lubricating the chain and gears on your electric trike will help extend their lifespan and maintain peak performance. Proper lubrication protects components from corrosion, reduces friction and wear, and helps flush out contaminants.
How often to lubricate:
Chains:
- After every 1-3 rides or weekly in bad conditions
Gears:
- Every 3-6 months or as recommended by the manufacturer
When lubricating:
- Remove excess oil or grease from components after applying
- Check for damaged, bent or loose links in the chain
- Inspect gears for damage or excess wear
Tips:
- Wipe components clean before lubricating for best penetration
- Use a chain cleaning tool or degreaser to remove built-up contaminants first
- Adjust tension on chain if it is too loose or tight
- Replace chains that are excessively worn
By selecting the correct lubricant and lubricating your electric trike's chain and gears at the recommended frequency, you'll optimize performance and component life. Don't forget this important regular maintenance!
Conclusion
Same as electric bikes, regular maintenance is key to keeping your electric trike performing at its best and extending its lifespan. By following a few simple tips and checking certain components on a consistent schedule, you can avoid costly repairs, maintain peak performance, and ensure your safety.
Preventative maintenance is always more cost-effective than repairs down the road. So take good care of your electric trike and ride often! Regular checkups and simple tune-ups will keep you on the move for seasons to come.
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