First ever USB-C chargeable electric bikes launched, hopefully becoming new trend
First ever USB-C chargeable electric bikes launched, hopefully becoming new trend
This is really exciting!
My phone has an iffy USB-C connector (I charge it wirelessly now) and my wife even managed to subject the barrel jack on her e-bike to enough abuse to make it a little loose. If anything, I want e-bike charging connectors to become more mechanically robust, not less!
I like USB C as a connector cable, but using it as a charger cable for bigger devices just seems like a way to sell more incredibly flimsy disposable cables.
Like, I've had a few of the same power cables for PCs and monitors since the early 00s. I still have a few AC cables from the 90s lying around and the ones I've tested all still work. USB cables barely last a couple of years unless they're extra burly and mostly stationary. Like, I've got a couple of decent USB cables connected to my computer that I've had for a couple of years now, but that's because they don't move. When it comes to car charger cables for my phone, I've probably gone through a dozen in some years. They just don't last when you're moving them around all the time.
For something as portable as an e-bike, this seems like the past to a lot of e-waste. Which is kind of counter to the purpose of the device.
That's before even considering how flimsy the ports themselves are. I've got a nice expensive mechanical keyboard sitting around as a useless brick because I dropped it once and the usb port got busted. Imagine how often they'd need to be fixed on bikes. Getting knocked around is literally part of normal use.
Could this note end up promoting the creation and sale of thicker and more durable cables, which would end up being a net win for everyone?
Thicker and sturdier cables are going to put more stress on the connector and risk damaging that instead. You'll start seeing the connectors ripped off circuit boards instead.
Vehicles should have vehicle grade connectors and cables.
I often commute on an ebike, and I own a few. I think this is the case where we actually need a new standard, a durable miniature nacs like connector. Type-c is ok for the use in the article, but public USB charger aren't even durable enough for phones.
That's interesting. I wonder what the battery voltage is? Since most ebikes are up in the 36-48V range and USB-C maxes out at 20V, they'd presumably need to do some step up transforming in there?
That's cool that the connector is bidirectional for charging portable electronics off your bike. I discovered my bike has a stealth USB-A output hidden behind a rubberized cover under the instrument panel. I didn't even know it was there for like a year, but it's awesome!
Latest USB-C standard allows for 48V 5A. However many eBike batteries are higher than 48V.
Oh wow I hadn't realized that!
I checked on their web site. They say it can handle up to 140W for a 3-hour charge, which I assume means 28Vx5A. The minimum is 30W (20Vx1.5A).
That's like one of the worst connectors to have when dealing with large dirty metal vehicles. 🙄
And its down near the back wheel and pedals. Thats gonna be real crunchy after a wet ride.
It's recessed with a rubber plug with an added o-ring. That's more protection than the barrel jack on my e-bike has.
Is the charging port of your ebike accessible during biking? With my e-bike, the connector is well protected while the battery is mounted.
Just to clarify, you're not a fan of the USB-C connector or just for the purpose of charging larger vehicles?
I'm not a huge fan of typec connectors and especially for purposes of charging larger objects. Chinese made typec connectors aren't standard complying in general (as in they often have wrong length) and you can't reliably tell what you can expect with any given cable, and it's hard to even find good cables longer thatn 1.5 meters even harder if it's 2 meters +. And connectors themselves aren't all that reliable and have a common problem of inner 'tongue' breaking in harsher conditions. etc. etc.