Is My E-Bike Charger Bad?
Quick answer
Signs of a bad charger: no light or a light that never changes, a battery that never fills, a very hot brick or a burning smell. A multimeter reading far below the rated output at the plug also points to the charger. Some smart chargers show little or no voltage until they're connected to a battery, so a low reading alone doesn't prove the charger is bad. Take care not to touch the pins together.
Quick checks
Try a different wall outlet. Check the cable and plug for damage and bent pins. Plug the charger into the wall first, then the battery, and watch the light.
Multimeter check
With the charger plugged into the wall but not the battery, a working charger usually reads close to its rated output (for example around 54–55V for a 54.6V charger).
Some smart chargers show little or no voltage until they're connected to a battery, so a low reading alone doesn't prove the charger is bad. Take care not to touch the pins together.
When it's the battery
If the charger reads correctly but the battery still won't charge, the battery's protection circuit may have shut it off. Contact the bike's maker.
FAQ
- Is it safe to keep using a hot or smelly charger?
- No. Unplug it and stop using it.