Does the batteries support USB charging?

We have deactivated the USB port on all batteries. However, the port itself may still be visible depending on the design of the battery case. The USB ports have been deactivated because of reliability issues stemming from poor-quality cables, USB DC-DC power boards, and other issues. Juiced Bikes does not manufacture the case for the smaller (sub 13Ah) battery pack, and we have asked the supplier to disable the USB port.

There have been several reported failures related to the USB port or damage to user’s phones from other manufacturers using the same system. To avoid this, we simply removed the USB from the planned specification.

Because DC-DC circuit boards are used to reduce the voltage from 48V to 5V, failure in this part usually results in the failure of the entire battery pack. We find it unacceptable to stack high-failure parts in critical subsystems such as the battery.

The USB platform was designed for use on devices such as computer accessories and printers in a controlled indoor environment. They were never intended for outdoor use on an electric vehicle subject to shock, vibration, moisture and extreme temperatures while charging modern phones and tablets.

To accommodate customer desires for a USB port, we are developing a solution that will involve bringing the USB to the handlebars of the bike.