There’s been a notable increase in the demand for electric skateboards, or e-skates, over traditional ones. E-skates offer greater portability, convenience, and safety. They also boast greater power thanks to the electric motor but are still environmentally safe.
With these many appealing attributes, the electric skateboard is undoubtedly a great buy. But routine maintenance is vital for you to enjoy the convenience and efficiency it can offer. Doing so ensures a smoother and more fun ride. Without regular and proper upkeep, an e-skateboard may start developing issues due to a fall in quality.
Below are guidelines you can follow to maintain your electric skateboard best. Observing these maintenance measures will ensure your electric skateboard always performs as expected.
Contents
1. Clean And Inspect Your Electric Skateboard
Water or dust particles can accumulate on your electric skateboard after each time on the road. This issue is more likely to happen when using an off road electric skateboard, in an area with more dirt, dust, or grass. If you don’t clean the dirt, it’ll end up interfering with the quality of your ride. It may also cause damage to the bearings and destroy your e-skate’s battery life.
So it’s always good to clean your e-skate following each ride. And during the cleaning, you can use a microfiber cloth. A somewhat damp cloth can also work perfectly fine so long as the water doesn’t drip into the e-skate’s electronic parts or lead to damage. After that, use a clean and dry cloth to wipe down your electric skateboard.
When using a damp cloth, be cautious, especially when cleaning an unsealed battery compartment. The same is true for the bearings, which shouldn’t come into contact with water because that might cause corrosion if left unchecked. When cleaning the electric skateboard, the areas to focus on include the deck, grip tape, and other smooth surfaces.
2. Regularly Inspect The Wheels
The wheels of your electric skateboard are always in constant contact with the ground. They also bear your weight. Because of this, the wheels wear out much faster than other components on your electric skateboard. You must schedule a regular inspection to see if they’re worn out and need replacement.
Because the wheels of the e-skate are soft, it’s also advisable to check the wear patterns. The ideal scenario would be if the wheels wore out evenly over time. And if the electric skateboard is used sparingly, rotate the wheels. Also, look out for any stuck grass or grit that may be stuck on the wheels and compromise your skateboard’s ride quality.
Source: wired.com
3. Take Care Of Your E-Skate’s Battery
The battery is one of the integral components of an electric skateboard. On average, the lithium batteries last for five years. After that, their capacity can take a drastic hit, and they can no longer last for very long on a single charge. Some tips you need to observe to boost your electric skateboard’s battery life include the following:
- First, connect the charger to your e-skate before connecting the charger to the wall socket. Otherwise, it may cause a surge of electricity to flow through both points, risking both the battery and the charging circuit.
- Don’t overcharge the battery. Do not leave the e-skate plugged into power for extended durations. Doing so causes damage to the battery cells, thereby reducing their longevity.
- Charge your e-skate at least once monthly if you use it sparingly. The minimum ideal capacity of the e-skate should be at least 80%. It advised that you charge it once it reaches 30% before using it again. Doing this helps maintain the health and extend the lifespan of the battery.
- Place the lithium-ion battery in a bag of rice if moisture finds its way inside. You can also get rid of the moisture by using dry-powder gas.
- Only use a suitable charger to charge your electric skateboard.
Remembering the battery is one of the costliest components in your e-skate, so following these safety measures is vital.
4. Inspect The Bearings
Bearings are circular metal balls located at the wheel’s center. They come in a broad range of hardness, material, and quality. Bearings need to be lubricated regularly to stay in perfect condition. A lack of lubrication is the primary cause of scraping noises in an e-skate. This can occur when the lubricant is displaced by water after riding in snowy or rainy conditions. Reduced lubrication can also result from the weight and stress placed on the board.
You can best deal with a lubrication issue by scheduling monthly cleanup of the bearings if you ride your e-skate very often. While cleaning, also take time to apply lubrication oils. This prolongs the bearing’s lifespan, so you don’t need to spend money on replacing them any time soon.
If you’re more technically skilled, you can disassemble the bearings to gauge whether it’s time for a replacement. After that, spin the bearings and listen to whether it’s producing any sound. If you hear any noises, it’s a clear sign they need to be replaced immediately. These noises come about because of the restricted motion of the bearings. Replace the bearings if you can still hear the grinding sounds after cleaning them.
After three months of regular use, it’s advisable to replace the bearings of your e-skate. Following that, your skateboard will feel like it’s as good as new.
Source: boostedusa.com
5. Check The Brakes And Motors
Your safety needs to be a priority whenever you’re riding your electric skateboard. Your well-being is compromised if the brake pads and other sensitive parts are worn out. Always make a habit of examining the brakes and motors to check for signs of wear and tear before every ride. If you notice any, go ahead and replace the components.
When the motors or brake pads are loosely connected, they either cause an accident or reduce the performance of your e-skate. The motor can also be damaged if not checked for signs of overheating.
Takeaway
Maintaining your electric skateboard is vital if you want to extend its longevity. And the maintenance entails a lot more besides inspecting the skateboard’s components and cleaning it.
This comprehensive post outlines clear guidelines on how to maintain your electric skateboard. If you follow these measures, your skateboard will remain in perfect working condition. You can thus spend more time enjoying your skateboard than having it repaired.
