Foil Drive Help: Battery Care, Storage & Battery Grease
Foil Drive batteries are built for the marine environment, but a few simple habits after every session protect the connections and help your battery last.
After every session
- Disconnect the battery from the system.
- Wipe off salt, sand and grit with a damp cloth and fresh water.
- Let the battery cool and dry before charging or storing it.
- Check the battery and plug for damage or corrosion.
- Never charge a wet battery or connect wet plugs.
Storage charge (about 60%)
If you've ridden the battery down very low (10% or below), bring it back up to storage charge within a few days. A battery left very low for weeks or months keeps self-discharging and can drop below the BMS protection threshold, which can permanently damage the cells. Storing at around 60% gives a buffer against self-discharge while keeping cell voltage low enough to limit long-term ageing.
After a session: bring the battery to storage level (about 60%), then keep it in the supplied LiPo bag somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sun and heat. Your next full charge will be quicker too.
To get to storage level you can use a Foil Drive discharge device (if one is available for your system), use storage mode on a compatible Foil Drive charger (it stops at about 60%), or charge while watching an inline battery checker and disconnect once you're in the 40–60% range.
Long-term (winter) storage
- Charge level about 60%, stored in the supplied LiPo bag.
- Temperature 5–20°C (about 41–68°F), ideally around 15°C (59°F).
- Cool, dry, well ventilated, away from heat, flammables, direct sun and moisture.
Store chargers somewhere cool and dry too. Don't leave them in hot vehicles, and don't cover them while they're charging.
Battery grease
Before each session, apply Foil Drive Battery Grease around the battery plug before connecting it to the unit, so the terminals are coated against water and corrosion. When riding in the ocean, the O-ring on the V2 motor cable plug also needs Foil Drive dielectric grease before it's attached to the stator. Use a light coating and don't overdo it. Only use Foil Drive Battery Grease on your battery and electrical connections.
Cleaning the connections
Don't let salt or debris build up on the connections. Wipe the outside of the battery with fresh water. If the plug shows corrosion, remove it with electronic contact cleaner, let everything dry completely, then re-grease. Don't use a battery with corroded pins, and never scrape or aggressively clean the pins, because damaging the plating can make the connection unreliable. Water inside the electronics box isn't normal. If you find any, stop using the system, don't charge the battery, and get in touch.
Stop using the battery if you notice
Damage to the casing, swelling, unusual heat, smells or sounds, damaged or corroded connectors, damaged cables or plugs, repeated charging problems, or anything else abnormal. Never open, repair or modify a battery yourself.
Charging tips: Charging your Foil Drive battery safely.
Questions? Call or email The Foil Shop. Call (909) 326-0732, email info@foilshop.com or contact us here and we'll help you sort it out.