Pedalwise
How-to guide

Rad Power Bikes battery and charger guide

How to charge a Rad Power Bikes battery, what the charger and battery lights mean, what to check when it won't charge, how to store it, and when to stop using it.

Last edited Nov 9, 2026 by Pedalwise team Edit History Add a subpage

The Pedalwise team started this page from official manuals, support pages and repair videos. Fixed this yourself, or spotted something wrong? Help improve it.

This guide covers charging, charger lights, storage and care for Rad Power Bikes batteries, plus the signs that mean you should stop using a battery or charger. It applies across the lineup, but battery types differ (external, semi-integrated and integrated), so check your owner's manual for anything specific to your model.

Check the safety notice first

CPSC has issued a safety warning about certain Rad batteries because of fire risk. It covers battery model numbers RP-1304, RAD-S1304Y and HL-RP-S1304, sold with the RadWagon 4, RadCity HS 4, RadRover High Step 5, RadCity Step Thru 3, RadRover Step Thru 1, RadRunner 1, RadRunner 2, RadRunner Plus and RadExpand 5, and as replacement batteries.

  1. Find the model number on the label on the back of your battery.
  2. If it matches, stop using it, take it off the bike, and dispose of it through household hazardous waste. Don't put it in the trash, curbside recycling or store drop-off bins, and don't sell or give it away.
  3. Rad's Safe Shield and semi-integrated batteries are not part of this warning.

How to charge

Follow these basics. Rad's battery charging guide has the full version.

  1. Turn the bike off. You can charge on or off the bike. External batteries charged on the bike need the key in the charging position your manual shows.
  2. Set the charger on a flat surface with its light facing up.
  3. Plug the charger into the battery's charging port (not the key port), then into the wall.
  4. When done, unplug from the wall first, then from the battery. Pull the plugs, not the cords.
  5. Charge indoors in a dry spot, away from flammable things and exits, and only where you can keep an eye on it.

What the lights mean

  • One light chargers: green when plugged in, red while charging, green when finished.
  • Two light chargers: both red while charging, then one turns green when finished.
  • External battery full: 1 red and 3 green lights on the battery.
  • On the standard external battery, if the charge lights flicker red and go out, turn the key fully on and press the charge level button again (not charging guide).

Battery won't charge

Work through these, easiest first.

  1. Plug another device into the outlet to prove it works.
  2. Check the temperature. Charge between 41 and 77°F (5 and 25°C), and not when the room is above 100°F (38°C).
  3. If you just rode, let the battery cool. The charger may wait to start.
  4. Newer batteries can be in ship mode. Hold the battery button for at least three seconds.
  5. Push every charger connection in fully.
  6. Allow time. A full charge can take up to 7 to 8 hours.
  7. Use only a Rad charger.

If the charger light never turns red and the battery shows no lights, the cause can be a blown fuse on the standard external battery. Never attempt a fuse fix on a semi-integrated battery. Let a shop or Rad support handle any fuse. See also battery won't charge.

Storage and care

Storage basics (battery essential resources, winter storage article):

  • For storage over two weeks, keep the battery at 40 to 77°F (5 to 25°C) and at a charge of about 40 to 70 percent, or about 75 percent for winter storage, and check it every month. Either way, don't store it full or empty.
  • Keep the battery indoors, warm and dry. If the bike lives outside, bring the battery in.
  • Charge after each ride, and soon after it drops to one bar.
  • Never submerge the battery, and don't touch the terminals when it's off the bike.
  • Never open the battery housing.
  • For recycling, use a Rad service center or your local waste options.

More tips in e-bike battery care and battery drains fast.

When to stop

Stop using the battery or charger and contact Rad if:

  • A cord is frayed or damaged.
  • The battery or charger was dropped, hit in a crash or damaged in shipping.
  • The charger gets very hot, smells odd or pops.
  • The battery leaks a clear, sharp smelling gel, which is corrosive and flammable.
  • The battery was submerged or soaked.

Store a damaged battery somewhere dry, away from the house and anything flammable, until it can be dealt with.

Never open, repair, rewire or bypass anything inside a battery or charger. A damaged lithium battery can catch fire. Take it to a qualified shop or contact Rad support.

If a battery is hot, swelling, smoking or leaking, move away from it and call emergency services if there is fire.

Official help

When to get a pro

  • Fuses, battery terminals or the battery mount wiring.
  • A battery that won't charge after the checks above.
  • Any battery that shows damage, heat or leaks.

Sources

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.

Need a pro?

If these steps didn't fix it, find a shop near you in our partner network. For battery or wiring trouble, look for shops marked Battery and electrical.

Talk

Questions, things that worked for you, or something that looks wrong on this page.

Sign in to join the conversation.

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Text by Pedalwise and contributors, shared under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Linked videos and manuals keep their own terms. How to reuse it