How To Charge Your Mobility Scooter Batteries Right

Mobility scooters are an excellent tool for getting around, especially for those with mobility issues. It is an electric scooter with various buttons that drive it safely. It can also be used to travel intermediate distances and operated by those who cannot drive any other vehicle for health reasons. These scooters run on batteries, so it is important to maintain them properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to charge the scooter batteries correctly.

Turn the mobility scooter off

While this can be done in different ways in different mobility scooters, the general features include using a key, a power button, or a switch.

Connect the charger

The next step is to connect the charger to the appropriate plug. A charging socket with a designated spot on the scooter was most probably shown during the demo period. In some scooters, it is on the tiller, around the knee height for most people. In other cases, it will be placed towards the feet, the back of the scooter, or even closer to where the battery is. Some powerchairs have a socket under the joystick controller.

Connect to a Power Point

Once you have found the charging socket, connect the wire to the power point from where you need to charge the scooter.

Check for lights

Now switch them on after connecting to the power point. Usually, you can see some lights near the battery or on the mobility scooter that start up to notify you that the charging is on. These lights may be red or orange to show the charging is on. However, once the batteries are charged, they will turn green.

Disconnect charger

Once the light turns green, you can switch off the powerpoint and remove the charger.

The time it takes to charge the battery can vary from one scooter to another, so there is no set limit. The factors affecting this timeline involve the size of the scooter, the type of battery, and how much charge remains when you start charging it. The user manual given by the manufacturer will have detailed information and explanations.

Things to keep in mind

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when charging mobility scooter batteries:

• When you buy a new set of batteries, give them at least 12 hours of charging before using the scooter. The batteries should always be fully charged when using it for the first time for it to remain efficient throughout their lifetime.
• If the scooter has not been used for a long time, ensure you still charge it when not used. Do this every week to ensure the batteries do not run out and can be used when you resume using the vehicle.
• It’s worth noting that one way to reduce the lifespan of a battery is to completely discharge it before recharging. Therefore, it’s important to charge your batteries appropriately and ensure they are utilized efficiently over a long period.
• A battery bar on the mobility scooter gives an idea of its life. However, note that this is just a guide; you should not wholly rely on it. It is recommended that the battery be recharged before it displays ‘low’ so as not to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with no help. You wouldn’t want to be caught traveling between two houses with no batteries in your scooter.
• The batteries cannot be overcharged. Technology has changed a lot over the years, which means that when the battery is fully charged, the power discharges automatically. This prevents it from heating up, malfunctioning, bursting, or fusing. This is done as a safety measure to ensure no accidents occur and the one driving the mobility scooter is safe.
• If you’re wondering when the right time to charge the scooter is, the answer is when you are not using it. If you return from a short trip, simply plug the scooter into a charging unit to recharge the batteries. This is a safe and recommended practice since there is nothing like overcharging. However, one must keep it topped up to ensure its optimal health and to ensure it remains functional for an extended period.
• Cold weather may affect the battery, so one should make it a point to be extra careful with its maintenance around this time. This means remembering to charge it even after a short ride, and riding a little slower during winter to avoid burdening it with too much power. The mileage may perform slightly less during this time, but it’s safe to use.