How to Care for Mobility Scooter Batteries
Mobility scooters are wonderful little machines. They help the elderly and infirm stay mobile and independent. A good used mobility scooter can go a long way literally and figuratively. One of the most important components of any mobility scooter is the battery, which keeps things running.
The battery life for a mobility scooter can vary depending on the motor, battery type, and how much use the scooter gets. You should expect a battery to last for up to a year before it needs to be replaced with a new one. If you take good care of your electric mobility scooter battery though, you may find it lasts for much longer than that. Here’s how to care for your mobility scooter batteries.
1. Run Them Down
One of the first things you want to do with a new battery is get it fully charged up and then run it down a few times. Running a battery down will make it more likely that they will work to full capacity in the future. Think of it like breaking in new shoes by wearing them all the time. Using the battery a lot at first can mean it lasts for longer overall.
2. Avoid Topping it Up
You want to try and put together a regular charging routine for your lightweight mobility scooter. This way you’ll always have an idea of how much charge is left in the battery at any given time. It’s recommended that you avoid giving the battery a small “top-up” charge. This can interrupt the flow of charging and it can have a negative impact on overall battery life. You should only charge batteries when they need it – and charge them to full capacity when you do.
If you regularly use your scooter then you should charge it overnight. That way it’ll always be full and ready to go in the morning and should last all day.
3. Avoid Overcharging
One thing people don’t understand about batteries is that they actually start to lose their charge if left on charge too long. It takes a mobility scooter around 8 hours to charge to capacity. Putting together a regular charging routine means you’ll soon get into the habit of putting your scooter on charge – and taking it off charge – at regular intervals. This is good for both you and the batteries.
4. Use the Proper Charger
As with anything, you want to use the right tool for the job. Make sure that the charger you use is designed for the batteries you use. Using the wrong charger could impact battery life and could be a serious fire hazard.
5. Check the Warranty
Even second hand mobility scooters should have a warranty on the battery. They should come with a warranty between 12 months and 24 months. If something goes wrong with the battery then don’t hesitate to claim on the warranty.
Practice these best tips to keep your disability scooter running faster for longer. Take care of the batteries and the scooter can take care of you.
