Most scooters on the market today use lead acid batteries as their power source. These batteries are quite unlike the 12v batteries that you see in cars as they have a very different demand placed on them. They are maintenance free and do not require topping up or checking. They are the most important part of your scooter and the easiest thing to damage if they are not looked after well.
It is a common mistake with mobility scooters to feel that batteries need to be run down to nothing before being recharged. This is usually due to confusion with other types of rechargeable battery which are said to have a memory.
In a mobility scooter battery it is really important that they are always stored fully charged. If you use your scooter during a day for anything more than a couple of mile trip it is really important to pop your scooter back on charge when you return home for the last time that day.
Your scooter charger will take 8 -10 hours to charge your scooter. It is a specialist charger that charges in specific cycles. It is really important to leave your scooter on charge for the full duration in order to complete its full charging cycle. Often people will just ‘top up’ their battery charge for short periods rather than leaving the scooter to charge. In the long run this will reduce your batteries capacity and lifespan.
In colder weather your scooter will need charging much more frequently when it’s in use. This is because temperature has a huge impact on the capacity of your batteries (typically around 20% reduction in cold weather)
During the winter or during long periods where you might not be using your scooter, it is really important to make arrangements to have your scooter charged overnight at least once every two weeks. This will prevent the batteries from losing their charge and sulphating (scaling up), often resulting in a need to change your batteries in the spring.
Often people will buy an extra battery pack for their scooter. Especially with car portable types. This allows a scooter to be used whilst another box is charged or is fully charged and ready to be used increasing the distance you can travel drastically. In car chargers are also available for scooters although these can be expensive.
We stock a full range of mobility scooter batteries and chargers in store and can order in battery packs for scooters if you need them. Contact us today to enquire.
