Batteries are the heart of your mobility scooter.

At some point during your machines life, its going to have battery failure. So let us do what we can to make the most of them.

Without good battery performance, your scooter is going to lack in range, climbing the inclines, and even making it over some minor obstacles like a threshold. If your batteries are failing, so is the scooters performance. So better the the life expectancy and performance of your batteries by taking care of them.

Most of my info is going to be directed towards lead acid batteries. 99% of the scooters I sell and 95% of the scooters I service use SLA (sealed lead acid), gel cell or AGM batteries. Your owners manual should specify what type of batteries your scooter uses.

How often do I charge my scooter?

One of the most common questions I get is " How often should I charge my scooter?"

A good rule of thumb is to charge your scooter before and after use. Starting your ride with a full charge is going to ensure you get the most out of your batteries. Recharging them after use keeps the battery from setting at a low voltage which can lead to damaged.

Batteries do discharge on their own without any help of the scooter. If the scooter is left uncharged for a long enough period of time, they can discharge below a healthy voltage leaving them susceptible to premature failure.

Charging protocol.

Read your owners manual, and follow the directions regarding charging your scooter. The manufacture has a specified charger to match your batteries, as well as a guide to charging your scooter. If you do not have a factory charger, call a technician to make sure your battery charger is correct for your type of scooter.

Chargers.

Chargers come in so many variations of size, amperage, voltage and specified for chemistry type. Using a charger that does not match your scooter can damage the batteries, the charger, fuses etc. So before you buy just any charger, get some help from a tech to help you get a factory charger or a universal charger that matches your batteries needs.

Are my batteries bad?

This might seem confusing, but if your loosing battery power, it doesn't necessarily mean its a battery issue. There can be failure elsewhere that can draw the power down, and can ultimately lead to battery failure. As a rule, you should have your batteries tested as well as the machine before you go replacing them. In many cases, I can recall clients becoming frustrated when replacing batteries that cost hundreds of dollars, only to find out that their old one's were still good and their power loss still persisted. Bring your scooter to a professional like me to get a proper diagnosis before spending money you do not have to.

Which batteries are the best?

I've sold and used many brands over the years and discovered that out of about 10 brands, I've had the best luck with two brands. Warranty on all the batteries that I have sold have been around the same, but the issue I have is, when you have to replace batteries under warranty its an inconvenience to your customers. A great warranty doesn't make a bad battery a good buy. So what I want to do is have a battery that Fails the least, and so do my clients. Feel free to contact me for more info on brands.

Buying locally.

Buying local has its perks. If you have a warranty issue, you can bring the batteries to the vendor and have them replaced at no cost to you, and is fairly hassle free. If you buy online, you have to bring the warranties to a professional who can give the online vendor proof that your batteries have failed. I sell my batteries locally and give my clients an easy warranty process of merely having me test the batteries to ensure they are bad (and not some other issue on the scooter) and replace them with new batteries at no cost and as little trouble as possible. I can't say the same for online. Lastly, if your vendor has the replacement batteries in stock, you don't have to wait for the batteries like you would online.

Batteries online.

Buying online is easy and convenient, and you can order just about any type of battery, but getting warranty replacement batteries may take a greater effort. I've had a client hire me, just to give his online retailer proof that their product failed under warranty. So he did save on buying cheap batteries, but when he paid me to come out to his house and do the work, he about broke even, if he had just purchased them locally. I'm not dis-advising buying online, I just want to give you both sides of the spectrum. Not all online retailers have replacement stock, or have the best customer service. Read online warranty processes from other buyers to make sure the seller is going to be diligent about returns.

#mobility #ScooterBattery #MobilityScooter #scooterbatteries #batteries #Electricscooter