Battery Care Article

In today's world, batteries have become a vital part of our life. We use them daily, whether it be in our phones, laptops or cars. Your mobility scooter is no different, and the same amount of importance should be applied in maintaining your battery. Below we will go through some of the battery care essentials as well as address some of the commonly asked questions surrounding batteries.

In today's world, batteries have become a vital part of our life. We use them daily, whether it be in our phones, laptops or cars. Your mobility scooter is no different, and the same amount of importance should be applied in maintaining your battery. Below we will go through some of the battery care essentials as well as address some of the commonly asked questions surrounding batteries.

• Interrupting the charging process before the battery is completely charged.
• Discharging the battery too far, excessive draining, or leaving it in a state of discharge is detrimental to your battery.
• Using a charger that is not compatible with your battery or not connecting your charger correctly.
• Failing not to service your mobility equipment every six months.
• Tyres that are the incorrect pressure/flat and old motor brushes can compromise the performance of your mobility equipment and require the use of more battery power as a consequence.

Now that we have established what not to do. Let's take a look at some techniques you can implement to take care of your battery properly:

Breaking in your new battery

Before you start using your new mobility equipment, it is recommended to break in the battery by charging it for between 8-14 hours. To aid the breaking in process, the aim is to cycle the battery as much as possible. An excellent way to cycle the battery is by driving your mobility device around your backyard or house, which also allows you to get comfortable with the controls of your brand new scooter. After each use of your mobility device get into the habit of plugging it into the charger. After four to five cycles, your battery should be to its maximum 100% charge, and the break-in process is complete.

Correctly charging your battery

The first piece of advice is only to use the charger that is supplied with your mobility device. It is also recommended to leave the charger plugged into your battery as much as you can. This will help the battery last longer. Contrary to popular belief, leaving your charger plugged in even when the battery is fully charged will not harm your batteries. Essentially the best way to care for your batteries is to keep them fully charged as much as possible.

Safe storage of batteries

Always aim to keep your mobility device and its battery in a dry and cool place. Try and avoid storing the battery in hot locations as this can lead to capacity loss, leakage or rupture. In the case that you are going away on holiday without your mobility equipment, it is recommended to charge the batteries before leaving to avoid them becoming drained while being unused. If you plan to be away for more than one month, you may want to ask someone to charge your mobility device's batteries at least once.

Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Batteries

Can you half charge your battery and then use your mobility scooter?

It is not the best procedure, and we strongly recommend against it. This is very detrimental and can drastically reduce the life of your batteries by doing this on a regular basis.

Do batteries lose their ability to hold charge?

Yes, they can. This typically occurs when people don't take care of their batteries properly. If a battery has been left for long stretches of time without use or has not been maintained in good charge the battery may become faulty or damaged. A general rule for batteries is "The more you use it, the better it is". The idea behind that is, the more you use your mobility equipment, the more the chemical process inside the battery will be forced to work.

We hope you have learnt some essential tips and procedures to implement into your battery charging routine and also some habits to avoid. If you perform these tips, you will significantly increase the lifespan of your battery.