The most frequently asked questions when it comes to a powerchair or mobility scooter have to do with how to charge their batteries.
Here is a guide that provides step-by-step instructions on the right way to charge a Mobility Scooter and ways to make sure your battery is operating at the highest capacity for longer.
The first thing to remember is that every battery will lose power or charge eventually. The tips in this guide won’t help you to fix a battery that is already not holding charge or a way to make your batteries last indefinitely. However, if you follow the steps listed below, you will have a more reliable scooter that you will feel more confident using.
- Turn Your Powerchair Or Mobility Scooter Off
Each machine will turn off in a different way. But in most cases, this involves pushing a switch or button, removing the key, or turning a key.
- Connect The Charger
Connect the charging-socket to the spot that is designated on the scooter or power chair. This may be located in a different place which will usually depend on the make or the model. However, for medium or large scooters, this will usually be on a tiller which is around the height of your knee, or on a small portable scooter, it is usually around the back or close to the feet of the machine, near to the battery. Many electric wheelchairs or power chairs have charging plugs located just below the joystick controller.
- Connect The Charger To The Power Point At Turn It On At The Switch
When you are not using it, make sure the charger is disconnected from your power outlet. Some old-style chargers might also come with an on/off switch. Ensure that this switch has been set to the on position.
- The Battery Should Now Begin To Charge
You should be able to see if the battery is charging by checking the battery for a light that should go on. The light on your charger should display a green, orange, or red light. This indicates that the battery is charging.
The charging times vary and will usually depend on the battery type, the scooter size, and the charge that is still present inside the battery. However, charging the battery fully could take from 6 to 10 hours. You will know when the battery is charged fully when the light turns green on the charger. On some models, the light may start to flash green. You can refer to your user manual for the exact specifics.
- Disconnect The Charger From The Scooter First And Then From The Power Outlet
Best Practices
If you are using your mobility scooter every day, you should be charging it each night so that the battery is fully charged for the next day. You should still do this even when you have only taken a shorter ride and the battery bar is still indicating that the battery has a charge.
When storing your power chair/scooter or when you are not using it for a while, charge the battery once weekly to keep the batteries in good condition until you are ready to use it again.
If you allow the battery to completely discharge, this will shorten the lifespan of the battery.
When you buy a new battery, make sure you charge it for a minimum of 12 hours before you use it.
The battery bar on mobility aids should only serve as a guide.
It is not possible to overcharge a battery with the latest chargers. When you connect the battery to a power outlet, the charger is only going to charge the battery to what is needed.
