There is a lot of information out there about batteries that you’ll want to weed through. Some of it is completely outdated base on newer battery tech. There is also information out there that is based on batteries found in mobile phones or even cars and not those found on mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. This comprehensive guide will help to dispel some of these myths and it will provide much-needed current advice that you can use to better care for your battery.

1. Type

You will find that mobility scooters and wheelchairs all have the same kind of batteries. This type of battery is a VLRA battery. VLRA stands for Valve-Regulated Lead Acid batteries. These are also known as sealed batteries and there are two distinct types within this battery class. There are Absorbed Glass Mat batteries and gel batteries.

Lithium-Ion batteries

Some scooters have Lithium-Ion batteries, but only a small number of them. These can be typically found on folding scooters. These batteries have more charging and care requirements than other types. Therefore, you won’t find more information regarding caring for this kind of battery in this article.

AGM batteries 

AGM batteries are typically seen on some of the medium-sized options. This includes wheelchairs and scooters alike. They are usually cheaper than gel batteries, but they are much better options for those that aren’t going to be riding their wheelchair or scooter daily.

Gel batteries

Gel batteries are going to be the better choice for those who will be using them regularly. This is since gel batteries are typically longer lasting and they handle heavier usage better. The batteries are typically much higher in capacity too. Usually, they will take a bunch of charge cycles to fully recharge and reach capacity.

Every mobility equipment battery is going to come in 12 volts. They will typically be supplied in pairs to fully power a 24-volt system.

2. Capacity

You will find the majority of batteries have the Ah rating on them. This is the ampere-hour rating and it showcases the battery’s capacity. You want a higher-capacity battery if you want something that is going to last longer. Also, higher capacity is better for mobility equipment that takes a lot of power to run. You will find that basic boot scooters have around 12 Ah of capacity whereas some of the higher capacity options have heavier ones.

3. Life Cycle

You will find that these batteries tend to last around 12 months. That being said, if you apply good battery maintenance, you can expect it to last even longer. This is why you want to look at the section on Charging and Storage to keep your battery as healthy as possible. If you are regularly using the battery, expect it to degrade faster. This is especially true if you are frequently discharging it or exposing it to extreme temperatures. However, if you are only using the mobility equipment on occasion and for shorter journeys, it’s likely to last a lot longer.

4. Charging

Applying good charging principles is a must if you want to keep your battery healthy. It’s one of the most important things to get the most out of your batteries. There are two different stages to a charge cycle for a battery. The first stage takes care of the bulk of the charge. The second stage is known as the trickle portion. This is where the battery charging status starts to slow down and it trickles in a charge slowly. This tops up the battery so it doesn’t get overworked. This is also what helps to condition the battery. Conditioning a battery is crucial to improving its lifespan of it.

It’s typically recommended to charge it overnight. You want to charge it for a minimum of eight hours. Many think you can overcharge a battery. The truth is, you cannot. There is no such thing as overcharging a modern-day battery. Therefore, don’t worry about leaving it charging overnight., If you have your mobility equipment plugged in all of the time, your battery isn’t going to degrade. It will help it. Even if you can’t, you want to ensure you are giving it a good and long charge frequently.

If you are only charging your batteries for a short duration, you will find the battery degrading. The plates inside of the battery will experience sulfation which can reduce its capacity and performance of it.

You only want to stick to using the right charger for your mobility equipment from Easy Pay Mobility. Always stick to using the one supplied by the manufacturer. They are going to be optimized for charging performance and any use of another charger can ruin the battery.

5. Storage

Every battery needs to be stored properly for the best performance. You need to store the battery at room temperature. While you can store it outdoors, it’s only going to ruin the performance and health of the battery. Any prolonged exposure to the elements can lessen its lifespan of it. You will find a lot of people who leave their scooters outside overnight during the winter will wake up to a dead battery because of this.

You can charge both Gel and AGM batteries safely inside. They are completely sealed so you don’t need to worry about any dangerous fumes entering your home.

The majority of boot scooters have a battery that can be fully removed. That way, you can charge it separately from the scooter itself.

6. Maintenance

You don’t want to attempt to do any maintenance on your own. This should be left to a professional.

7. Transport

You can transport both of these kinds of batteries through the air without any special precautions needed.