Improper charging, frequent overuse, underuse, and exposure to extreme temperatures degrade battery life and performance.
Understanding Mobility Scooter Batteries
Mobility is one of the essential parts of our life, and many people need help here. For technological development, it was possible to create many instruments and vehicles to help those who cannot move or have difficulties with moving do that. Mobility scooters are among the many vehicles that satisfy certain mobility requirements of individuals, and their batteries are essential as they are the first to lose the firearm in developing this equipment. This paper promotes an in-depth view of Mobility Scooter batteries with regard to their types description, the way they work and signs of deterioration.
Types
In general, there are two types of mobility scooter batteries, which are Lead-Acid Batteries and Lithium-Ion Batteries. The first type is rather affordable and dependable as one battery costs from $50-$100 and works approximately 12-18 months . These types are heavier and bulkier, but user-friendly due to their affordable prices. For this reason, many people choose this particular sort of batteries as they have been used for years and have proved themselves as a source of power for mobility scooters.
The second battery type has more beneficial sides for users as they are lighter, their lifespan is 2-3 years, but the cost is higher, ranging from $200-$500. Mobility scooters’ users, who use their vehicles daily and who prefer to spend less time on charging as power lasts longer on them, pick this type of batteries as they are more efficient.
The way Mobility Scooter Batteries work
Mobility scooter batteries turn the chemical energy into electric energy to make the vehicle move. The efficacy of this process is vital as it influences the speed and the way a scooter can function. The Lead-Acid Batteries has a lower efficacy – around 80-85%, while the Lithium-Ion Batteries can be up to 95 . The decision, which set of batteries to choose almost completely depends only on the price, and in fact, it is up to what distances users wish to use the scooter. If the vehicle is utilized for short distances, people may choose Lead-Acid Batteries, but people who use their scooters daily to cover large distances may choose batteries that are more efficient.
Common Reasons for Battery Failure
Mobility scooter batteries’ longevity, reliability and dependability can be undermined with our habits that seem insignificant. Understanding is vital to prevent serious battery failure.
Improper charging
The first leading cause of a battery dying is improper and inconsistent charging. Regular chargers should be charged for the battery has been slightly used – even half-depleted. Letting a battery be fully emptied before charging can lead to its short lifespan. A battery with 18 months of expected lifespan can only last 9 when constantly used while discharged depletes. On the opposite end, overcharging can also lead to battery degradation. Users should not charge their devices with the charger for much longer than they are supposed to be on – overcharging can lead to the battery running hot and, eventually, dying. While modern chargers are equipped with microprocessors that prevent overcharging, it is still viable to disconnect the charger when the cells are full, which should take 8-10 hours.
Frequent overuse and underuse
Frequent overuse is another factor of daily depletion of a battery’s capacity, leading to gradual loss overall. Frequent underuse and inactivity can also be an issue, as the battery loses some of its capacity while inactive. In order to get the longest life from a battery, users can try to use and charge them every day according to manufacturer guidelines.
Extreme temperatures
Both hot and cold temperatures are bad for batteries. When it is hot, chemical reactions go quicker, degrading the battery. 30 degrees Celsius can shorten the lifespan of a battery by 20%. Cold can also damage the capacity of a battery. At 0 C, a battery, according to science direct source , might only perform at 80% capacity. However, the effect is only temporary and should reverse while the battery gets warmer. When all of these common pitfalls are avoided, users can get up to five years of a battery’s life without degradation. Its peak performance, though, might only last the first year or two.
Diagnosing Battery Issues
With timely diagnosis of battery problems, many of them can be eliminated in time, preventing the wheelchair from breaking down. The following are the methods that can be used to diagnose commonly occurring mobility scooter battery issues.
Battery Load Test
The battery load test is one of the most important tests for understanding the battery’s condition. It involves applying a specific load to the battery and observing how it maintains the voltage under use . For a 12 volt battery, the voltage should not be under 10.5 volts . To perform the load test, a load tester is needed. It can be obtained from an automotive store. The battery should be fully charged before the testing. This technique is helpful to identify the batteries that have enough static voltage but fail when the actual electricity is being drawn from them.
Checking the Connections and Terminals
The connections and terminals are important for establishing a good contact. If the battery connections are loose or corroded, they will not provide the proper functionality of the mobility scooter. In rubbing off the corrosion, a solution of table soda and water can be used, applied to the terminals and scrubbed with a brush . If cleaned in this manner, the battery terminal should be shiny. The connections should also be very tight. This allows for the most efficient power transfer from the battery to the scooter. The loose terminals may result in the fact that most of the scooter electrical parts, including the motor, do not receive the full power they need for proper functioning.
Charger’s Functionality
If the charger is not functioning properly, the battery will be either undercharged or overcharged . The output voltage of the chargers can be measured with the use of a multimeter. An extremely low voltage may indicate that the charger is unable to charge the battery, meaning that it needs to be replaced . Chargers should be checked regularly to prevent unnoticed decline in battery life over time.
By using a load test of the battery, checking the connections and terminals, and testing the charger’s functionality, one will be able to diagnose and solve many of the most commonly occurring mobility scooter battery problems and prevent the breakdowns, making the wheelchair operation continuous and reliable.