Electric mobility scooters are the best option if you’re planning on getting a new scooter. They are quiet while driving, energy-efficient, and don’t produce any harmful components to nature. No matter if you’re buying a new mobility scooter or replacing the battery of your existing scooter, choosing the battery is a daunting job. The batteries come in a wide range of types and offer different benefits and features.
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What Batteries Do Mobility Scooters Use?
If you’re thinking about What batteries do mobility scooters use, and what battery you should go for, this article is for you. I’ll talk about all the options in battery selection for your mobility scooter, including the benefits of different options available. Stick to the article to get the perfect battery for your scooter that can serve you for a long time with the highest efficiency.
Why Are Mobility Scooter Batteries So Expensive?
There are a few reasons why mobility scooter batteries come so expensive, such as:
- When you end up with a single battery with a defect, and you have to change it, you cannot change a single one. You need to replace both the batteries even though you have a good battery on the housing. So you end up paying for two when you need one.
- The disability market is not as profound as the regular scooter market. So the sales volume is far less than the regular one. Sellers have to charge you more to keep the business going with a good profit margin.
- If you need to get a pair of GEL batteries, that will cost you far more than AGM batteries. Although the GEL batteries also perform better than the AGM batteries.
- In terms of usage, you don’t have to use a car battery continuously unless to make the ignition. But with a mobility scooter, you have to use it constantly, so they come more efficiently. More efficiency costs you more money!
What Batteries Do Mobility Scooters Use?
Mobility scooters get the drive power from rechargeable batteries, a set of two batteries, to be exact. Different models and different types of mobility scooters require different types and models of batteries.
Here is an extensive and detailed idea about what batteries do mobility scooters use:
AGM Batteries
AGM Batteries or the Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries are known as the batteries with sealed lead acid. These batteries come flooded with the lead-acid inside, but some glass mates are holding on the electrolytes. As the glass mates contain the acid, they cannot spill out in AGM batteries.
Even if you break an AGM battery, they won’t spill out, which is a safer side for this battery when you’re running with it. AGM batteries tend to be less expensive as well when you compare it to the Gel Cell batteries. Also, it requires less maintenance other than having to recharge them from time to time.
Gel cell Batteries
Just like AGM batteries, Gel Cell batteries also come with a sealed interior, and it’s also spill-proof. The Gel battery is valve regulated, and there are silica fumes to contain the sulphuric acid in it. This is where the name came from. This type of battery is completely maintenance-free other than the requirement of charging it. For the charging cycle, the Gel battery takes 20-25 charging and discharging cycles to reveal the most efficient. This battery type is by far the most expensive in the list, having the AGM batteries second on the list
Lead Acid batteries
Lead Acid batteries, also known as the Wet Cell batteries, tend to be much cheaper than the other types. However, they come with a lot of maintenance jobs, which is not an option if you want to have a headache-free service from your Mobility scooter. You will have to check the water level often and top them up if necessary. To make it worse, they tend to spill acid out the battery if shaken hard. They can last you a little longer than the gel cell batteries if you maintain with care, though!
Lithium-Ion batteries
Lithium-Ion is more of new technology in the race, and it’s taking over the next scooter market. They come in with massive longevity if compared to any other models. Lithium-Ion batteries can give you over six times larger power compared to a lead-acid battery. Lithium-Ion can store up to 150-watt hours of power in a kilogram size of a battery. The self-discharge rate of Lithium-Ion is only about 5%, whereas the nickel comes with 30% of self-discharge a year.
How Do You Maintain Batteries In A Mobility Scooter?
Mobility scooters take in different types of batteries to draw their power from. It’s important to have a great service from the battery as it works as a daily driver for you. There come the maintenance and proper usage of the scooter, especially for the battery. Here are some points that you must note and follow to maintain a good battery life from your Mobility scooter:
- Use the right charger
The best thing you can do to serve your battery for a longer and healthier lifespan is to use the right charger. If you have the original charger which comes with the battery, you’re good to go with it. But if you have to buy a new charger or borrow one, don’t DIY it, rather, go to the nearest Mobility shop and ask them for a proper charger.
- Keep them cool and dry
While storing the mobility scooter, make sure it’s away from wet humidity. Wet humidity will damage the battery quicker than you can imagine. Keep them in a dry place where it’s not too hot, not too damp, and it will keep them healthy. If you get a wet bath to the batteries, make sure you dry them well and store them safely.
- Storing and servicing
The charger might weaken and damage, especially in a wet place and during winter. Make sure you’re storing your charger in a dry place where it’s safe from the humidity outside. One more thing to keep the scooter and the battery pack on top-notch service is to get them to the service center often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about mobility scooters and their batteries:
Can I use a car battery on a mobility scooter?
How long do batteries last on mobility scooters?
Should I leave my mobility scooter on charge all the time?
How often should I charge my scooter battery?
How can I speed up my mobility scooter?
Final Thought
Mobility scooters come in so many types and serve various functionalities to ease your life. Giving it proper maintenance will give it a longer lifespan, and you can use it with greater efficiency. Never use a charger to charge the battery that’s not made for this battery exactly. And Don’t forget to take care of the rest of the body of your mobility scooter. I hope now you know What batteries do mobility scooters use and how you should take care of the battery of your Mobility scooter.
