Battery FAQ
Q: The Mobility Scooter or Power Wheelchair will not power up, is it the Batteries?
A: Batteries very rarely go dead overnight. If the batteries were working fine within the last week or so, chances are it could be something else. However, if the batteries are a year or older and you have been noticing that they no longer get you as far as they used to or require charging more often, then you need new batteries. Additionally, if the Scooter or Chair has sat for a prolonged period of time, more than 6 months, and now will not power up, they may need replacing. You can try to put the batteries on a Car Charger to revive them but if that does not work, they are dead and you'll need new ones.
Q: My charger is plugged in but the charging light does not come on?
A: Mobility Scooter and Power Wheelchair chargers are designed to protect against overheating the batteries when in operation. They do this by requiring the batteries to already have a 10 to 11 Volt charge on them. If your batteries have dropped below 11 volts, the charger will not turn on. Batteries that have been left sitting for a long period of time often fall below the acceptable level to the point where the charger will not turn on. You basically have two options. Try reviving the batteries using a charger without the safety feature or get new ones.
Q: How do I find out which Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter Battery is needed?
A: The best way is to look. Easier said than done, we know. But if you're unable to identify your make and model or you do not have the manual, then looking at what is in the Scooter or Chair is the best way. However, generally, if you have a Portable device, it will use smaller 12Ah Batteries. If it is mid sized, 35Ah batteries and if it is a Heavy-Duty product it will use 55Ah to 75Ah Batteries.
Q: What is the difference between an AGM and Gel Battery?
A: For all intents and purposes both AGM and Gel are very similar in that they're both Sealed Lead Acid, Deep Cycle Batteries. They are both approved by the F.A.A. and D.O.T. for Air and Sea Travel. Where they differ is Gel batteries generally can be re-charged a higher number of times. Making them last as much as 30% to 50% longer. However, Gel Batteries charge at a slightly lower voltage so using the right charger is important. Most manufacturers list in their manuals if one or both style batteries can be used.
Q: What Types of Batteries are used in Electric Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters?
A: There are 3 major Types of batteries Sealed Led Acid (SLA), Lithium, and Nickel Cadium (NiCad). Of those 3, by far, Sealed Led Acid make up the vast majority of batteries in use throughout the USA.
Q: How do I charge my batteries correctly?
A: To properly charge your mobility battery, follow these simple procedures:
- Anytime you use the Power Wheelchair or Scooter, give it a full charge overnight or when you're done using it.
- With every charger made for Power Wheelchairs and Scooters you can leave the charger plugged in all the time. This will help to have them last longer but it will not completely stop them from Sulfating and Stratifying. Sulfation and Stratification are the main reasons batteries go dead.
- If you've just purchased new batteries, charge them for about 10 hours every night for 5 nights in a row, this will break them in.
- If you have deeply discharged your batteries, i.e. run them down to the point the chair or scooter stopped moving. If possible immediately plug in the charger. If you wait too long the batteries may fall below 11 Volts and the charger will not turn on at that point. See above.
Q: Can I use a regular Car Battery on my Power Wheelchair or Scooter?
A: No. Car Batteries are designed to provide a very large amount of current for a short period of time. They would actually work but they would quickly die, usually in a month or so. Power Wheelchair and Scooter batteries are designed to provide a steady amount of current over a long period of time. This why they are called Deep Cycle batteries.
Q: How should wheelchair and mobility scooter batteries be stored?
A: Always store your scooter & wheelchair batteries FULLY CHARGED.
- Check all batteries once a month and recharge as needed.
- Sealed batteries can hold a charge for up to 6 months.
- When storing a chair or scooter for more than 1 month, charge the batteries and then disconnect them.
- Avoid hot and cold extremes when storing.
Q: What is the proper way to store batteries for the winter?
A: Store batteries fully charged. Check them once a month and recharge as needed. Sealed batteries can hold their charge from 6 to 12 months. Remember, if storing your chair for longer than a couple of weeks, it’s best to charge the batteries and then disconnect them.
Q: Getting the right Charger for your Power Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter?
A: Here are the 4 major chargers and the batteries they correspond with:
- For batteries that are between 7Ah and 15Ah, use a 24 Volt - 2A Charger.
- For Batteries between 18Ah and 35Ah a 24 Volt - 3A Charger.
- For batteries between 35Ah and 60Ah, use a 24 Volt - 5A charger.
- For Batteries 65Ah up to 100Ah use a 24 Volt - 8Ah charger.
There is some overlap and the general rule is; pick the higher capacity charger if you use the wheelchair or scooter a lot.