If you’re like me, you take great pride in your mobility scooter. It’s not only a symbol of independence, but it also allows me to get around quickly and easily.
I know that I can’t rely on my mobility scooter forever, which is why I make sure to keep the batteries in good condition. But how do I actually check the batteries?
To check your mobility scooter battery do the following:
- Inspect the battery for any physical damage
- Check the voltage of the battery.
- Check your batteries for corrosion or greenish goop
- Inspect the cables of the battery
- Make sure your battery fluid levels are okay.
- Charge the battery if necessary.
Inspect the battery for any physical damage
This includes cracks in the case, corrosion, or loose connections.
- Look at the positive and negative terminals for any signs of greenish build-up – this indicates a leak somewhere in the battery compartment.
- Check the voltage on the sides of your batteries to make sure they are fully charged — these should be 12 volts each.
- Inspect the battery cables for any signs of damage – frayed or bare wires can indicate a connection issue.
- Finally, look at the fluid level in each battery – if you see a green goop on top, it is probably time to replace your batteries.
Check the voltage of the battery.
- Turn your scooter off and unplug it.
- Using a digital multimeter, check that all battery terminals are turned off – the black probe should touch the negative terminal of each battery (closest to you). In contrast, the red probe connects the positive terminal (furthest away from you).
- Make sure the voltage is the same on each battery.
- If they aren’t, plug your scooter back in and turn it on to check that the batteries are working properly – if they are still not all at the same voltage, you need new batteries.
Check your batteries for corrosion or greenish goop
- Turn off your scooter and unplug it.
- Check the black and red terminals for any greenish goop
- If you see this, your batteries need to be replaced.
Inspect the cables of the battery
- Disconnect your power supply from your mobility scooter.
- With a digital multimeter, check that all battery terminals are turned off.
- The black probe should touch the negative terminal of each battery (closest to you). In contrast, the red probe connects the positive terminal (furthest away from you).
- Check the voltage on each battery to ensure they are all at 12 volts.
- If they aren’t, replace your batteries and/or cables as needed.
Make sure your battery fluid levels are okay.
- Remove the caps from each battery to check that the fluid levels are sufficient. If you see green goop in any of these, it is time to replace your batteries.
- Keep an eye on your cables for fraying or bare wires. This could indicate a potential connection issue.
- Compare the voltage to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Most mobility scooters are designed to have 12-volt batteries. If the battery voltage is too low, this could indicate a potential issue with your electrical system or even wiring damage.
Charge the battery if necessary.
- If the voltage of any battery is less than 11 volts, charge the battery to 12V.
- Let it rest for an hour before rechecking the voltage – if it still isn’t at 12 volts, you need new batteries.
While performing routine inspections of your scooter is a great way to keep your batteries in good condition. It is essential to understand that batteries do not last forever. Especially if you are using your scooter regularly.
If you use your batteries frequently, check on them once a month (or more often) to ensure no damage is developing.
Conclusion
Whenever you come into contact with electrical currents, always be careful. Even though mobility scooters are powered by low voltage, they can still cause severe injuries if mishandled.
Always exercise caution when checking your battery levels, and never assume that you have a fully charged battery. However, even fully charged batteries may lose some power over time, meaning that mobility scooters need to be recharged periodically. You will need to recharge the batteries before use.
Citations
https://www.mobilityworks.com/blog/testing-your-mobility-scooter-batteries-before-calling-a-technician/#:~:text=While%20stationary%2C%20press%20or%20push,and%20need%20to%20be%20replaced.
https://askinglot.com/how-do-you-check-a-mobility-scooter-battery
