When I first bought my mobility scooter, one of the most important things for me was finding a battery charger that would be convenient. So what is the best battery charger to buy for mobility scooters? This post will go into detail about some factors you should consider before buying and then list out three potential options.
Best Battery Charger will depends on your power needs and how often you use your mobility scooter, this could be an important decision. We’ll talk more about this below in “What You Should Consider.” One thing we’ll mention up front is that it’s crucial to consult with your doctor or physical therapist before making any decisions about possible surgery. This will ensure you make informed decisions and can take advantage of any financial incentives available
First of all let’s start by understanding the three types of chargers which will help you decide what is best for you.
3 Types of battery chargers
There are 3 main types of battery charger options that exist on the market today: intelligent (automatic), standard (manual), and universal.
Intelligent battery charger. The first option is the intelligent battery charger which has many features for convenience. Most of these chargers are able to automatically stop charging once fully charged, have a built-in multi-voltage capability, they have indicators that display mode and error conditions, and offer protection from overcharge, short circuit, open circuit, and reversed polarity
Standard battery charger. The second option is the standard or manual battery charger which consists of only the essential components for charging your mobility scooter. These chargers often require more time to charge, however they are also cheaper than the intelligent counterpart.
Universal battery charger. The third option is the universal or automatic battery charger which can be used for many different types of mobility scooter batteries. Generally these units will work with most 24 volt systems, but some brands may require an adapter cable.
There are many different types of mobility scooter batteries, so it’s important to know what battery type your scooter takes. You can often find this information on the charger or batteries. If you still aren’t sure, a quick search online should be able to provide you with the answer in a matter of minutes.
Determined the type of scooter battery
Daily use vs. infrequent use. One of the first things you’ll want to consider is how often you plan on using your mobility scooter. If this is something you see yourself using every day, it might be worth investing in an intelligent battery charger since these typically offer many more features than the standard or universal chargers.
Power needs. Next you’ll want to decide how much power your mobility scooter requires. This is important because if the battery charger you buy cannot provide enough power, it will not be able to charge your scooter and could potentially damage your batteries. If the power required by your mobility scooter is over 18 amps (180 watts), it will be necessary to buy an intelligent or universal charger.
Number of mobility scooters. If you only need to charge one mobility scooter, then you can choose either a standard or universal charger depending on your budget and desired features. If you have more than one mobility scooter to charge, this might be a factor for you as well. For example, if you have two 24 volt battery systems and one universal charger, the best option would be a standard or manual charger since it can charge both of your mobility scooters at the same time.
Price. And lastly but certainly not least, you’ll want to consider how much money you can afford to spend on your mobility scooter battery charger.
Consider the different features of mobility scooter
Automatic Shut off. Learns and shuts itself off when your batteries are fully charged and then begins the automatic trickle charge to keep them fresh and ready for use.
Low voltage detection. Many of these chargers have a low battery indicator which alerts you when the battery is only partially charged – so you don’t get stranded with a weak scooter.
Temperature Compensation. All of these chargers have some built-in feature to compensate for the charge level if the batteries are too hot or too cold – so your batteries always get a perfect long term, full charge.
Current Control. It monitors the current going from battery to battery and will automatically reduce the charging rate if it senses that you’re drawing too much power.
Reverse Polarity Protection. This means that if there is a wiring error and they clamps are connected incorrectly, the charger will automatically shut off – protecting your batteries and scooter from damage.
Can be used in multiple locations. It can be used in your home, office or vehicle – so no matter where you are, the charger will always be ready to take over and give you a perfect long term charge.
Comes with a Warranty. Has a one year warranty from the date of purchase – but it’s usual to see them last well beyond that time period.
Types of connections that are available on chargers
Standard battery charger – this type of battery charger has a standard 3 or 4 prong plug like most household electronics. This is the least expensive option of any of the chargers listed here. For example, you can buy one of these at Walmart for under $20.00. The main drawback of this type of charger is that it can potentially take longer to charge your batteries since they aren’t always plugged in and charging.
Battery Tender Plus with Quick Disconnect Harness – This unit comes with a quick disconnect harness which plugs directly into your scooter’s battery terminals and then the other end plugs directly into the battery charger. This helps to ensure that your battery charger is always plugged in and charging, even when you’re not around to monitor it. It also makes it easier to transport between vehicles if necessary.
Digital Battery Charger – These chargers typically have a female quick connect harness which plugs directly into your mobility scooter’s battery while the other end plugs directly into the wall. This type of charger has the added benefit of providing a small electronic readout which tells you how much voltage is left in your battery or whether or not it is charging. You can purchase these types of chargers at places like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kmart for between $30 – $150.
Manual Battery Charger – This type of battery charger has alligator clamps which attach directly to your mobility scooter’s battery terminals. It does not have a built-in microprocessor and rather than shutting off once it senses that your batteries are fully charged, you will need to manually shut off the charger yourself. This type of charger is the least expensive option for charging your batteries.
Wheelchairs Only Battery Charger – this unit has alligator clamps which attach directly to your mobility scooter’s battery terminals. It does not have a built-in microprocessor and rather than shutting off once it senses that your batteries are fully charged, you will need to manually shut off the charger yourself. This type of charger is the least expensive option for charging your batteries.
Use the right type and size of battery charger for your needs
If you choose a charger that is too small or cannot provide enough power to charge your batteries, it will not be able to properly charge your scooter. This could potentially damage your batteries if they are not fully charged when in use.
Things you should be careful about when buying a new battery charger
- Charger must only be used on lead-acid type of batteries – it cannot be used on Lithium batteries. If you have Lithium batteries, please consult an automotive dealer or manufacturer to find the correct charger for your application.
- If your charger is model specific, make sure that it is compatible with your mobility scooter or power chair’s batteries.
- Never leave a charger connected to a battery for longer than the recommended “charge time” – unless you have a temperature compensation feature – in which case you can charge them for up to 24 hours. If a charger has this feature it will automatically shut off when the battery is fully charged.
- Never leave a charger connected to a battery if you’re driving your scooter – it can damage the controller and cause problems with its performance.
- Make sure that the alligator clamps of your charger are securely attached to the positive and negative terminals of your batteries – otherwise, they won’t charge properly.
- Make sure that the charger has an indicator which warns you if it’s clamps are not correctly attached to your batteries – so you don’t accidentally damage your scooter or power chair.
- Never try to fix, replace or tamper with any parts of charger. Just like their name implies, they’re meant to be automatic and foolproof. If you have a problem with them, take them back to the dealer or manufacturer who sold it to you for repair or replacement under warranty.
