Mobility scooters give a long list of benefits for their users because of the much-needed mobility they give. Users depend on this ability to finish everyday tasks and fulfill their needs, making these scooters a day-to-day partner. Without them, people with limited mobility would find it challenging to live their daily lives because of restricted movements.
One of the most worrying problems for users is when their mobility scooters stop functioning without any warning. There are reports of these vehicles stopping out of nowhere, and riders cannot do anything but feel confused and worried. But what exactly are the reasons why these scooters sometimes suddenly stop and do things they shouldn’t suppose to do?
The reason for mobility scooters’ sudden stopping can come from their magnetic brakes, battery, motor, switch, and wheels. Almost all these problems may come from faulty wirings that affect the whole scooter’s performance. And since no equipment is immune from technical issues, mobility scooter users should prepare themselves for this situation.
That’s why they deserve to know the basics issues in their mobility scooter to give them an idea of how the vehicle works. Knowing what went wrong can prevent them from doing ‘quick-fix’ solutions that worsen their vehicle’s technical problem.
The Reasons Why Mobility Scooters Don’t Move
Magnetic Brakes
Mobility scooters may sometimes suddenly stop because of the faulty wiring inside the electric scooter. The cables connected to magnetic breaks can affect the vehicle’s performance if they are loosely connected. Users must check the quality of wirings in the magnetic brakes and should call an electrician if it looks terrible.
Since a set of cables connects to the other wires in the mobility scooter, a slight problem with it can affect the entire vehicle. I also like to remind riders not to fix this problem by themselves and should (always) ask for an expert’s help. Even if the loose wiring may look like an ‘easy problem,’ users fixing it all by themselves might cause more massive technical and safety problems.
Battery Power
Sometimes, the problem can be as simple as a ‘low-bat’ mobility scooter that needs a complete charge. Beeping in these scooters usually means asking for a full charge before running again on maximum performance. Also, users should not bring their equipment outside half-charged because of the limitations and headaches that might follow.
Another reason is that the batteries need a replacement because they may not have enough capacity to hold enough power. Most batteries slowly lose this capability with every charge, and long-time use (plus) repeated charges can speed up this ‘decaying’ process. If the scooter needs replacement batteries, be sure to get them only from the scooter’s manufacturer to ensure compatibility.
Motor (Faulty Wiring)
The problem can also come from the mobility scooter’s motor, which may have loose wires inside it. Whether the cables are loose or clamped, they can prevent the engine from spinning, preventing the wheels from moving. It is also possible that some wires aren’t connected correctly from the motor; that’s why it cannot receive the power that will help it rotate.
Users or carers should contact a licensed technician or a representative from the manufacturer to fix this problem. Do not attempt to let someone with no expertise in this problem, or someone with an unrelated field, fix this issue.
Motor (Overheating)
Overheating happens during summertime or if a mobility scooter is overworked, exceeding its daily limit. When this happens, turning off the scooter until the motor cools down should be the user’s top priority. Forcing an overheating engine to work even further might cause an explosion, which will cause more severe problems.
Wheels Cannot Turn
Do you hear the motor running, but for some reason, the mobility scooter can’t move whatever you do? Some of its wheels might not be rotating correctly, causing the entire vehicle to get stuck and unable to move where the user desires. One malfunctioning wheel is enough to ‘freeze’ a scooter; that’s why a carer or a companion must first check all the wheels.
The wheel problem may come again from loose cables, preventing users from properly controlling their mobility equipment. If the mobility scooter remains stuck after repeated attempts of moving it, users should call an expert right away.
Storage
If the storage of the mobility scooter is not well ventilated, meaning there’s no way for air to come in and out, then it’s at risk. The cooling process can slow down when a room doesn’t have enough ventilation, keeping the motor tired long after turning off. Cooling motors down is essential because it’s a’ resting’ process that will prepare them to work for the next day.
If an airconditioned room is not available, a well-ventilated room with room temperature is enough to let the scooter ‘rest’ properly. Users often forget this simple requirement for mobility scooters, causing severe problems for the scooter.
Faulty Switching
Sometimes, switching might malfunction and cannot activate a mobility scooter because of faulty wirings behind it. Riders may use a multimeter to test if their vehicle’s switch has a problem or only needs a couple of repeated clicks or flips in the button. But if the switch needs repairs, then again, call a licensed technician ( and not just some guys with electrical ‘know-how’)
Conclusion
Mobility scooter users must have a basic knowledge of how their equipment works. But most importantly, they should also be aware of the reasons behind the technical problems with their scooters.
Citations
Top 5 Mobility Scooter Issues And How to Fix Them
