The most common topic amongst our customers isn’t quite what you’d expect. Scooter speeds and flashy accessories aren’t anywhere near as popular as our customer’s questions about batteries. But why?

These power pods are the key to your scooter’s optimum performance. Your scooter’s battery health has the biggest influence on whether you can carry out your daily routine or enjoy a weekend away. At Easy Pay Mobility we understand how essential a mobility scooter can be to these activities. That’s why we’ve asked our experienced engineers for their top tips on how to care for your batteries.

Batteries: Our Expert Advice

What is an Ah number and is it important?

All Easy Pay Mobility scooters have their specifications clearly outlined on our website. Here you’ll notice that every battery has an ‘Ah’ number listed next to it. This simply refers to your battery’s ‘ampere hour’ rating, which denotes their total size and space for power.

The Ah number depends on your scooter model and its performance abilities. A compact car boot scooter requires moderate power supplied by a small battery. Small battery equals small capacity, therefore its Ah number is typically low.

A heavy-duty model, such as the TGA Breeze, has higher power requirements facilitated by a much larger battery. A larger battery equals larger capacity, therefore its Ah number is much higher.

Geeky? Yes. Important? Not really!   

How often do I need to replace my batteries?

Battery life can be long if adequate care is taken to preserve them. The average life cycle of a battery is around 18 months, but this can be extended greatly with proper maintenance and correct charging. Battery care doesn’t have to be a chore. Simply keep batteries in a dry, dust-free environment and be sure to never let the battery go flat.

Short journeys and less frequent use can help you get the most out of your batteries. This ‘light application’ approach can extend battery life to as much as 3-years. Longer journeys can be taxing on battery capacity, but ensuring they stay topped up with a full charge is a great way to keep them running optimally.

Another great tip is to avoid ‘stop-start’ driving on your mobility scooter. Ensuring a smooth ride will benefit your battery performance and extend its life. Terrain can also impact battery life. Aim for flat surfaces where possible. If gradient is unavoidable, try to avoid rough or bumpy routes, as these add a further demand to your batteries.

Your mobility scooter will be fitted with a shopping basket best suited to its specifications. Avoid overloading your scooter with excess shopping or belongings, either on the tiller or in the footwell. Extra weight can put a strain on battery power and impact performance over time.

Once a battery has ended its natural life cycle, avoid the temptation to change it yourself. This procedure is quick and straightforward but does require a professional hand. Our experienced engineers are available 24-7 to provide you with assistance, so always call us first.

How long do I need to charge my batteries for?

Should I charge my batteries overnight? After every use? For a certain amount of time? These are some of the most asked questions that all have a very simple answer.

All Easy Pay Mobility scooters are provided with battery chargers that switch off automatically once fully powered. This normally takes between 3-4 hours and doesn’t require any additional input or attention from yourself. It also means that you don’t need to worry about overcharging or scary electricity bills.

Because of this smart technology our customers tend to charge their batteries overnight. It’s a hassle-free option that requires minimal effort. Simply plug in before bedtime and wake up to a fully charged mobility scooter that hasn’t overheated and hasn’t drained your household energy.

Should I let my batteries run flat before charging them?

Did you know that it’s near impossible to overcharge your mobility scooter batteries? Modern scooters are adapted with smart technology that avoids this common concern. Battery damage is actually more likely when you let your mobility scooter’s power run flat.

Repeatedly running your scooter’s power down to zero severely reduces battery performance and life. Even worse, this bad habit can run the risk of you yourself becoming stranded whilst out and about.

Don’t be scared of charging your battery regularly. Since all Easy Pay Mobility scooter chargers turn off automatically, you never run the risk of overcharging batteries or running up sky-high energy bills. In fact, regular power blasts will keep your battery and your scooter in tip-top condition!  

My mobility scooter batteries are struggling to hold a charge, what should I do?

Everyday wear and tear can eventually impact the scooter battery, the charger or even the vehicle itself. Seeking expert advice is essential to determine the root cause, so always call us first if you notice that your scooter isn’t performing optimally. All Easy Pay Mobility rentals include a maintenance and repair service free of charge to make this a hassle-free situation.

Poor or faulty charging can result in:

- Battery lights never reaching their potential, dropping off easily or failing to load completely

- Your battery doesn’t seem to recognise your charger and refuses to start

- Your scooter becomes noticeably slower, even on full throttle

- Your scooter can’t travel the same distances as before

We know how frustrating it is to be without battery power but please avoid the temptation for a quick fix. Do not purchase cheap copies of your charger online and politely decline to borrow your neighbour’s charger if they have a different model to you. Not using your original charger from the correct manufacturer can damage batteries and seriously impact their capacity.

Where and how should I store my batteries?

When it comes to storing your batteries, always keep them in a cool, dry place. If you wont be using you scooter for period of time and have a battery bag or box – pop them in there for extra protection.

If you’ll be storing your batteries for a long period of time, be sure to give them a quick charge before packing them away to top the power up. Recharging them at regular intervals during low or no use is a great way to prolong battery life. 

If you have any further battery-related questions, our friendly team are always on hand to take your call.

For more expert advice on how to get the most out of your mobility scooter, read our post on common issues here.