The hype surrounding electric scooters is still as strong as ever. They’re a blast to ride, an excellent alternative for daily commutes, and a fun toy for all ages.
1. Plugging and Unplugging
Start by plugging the batter into the scooter before plugging it into the wall outlet. After the charging is complete, make sure to unplug the charger from the wall before you unplug it from the scooter.
2. Making the Battery Last
To get the most out of your battery life, make sure to recharge them after each time you take the scooter for a ride. Leaving these batteries in a partially charged state shortens their overall lifespan. So, either drain it or keep it fully charged.
You’ll also want to make sure you charge the batteries once every three months when keeping the scooter in storage. This ensures that battery is not sitting on a partial charge.
The fastest electric scooters, and off road electric scooters will often drain the battery faster.
3. SLA and L-Ion
Batteries either make use of traditional lead or lithium ion. Make sure your charger matches the type of battery inside of your scooter. Lead uses what is called an SLA, while Lithium Ion versions require standard CC/CV models.
If you aren’t sure what kind your scooter uses, play it safe by sticking with the manufacturer’s charger. You can always order another one from them is yours goes bad.
4. Higher Amperage
If you plan on using your electric scooter for more than one battery cycle a day (you know, charging it multiple times), then you might want to pick up a charger with a higher Amp rating. They charge the battery at a faster pace, making it easier to use your scooter all day long.
Keep in mind, however, that they do shorten the lifespan of the battery. You can slow this process down by using a regular charger whenever possible.
5. Commuting
Lots of people enjoy using their scooters as a way to commute to work. If that is your main use, then charge your device at night, so it has a full charge when you are ready to leave in the morning.
Bringing your charger with you is a good idea if you want to prolong battery life. It also ensures that you won’t have to carry your scooter on the way back home.
6. A Quick Warning
Proper Charging
Knowing how to properly charge a scooter is an essential part of enjoying yours to its fullest. By following these simple tips, you can make the most of each ride and enjoy every battery a little longer.
It’s incorrect to say that you need to keep a Lithium Ion battery (LIB) charged to preserve a battery’s life. Unlike NiCad batteries that were used in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, LIBs do not have a charge memory and will simply run through their rated charge cycles regardless. For example, if a LIB is rated for 500 charge cycles then partial charges only count toward a portion of one cycle. It is a good idea though to run the battery down at least once a month though so that the scooter’s system doesn’t begin to misread the available energy left in a battery cell. Even so, it’s still best practice to charge over night so that you do have the scooter available to use the next day.
If planning not to use a scooter with a LIB for an extended period of time, then it’s best to run the battery down to about 40% then place the battery in a refrigerator (not freezer) will help extend the life in storage.