Charging a mobility scooter at home is straightforward once you have a routine. Plug the charger into the scooter first, then into a normal wall socket, switch it on, and leave it until the light shows a full charge. For most scooters that means an overnight charge after the last trip of the day.
A6 Mobility has sold and serviced scooters from our Stockport showroom since 1992, and our in-house engineers hear the same charging questions come up fairly regularly. Keep reading to learn about the safety points and what to do when a battery stops holding its charge.
How do you charge a mobility scooter?
- Connect the charger to the scooter’s charging port first, then plug it into the mains and switch it on at the wall. Most scooters use sealed lead-acid batteries, which are happiest charged after each use rather than run flat and left. If yours has a lithium battery, you have more freedom to top up whenever it suits you, and it will usually charge faster. With both battery types, we always recommend lengthy charges rather than little and often.
- Let the battery cool for ten to fifteen minutes after a run before you plug it in. Charging at normal room temperature is best; a cold garage or a hot conservatory both work against the battery.
Where is the safest place to charge it?
Charge in a dry, well-ventilated room, on a hard flat surface, using a socket you can reach without trailing the cable across a doorway or under a rug. Keep the scooter and charger clear of curtains, bedding and anything else that could catch, and never cover the charger while it is working, as it needs the air to stay cool.
Check the charger and cable before you use them. A frayed lead or a cracked casing is a reason to stop and replace it, not to carry on. Only use an extension lead if it is rated for the load, and it is worth having a smoke alarm fitted in the room where you charge.
How long does a mobility scooter take to charge?
A lead-acid battery usually takes around eight to ten hours to charge fully, which is why charging overnight suits most owners. Lithium batteries are often quicker, though the exact time depends on the model and how low the battery has run.
Your scooter has an indicator light that changes as it charges, typically one colour while charging and another once it is done. The layout varies between makes, so check your handbook for what the lights on your model actually mean.
How often should you charge the battery?
For a lead-acid battery, regular charging is kinder than long spells flat. Charging after each use, even a short trip to the shops, keeps the battery healthier for longer than waiting until it is nearly empty. If you are not going to use the scooter for a few weeks, give it a top-up every so often rather than leaving it to sit; our guide to storing your scooter properly covers the winter months.
Cold weather is worth a mention on its own. It does not change the charging routine, but it does shorten how far a full charge will take you, which catches people out in winter. If you keep your scooter in a shed or garage, bring the battery indoors to charge rather than leaving it out in the cold.
What should you do if your scooter won’t charge?
Start with the simple things:
- Is the charger firmly connected to both the scooter and the wall?
- Is it switched on?
- Does the indicator light come on at all? A loose plug or a socket that has been switched off is a common and easy fix.
If it still will not take a charge, the fault is more likely to be the battery or a connection than something a longer session will cure. This is where our in-house servicing comes in: our engineers can test the battery and charger and fit a replacement where one is needed.
Not sure your scooter is charging as it should?
If the battery is not holding power the way it used to, or you are unsure whether it is charging properly, our team in Stockport is happy to take a look. Call 0161 429 6000 or visit the showroom for honest advice.
For friendly, expert advice, visit A6 Mobility Shop.
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