Scooter batteries are built to last for a certain number of charging cycles. However, if they are stored improperly, the number of cycles you get out of them may be significantly reduced. If you have a new scooter battery in your mobility device, it is in your best interest to make sure it is stored properly when not in use. Here we’ll walk you through the best practices for scooter battery storage throughout the year.
Charge Your Battery First
Mobility scooters use a special type of battery known as a deep cycle battery. These batteries last longest when they stay consistently charged. Leaving one of these batteries discharged for a prolonged period of time will damage the internal components and make it unable to hold a charge when you take it out of storage. Thus, always make sure your battery is fully charged before you put it in storage.
Disconnect From Scooter
You don’t have to fully remove the battery from the scooter when you put it in storage, but you should disconnect the battery leads to keep the system from passively draining power while it sits, and to prevent corrosion from forming on the leads. With the leads removed, there is no way to experience a power leak.
Recharge Periodically, As Needed
Even with the battery disconnected, it will still loose a tiny bit of charge each month just from sitting in disuse. Usually this is only 1-2% per month, but even so, you don’t want to leave your battery off the charger for months on end and come back to find it having run low. Instead, make a point of plugging it in to a charger every few weeks to top it off. This will keep the battery healthy.
Protect It From Temperature Fluctuations
One of the biggest reasons that batteries lose charge passively while in storage is because they are placed in garages or sheds where they experience extreme temperature fluctuations during the summer and winter. It is best to store your battery and scooter in a cool, dry place where the temperature will not get above 85 degrees or below freezing. If your battery has been exposed to extreme heat or freezing, always make sure that it is left at room temperature for several hours to stabilize before you attempt charging. If your battery was frozen and you plug it into a charger, it will cause sudden heat damage as the electricity starts to flow.
Scooter battery storage is pretty simple once you understand how storage affects your battery life. Just make sure it stays charged up, and don’t leave it out where the weather can cause it to get too hot or cold. Recharge it from time to time to keep it from getting too low, and it should be ready for use when it’s finally time to pull your scooter back out of storage in the future. For more expert tips, visit MK Battery online today or speak with one of our battery specialists.
