Only drain new batteries by 30 percent the first week.
Charge your power chair or scooter when the lights or needle go from the green to the yellow to allow your batteries to achieve fully-charged status.
Charge batteries daily.
Leave your power chair or scooter plugged in overnight when you charge it. A good 8-12 hour charge is ideal. Even if the green light comes on in an hour or two, leave it plugged in overnight.
Avoid depleting them over 80 percent.
If you allow the batteries to fully discharge, they may not take a charge because the voltage level could be too low for the batteries to communicate with the charger.
Avoid overcharging your battery.
Make sure it is not attached to the battery charger for more than a 24-hour period. Overcharging can cause permanent damage. See image below.
Always use your own charger.
Always use your own charger.Never use a different wheelchair charger other than the one that came with your wheelchair. It can destroy your batteries.
If you’re going to store your power chair or scooter, charge it overnight once every two weeks.
Failure to charge it while storing it will result in a dead set of batteries. If you have a scooter with a detachable battery pack, please detach it. This will help keep down the parasitic drain from the scooter.
Avoid hot and cold extremes when storing batteries.
Direct sunlight and humidity can also cause damage to the batteries.
Water is not our friend.
Make sure when storing or charging your battery that no source of water can reach the battery.
Dust and debris also can interrupt terminal connections.
Make sure all terminal ports are clean and free of dust before charging.
Handle with care.
Always use caution when removing a battery from the power chair or scooter and handling it, and make sure it is stored in an area where it is safe from being bumped, or knocked down. Additional issues that could arise from dropping a battery are:
- Damaging the terminal prongs of the battery
- Cracking or breaking the battery case
Be Careful!
Batteries produce explosive gasses. Keep sparks, flames, and cigarettes away from batteries at all times. ALWAYS wear safety glasses and a face shield when working on or near batteries. Ventilate well. Do not install in an airtight container.
Read your manual.
Most manufacturers not only instruct the user on how to charge their equipment, but may also include a separate sheet with charging instructions.
The following is short list of essential tips for using a power chair or scooter battery charger safely. More extensive safety information can be found in the manual for your battery charger, and by contacting your scooter or power wheelchair supplier.
- Read the owner’s manual carefully. Study the battery charger manufacturer’s precautions and warnings and follow instructions in the manual for charging your equipment.
- Use battery chargers only as directed
- Safeguard against electrical risks.
- Handle the battery charger, and all electrical cords, with extreme care.
- Do not use a charger with frayed wiring, or a damaged power cord.
- Avoid using extension cords due to fire and electric shock risks.
- Unplug the charger while cleaning, and anytime it is not charging.
- Never open or disassemble the battery charger.
4. Use your charger under the safest conditions.
- Charge your scooter/power chair batteries in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not smoke, or use open flames near the batteries or charger.
- Operate a battery charger in dry environments.
- Do not sit in the power wheelchair or mobility scooter while charging.
5. Take precautions against personal injury.
- Keep the power cord in sight, and out of the way, to avoid tripping over it.
- Keep hands dry when handling the charger and battery.
- Remove all jewelry. Heat conducted during charging may burn the skin.
- If you need help charging your batteries, ask someone for assistance.
6. Replace charger with the same model. The new charger should be the same type as the one originally supplied and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember, an incompatible charger could permanently damage your vehicle’s battery.