Saturday, April 24, 2021

Mobility Scooter Batteries – Give More Mileage to Your Scooter

 

If you rely on mobility scooter to get around most of the time, you will want to make sure that the batteries can keep up with your needs and your lifestyle. After all, the last thing you want to happen is for it to lose charge during the most critical times and leaving you stranded somewhere inconvenient. Although the maximum distance range of your personal transport vehicle will depend on various factors (i.e., the size of the vehicle, your weight, cargo, and terrain), it can also be determined by the mobility scooter batteries you choose.

 

Know your options

 

As you explore the selection of batteries for mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs, you are likely to find the usual like lead-acid, as well as the newest lithium ion battery, like LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate). The latter may be a better option if you want your scooter to go a long way. For one thing, it is lighter than lead-acid, so it reduces the overall weight in your vehicle. As a result, you could go faster. LiFePO4 batteries are 70% lighter and 50% smaller than regular batteries. Another advantage to a lightweight battery is it allows the scooter to efficiently move without drawing too much on the battery and the motor.

 

Recharge quickly

 

It can be frustrating to realize that you have forgotten to charge your mobility scooter overnight. Lithium mobility scooter batteries are capable of charging faster, so you do not have to wait too long to use it again. You can stop second-guessing how much charge is left on the battery because it has a built-in LED charge indicator, which you can find on top and read easily. The battery is also equipped with a battery management system to protect it from short circuiting, overcharging, and reverse polarity.

 

Reliability

 

You will want mobility scooter batteries that are powerful and have a longer lifespan, while ensuring your safety while on the move. LiFePO4 batteries meet those qualifications, and you can feel safe and secure knowing that you can get around with a reliable power source!

 

 

 

 

LiFePO4 Battery Charger – An Intelligent Choice for Your Battery Power

 

Once you switch to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, you need to make sure that you have the right charger for them. It is recommended that you use only a LiFePO4 battery charger for such batteries instead of using lead acid chargers. Otherwise, you could risk the life of the battery. It makes a lot of sense, as both batteries are downright different from each other. For instance, a 12v LiFePO4 battery that is fully charged to 100 percent should hold about 13.3v to 13.4v, and lead acid will have around 12.6v to 12.7v. At 20%, the lithium battery’s voltage will be at 13V and lead acid will have 11.8v in the same capacity.

 

It is important to know that the LiFePO4 battery charger is voltage-limiting that has similar characteristics to a lead acid system. The difference is the significantly higher voltage per cell, the lack of a float charge or trickle at full charge, and tighter tolerances in the voltage. Lead acid may provide flexibility in terms of the voltage cut off, but most LiFePO4 manufacturers recommend the right setting to prevent overcharging. Keep in mind that LiFePO4 is designed as a ‘clean’ system and will take only what it can!

 

High-quality lithium chargers are designed according to a Constant Voltage/Constant Current (CV/CC) charge algorithm. The charger will limit the amount of current to a specific level until that battery reaches the pre-set voltage. From there, the current is reduced as the battery reaches a full charge. This way, fast charging is possible without overcharging.

 

In selecting a LiFePO4 battery charger, make sure that the unit is ISO 9001 compliant and meets all US standards. Get it from a reputable retailer that sells chargers with the universal clamp charging terminal. If you have recently purchased a LiFePO4 battery, check with the store if they carry a charger for it, and buy from that same source.