Mobility Scooter Batteries

There is alot of confusion about mobiility scooter battery types, because technical types throw around alot of jargon. This article will try to break through the jargon and make buying a mobility scooter battery more simple.

How do you know when it is time to replace a mobility scooter batteries?
  • Does the battery indicator show less than full when recently charged?
  • Is the range of the scooter significantly less than when the battery was new?
  • Does the battery indicator rapidly decline?
  • Does the motor surge or hesitate when the throttle is pressed?

    Yes answers to some of these questions indicate that your battery might need changing. You need the mobility scooter battery to safely get you where you need to go on a full charge. If the battery is getting old, there is the risk that the battery will soon fail and leave you stranded. Before that happens, look for a replacement battery for the mobility scooter.

    What type of mobility scooter battery do you need?

  • Most mobility scooters batteries are lead-acid batteries. Lead acid come in two types:

  • Flooded, vented or wet-cell batteries. These are not sealed and water must be frequently added. If inverted, the contents can spill out. These used to be the most common type of battery, but now they are seen as old fashioned and are becoming less common. However, they are relatively inexpensive, so if you buy an inexpensive mobility scooter battery and you do not know what you are buying, you could end up with one of these.

  • Sealed, VRLA batteries (valve-regulated lead-acid battery) or dry cell batteries. Water does not need to be added to these batteries and there is no danger of content spillage. These batteries frequently come in two types:

    * Absorbed glass mat battery (AGM)
    * Gel battery (gel cell)

    Comparison between AGM and Gel batteries

    While both AGM and Gel Cell batteries are good batteries there are some differences between them.

  • Both AGM and Gel Batteries are usually "sealed", meaning no maintenance required and no danger of spilling acid. But for best usage, Gel batteries require a break-in period of 10-20 discharge and recharge cycles. AGM batteries do not require a break-in. But their lifespan can be shorter than Gel batteries. Gel, while usually more expensive are usually also stronger and last longer than most AGM batteries.

  • If your battery simply says "sealed lead acid" or "non-spillable acid", it is probably AGM or Gel Cell, but you can not be 100% sure which until you read the documentation of the battery.

    There are several advantages to the sealed mobility scooter batteries.

  • No maintenance required. No water levels to be checked, no requirements for water to be added.
  • No chance of contents spillage if battery is accidentally inverted. For example, if you have an accident in your scooter, you will probably not like to compound your problems by dealing with battery acid.
  • If you fly, there is less disconnection required by airlines. As an example, see Delta Airlines' scooter battery policy. If your scooter batteries are marked as "sealed" or "gel-cell" Delta and many other airlines will not remove the battery from your scooter. They will simply disconnect the battery connectors. This means you will get your scooter back more quickly and more easily be on your way.

    • Deep Cyle Versus Start, Light and Ignition (SLI) Batteries

    You will want to use batteries designed for scooters and not cars or motorcycles. The reason is that scooter batteries are deep cycle batteries. Deep Cycle Batteries are batteries designed for constant, steady use. They are typically used from fully charged and they slowly release their power for hours before being again recharged. Car and Cycle batteries are SLI batteries which are designed for starting the car and running the lights. They are typically used for short term bursts of power and usually they are constantly being recharged. Never buy a car or cycle (SLI) battery for your mobilty scooter.

    Determine Battery Size and Power

    Your mobility scooter battery may have a size group size or group numbers, such as U1, NF22, 24, 27, etc. That group number will correspond to the size of the battery. If you do not see the group size or number, take a measurement of the batteries and buy a battery with a similar size and Amp Hour (AH) rating as the one you currently have.

    How to extend your battery life span

  • Avoid running your battery completely out.
  • For the longest life of your battery, try to run your battery between 100%-50% charged.
  • Avoid frequently charging and over-charging the batteries.
  • If you are not planning on using your scooter for several days store it with batteries fully charged.
  • If you are not planning to use your scooter for several weeks, fully charge your batteries and disconnect them 
  • Check your stored batteries 1/month and recharge if needed.

    This article about mobility scooter batteries is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission from the owner of the mobility scooter website.

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