Battery Chargers are a piece of external equipment for any electrical mobility aid vehicle to function. As their namesake provides, they are essential to the power a battery installed into the mobility aid device albeit not built in the electrical power grid of the item, they have their own internal functionality which allows them to remotely function as their own switch when plugged in. A good battery charger has controller sensors to check if the battery is fully charged or not, with LED visuals to functionally show the status of the battery to which it’s connected.
Types of Chargers
There are several types of chargers that power different types of batteries, with the primary and commonly used types of AGM (Gel-Lead Acid Batteries) to new and lighter Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion Batteries.) These types of batteries require their own types of battery chargers, and CANNOT intermingle with one another without losing some of their primary functionality, for example, the controller that monitors the quantity of energy on the battery will not function if connected to the wrong type of battery that the charger is preset to. I repeat, DO NOT USE A AGM CHARGER OR LITHIUM-ION CHARGER TO CHARGE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BATTERY.
A common mistake is sometimes the clients use the wrong charger type to charge their batteries resulting in unforeseen issues that can go from something mild as an uncharged battery to an exploded battery pack.
Understanding the LED Displays
LED Functions
| LED | CONDITION |
| Power • (green) Charge • (red) |
AC connection Batteries fast charging |
| Power • (green) Charge • (green) |
AC connection Battery fully charged |
| Power • (red) Charge • (off) |
Error; short circuit, leads reversed, battery disconnected or battery voltage less than 5VDC |
The following advisory is adopted for optimum maintenance and longevity of batteries used for mobility equipment.
Charging batteries for EVERY DAY use of your Mobility Equipment
- Charge the batteries every night uninterrupted for a minimum of 10 hours
- Do Not turn off the charger once the green light appears, this normally indicates that the batteries are at 80% charged and the charger then moves into ‘trickle’ mode.
Charging batteries for INFREQUENT use of your Mobility Equipment (less than 3 times a week)
- Charge your batteries on MON/WED/FRI nights uninterrupted for a minimum of 10 hours
- Do Not turn off the charger once the green light appears, this normally indicates that the batteries are at 80% charged and the charger then moves into ‘trickle’ mode.
Charging batteries for Minimum use of your Mobility Equipment (once a week or less)
- Charge your batteries one night, once a week uninterrupted for a minimum of 10 hours, regardless of whether the mobility equipment has been used or not that week.
- Do Not turn off the charger once the green light appears, this normally indicates that the batteries are at 80% charged and the charger then moves into ‘trickle’ mode.
CAUTION: If the charge LED remains red for more than 24 hours, unplug the charger from AC power and check the batteries. There may be a problem with the batteries.
Call for service if needed.
CHARGING: Before use, read all instructions and cautionary markings on the charger, battery, and mobility aid.
- Turn of all accessories on the mobility aid device.
- Place the charger in a safe and clean environment on a hard surface (floor or desktop).
- Plug connector to appropriate port on the mobility aid.
- Plug the charger into AC power.
The charger will begin charging automatically. If the Green Power LED does not illuminate, check the connections. Note: If the battery voltage is less than 5VDC, then the charger will not charge. The batteries may not be connected correctly or have been over-discharged.
Battery replacement may be necessary. Have the unit inspected by an
authorized service centre or come to us, Scooterland at Ashmore in the Gold Coast.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Cycle your batteries (use your mobility equipment) at least once a week for at least 30 minutes to ensure battery longevity.
- Generally, mobility equipment batteries need to be ‘cycled’ regularly or they could fail earlier than expected.
- Never plug a charger into your mobility equipment when the charger is turned on, this could cause an electrical surge and damage the controller.
- Only use the charger with the correct charging algorithm for your mobility equipment i.e. the charger that is recommended for your equipment. If you are unsure, please ask your local service agent to check, as if you as using the wrong type or charger output capacity can damage the batteries.
- Plug your battery charger directly from your Mobility Scooter to your PowerPoint – If you must use an extension cord please use as short a cord as possible as too long a “draw” can damage your charger.
A majority of mobility scooters are usually built to use Gel-Lead Acid Batteries as their fuel, which tends to need a longer charging time as it ages for the running time. This spike usually stumbles the user into thinking that they are not charging their batteries correctly or insufficiently.
THREE-STAGE CHARGE CYCLE:
An Electronic Control Module (ECM) controls both the output voltage and current of the charger through three separate charge states:
1. A high current, fast charge state: Battery charges at 3,500mA fast charge current rate until battery voltage reaches peak voltage.
2. A topping charge state: Battery charges at peak constant voltage and current begin to fall until the current is less than 700mA.
3. A precision float charge state: The charger changes to the floating state and holds the battery voltage at continuous float voltage. This allows the charger to remain connected to the batteries during periods of non-use, keeping the batteries in a state of full charge.
4. Charger cut-off: To comply with the mandate of DOE this charger automatically cuts off after 20 hours of continuous operation, and CHARGE STATUS LED turns off.
It is designed with auto-restart to keep batteries charged.
WARNING
- This charger is not intended for use by persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless under direct supervision. Do not allow children to operate the charger unsupervised. Keep out of reach of children
- Do not disassemble the charger. Have it serviced or repaired by a qualified service professional… Incorrect assembly can result in a risk of electric shock or fire.
- Never use the charger as a DC power source for any electrical equipment.
- Never operate a charger with a damaged cord or plug. Inspect both input and output cords for any damage before using the charger.
- Never unplug a cord by pulling on the cord itself. Always grasp the plug when disconnecting the charger.
- For indoor use only. Do not expose the charger to rain, snow or excessive moisture.
- Never charge a frozen battery.
- The battery must be placed in a well-ventilated area during charging.
CHARGING A BATTERY:
Follow these steps to charge a battery:
- Check battery-type selection switch to match your batteries – AGM or GEL.
- Connect the charger DC output cable to the battery charge receptacle.
- Plug the charger power cord into the charger.
- Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
- The POWER LED and CHARGING LED light should be ON.
- When batteries are fully charged, the CHARGING LED will be steady GREEN. Unplug the charger from the wall, then the battery receptacle.
A Different Issue
If a different issue arises, and you can’t find a just reason for its occurrence online, please seek professional help. Do Not open the battery case, or meddle with the charger or its cable, unless you want to get electrocuted. It’s best you go to a mobility scooter technician/repairman for the most optimal advice.
