How to charge an electric scooter battery properly

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An electric scooter is a high-tech vehicle whose operation depends directly on the battery. Properly charging it, the device can easily overcome several tens of kilometers on city roads, delivering its owner to the desired point or providing an excellent walk. In the process of replenishing the charge of the moving gadget should not make mistakes, because they will entail the failure of the entire transport. In this article, we will consider in detail how to properly charge the battery of an electric scooter and what problems the user may encounter during this procedure.

First charging of an electric scooter

Regardless of the electric scooter's charging power and other characteristics, the first replenishment procedure should always be carried out according to certain rules. Scheme here is the following:

Check the outlet, charger and power supply for cleanliness and dryness.
Plug the charger into the mains (without a scooter) and wait for the green light on the power supply to activate.
Connect the charger to an electric vehicle.

Doing otherwise will cause the battery to fail fairly quickly.

The optimum battery level is in the range of 80-100%. This is quite enough for the normal functioning of the device. In winter, when the gadget is not in use, you should keep the charge at 45-50%.

How long does the charging process take

The charging time of the electric scooter depends on the battery capacity. The longer it is, the longer the process will take. Most devices have enough 1.5-2 hours to fully replenish the charge, but some will need twice as much time.

How often you can charge the battery

Answering this question, it is worth noting that electric scooter batteries are designed for about 1000 cycles. In the case of moderate use, the device will last for 5 yearsThe battery will then begin to wear out and self-discharge will occur much faster.

The recommended frequency for charging the device is once every two days.

Fast battery charging

Knowing how to charge an electric scooter, it is safe to say that you should not unplug it before the proper time. It will only worsen the condition of the battery and shorten its life.

You can use a special charger for accelerated charging of the gadget. It is sold in the Chinese online store AlieXpress. This charger differs from the standard one only in improved characteristics, due to which the battery level is restored faster.

How many kilometers an electric scooter can travel on 1 charge

Fans of compact means of transportation often wonder how many hours the electric scooter battery lasts. In this case, it all depends on the specific model. The device can overcome on one charge from 20 to 60 km. But the range indicated in the specifications of the scooter may be reduced for certain reasons:

moving over bumps;
synchronization with the mobile app;
large body weight of the user;
high speed of movement;
cold weather.

Speaking about how long the electric scooter keeps a charge, it is worth noting that the minimum duration of its work with all the functions on is 1.5-2 hours. The maximum depends on the presence or absence of the above factors.

Charging problems

Malfunctions with an electric scooter or its battery may well occur even if the correct procedure is followed, but they are very rare. As a rule, problems appear when users are careless about their devices. But even from such an unpleasant situation it is possible to find a way out. Let's consider the most common problems and options for fixing them.

The nest is loose

The problem of a loose connector is quite common with many gadgets. Electric scooters are no exception. The charging process often takes place in a hurry - the user recklessly inserts or quickly "pulls" the wire out of the socket, thus damaging it.

It is best to trust professionals to fix the problem. Electric scooters are repairable even in some Service centers for phones, tablets, etc.. The repair or replacement will be done, but you will have to pay a lot of money.

If you don't want to give the money back, you can try to fix the situation with your own hands. It is not easy to do, but it is quite realistic. The sequence of actions is as follows:

Connect the charger to the vehicle according to the instructions above.
Gently wiggle the cord near the loose socket in different directions.

This method will help in a situation where contact malfunction and it needs to be put back in place. The successful operation will be indicated by the beginning of charging the gadget. Otherwise, you will need the help of a technician.

Once you have found the right position for charging, it is worth fixing the cord so that it does not get dislodged.

Doesn't turn on after charging

Failure of the device to turn on when fully charged is due to breakage of internal parts. It can be not only the battery, but also other parts:

control unit;
protection board;
controller.

To solve the problem, you will need to remove the cover of the electric scooter to gain access to the "internals". Here it's worth take note of:

The integrity of the wires (as a result of "extreme" driving or sloppy assembly on previous occasions, the wires may be torn / frayed);
the correct location of the contacts (you should look for loose contacts);
condition of parts (they may be damaged mechanically - scratches, cracks, rust, etc.; the temperature sensor and fuse may burn out).

If you find a problem, you should try to fix it yourself: contacts - to connect, wires and parts - to replace. If you can not understand the cause of the failure, it is worth contacting a service center.

Only turns on when charging

It is not uncommon for an electric scooter to only turn on when it is charging. The reasons for this are as follows:

battery overheating;
battery imbalance;
contacts are loose.

If the device does not turn on without charging, you will need to use one of the options according to the breakdown:

Take out the battery and leave it for half an hour at room temperature.
Perform a charge-discharge balance.
Connect the pins yourself.

If it is not possible to diagnose or fix the problem, the only way out is to call a repairman.

Charging indicator lights green/red

Continuous indicator light or changing green with red blinks every 5-10 seconds talks about:

Charger failure;
No contact between the charger and the electric scooter;
battery malfunction.

If the light is green or red and the charging process is not going on, the first thing to do is to change the charger. If it's just the charger, you don't have to go inside the scooter. Otherwise, it is worth trying the above methods.

Indicator blinks

As a rule, the indicator blinks at the beginning of the charging processIf the device has been completely discharged and has been in this state for several days before. When the gadget reaches at least 10% of charge the blinking stops.

If the indicator shows itself during the entire charging process, it is worth looking for a problem in the controller. It should be carefully inspected for mechanical damage. If there is any, the part will need to be replaced, if not - reset.

You can also try Reflash device. This method is worth trying only if the above described have not helped, and to the service center is not possible.

The charger broke

A charger breakdown is a serious matter. In this case, it will require replace it with a new one. You should not use chargers from other gadgets, because it will take much longer (up to several days) to replenish the charge.

There are other ways to restore the life of the electric scooter - we will talk about them below.

How and where you can charge an electric scooter

It is possible to recharge the battery both at home and away from home. In addition to using a standard battery charger, there are other ways to recharge your battery - we will discuss them below.

Electric scooter charging station

In the era of high-tech, the streets of cities began to charging stations for electric cars. In foreign countries this practice is more widespread than in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries, because here such devices are rare. But nevertheless, in large cities such stations are already present. They provide full battery charging for electric scooters and other similar gadgets.

Using the services of a charging station is not much different in cost from regular gas stations.

If you wish, you can purchase a charging station individually. It costs an average of $2,500. But you can use such a thing at any time, in addition, it is also an additional income, if you help charge the gadgets of your friends and acquaintances.

From Power Bank

The portable charger is the best solution for fans of long rides on an electric scooter. You can take the Power Bank with you, as it occupies a minimum of space. It is desirable that the device has a capacity of more than 10000 mAh, the best option is. 20,000 mAh (fits any electric scooter).

An external battery pack is needed to charge the vehicle outside the home, not on the go. The battery can only do one thing, either to power the device or to receive power.

In the car.

The main disadvantage of electric scooters is that they cannot be charged from a car cigarette lighter, because it does not have enough traction to do so. But for those who bring electric transport with them by car and want to replenish the charge, there is an alternative solution. Its essence is to charge the device by automotive voltage inverterwhich you will need to purchase separately.

To prevent the machine's power supply from discharging, while charging the scooter, the motor should be started.

Tips for charging

Every advanced user should treat his two-wheeled vehicle carefully and with care. We will give you a few tips that you should follow in order to prolong the life of your electric scooter and its battery in particular.

Rules of operation

In general, the rules for operating an electric scooter are identical to those for a gyroscooter. To learn how to extend the life of not only an electric scooter, but also a gyroscooter, you can here. Proper use of the electric scooter in general and the battery in particular requires the following rules to be followed:

Stop using the device if there is an unpleasant and noticeable odor from the battery or if the battery gets very hot.
Do not connect the scooter for charging through wet connectors (sockets).
Periodically recharge your gadget when it is idle for a long period of time to keep the battery level up.
Do not store the product in a cold room.
Do not use the device at the same time as the recharge procedure.

These rules of operation of the device are technical, and therefore they are mandatory for all owners of two-wheeled electric vehicles.

How to prolong battery life

To prevent premature failure of the battery and to prolong its real service life will help to observe clear rules. Among them:

Charge the device only with original accessories. They are certified and therefore will not cause damage to the internal parts of the gadget).
Do not allow the battery to discharge while you are on the scooter. This requires you to check the condition of the battery before every ride on the scooter.
Do not discharge the battery below 30% and don't wait to recharge. Although electric scooters with overcharge protection are commercially available, this feature may well stop working at any time, so you should always monitor the condition of the battery while charging.
Do not use the vehicle outside the permissible temperature limits. The permissible limits are. -15 - +50 degrees.
Charge the electric vehicle at room temperature. This will improve the effect of the recharge procedure.
After a long period of inactivity you should charge the battery as much as possible before walking around with the gadget. This will replenish the self-discharge and help the device to get ready for work.

Owners of all models of electric scooters are required to follow these rules.

Video tips

Answers to popular questions

1. Does the electric scooter need to be fully discharged after purchase?

No, electric vehicle manufacturers use batteries with no "memory". If you completely discharge the device and then charge it to 100%, it will not improve battery performance in any way.

2. Does the device need to be charged before 100%?

Yes, it is advisable to fully charge the battery. But if there is no such possibility, it is recommended to wait until the battery is replenished at least to 80%.

3. When is it necessary to balance the battery?

It is recommended to perform the battery balancing procedure when the electric scooter:

just purchased and has not yet been used;
it takes longer to charge;
began to discharge rapidly;
got caught in the rain;
was mechanically damaged.

4. How many kilowatts does an electric scooter consume when charged and is it expensive to charge?

The power consumption depends directly on the battery capacity. On average, an electric scooter "eats" 0.9 kW per hour. If you put it on charge once every few days, there will not be a special "blow to the wallet", but if you do it more often (1-2 times a day), the financial costs will be well noticeable.

5. Can I ride an electric scooter without charging?

It is possible to use the electric scooter as a normal scooter if the battery runs out along the way. It will not affect the control or movement in any way. The only thing to remember is that the user will have to pick up the speed himself, because the electric motor will not work.

The procedure for charging an electric scooter is not as complicated as it seems at first glance. And knowing all the nuances, serious problems with the battery will never occur. Therefore, if you have any question concerning the replenishment of the battery, it is worth referring to our article.