There is nothing annoying than realizing that your scooters’ battery is drained out just when you want to go out for a ride. This experience has happened to many people severally.
It sometimes leaves you wondering if you can overcharge a scooter battery to increase functionality. Initially, people tend to think they are not planning rides accordingly, but sometimes it turns not to be the case.
If you have to ride the following day, it is advisable to leave the scooters battery charging overnight. Most scooters battery depending on the manufacturer takes about 5 to 18 hours to get fully charged.
Sometimes it happens that you have to go for a hike with a scooter for several days. In such a situation, you start asking yourself if you can overcharge the Scooter Battery above the limit. That is what this article exclusively evaluates. Read on!
Unless you are using a charger that is not original or the power supply is very much low, you are not allowed to overcharge your scooter. But why is this action prohibited, and what risk can you be exposing your scooter and the battery? Well, it depends on the type of scooter you are using and the battery manufacturer.
Risks of overcharging a scooters battery
Overcharging a scooter’s battery is the leading cause of why most of them experience a shortened lifespan. Standard scooters battery can keep you going for about 8 hours a day.
If you make it a habit to charge them overnight, you are assured of service for the whole day. After loading the battery overnight, be sure to disconnect the charging system in the morning.
If you feel you will not be allowed to disconnect the charging system, use a charger that has protection from overcharging that is inbuilt.
How to avoid the necessity of overcharging a scooters battery
As we have said its outrightly wrong to overcharge a scooter battery, but some cases can make you do so. Among them can be a faulty battery, charger, and power supply. To avoid overcharging your battery, adhere to the following tips.
Drain and charge your battery when they are not in use: Normally, the more you use your scooter, the more frequently you need to charge the battery.
However, in the circumstance where your scooter will be inactive for some weeks or months, it is better to drain and recharge batteries every six weeks. Inactivity of a scooter’s battery means the battery chemicals will react with each other hence damaging the entire array.
Replace worn-out batteries: Ones you realize the lifespan of a battery has significantly done down, replace them immediately. Overcharging only means you are doing more harm to the battery and wasting your power unnecessarily.
Only use original battery: Scooter battery lifespan depends on models. Most of them, however, can last for about two years and a half. Always buy your batteries from a legit seller, especially a seller who has experience in scooters business. We usually have two types of scooter batteries you can find in the market.
Types of scooters batteries
Lithium-ion battery
These are batteries containing lithium as the electrolytes, and you can charge them whenever you want and can’t cause any significant damage to the battery. Ensure you charge this type of battery after using them in case you intend to store them for sometimes.
NiCad battery
The NiCad battery has what is called “charge memory.” This means these battery types have extensive discharge cycles. Before you use it, you need to drain it and start charging again. If you fail to do the above, you will only damage your battery for no reason.
So, when it comes into consideration on how long to charge a scooter battery, the battery type plays a significant role. NiCad battery, for instance, takes a long time to get fully charged due to the process of discharging and recharging again.
How to tell your scooter’s battery is experiencing overcharge
There exist several ways your battery can send a signal to you that it’s overcharged. Most scooters models have the batteries hidden under the panels and decks. It is, therefore, wise to inspect them visually during the charging period. You will notice your battery is overcharging ones you see the following symptoms.
The battery is draining out fast
Overcharging the scooter’s battery results in the degradation of plates in between the cells. This causes the electrolytes inside the battery to evaporate lowering the ability to hold a charge.
When electrolytes vanish more extensively, the heat inside the battery raises and more electrolytes disappear in what is termed as a vicious cycle. Eventually, the battery dies can become a waste.
Battery overheating
The internal electrical resistance of a scooter’s battery increases as the lead plates degrade during the overheating process. The resistance effect is felt as the battery tend to emit a lot of heat. The more the heat, the more the battery becomes destroyed.
Warped, swollen and bursting
Mostly even on other batteries, when overheating happens, the battery tends to become bloated, rounded warped or bulge out. The excessive heat and pressure created inside the battery can split the case open, which can spill the acid out.
In other extreme cases, the battery bulging can result in an explosion spoiling your riding day.
Leakage of residue
Scooter batteries are typically sealed tightly and leak proof. However, pressure and heat emanating from overcharging can result in outer case cracking and hence leakage. Usually, you will notice acids around the seams, especially after the charging period is over.
Conclusion
We guess that you do not intend to change your scooter battery regularly. So, you got to avoid overcharging it. The very best charge you can take up for your scooter battery is the slow trickle which ensures the power supply cut off when fully charged.
The worst charge method most people use is the boost or the jump from high-amp automotive chargers. This method introduces charge into the battery instantly, and for relatively low-amp batteries on small scooters, battery damage can quickly occur.
You must, however, note that you can have a perfect battery and a faulty charger and end up experiencing battery power drain problems. So, ensure both of them are original, compatible, and in good quality.