It is cold winter now in most European countries, and North American, and many areas are with heavy snowing. Not all people stay at home whole day. Many people go out as usual, to work or to shopping, or just to enjoy the warm sunshine. Many people go out with electric mobility scooter may have same problem. They have charged fully their scooter, but it just goes less range than before, or even only half range. what happend? should I change the battery?
We got a consult from an unknow friend from Croatia, who has a mobility scooter but the range dicreased recently, and ask if there any way to increase. We reply him the reason and give suggestions.
why mobility scooter goes less range in winter?
1. Battery self comsuption. The material is less active in cold winter, so it needs more energy to be warm up and more hard to out put electricity. this makes short range of the mobility scooter.
2. Battery cannot fully charged. Due to cold temperature, the battery cannot be fully charged as before, maybe only to 80-90%, so it goes less distance.
3. Battery cannot total output. Under low temperature, the battery cannot fully discharged itself. For example, in summer time, the battery can output electricity from 100% to 20%, the power indicator will inform you to recharge. While in cold winter, it goes from 100% to 40%, it starts to inform you to recharge.
What can we do to increase the range? Below are our advice.
1. To charge at a warn place, not in cold outside condition. This the battery can be fully charged.
2. To drive after battery is fully charged. After charge the battery is still warn, and no need to start from cold condition, this will also goes a longer distance.
3. Make sure the tire is well inflated. In winter, the tire may get flated, to check and make sure the tire is well inflated.
4. A little longer charge time. When the charger shows green light, leave it to charge a little longer time, half hour for example may help to a “real full” charge.
5. Change the way you drive the mobility scooter. Some people drive the scooter fast-slow-fast-slow, the battery voltage up and down regularly and consumption quickly. It is better to drive in a smooth speed.
