Going away for a while, how to make sure scooter batteries are okay?

mickg

Hi, I have the same problem, I’m going on holiday next week for 5 months, my friend will put my scooter in her garage but as no power source, how can we keep the batteries charged? Thanks M

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @mickg, welcome to the scope community 😊 Is it possible she could run an extension cord and just check the batteries are alright now and then?

I'll just move this over to our travel section, as that's where a lot of discussion about scooters and batteries go.

Needhelpandadvice

@mickg If you are going away for five months, especially over Winter I would just charge it up before leaving and usually the batteries will hold charge.

If it is not being used, I just do not see the point of keep charging it up.

You will be over charging it, especially if not being used and you can damage the battery that way.

It will be dangerous for your friend to run an extension cable and trying to charge it, especially if it starts raining.

If she is using it, then depending upon where she lives, she might run a cable to the scooter, and then park it in the garage at night time.

If she is not using it, then five months of charging something is going to be a lot of hassle and electric cost for your friend.

OverlyAnxious

Is it easy to disconnect the battery on that model? I would fully charge it before going away then disconnect it.

Jimm_Alumni

When I suggested an extension lead by the way I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that the garage was connected to the house. Which is what my parents have so you'd think I wouldn't have assumed that! If it has to go outdoors then yes the extensioncord wouldn't be a safe option.

I would follow manufacturers guidance. If for some reason the batteries need running now and then it shouldn't be that frequent, but best to see if you can charge it then detach it as OverlyAnxious says.

Wibbles

You might like to try a solar trickle charger - if you can obtain a suitable plug to connect it to the battery with - this will not overcharge it but will keep the battery topped up…also check the voltage is correct - mine is 12 volts…3.5 watts will be sufficient for a scooter battery.

mickg

Thanks everyone for your useful comments, have now bought a trickle charger advised by my dealer and will leave it plugged in for the period.

Mickg

egister

There is nothing in the question about the type of battery. Why is this so?