Are you
losing battery fast with your electric scooter? What a pity! It should have been hard for you to run out of juice in a middle of a commute or lose steam just when you are about to have fun. Such is the downside of electric scooters, electric cars, electric motorcycles, and electric mobility devices that are powered by rechargeable battery. They seem to have the power of a flashlight, but as rechargeable devices, they should have more power than a flashlight. How could you be losing battery fast? You now at least relate to other motorists whose vehicles give away in the middle of the road, and without a refilling station or repair shop in sight.
Why you're losing battery fast
Why is your electric scooter losing battery fast? Something might be wrong with the battery pack or that something in your unit is rapidly depleting your power source. Maybe your charger is defective or not powerful enough to charge your e-scooter. Or the way you operate your unit over certain terrains could be the reason why your unit is losing battery fast. You cannot just say your retailer have sold you an e-scooter with a defective battery.
Done charging but your electric scooter does not start? What if it has no power at all? Think your e-scooter has been properly charged? There might be a broken or loose connection or two in your unit.
Limited power for short distances only? The battery could be faulty or has incomplete charge cycles. Or you either have a defective charger or an old battery. As a battery ages, its capacity decreases, as you should know. If you have the same battery for years, there is no wonder why your e-scooter is losing battery fast.
Charging done for the full required time (usually 6 to 8 hours), yet the electric scooter is still not indicating a full charge? You may have a faulty charger or a bad battery. You should also be wary about a battery that charges faster. If it takes long for an electric car to fully charge, how much more an e-scooter? Anything could be behind your unit losing battery fast.
Battery information
When you buy an electric scooter, be it be a two-wheeler or three-wheeler, always check the specs of the battery pack. Pay attention to the battery voltage and amp hours (AH), not just the chemistry (lithium-ion, sealed lead acid, or lithium-polymer).
Batteries of e-scooters are typically configured in 24V, 36V and 48V. Higher voltages e-scooters are generally faster, but there are factors that could affect performance, notwithstanding battery power, such as rider weight, terrain, and the efficiency of the unit's motor and drive system. One or two of these factors could be behind your e-scooter losing battery fast.
AH is as important as voltage. AH is the measure of battery capacity, an indicator of an electric scooter's range.
One three-wheel electric scooter (on a 300W motor) goes 12 mph and travels a maximum distance of 15 miles per charge of a 36V 7AH battery. Another three-wheeler (on a 250W motor) attains a top speed of 12 mph and a maximum range of 28 miles per charge of a 48V 10AH battery. A two-wheel electric scooter (1000W motor) goes 24 mph and has a maximum range of 10 miles on a single charge of a 36V (three 12 V) 12AH battery. Another two-wheeler (350W motor) has a 36V 10AH battery that ramps up a maximum speed and range of 18mph and 15 miles, respectively, on a single charge. Different electric scooters, different battery specs, different performances. Results may vary.
Knowing your e-scooter's battery (and the other components) is knowing your e-scooter well. That way you will have an idea why your unit is losing battery fast-and how you can troubleshoot it.
How not to lose battery power quickly
As owner, you can do preventive maintenance to avoid losing battery fast and ensure optimal performance of your electric scooter.
- If your e-scooter has no power after a required full charge, check for any broken or loose connection. Remove the top or deck to reveal the wiring. Inspect the battery pack, switch, brake lever, throttle, and controller. Unsure? Take your unit to the retailer or service shop for check-up.
- Give your battery a full charge. This will help your electric scooter avoid losing battery fast. Most batteries of e-scooters take up to 8 hours for a full charge. However, do not overcharge for more than 12 hours as this could possibly damage the battery. Charge your unit according to the required duration as specified by the manufacturer.
- You can prevent losing battery fast by simply replacing it. Replace battery if you begin to notice a gradual decline in charge life. Moreover, replace an old battery with a new one.
- It is also possible that newly installed batteries could rapidly lose their storage capacity. Have a licensed technician perform a battery test to determine current capacity. Avoid losing battery fast with professional assistance.
- Don't leave battery uncharged for a long time. Any battery that is left uncharged for over six months becomes defective. You won't be able to successfully recharge a battery that is left uncharged for months. Charge before storage, and when in storage, charge every 30 days.
- How to know if your battery is getting charged? Check for the indicator light on the charger. If it does not illuminate, battery is not getting charged. Get yourself a new charger.
- Test your charger's output Voltage with the use of a multimeter. The output voltage should be a few volts above the charger's rated voltage (24V, 36V, 48V). If output voltage is zero or below the rated voltage, charger is defective.
- Faulty charger port could be another reason why your electric scooter is losing battery fast. Test your e-scooter's charger port by plugging the charger into the port. Look for an illuminated indicator light on the charger. If indicator light illuminates once the charger is plugged into the e-scooter, this means the wires and wiring connectors going to the charger port are in good condition. The charger port is working properly.
- You can also perform a battery test while operating your e-scooter to see how it is losing battery fast and how long the battery lasts. Give your battery a full charge first, and then drive at full throttle on flat terrain. Most e-scooters will have a range around 30-50 minutes on flat terrain. Battery is already worn-out and in need of replacement if it lasts less than 30 minutes.
- Another way to check if your e-scooter is losing battery fast is to test the battery voltage, same way you test your charger's voltage with the use of a multimeter. The battery should be above its rated voltage level even if it has been in storage, has been driven or fully discharged and sits for a few minutes. If not, battery may be worn-out or defective. This calls for replacement.
- Do not attempt extreme stunts with your electric scooter or risk losing battery fast. Though many e-scooters are durable and built to support heavy weight, the metal frames, wheels, and other components are unable to withstand extreme riding activities.
- Do not drive e-scooter over water or else your unit will start losing battery fast due to battery's contact with water. If you do ride through water, dry unit and battery completely before storage.
- Do not drive over uneven or rugged terrains. Though some e-scooters are designed for off-road use, uneven or unpaved surfaces can still cause stress on the parts and components. Drive without care over challenging terrains and your electric scooter will start losing battery fast.
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