Electric scooters are everywhere, and we love them! These ingenious modes of transportation offer convenience, an environmentally friendly way of getting around, and are very,verycool.
Everyone knows that an e-scooter is relatively easy to use, which is why it's fast taking over electric bikes - but what about the charging process?
It all seems so easy, doesn't it? Just plug in your charger, wait until your scooter battery reaches maximum capacity then you're good to go! However, there are some things you need to understand about how to charge an electric scooter.
While manuals give users a basic idea of how they can charge their e-scooter, they don't talk about potential problems that might arise and how you can get the most out of your scooter.
Well, in this post, we're about to clear all of that up. So, please sit back, relax and let us show you how to charge your scooter the right way.
Reduce The Heat From Your Electric Scooter
While many people will ride their electric scooter and then plug it in to charge as soon as they get home, we recommend that you wait for the scooter to cool down. When batteries and heat combine, it can often cause damage or impact the effectiveness of your battery.
Try to wait at least half an hour after riding to protect the battery life. If you leave your e-scooter outside and the weather is hot, it's best to let it cool down in a garage or your house before charging.
Don't Mix Moisture and Electricity
The best electric scooters will usually have a waterproof rating of at least IP54. Still, no models are fully waterproof - and manufacturers advise people not to use their scooters in the rain unless necessary.
The same advice expands to charging your scooter, and most people know that avoiding water and electricity is down to common sense.
When you use a scooter in the rain, water can get into the electric components or the battery case, which is why it's vital to ensure you dry the scooter first.
Whether that's drying it yourself with a towel or waiting for the e-scooter to dry naturally, you should never charge it while wet.
Another thing we should mention is not to use a hairdryer as it can push moisture further into the e-scooter. Instead, use a wet to dry vacuum cleaner, which will draw any water out.
Stick to Manufacturer Guidelines
Many manufacturers advise that you only use their chargers - and this isn't a ploy to get you to spend more money. It ensures you use the correct charger for your e-scooter model.
Some people decide to use chargers from a different manufacturer or universal chargers, but using the specified charger can ensure you don't damage the electric scooter or battery.
Don't Leave The Scooter On While It's Charging
Most electric scooters have a function that allows you to turn it off and monitor the charging process. You should always turn the scooter off because it prevents a simultaneous charge and discharge.
The only time you can leave your scooter on is if it doesn't have a monitor function to show you how charged the batter is. Remember that leaving your e-scooter to charge for longer than it needs can impact your battery life.
Charger First, E-Scooter Second
Most people do this anyway, but it's always best to plug your charger into the socket first. Doing this enables you to avoid malfunctions and short circuits, but some manufacturers might advise you to plug your scooter in first.
It ultimately depends on your scooter model, but if your charger malfunctions when you plug it in, you'll protect the scooter from any damage.
You should also check to see if your scooter is actually charging, and most chargers use a light system so you can see whether there are any problems.
Green Light:The green light will appear when you plug your charger in, but not the scooter. It indicates that the charger is working and ready to give your battery some life. Green lights also usually signify that the charging process is finished and your scooter is ready to use.
Red Light:If you see a red light when charging your scooter, it means that the battery life is still not completely recharged.
Some scooter models also use a battery gauge, so you can see how much longer the charging process will be.
Remember to check your manual, as some manufacturers might use a different system.
Maximum Battery Life is Always Best
Whenever possible, you should charge your battery to its maximum capacity. The main reason for this is to ensure you don't constantly drain the battery. Remember, even the best lithium-ion batteries have a life cycle, and draining it means you'll need a replacement.
If you don't have time to charge the battery fully, try to calculate your journey to make sure you have enough time to get to where you be and back without leaving the electric scooter to run on empty.
However, you should also ensure your scooter's battery doesn't continuously charge. Ideally, you should remove the cable from the charging port soon after the battery reaches its maximum life.
This will also preserve your electric scooter's battery life and ensure you get long-term usage.
Patience Is a Virtue
Modern electric scooters are highly durable electric mobility devices, but you should still be careful when you use them. Batteries will always be more susceptible to damage, and everyone knows that it's best to protect the battery of any device.
Instead of using your scooter immediately after charging, it's best to leave it for a few minutes instead. You'll only need to wait for five minutes, and while it might not seem like much, it can prolong the life of electric scooter batteries.
Which Electric Scooter Battery Type is Most Common?
Everyone knows that an electric scooter depends on its battery to run. If you don't charge your battery, your scooter will essentially be a manual kick scooter. So it's understandable that manufacturers take so much time when choosing the right batteries for their e-scooter models.
Lithium-ion batteries are popular in most modern electric scooters, but some manufacturers still use lead-acid or lithium manganese.
Let's take a look at each battery type in more detail.
Lithium-Ion
This battery type is so popular because it stores a lot of energy for its physical weight, which means manufacturers can create longer-lasting electric scooters. Better still, lithium-ion batteries have an excellent charge/discharge lifespan, which is why many manufacturers choose to implement them.
Lithium Manganese
While the lithium-ion battery is a popular choice, some manufacturers, such as Dualtron, choose lithium manganese as an alternative. Manganese can maintain low temperatures but still offers a high energy output, so it's a safe option for scooters.
Lead-Acid
Lead-acid batteries used to be the go-to choice for cars and large golf carts, but most scooter manufacturers choose a lithium battery instead. However, ultra-budget scooters or models made for children might still contain a lead-acid battery because it's cheaper - but they lack the energy density of lithium batteries.
Charging Unagi Model One Electric Scooters
At Unagi, we create electric scooters with style. Every element of ourModel Onescooter serves as an ultra-stylish yet practical way for you to get to where you need to be.
One of the primary functions we wanted to focus on was the ease of use, which relates directly to the batteries we use.
We use LG lithium-ion batteries, which are premium and strong contenders as the best 18650 batteries. The charging process is pretty simple -, and as long as you follow the above steps, you'll have no issues with prolonging your battery life and enjoying the scooter.
1. Plug the charger into your wall socket and ensure the light comes on to show it's working.
2. Our Unagi Model One scooter comes with a charging port cap which is easy to remove. All you need to do is plug the charger cable into the port, and you're good to go!
3. The Model One takes between four to five hours to charge, and the green indicator light shows when the scooter's battery level reaches its optimum.
4. Once you finish charging, all you need to do is remove the scooter battery charger and close the port.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, this post gives you a good idea of how to charge an electric scooter battery properly and why it's important. It's no secret that e-scooters are an investment, and taking care of yours means you'll get a lot of use and enjoy all of the benefits these electric mobility devices offer.
We'll answer some commonly asked questions from our loyal Unagi fans to round off this post.
How long will my battery life last?
The life of your battery between each charge depends on how you use the scooter. For example, when you ride some electric scooters at their maximum speed on rough terrain and hills, the charge could drain in less than an hour, whereas high-quality scooters will hold a charge better.
Can I charge my electric scooter overnight?
If your e-scooter has a charge time of around eight hours, then there's nothing wrong with leaving it overnight. However, scooters with a shorter charge time will be at risk of over-charging if they don't have smart features that automatically switch up when the battery level reaches its maximum.
What if I don't have a charger?
As we mentioned before, charging your scooter without the manufacturer's recommended charger is not advisable. Some professionals might recommend using a car battery with jumper cables, but this is a highly specialized technique,
In our opinion, if you don't have a charger to hand, then use the scooter without its electric motor, and wait until you can buy a replacement charger from your manufacturer.
I'm an electric scooter enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in their usage, maintenance, and charging. Over the years, my hands-on experience with various electric scooter models has provided me with valuable insights into their functionality and the nuances of battery management.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article:
1. Charging Process:
- Wait for Cooling: Allowing the scooter to cool down for at least half an hour after riding to prevent potential battery damage.
- Avoid Moisture: Never charge the scooter when wet, and ensure it's dry after use in the rain to prevent electric component damage.
2. Charging Best Practices:
- Stick to Manufacturer Guidelines: Using the specified charger recommended by the manufacturer to avoid damage.
- Turn Off While Charging: Turning off the scooter during the charging process to prevent simultaneous charge and discharge.
3. Charging Procedures:
- Plug Charger First: Plugging in the charger before connecting it to the scooter to prevent malfunctions and short circuits.
- Monitor Charging: Checking the charging status using indicator lights (green for ready to use, red for still charging).
4. Battery Management:
- Charge to Maximum: Charging the battery to its maximum capacity whenever possible to avoid constant draining and extend battery life.
- Avoid Continuous Charging: Disconnecting the charger soon after reaching maximum capacity to preserve the battery life.
5. Patience and Durability:
- Wait After Charging: Allowing the scooter to sit for a few minutes after charging to enhance the durability of the battery.
- Protecting Batteries: Recognizing the susceptibility of batteries to damage and taking precautions to ensure longevity.
6. Battery Types:
- Lithium-Ion: Explaining the popularity of lithium-ion batteries due to their energy density, light weight, and excellent charge/discharge lifespan.
- Lithium Manganese: Highlighting lithium manganese as an alternative, known for maintaining low temperatures with a high energy output.
- Lead-Acid: Noting that lead-acid batteries are less common due to lower energy density, but might be found in budget or children's scooters.
7. Specific Scooter Model:
- Unagi Model One Charging: Providing a detailed guide on charging the Unagi Model One electric scooter, which uses LG lithium-ion batteries.
8. FAQs:
- Battery Life: Explaining that battery life depends on usage, terrain, and scooter quality.
- Charging Overnight: Advising on the safety of overnight charging based on the scooter's charge time and smart features.
- Alternative Charging: Discouraging the use of non-manufacturer chargers and suggesting waiting for a replacement if one is unavailable.
In conclusion, mastering the art of charging electric scooters involves a combination of adherence to best practices, understanding battery types, and following manufacturer guidelines for specific models. The key is not just in charging but in preserving the longevity and efficiency of the electric scooter's battery.
