How to Charge a 12-Volt Scooter Battery
by Arthur Barnhouse
Scooters represent both an economical and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. A scooter with a dead battery, however, is useless. You can avoid the monotony of constantly recharging your scooter's battery by making sure you keep the battery clean, tightening the connections, and disconnecting your battery cables whenever you're not using the scooter. If you do find that your 12-volt scooter battery is in need of recharging, don't worry. With a 12-volt charger and a little time, you'll have your scooter up and running again before you know it.
Step 1
Turn off all the switches on your scooter and locate the battery compartment. The exact location of the battery will depend on the type of scooter you own. For example, some batteries are found beneath the footrest. Other scooters will have the battery beneath the seat. Remove any shields or protective coverings from the battery itself. You must have access to the terminals of your 12-volt battery.
Step 2
Check the terminals for any dirt or corrosion. If you find any, clean it using your post and terminal cleaner. Also, if the top or sides of your battery are dirty, use a cloth or old rag to wipe it clean.
Step 3
Check your charger and make sure its switch is turned off. Also, if your charger is capable of charging both 6-volt and 12-volt batteries, make sure it is set to 12 volts.
Step 4
Hook the positive clamp of your charger to the positive terminal on the scooter battery.
Step 5
Connect the negative clamp of your charger to the battery's negative terminal.
Step 6
Plug your charger into a nearby electrical outlet and turn it on.
Step 7
Allow your scooter's battery to charge. The amount of time needed to fully charge your battery will vary. Often, a scooter battery requires more charging time, especially if it has been fully drained. A fully discharged battery may require up to 20 hours of recharging, whereas a battery that has lost only a fourth of its power may be recharged in 3 to 6 hours. Check the battery often. If it feels hot to the touch, immediately turn off your charger.
Step 8
Unplug the charger and turn it off after your battery has fully charged. Unhook the clamps and replace any shields or coverings that were on the battery. Start your scooter.
References
Tips
- Use a voltmeter to help you decide when your battery has a full charge. Unplug the battery charger from the battery and connect the positive and negative leads of the voltmeter to the appropriate posts on the battery. If your 12-volt battery is fully charged, it should read approximately 12.8 to 13.0 volts.
Things You'll Need
- 12-volt battery charger
- Post and terminal cleaning tool
- Voltmeter (optional)
Warnings
- Check to make sure your scooter is equipped with a 12-volt battery in order to recharge it with a 12-volt battery charger. Not all scooter batteries are 12 volt.
Writer Bio
Arthur Barnhouse has written numerous short stories, contributed content to various websites and was an invited speaker at a university symposium on creative writing. He began writing in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Barnhouse has driven across the United States numerous times and draws upon his travel experiences in his writing.
