If you're a proud owner of a mobility scooter or power wheelchair, ensuring your batteries have a long and healthy lifespan is essential. Whether your device uses sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries or lithium-ion batteries, following these best practices can significantly extend their durability.

For SLA Batteries:

Charge After Each Use: For daily riders, it's crucial to plug in your mobility scooter or electric wheelchair after each use. This not only guarantees a full battery for the next day but also helps extend your battery's life.
Avoid Empty Storage: If you plan to store your scooter or power wheelchair for an extended period, start by charging your SLA battery to full capacity. Every two weeks, plug it in to top it off, preventing the battery from losing charge.
Use the Correct Charger: Ensure the charger voltage matches your battery specifications. Overcharging or using a charger with higher voltage can overheat and damage your battery, while undercharging puts undue strain, leading to faster deterioration.
Disconnect When Fully Charged: Disconnect the charger as soon as your SLA battery is fully charged. At most, leave it connected for 24 hours.
Maintain Ideal Temperatures: Charging your device in a room between 50 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit is crucial. Extreme temperatures can harm the battery, so avoid very cold or warm conditions while storing your SLA battery.

For Lithium-ion Batteries:

Avoid Complete Depletion: Lithium-ion batteries that are never completely depleted tend to last longer. Using only half of your battery capacity before recharging can double the number of charging cycles you get from a single battery.
Prevent 100% Charge: Keeping your lithium-ion battery at 100% for prolonged periods causes stress. Disconnect the charger at around 80%, and some smart devices automatically slow charging near 100%.
Stick to Original Chargers: Avoid using generic rapid chargers, as fast charging can lead to faster deterioration. Your Pride Mobility lithium-ion device's original charger is designed to preserve battery life, so use it whenever possible.
Store at 40% Charge: If you need to store your lithium-ion battery for an extended period, aim to keep it at 40% charge. Batteries are under the least stress at this charge level.
Avoid Freezing Conditions: Lithium-ion batteries cannot charge below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In the same way, never store lithium-ion batteries below freezing temperatures. In extreme heat, the degradation process also accelerates, so be cautious.

Both SLA and lithium-ion batteries benefit from avoiding full discharges and charging to 100%. While you might not see immediate improvements in battery performance, adhering to these best practices will significantly enhance the lifespan and efficiency of your mobility device's batteries. With a little extra attention to storage and charging, your batteries will last longer and work better, ensuring your mobility device remains reliable over time.