Mobility Scooter Batteries

The most common complaint about mobility scooters is why batteries don't last as long as they are supposed to. The first thing to bear in mind is that the manufacturer stated range is often a little optimistic: these figures can be based on a light weight user on flat ground in ideal weather conditions. Another thing to bear in mind is the age of the battery. Each time a battery is discharged and recharged it looses a little capacity - the more often you use your scooter the more often you will have to replace the batteries. While you can't change the conditions you need to ride in, there are things you can do to extend the range of your batteries. These steps will also extend the life of the batteries, and with the battery being the most expensive part of many smaller scooters this is well worth doing.

Use the Right Charger

Manufacturer supplied chargers are designed to work specifically with their batteries. Using the incorrect charger can actually damage your battery.

Turn it off

Ensure that your scooter is turned of when not in use, especially when charging as many chargers are not designed to charge the batteries while they are discharging and this can lead to damage

Charge It Up...

Always charge your battery after use. Don't worry about over charging the battery as modern three stage chargers can be attached indefinitely without damage (as long as it is switched off).

And Keep it Charged

Don't run your battery out completely as this can cause damage, also regularly running your scooter without a full charge can leave deposits on contacts that reduce the efficiency of the battery.

Keep it Cool

While heat or cold shouldn't cause long term damage to you batteries, it can affect the life per charge. Where possible they should be kept in a cool and dry place. If your scooter is not going to be used often, for example during the winter, you should take the batteries off the scooter and store them inside.

Storage

When storing batteries or your scooter you should always store it fully charged. Where possible you should check and recharge the battery if needed ever month. If you are storing your scooter for more than a month it is a good idea to disconnect the battery.

Care for the Battery

Cleaning the battery and greasing its terminals should be an essential part of you mobility scooters maintenance. Try to ensure that you scooter batteries don't get wet, and if they do wipe them of and let them dry fully before use. While battery deterioration is inevitable, by following the advice above you should be able to get more use and enjoyment from your mobility scooter, and hopefully save money on replacement batteries.

Aviator Mobility Scooter

We like Heartway scooters at mobility review; they are one of the few companies that actually seem to like designing mobility scooters. Their products seem to have a sense of style and fun that is unfortunately lacking in many of their competitors. This year they have launched a number of new products in the S series, and the Aviator S8 is the latest to be imported into the UK by Niagara Health Care (NHC). While not as aggressively styled as the Vita S12, the Aviator is still unmistakably a Heartway Scooter, the chevron motif being reminiscent of the Heartway Royale (imported into the UK as the NHC Royale). As with all Heartway scooters, the details are of the highest standard. The LED headlights auto dim when the scooter is stationary to conserve energy. The controller is a state-of-the art LCD unit featuring all the standard features (speed, battery level ect.) as well as a clock and temperature gauge. The fully adjustable tiller and captains seat ensure an optimal driving position. The Aviator is an eight mile an hour scooter, and as such has the features required by British law; auxiliary hand brake, indicators, pavement mode switcher etc. This scooter is designed for comfort, being supplied with double wishbone suspension allowing for a highly tuned ride and a weight capacity of 28 stones. The Aviator is fitted with the same 700 watt motor as the Vita S8. This is not as large as the Royale's 1,100 watt motor but this is a much lighter scooter than the Royale.

Specifications

WeightCapacity	185kgs(400lbs)
SeatSize	20"
DriveWheel	330mmx100mm(13"x4")
FrontWheel	330mmx100mm(13"x4")
TopSpeed	8MPH
Batteries	12V50Ahx2pcsor12V62Ahx2pcs(Optional)
Range	35km/45km
Charger	5Amp,OffBoard120/240Volt,50/60Hz
Controller	DYNAMICRHINO110Amp
Motor	700W4-PoleMotor
WeightWithBattery	108kgs(238lbs)
Suspension	Full

Pride Celebrity XL8 Discontinued

One of the most popular mobility scooters of the last decade, the Pride Celebrity XL8 is to be discontinued from the start of 2010. This eight mile an hour scooter was popular for many reasons, not least being it's exceptional build quality and comfortable ride. Consumers should not worry though as there are plenty of excellent mobility scooters ready to take its place. Here are just three of them.

Days Strider Maxi 4

The Strider Maxi 4 scooter is the top of the range four wheeled scooter from Days Healthcare. This eight mile an hour scooter has been designed for both road and pavement use, but really shines on longer, harder journeys. Fitted with a huge 70 Amp battery the Strider has a stated maximum range of 35 miles. The Maxi has front and rear oil damped suspension and pneumatic tires to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride and features a fully adjustable captain's seat.

Maximum Speed :	8 mph
Number Of Wheels :	4
Weight Capacity :	31 stone
Batteries :	70 Amp
Battery Charger :	Offboard charger
Front Tires :	Pneumatic
Rear Tires :	Pneumatic
Range Per Charge :	35.0 miles
Standard Seat :	Two-tone captain seat
Suspension :	Oil damped
Vehicle Length :	56 inches
Weight of the Heaviest Piece :	81.0 lbs

Drive Mercury Regatta 8

The Mercury Regatta 8 is a scooter designed for ease of use. Solidly built to provide years of worry free transportation this scooter has all the features you would expect from a mobility scooter in this class. The Regatta has adjustable suspension both front and rear; a plush rotating admiral seat that reclines and slides; and twin rear mirrors.

Maximum Speed :	8.0 mph
Number Of Wheels :	4
Weight Capacity :	25.0 stone
Batteries :	40 Amp
Battery Charger :	Offboard charger
Front Tires :	Pneumatic
Rear Tires :	Pneumatic
Range Per Charge :	25.0 miles
Standard Seat :	Admiral seat with slide and recline facility
Suspension :	Yes
Vehicle Length :	57.0 inches

Freerider Kensington SII

The distinctive Kensington SII is a light and agile scooter. With a maximum user weight just under 18 stone this is not a bariatric scooter by any means. This has however allowed Freerider to keep the weight down in construction,the heaviest piece without batteries is only 126lbs. This gives the FreeriderKensington an excellent 35 mile range from only a 50 amp hour battery. As you we have come to expect the scooter is supplied with a fully adjustable rotating captain seat with lift up arms for easy access. Ride quality is handled by front and rear shocks and pneumatic tires, with solid tires are available as an option.

Maximum Speed :	8.0 mph
Number Of Wheels :	4
Weight Capacity :	17.9 stone
Batteries :	50 Amp
Battery Charger :	offboard Charger
Front Tires :	Pneumatic
Rear Tires :	Pneumatic
Range Per Charge :	35.0 miles
Standard Seat :	Captain seat
Suspension :	Yes
Vehicle Length :	54.0 inches
Weight of the Heaviest Piece :	52.0 lbs
Weight Without Batteries :	126.0 lbs

8 MPH Mobility Scooters, January 2010

For the eight mile an hour category we will be focusing on four wheel scooters and we have chosen a few more scooters to compare as this is one of the more popular categories of mobility scooter. We will be trying to represent a good cross section of products from all the most popular manufacturers. From Pride we will include the ever popular Celebrity XL8 and new Colt XL8 that looks to supercede it. From Drive Medical we will include one of the best value road legal scooters on the market; the Mercury Neo, as well as one of the most heavy duty; the Mercury M48 GT. Roma will be represented by the Shoprider Cordoba and the Soprider Cadiz and Days by the Strider in its Midi and Maxi models. From NHC we will include the Freerider Kensington SII and the Aviator S8. Electric Mobility will be represented by the collapsible Rascal Liteway 8 and the Rascal 889. From Sunrise we will include the Sterling Diamond and the Sterling Elite and last but by no means least is TGA who will be represented by the Mystere and the exciting new Vita.

Pride Celebrity XL8 and Pride Colt XL8

Retailer	Pride Celebrity XL8	Pride Colt XL8
Mobility Zone	£1,265	N/A
Nice Mobility	£1,370	N/A
Value Mobility Scooters	£1,470	£1,495*
Easicare Mobility	£1,392	£1,470
GoActive Mobility	£1,297	£1,634

The cheapest price for the Pride Celebrity XL8 was £1,265 from Mobility Zone, bizzarely however you could visit a different website and buy it for £1,350 from the same dealer. The lowest price from the Colt was £1,470 from Easicare Mobility, although Value Mobility's price of £1,495 with the 70amp battery upgrade looks very tempting.

Drive Mercury Neo 8 and Mercury M48 GT

Retailer	Mercury Neo 8	Mercury M48 GT
Mobility King	£1,195	£2,499
Mercury Scooters	£1,370	£2,399
Value Mobility Scooters	£1,074	£2,354
Mobility Buddy	£1,395	£2,995
Discount Wheelchairs	£1,078	£2,257.18

Discount Wheelchairs just about took top spot for both of the Drive scooters, but were edged by a mere £4 by Value Mobility for the Mercury Neo 8.

Roma Shoprider Cadiz and Shoprider Cordoba

Retailer	Shoprider Cadiz	Shoprider Cordoba
Mobility Smart	£2,999	£4,399
Nice Mobility	£1,260	£1,528
Value Mobility Scooters	£1,285	£1,649
Factory Outlet Scooters	£1,195	£1,685
Mobility Superstore	£1,271.36	£1,610

Days Strider Midi and Strider Maxi

Retailer	Strider Midi	Strider Maxi
EuroScooters	£1,540	£1,745
Mobility Zone	£1,385	£1,500
Value Mobility Scooters	£1,442	£1,860