Mobility Scooter Charger Amperage Question

OneSullenBrit

Hello. Sorry if this is in the wrong place, I tried searching online for a mobility scooter forum, but couldn't find anything specific.


We have 2 mobility scooters (Drive Envoy 8), which we purchased used. They came with 2 chargers, a 24v 5a and a 24v 8a. However, the manual says it is rated for 24v 4a.


Would using these over-amped chargers affect the batteries, or would it not matter? We were planning on buying some new chargers, as neither scooter will charge fully (the chargers turn off before the battery is full), and we have had the batteries checked, discharged an recharged by a mobility scooter garage, who said there is nothing wrong with them, which leaves either the chargers, or maybe some kind of electronic sensor in the scooters which tells the charger the batteries are full when they aren't.


Also, are the leads that run from the 'box' of the charger to the mains plug simple kettle leads? I was wondering if it was possible to buy some longer leads for them, to make charging a little easier.

[Deleted User]

Have you tried contacting the people that make them for advice?

poppy12345

OneSullenBrit wrote: »

Also, are the leads that run from the 'box' of the charger to the mains plug simple kettle leads? I was wondering if it was possible to buy some longer leads for them, to make charging a little easier.

Use an extension lead..

twhitehousescat

the 5amp charger would be the best one to use and if it is working correctly should work ok . the charger may well give 5 amps , but the system will detect full battery voltage and shut off

the 8 amp may boil the batteries as such , and u suggest not using it

OneSullenBrit

venison wrote: »

Have you tried contacting the people that make them for advice?

I would, but I cannot find any email invoices to figure out who we bought it from. It might have been CompleteCareShop, the website layout looks familiar, but I don't know why I don't have any emails about it (I keep all email invoices, some dating back 10+ years, so this is very unusual). As to contacting the makers, I think they changed names, and I don't know if they support their old models, but I guess it's worth a try.

poppy12345 wrote: »

Use an extension lead..

That is what we are currently using, but we have a 25m lead, and only need about 0.5m of length. We are in the middle of having a shed built to house the scooters, which will have power, but depending on where they install the sockets it might need just a little bit of extra length. I have seen some extra long cables, but they are marketed as specifically for mobilty scooter chargers, and cost quite a lot. I didn't want to get them if I could use a generic cable instead.

twhitehousescat wrote: »

the 5amp charger would be the best one to use and if it is working correctly should work ok . the charger may well give 5 amps , but the system will detect full battery voltage and shut off

the 8 amp may boil the batteries as such , and u suggest not using it

Ok good to know. As far as I remember, both chargers failed to fully charge both scooters, and seeing as a replacement charger with the correct amperage is only about £15, I might as well get one and see if it's the chargers that are faulty. I just wanted to make sure they weren't both dangerous.

Owain_Moneysaver

OneSullenBrit wrote: »

Also, are the leads that run from the 'box' of the charger to the mains plug simple kettle leads? I was wondering if it was possible to buy some longer leads for them, to make charging a little easier.

Probably, although the smaller chargers may be the figure-8 style.

cold condition "kettle" connectors (actually for computers and other cold things, not kettles which are hot condition) are C13. Figure-8 "cassette player" leads are C7, and "cloverleaf" laptop style connectors are C5

https://cpc.farnell.com/w/c/electrical-lighting/mains-power-leads?connector-to-connector=iec-60320-c13-to-free-end|iec-60320-c5-to-free-end|iec-60320-c7-to-free-end

cut to length desired and fit a 13 amp plug

Anything marketed as specifically for mobility scooters will be 3x - 10x the price of the same item from an ordinary shop.

D_M_E

How old is the scooter and how long have you had it?

Chargers could be working fine but if the batteries are well used or have been charged around 500 times or more then they could be the problem, not the charger.

Have new batteries been fitted - either by the seller or since you purchased?

twhitehousescat

D_M_E wrote: »

How old is the scooter and how long have you had it?

Chargers could be working fine but if the batteries are well used or have been charged around 500 times or more then they could be the problem, not the charger.

Have new batteries been fitted - either by the seller or since you purchased?

my exact thought , but op states batteries tested ok

4amp charger for £15 , sounds wrong that

OneSullenBrit

D_M_E wrote: »

How old is the scooter and how long have you had it?

Chargers could be working fine but if the batteries are well used or have been charged around 500 times or more then they could be the problem, not the charger.

Have new batteries been fitted - either by the seller or since you purchased?

We've had them about a year now, but they've only been used a handful of times.

twhitehousescat wrote: »

my exact thought , but op states batteries tested ok

4amp charger for £15 , sounds wrong that

I would post the link but not allowed to, it's on Amazon and is called "Kuyal Mobility Power Supply Charger, 24V 4A 96W XLR Electric Mobility Scooter and Power Chair Wheelchair Jazzy Chargers (24V 4A)" and costs £16.15

Owain_Moneysaver

OneSullenBrit wrote: »

I would post the link but not allowed to, it's on Amazon and is called "Kuyal Mobility Power Supply Charger, 24V 4A 96W XLR Electric Mobility Scooter and Power Chair Wheelchair Jazzy Chargers (24V 4A)" and costs £16.15

Is that the one that says

Far away the heat when using, No using in flammable and explosive environment, Keeping away from the place children can touch, Keeping nice cooling can prolong the service life of the charger.?? :eek:

If so it looks like either a captive lead or a C7 cassette connector, but I may not be looking at the exact same one.

Rodders53

It would help to know:

Details of scooters make and model.
Details of battery packs, too: Amp-hour ratings (Ah).

Then I can look up tech info and advise better.

Bad chargers can kill scooter batteries even when used as per the makers' handbook (been there done that).