Electric scooter battery doesn't charge? What you should know and do – Electric Scooter

Your e-scooter’s battery doesn’t charge? Bummer! Almost every electric scooter user will experience issues with their device. Generally, e-scooters are durable, built to last, and require little maintenance. But while this is true, you should not wait until the last minute to fine tune your device. Your electric scooter’s usability and integrity depend on how you operate and maintain it at certain times. You do always take good care of your e-scooter, don’t you? If yes, then why the battery doesn’t charge?

The most common e-scooter issues are related to the battery packs, electric motor, and tires, but battery is the biggest issue of concern – and biggest worry – of users. Indeed, a battery that unexpectedly does not charge and work properly is every user’s worst nightmare. If your battery doesn’t charge, you get no power and no mile.

What you should know about e-scooter batteries

E-scooter batteries are rated according to their amount of energy output in terms of voltage (V) and ampere hour (AH).

About battery voltage, electric scooters are typically configured in 24V, 36V, and 48V set-ups. Generally, higher voltage means faster running speed. Meaning, higher voltage e-scooters are faster than low voltage ones. It should be that, but this is not always true. There are factors that can affect an electric scooter’s speed, such as rider’s weight, power and efficiency of motor, and type of terrain. So in certain circumstances, expect an e-scooter on 24V battery pack to have the same maximum speed as that of the device that runs on 36V.

On the other hand, an AH indicates an e-scooter’s range potential. It measures a battery’s capacity or its amount of energy charge. Higher AH rating means greater maximum distance. To know how far an electric scooter can go, check the AH rating. Still, there are factors like rider’s weight and terrain, that can limit an e-scooter’s range potential.

Why your battery doesn’t charge?

Your electric scooter’s battery is a vital component of your device, regardless of model, make, style, and size. If the battery doesn’t charge or work properly, your electric motor will not get the power it needs for the e-scooter to run. So it is important to maintain and charge your battery regularly in order to maximize its usability. If you use your device everyday, then charge it everyday. Before you go to bed, plug your e-scooter in and let it charge for the night about 8-12 hours.

If your battery doesn’t charge, the problem could be one of the three things. Either there is a charging problem, a drain on the battery pack, or simply your battery is becoming defective. What could make your battery pack go faulty? For one, wear and tear. A battery, like other parts and components of your electric scooter, is subject to life’s wear and tear. If you keep the same battery for more than two years, signs of defects should be showing, such as faster charging time, limited range and speed, low illumination of headlights (if your device has one), etc. A dying or worn-out battery doesn’t charge properly anymore, so this calls for replacement.

Perhaps there is a damage or two to the battery pack or e-scooter. Do you drive your device over water or uneven or unpaved surfaces (cracks, potholes, bumps, etc)? Do you perform extreme stunts with your electric scooter? Certain riding activities and environment may have caused stress to your device’s parts and components, especially to the battery, wires, and other electric components inside your device. This could be another reason why your battery doesn’t charge anymore.

Charging issues? If your battery is not at fault, you probably have a defective charger or charger port. Are you sure you are using the right charger for your electric scooter? Are you charging your device correctly? Are both charger and charger port working? You don’t over-charge, do you? There could be a reason why your battery doesn’t charge and work properly.

Recommended charging procedure

Your electric scooter’s battery should be completely charged when the indicator light on the charger turns green after the required duration of charging (usually 8-12 hours for most e-scooters). If indicator light turns green after charging for a shorter period of time, the battery may not be fully charged, so continue charging for the full duration. It is okay to charge your device after each use even if the battery is not yet completely drained of its power.

Battery doesn’t charge? Check if your charger is working properly, follow these step:

1. Check if you have the correct charger. It must have the accurate voltage for your device. If your electric scooter runs on a 36V (three 12V) 7AH battery, then you need a 36V 1.6AMP charger. Using the wrong charger is one reason why battery doesn’t charge.
2. Plug the charger into a power outlet. The indicator light should be green.
3. Next, plug the charger into your e-scooter’s charging port. Make sure it is plugged correctly. The indicator light should be red.
4. Leave your device charged for the entire required duration. Refer to your user’s manual for the required charging time of your e-scooter. If it says 8 hours, then leave it charged for 8 hours. Do not overcharge.
5. When indicator light is green again, charging is complete. Unplug charger from outlet and charger port. Your e-scooters is ready for use.

Battery doesn’t charge? Troubleshoot!

You need to determine if either the battery or the charger is defective. Here are a few things you should do in case the battery doesn’t charge:

• Check battery pack history. How long the battery is left uncharged? Just two days ago, last week, or more than 6 months? Battery should be charged after each use or every 30 days when in storage. If you have not charged it for more than 6 months, it is most likely to be defective.
• Test the charger. Faulty charger is one reason why battery doesn’t charge. To check if it is malfunctioning, plug charger into your electric scooter and power outlet. Is the indicator light lit or blinking? If not, the charger is defective. Check charger again with the use of a multimeter to test its output voltage. Voltage should be a few volts above the charger’s rated voltage (24V, 36V, or 48V). If the output voltage is zero or below voltage, then charger is defective.
• Inspect with touch, smell, and sight. Damage to your electric scooter is another reason why battery doesn’t charge. Check for anything unusual like a smell of a burnt rubber or plastic, loose or disconnected wires and wire connectors, frayed wires, etc. Overuse and overcharging of e-scooter can cause components to malfunction and eventually burn or melt.
• Check for battery leak. Over-using or over-charging your e-scooter may cause the battery to develop leak, which is why battery doesn’t charge. You may also want to check the place where you keep your e-scooter. Is the temperature right? Is it near water sources or gas stove? Is the place free of rodents that might chew on your device. If your battery doesn’t charge, you can also blame it on the environment.
• Test battery and/or charger on another e-scooter. If you own another electric scooter, why not test the battery or charger on it? That way you will know if the battery doesn’t charge or the charger doesn’t work. Make sure your other e-scooter is compatible with the problematic battery or scooter.

Test the charger port. If your battery or charger ain’t defective and the components are fine, the charger port might be the reason why battery doesn’t charge. Inspect the wires and connectors going to the charger port. No damage? Unplug charger from outlet and plug it into the charger port. Is the indicator light lit or blinking? If yes, then all is good. You can also test the charger port’s output voltage with the multimeter.

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