It depends on how often you use your mobility scooter but, as a general rule, you should charge your batteries after every use. So once you get home or have a break its best to charge your batteries. All shop riders and mobility scooter work off the same batteries so this will apply to all mobility scooters.
The general rule of thumb is not to run deplete the mobility scooter batteries completely.
All mobility scooters and shop riders run on the same batteries, sealed lead acid batteries. This means that running the batteries completely flat and then storing it while flat will lead to the batteries not being able to regenerate their charge. Which will mean spending money on replacement batteries. The big ones don’t come cheap.
So, don’t leave your batteries flat and charge them after every ride.
If you are reading this article, you have already decided that using a disability scooter will give you back the independence you are desire and improve your quality of life. The next step to reclaiming your freedom is choosing the correct disability scooter.
“How much do I weigh and can my chosen scooter safely carry me?”
Carrying weight is at the top of things to consider when choosing a disability scooter, for example travelling on rough ground or up hills. It is important to take not only the weight of the user into account.
Also, if you are over the manufacturer’s recommended weight capacity, then there is a possibility that your warranty wont be honoured. Therefore, if your weight is close to the weight capacity of the disability scooter you’re considering, it is highly recommended that you select a scooter with a higher weight bearing capacity. As a general rule, the portable disability scooters will carry less weight than medium sized and heavy duty scooters. The reason being that the larger scooters have more space for powerful motors and batteries needed. Below is a table to help refine your choices.
These choices are not absolute, please give us a call to discuss your needs and use our free test drive if you are still not certain which one to choose
What’s different with a second-hand mobility scooter?
You may find second hand or used mobility scooters available in the classifieds that are selling at a good price.
What are the pros and cons of buying these?
Pros:
reduced price – You will save money in the short term.
Cons:
No warranty offered by the seller – This is very important. Who do you turn to if there is no light when you turn the scooter on….or it beeps 5 times when you are trying to move forward ?
No spare parts – batteries, wheels, controllers, chargers, speed pots etc…. you may need a replacement one day.
Batteries – Batteries are a consumable and only last around 2 years. Price new batteries so you know what you are in for, before the purchase.
We see many used scooters coming in for repair in our workshops. Unfortunately we cannot repair scooters that we don’t keep as the spares are not compatible. So beware of buying a cheap scooter that cannot be repaired or doesn’t carry at least a 2 year warranty
Finding the best mobility scooter for you and understanding what to look for when you choose can be a pretty complex task. So where do you start?and how do you ensure you are getting the best deal?
Fortunately, we have been in the business for the last 7 years so we can help you on your mobility scooter quest. Our goal is to save you money not by choosing the wrong mobility scooter or shoprider, but by directing you to the best value for money and quality so you can be assured that your mobility scooter has backup service and you can have years of freedom on the go.
Finding the Right Type of Mobility Scooter
First you really need to ask the user…What is the intended use of the mobility scooter? Is it for traveling? Is it for shopping? Is it for traveling extended distances outdoors?
Another critical question when choosing the right mobility scooter for you is whether you need to travel up inclines and what weight it must carry. Not all mobility scooters are made equal, the cheaper models, have batteries and motors only made for short distances and cannot travel inclines well.
The compact travel mobility scooter – Do you travel often? Do you need a quick folding mobility scooter that can fit into the boot or at the airport? If so, a travel mobility scooter may be up your alley. These travel mobility scooters, can typically fold up into a small space, to allow you to store it in your boot or backseat. The power of the compact travel scooter is average and is made only for short distances indoors on a level surface. So it is ideal for shopping or at the airport terminal. It does not have any suspension, but who needs suspension when you are travelling on a level tiles floor browsing the ailes.
The heavy duty mobility scooter – The heavy duty mobility scooter is meant for those who require a mobility scooter to carry a heavier weight, up inclines and out door terrain. If you intend on climbing steep hills and/or traveling long distances (even outdoors), this type of mobility scooter will be best for your needs. But the heavy duty mobility scooter there is a trade off, this type of scooter is not compact and is larger than its counterparts. You will need a large boot or bakkie to transport it around.
The medium portable mobility scooter – This scooter is what most people need. It comes apart easily so you can pack it into a boot or backseat. They typically can travel around 20kms, and can manage inclines (depending on the rider weight). One of our most popular mobility scooters would be the Zippy 4 sport. These are perfect for those that may use it frequently indoors with the occasional outdoor use. It has a sufficient road clearance, which allows out door travel easily. The power of this unit is unexpectedly high for its size and has a quiet smooth ride
As you can see by the above, it is very user-specific. There is no “absolute answer” when trying to choose the right mobility scooter for you, as each user will have different intended uses, and of course your budget.
If you are not sure of which to buy, why not try out our free test drive service?
Looking for the best from a small list of quality heavy duty mobility scooters. Sometimes finding a heavy duty mobility scooter for sale could quite difficult since there are many options available on the market.
The Zippy 4 Ultra and Shoprider comes to mind. But since heavy duty mobility scooters are meant for heavy weight persons, they are generally bulkier than the portable travel mobility scooter counterparts.
However, nowadays, many of them are far more stylish and does not appear to be “heavy duty” the same way they were years ago. Technology has come a long way, and heavy duty mobility scooter manufacturers have concentrated on building a more convenient size heavy duty mobility scooter
Heavy duty mobility scooters for sale today generally have a really good suspension setup. So off road travel and movement outdoors can be made without rattling your teeth. Gone are the days of an uncomfortable ride.
In our next post we will give you some tips on what to look for when buying a heavy duty mobility scooter
