Re: Problem with Acid-Free Batteries

Hi John:

This was one of my first "assumptions," but the company said that the
charger will do fine and that I should charge for at least 4 hours.
Well, that didn't do the trick. Still, even after charging for more
than the four hour period, the "meter" that is on the "dashboard" of
the scooter registers only 1/2 full, stepping up to almost 3/4, but
only intermittantly.

So, you think that I should get a charger with more "juice" to it. This
is, perhaps, the most logical advice I have received thus far.

While I am at it, however, I would like to ask you another question
about these batteries. I have been told by "some people" that it is
possible to "1/2" the batteries; this, according to those that made the
comments, makes the batteries only 1/2 as strong as previously, and
there is no means of reclaiming the "juice."

When I first bought the scooter (I was going to go through Medicare,
but my "out of pocket expenses would have been more than what I paid
for the scooter), they told me that I should "completely discharge the
batteries" to the point that not even the headlight works. This, I have
learned through many others, is the worse one can do to one of these
batteries.

You may feel free to e-mail me at mea305@xxxxxxxx Do you know where I
might be able to buy the type of charger I really need?

Thanks,

Mark

John Jardine. wrote:
"mea305" <mea305@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1154720875.484809.275490@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi All:
I am a new member of this group; I am hopeful that I will be able to
obtain some clear answers to my questions.

I am a disabled indivdiaul and I own a scooter; I bought it at a local
outlet (and I must say that I was extremely ignorant about the quality
and pricing of these scooters, as they told me that I was getting a
good deal on the used scooter. I didn't know any better; but the
scooter was running fine until I began to have problems with the
batteries).

The scooter, which is run by using two "Acid-Free Batteries." The
batteries have the following information as its nomenclature:

"Non-spillable Battery, acid-free battery. 12120, 12 Volt, 12Ah".

In a box below this information is the following:

"Standby Use":
Voltage Regulation: 13.5 - 13.8V; Initial current: 1.8A

"Cyclic Use":
Voltage Rrgulation: 14.5 -14.9V; Initial Current: 3.6A

HERE'S THE PROBLEM:

I have, to date (that is, within the previous two months), been through
three (3) sets of these batteries. Each time, I run into problems with
the charging process of the batteries. When I first dealt with the
company from which I bought the scooter, I was told that the batteries
cost $129.00 for two of them; another $79.00 was paid for a charger.
However, when I finally got a little wiser and got online, I found that
the "same batteries" cost me $14.10 each.

Having that said, I have been through three of these sets of batteries.
My last set was bought and received just yesterday. I USE THE SCOOTER
FOR MOBILITY; WITHOUT IT I AM STUCK, LITERALLY ON THE COUCH OF MY HOME
-- BUT WITH IT, I CAN AT LEAST B MOBILE AROUND THE YARD -- I LIVE ON MY
IN-LAWS' FARM.

When I attempted to "re-charge" the batteries (the most recent ones) --
using a charger I received from the company online (with the following
nomenclature: Automatic sealed Lead Acid Free Battery Charger; 12 Volt
- 1000mA; OUTPUT: DC 12V, 1000mA. The charger has two lights, one that
illuminates when the charger is charging and one that illuminates when
the charging process is complete).

When I placed these (most new) batteries back into my scooter, it
registered between 1/2 and 3/4 "full," according to a "light" that
appears on the scooter. However, in spite of the fact that I re-charged
both batteries, a "low power" light comes on, especially when I (just
recently) attempted to use the scooter to run up a slight incline that
is on the farm (perhaps about 1 percent grade).

I REALLY NEED SOME HELP FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT THESE TYPES OF
BATTERIES -- AS WELL AS WHAT I MIGHT DO TO STOP MY PROBLEMS FROM
RECURRING. I WILL APPRECIATE (DEARLY) ANY ASSISTANCE SOMEONE MAY BE
ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR ME.

Thanks, (in advance)

mea305@xxxxxxx


The cheaper batteries should be fine. (BTW there's acid in 'em. I,e standard
lead-acid, it's just that it can't get out).
Looks very much like the charger is the problem. Seems it'll need at least
24 hours to give a decent charge and it's not very inspiring to see a bland
"DC 12V, 1000ma" on the label, when ideally it should really say something
like "Super 3 step, sealed lead acid charger, 13.8V at 5Amp maximum".
john
(ps, the scooter 'charge indicator' can only ever be a rough and ready
indication)

.

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