Mobility

Choosing mobility batteries

Most chairs and scooters run on a pair of 12-volt batteries wired in series. Find the reference on the existing pair or in the user manual, then confirm size and post style so the connectors fit without adapters. Always renew the two together with matching units.

Glass-mat or gel?

• AGM: sealed, no upkeep, lively power delivery, very common in scooters.
• Gel: takes daily deep discharge in its stride, a favourite for chairs used from morning to night.

Whichever you choose, use a charger set up for that chemistry.

Quick answers

When should I plug in?

At the end of each day of use, even if the gauge still shows some charge. Deep-cycle batteries last longer when they are not left half empty.

Why do I get fewer miles than before?

Ageing batteries are the commonest reason, though soft tyres and hilly routes also play a part. Brands in this section include MK Battery, Deka, Sonnenschein and Long.