How to keep your mobility scooter in top condition
Use Ambersil Cleaning Products
As with all things you buy and use on a day to day basis, the best way to keep them in working order and tip-top condition is to ensure they are properly cleaned and maintained.
Mobility scooters and equipment are no exception to this.
It goes without saying that if you don’t look after your mobility equipment properly, it’s life is going to be cut shorter than expected – just like a car would if you never had it serviced. For this reason, we are happy to announce that we are now offering Ambersil products.
About Ambersil
Ambersil has been manufacturing products for over 60 years. The Ambersil brand provides engineers and maintenance professionals with exceptional product quality and performance, whilst maximising value for money. At the same time, they are committed to maintaining extremely high environmental excellence. They are a great example of a business that prevents pollution, ensures compliance with all applicable environmental legislation and delivering continual improvement.
What Ambersil products are available at Strident?
Amberclens Anti – Static Foaming Cleaner
This product is primarily used to remove grime and heavy soiling on any hard surfaced, upholstery, plastic shrouding or even tyres. It works to gently lift out grime without damaging any material. It is particularly effective as a post-maintenance cleaner for removing finger marks and oil residues and the anti-Static formulation inhibits dust attraction.
Ambersil 40+ Multi Purpose Maintenance Oil
This Ambersil product is an excellent lubricant, penetrant and even acts as an anti-corrosion coating, which works to prevent flash rusting on steel and as a moisture displacer in high humidity environments.
Ambersil Engineer Wipes
The Ambersil Engineer Wipes are very high quality, yet extremely low lint dry wipes leaving minimal cloth fibres during cleaning. They can be used in conjunction with all Ambersil solvents, cleaners and lubricants.
Ambersil Self Adhesive Sticker & Label Remover
There’s nothing more annoying than pesky stickers and labels that simply won’t be moved. The Ambersil Label Remover has an optimum blend of citrus and hydrocarbon oils which quickly releases self-adhesive labels and stickers. It neutralises the adhesive, thereby facilitating clean and easy removal. Use in conjunction with Amberclens for the clean – stick free restoration.
Ambersil Multi-Purpose White Spray Grease – 500ml
It’s important to keep your mobility scooter components well greased and lubricated. Ambersil multi-purpose white grease is easily applied since it’s an aerosol and provides good penetration for even coverage and protection.
Ambersil Tough Wipes – 100 Tub
The Ambersil tough wipes are the ultimate hand and hard surface wipes that come in two convenient quantities, a tub with 100 wipes and a smaller, resealable pouch with 30 wipes.
They are high absorbency, dual sided hand wipes over-layered with a polymer web for all the deep cleaning power of pumice in a handy wipe. The types of soling types they are most effective at cleaning are:
- Adhesives
- Grease
- Oil
- Tar
- Silicone
- Resins
- Paints
Contains anti-pathogen agents highly effective against common bacteria and viruses.
No contamination or lasting fragrance from heavy perfumes.
Ambertron Ultra-Pure Contact Cleaner – 400ml
The Ambersil Ultrapure formulation is perfect for critical maintenance. It works to remove light oils and contamination safely, without damaging your mobility scooter. It’s safe chemical make-up mean that it has excellent compatibility with other materials. It’s safe to use on plastics, rubber, composites, metal and painted surfaces.
Do you have any questions about maintaining your mobility scooter?
If you’re looking to maintain your mobility scooter to the highest standard, then look nowhere else other than Ambersil.
If you have any questions about the Ambersil products on our site, or about maintaining your mobility scooter in general, one of our team will be able to help you. Simply call us on +44(0)1362 300102 or get in touch with us using our contact form.
2018 Holiday Period Closing Dates
Thank you from everybody at Strident for your support in 2018 and we look forward to working with you in 2019!
Our opening times over the holiday period are:
How long do mobility scooter batteries last?
As useful as it would be for batteries to last forever, mobility scooter batteries and indeed ALL batteries will eventually stop working. Did you know, however, that the root cause of battery failure is usually human error? In particular, the number one battery killer is incorrect charging.
“Very few batteries die a natural death, they are murdered”
– Philadelphia scientific.
This means that we have to start our blog article by saying that there is no simple answer to the actual question ‘how long do mobility scooter batteries last’. Strident’s batteries, for example, have been manufactured with a 10-year design life – but our blog explains why we don’t shout about that too much because it is the equivalent of a car manufacturer publishing a miles-per-gallon figure that no-one experiences in real life.
The reality is that the lifespan of your battery depends on numerous factors, such as:
- frequency of use
- range used
- terrain travelled over
- the combined weight of mobility scooter and rider
- charging regime
- charger used
But the top factor, by far, remains the charging regime and equipment used – and so we can at least help you to identify how you can maximise the lifespan of your power chair or mobility scooter battery.
The main cause of battery death – incorrect charging
Poor charging management, whether that’s overcharging or undercharging, is the main reasons for battery failure. This is because a great deal of mobility scooter users are not told about, or don’t fully appreciate, the impact poor charging management can have on your mobility scooter battery.
Before we get into how you charge your batteries the right way, let’s take a look at the effects of overcharging and undercharging your battery can have.
Overcharging mobility scooter batteries
A common question we get asked is, can mobility scooter batteries be overcharged?
The simple answer to this is yes.
Whilst it is much more difficult to overcharge a battery than undercharge one, the consequences can be more serious. Overcharging typically only occurs in three situations.
- The charger is broken or severely worn, so it does not switch itself off when it reaches maximum capacity.
- The charger is too big (higher power than needed) resulting in the battery receiving too much charge and, essentially, you end up ‘frying it’.
- You’re using a ‘cheap’ low-quality charger that is not delivering the correct charge or failing to monitor the battery state thus allowing charging of the battery past its limit.
Whilst there are fewer ways to overcharge, the consequences are much more severe. Overcharging mobility scooter batteries has a much more sudden impact than undercharging does. If you significantly overcharge a battery for 2-3 hours then there is a high chance you will cause irreparable damage to the battery plates – even a new battery – in a very short space of time.
Undercharging mobility scooter batteries
Let’s flip the above and answer the question, can mobility scooter batteries be undercharged?
The same answer applies here – yes! It is possible to undercharge your battery.
It’s much more common and actually very easy to undercharge your mobility scooter battery (and sometimes not even know you’re doing anything wrong). The consequence, technically, is that the lack of charging fails to break down the sulphates within the battery and so doesn’t condition the battery in an optimum way.
Undercharging can happen in a few different ways:
- Not charging your mobility scooter overnight after every use. This results in a build-up of sulphate which prevents the battery from reaching 100% capacity (although it may still say this on the scooter battery gauge).
- Using a cheap or faulty charger. This can result in a smaller amount of charge actually feeding the battery, which means that the battery will run flat quicker.
- Leaving your mobility scooter uncharged and unused for long periods of time. For example, if you don’t use your scooter throughout the winter months. You should still fully charge your battery around every 6 weeks.
Undercharging mobility scooter batteries causes a much slower failure than overcharging does. But, every time you undercharge your scooter, you are shortening the lifespan of your battery, even if you are not completely ruining it.
Top Tip: Making sure you are using the correct charger could reduce the total spend on batteries over the life of a mobility scooter.
Trying to use your mobility scooter with little or no charge
First of all, you should try to avoid letting your mobility scooter battery run completely flat. Aside from potentially being stranded with no means of transport, it can cause serious damage to your battery.
Due to this potential damage, most mobility scooters now have a lower power limit at which point the power will cut-out. This is usually somewhere around 9.6 volts on a typical mobility scooter battery.
Do be careful that, if you were to completely drain your battery, you might find that if you left your mobility scooter for 30 minutes that your its battery gauge may miraculously show some charge and the battery may even come to life again. This is because that whilst they’re not being used, the battery is actually self-charging. But do please be aware, using your scooter in this reduced state will further damage the battery life.
Top Tip: Avoid draining the battery on your mobility scooter and don’t be tempted to think ‘there is a little bit of charge left’. Both can ultimately shorten battery life.
To provide you with a better understanding of how the internal components of a battery work, we’ve put together a short video pointing out the features of a Strident battery.
How to charge mobility scooter batteries (the right way)
Remembering our main question about ‘how long do mobility scooter batteries last’ – we return again to the question of whether you are charging your mobility scooter batteries correctly to get the most from them.
Here’s a step by step process of charging your battery the right way.
- Get a quality and intelligent charger. This provides a stepped charging process that will safely charge your mobility scooter battery and actually improve its longevity.
- When you get your new battery, fully charge it in case it has been sitting in storage for a while.
- After you’re finished with your mobility scooter for the day, even if you have only used a relatively small amount of battery power, put it on charge and leave it overnight. This avoids leaving the battery in what is termed a ‘neutral state’.
- If you’re not using your mobility scooter for a time, ensure you still charge it every 6 weeks if connected, or 3-4 months if disconnected from the mobility scooter.
Whilst this might sound slightly unexpected, the advice is that you should also change your charger every few years. Whilst there may be no moving parts in a charger, there are still electronic components that wear out such as transistors and capacitors. A single faulty component can easily lead to overcharging or undercharging.
The video below shows you how Strident’s three-stage chargers work.
Are expensive batteries better?
Once again, the answer is related to usage. Treat an expensive battery badly and it might fail as quickly as a standard one. However, treat a standard or expensive battery the same and there is a very high likelihood that the expensive batteries will last longer even though they carry that higher price tag. These batteries will have higher quality components that last longer – e.g. the battery plates – and there will be a higher quality manufacturing process.
Cheap batteries:
You may have stumbled across some cheaper batteries, which, on the outside, look exactly the same as a more expensive battery. They may even show the same charge capacity in a brand new state. But, when you look at the internal components of the battery, however, there is often a clear difference in the quality and quantity of lead being used.
You should be careful when buying a new battery since, when tested, cheap and more expensive batteries may return the same results. Take a closer look at the specifications and ask your mobility dealer to explain the differences in performance and life expectancy of the battery.
Taking extra care with a purchase is important as it is actually a few months down the line when you would notice a difference in performance. If you were to test two batteries, one cheaper with less, low-quality lead, and one more expensive with thicker plates and lots of high-quality lead, you would see that, over time, the cheaper battery has less and less capacity compared to the more expensive one.
Top Tip: If you want to make a long-term purchase decision for a higher quality battery, your slightly more expensive battery can actually save you more money over time. As long as you look after it!
Can testing batteries incorrectly have an effect on battery life?
The main issue in testers damaging batteries again comes down to overcharging. In some cases, it has been known for people to test mobility scooter batteries with standard automotive battery chargers that run ‘drop tests’.
A drop test works by suddenly drawing a large surge of power from a battery (as if you were trying to crank a car engine). This method works fine for cars since car batteries have a larger capacity, but smaller mobility scooter batteries designed for a steady delivery of power over a course of time can be damaged by drop tests.
Top Tip: Testers for mobility scooter batteries should be conducting a discharge test to measure ‘current control’, so be sure to always use a proper mobility scooter battery tester.
If you want any advice on how to care for your battery and keep it in tip-top condition, we’d be more than happy to have a quick conversation with you.
If you’re looking for a new, high-quality, battery for your mobility scooter, take a look at our range of Strident batteries in our brochure.
Trade Days 2018 Exhibitors - Strident Mobility Batteries, Chargers, Testers and Tyres - Stand TB30
Are you planning to come and see the Trade Days 2018 Exhibitors this October? Then we would like to extend an invitation to all our existing distributors to visit stand TB30 and see our latest range of mobility products.
We would also welcome meeting any distributors visiting Trade Days 2018 who are looking for a reliable source of high performing mobility batteries, chargers, testers and tyres. You’ll discover not only class leading products but how we support your business - from finding the right solution for clients, through to end-of-product-life environmental support.
Where to find us at Trade Days 2018 - Stand TB30
You will find our stand about one-third of the way down the central-left-hand aisle of the show next to the main cafe. So when you are thinking of a refreshment break, do come and see us on your way.
What’s on display at Strident’s Trade Days Stand?
We have both products and accessories to talk about at the show - all designed to make owning and looking after mobility products just that bit easier. We are also keen to talk about our service and the operational things that matter to our distributors.
Key service elements to discuss:
- Same day dispatch of products up to 3.30pm
- 15 years experience helping distributors with product selection and care
- ISO 9001 Quality Standard and ISO 14002 Environmental Standard
- Easy warranty process
Key products and Accessories to review:
- Extensive battery range for most mobility-related and health equipment applications
- Chargers with our 3-stage charging cycle technology for maximising battery life
- Testers that provide a safe means of determining battery life including USB data collection
- Integrated chargers and testers to keep equipment to a minimum
- Cleaners for everyday use and tasks such as removing labels
- Lubricants to keep mobility devices working in an optimum way...
How can wear on mobility scooter tyres affect battery performance?
For anyone starting to experience poorer battery performance on a mobility scooter, one of the key factors that can have a big impact is the condition of the scooter tyres and, in particular, tyre wear.
So, if a mobility scooter isn’t performing as usual, don’t always assume it is just the battery to blame. While this might be true – and should be checked – you could be missing the actual reason as to why the battery is underperforming.
How does mobility scooter tyre wear affect battery performance?
When tyres become worn or are underinflated, this creates more friction on the surface as a result. In turn, this causes the motor (or motors) on the mobility scooter to work harder, and thus the battery will drain more quickly.
Preventing mobility scooter tyres from wearing
There are numerous ways to prevent tyre wear on a mobility scooter:
- Visually check the tyre tread depth and, if you can see that it’s running low, then it is time to think about a replacement. Also, check for any bald patches and tears that have appeared.
- If the mobility scooter has pneumatic tyres – ensure the mobility scooter’s tyres are inflated to the correct PSI. Underinflated tyres cause added friction and an overworking of the battery and motors. (Do not over-inflate though as this can increase the risk of a puncture or tyre blow-out.)
- Ensure the mobility scooter receives regular servicing. A professional will be able to advise on when a mobility scooter needs new tyres and can point out any safety issues.
What are the signs of mobility scooter tyre wear?
As with anything, when mobility scooter tyres begin to wear, you will notice some changes to the general ride of the mobility scooter.
Reduced mobility scooter range
One of the key signs that tyres are beginning to wear is a reduced range. It is very easy to think that the battery on the mobility scooter needs replacing when the range falls – but there may be nothing wrong with it, and it is underperforming only as a result of the tyres wearing.
Other signs of tyre wear are very different depending on whether the mobility scooter has pneumatic or solid tyres. Let’s talk you through what the signs are for both.
Pneumatic tyres:
- Steering begins to feel heavier because of worn or flat tyres
- Visual indicators that the tyres have become flat
- Tyre treads are not very deep, and areas of the rubber are worn
Solid tyres:
- Along with the external wear and tear, solid mobility scooter tyres have the potential to wear internally, which makes it hard to check the wear on the tyres visually.
- A more likely sign of internal wear in solid tyres can be an uneven feel to the ride or look ‘underinflated’
What are the best mobility scooter tyres to use?
We would always recommend opting for tyres from reputable brands. Ask mobility scooter users what they have found to be reliable. You can also use the internet to look at forums for advice.
At Strident we stock tyres from two of the most reputable, established, brands in the mobility scooter industry – Cheng Shin and Innova.
The more ‘budget’ tyres will use a synthetic, cheaper rubber and, if you see one together with a ‘premium’ tyre, you will notice that the tread depth is less, which means that the tyre won’t last as long. You’ll also be able to feel how much thinner and lighter the material is on the budget tyre.
So our advice is very much to use a premium and a reputable brand, and that will ensure users are always maximising battery performance.
You may also want to consider whether you want to use a solid or air tyre.
To help decide what’s best for someones own personal use we’ve done another blog that compares air vs solid mobility scooter tyres.
Who should replace mobility scooter tyres?
Replacing a mobility scooter tyre isn’t an easy job that anybody can do, it requires specialist training and equipment. For example, when replacing a solid tyre, the tyre needs to be compressed before fitting to the wheel rim using specialist equipment.
When fitting solid tyres, there is a danger that if it is not fitted correctly, then it won’t grip the rims properly. This is a real safety hazard and puts the user at risk of having an accident.
Don’t put users at risk on a mobility scooter
Worn, underinflated or incorrectly fitted tyres not only impact battery performance but can carry a risk. No-one would drive a car on the road with worn tyres, so why would anyone use worn tyres on something as important as a mobility scooter?
Driving on worn tyres comes with risks, the major one being losing traction on a slope or turning a sharp corner. When mobility scooter tyres start to wear and become bald, there is an immediate risk of losing control. Please do make sure mobility scooters receive regular servicing and do visually check the tyres on a regular basis for signs of wear.
Why use Strident for your mobility scooter tyres?
At Strident, we only stock tyres from reputable brands, so you can be sure that you’re getting excellent quality. We also recognise that you may need to get hold of them quickly, so we hold all of our tyres in stock and so, in most cases, we can dispatch tyres on the same day.
Find out more about our tyres by downloading our brochure below.
Strident is growing and moving to larger premises
IMPORTANT NEWS | Strident is moving to larger premises in Swaffham, Norfolk
2018 is proving to be a year of major expansion for Strident - both through increasing business with our trade partners and clients - but also through the growth of some new business streams with significant players in the Care and Mobility sectors.
So here are all the details of our move that we need to tell you about so that we can continue to serve you with as little disruption as possible.
Where are we going?
We are moving about 12 miles West from our home of many years, Dereham, to the town of Swaffham, Norfolk. A famous market town since the 14th Century, we are looking forward to settling into our new home. In our expanded facility, we have the space to store our whole range of battery, charger, tester and traction products and despatch them to you for next day delivery.
The full postal address for Strident from Monday 9th July will be:
50 Turbine Way, Ecotech Business & Innovation Park, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7XD. The phone line remains 01362 300102 and fax line remains 01362 300103.
When are we closed and unable to process orders?
Our first full day of trading from Swaffham will be Monday 9th July and our last day, before the move, for despatching orders will be Wednesday 4th July. If possible, we'd really appreciate it if you can order as quickly as possible this week if you need the products delivered in the next few days.
We hope to maintain our saleslines throughout the move, but clearly, that depends on our phone provider's installation schedule. It is possible there may be some disruption on 6th July.
You will be able to continue to communicate with us via email or fax throughout the whole of the move.
Thank you once again for your support
Whether you are part of our distributor network and have bought Strident products for your mobility products, we are only expanding because of you. So thank you for your trust in the Strident brand, and we look forward to providing you with more choice and an even higher level of service from next week.
Thanks for visiting us at Naidex 2018 and viewing our mobility batteries, chargers, testers and tyres
Thank you for checking out our mobility batteries, chargers, testers and tyres at the Naidex 2018 Exhibition
A big thanks from the Strident team to all of you - retailers and users alike - who joined us at the Naidex 2018 Exhibition this week at the NEC Birmingham. We enjoyed hearing your experiences of mobility products and answering any questions you had about the products we had on display.
Common discussion points included:
- making mobility batteries in scooters, lifters and hoists last longer
- getting the maximum range out of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
- when to use the many different kinds of batteries available
- the tasks that determine the best choice of battery
More to come...
We'll be writing some blogs to cover the answers to many of the questions asked. Until then, here are a few pictures from set-up to close of our time at the show.
Naidex 2018 Exhibitors | Strident exhibiting mobility batteries, chargers, testers and tyres
Looking for battery or tyre providers amongst the Naidex 2018 Exhibitors? Come to Stand Number: 13166
The Strident team are looking forward to joining the Naidex 2018 Exhibitors on the 25th and 26th of April 2018 at the NEC Birmingham. Picking up on the theme of the Naidex Exhibition - Innovations for the Future of Independent Living - Strident will have their innovative battery technology on display. Included in this will be a range of chargers and testers to make sure you keep your mobility batteries in optimum condition. Finally, Strident have a traction range with tyres for all kinds of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
You can see our full exhibitor entry and an introductory video in the Exhibitors section of Naidex Exhibition website.
Ask Strident a question about batteries, chargers and testers
If you are looking for inspiration as to how to look after the batteries and tyres upon which you depend, then we'd welcome a few minutes of your time on the stand. We love to answer questions - however random! Ask us:
- how to get the maximum range out of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
- how to make mobility batteries in scooters, lifters and hoists last longer
- about the different kinds of batteries available
- which battery is the right one for which task etc.
You'll find us at stand number 13166.
Why Strident?
If you have not already come across Strident products in your local or online retailer, here is a quick rundown of why you should take a look while attending the Naidex 2018 Exhibition.
Why use our batteries?
Today it is apparent that there is no universal battery to fit every application. We recognised this at Strident and invested in R & D and extensive product testing. The result is a battery that is ideally suited for the medical market, one that will sustain high demands of constant use and will perform to a high number of cycles. This battery gives dependent users the confidence in having power when and where they need it.
Why use our chargers and testers?
The consistency of charge produces optimum battery performance. As such, the Strident range of chargers has been carefully selected to provide that consistency. By utilising the three critical stages required for quality battery charging, the Strident range gives the peace of mind to achieve the very best from your equipment. With the use of the Strident intelligent three-stage charging technique, premature battery failure is significantly reduced by ensuring the correct levels of charge are applied at every stage regardless of size. This technique eliminates the risk of gassing that is often caused by overcharging by traditional single-stage charging. Furthermore, this also maintains plate quality at its best performance level by reducing compound breakdown.
Why use our traction products?
With over 15 years experience in the mobility industry, Strident is well placed to offer the broadest range of high-quality mobility consumables including a full range of mobility tyres. Whether you are looking for Tyres, Tubes, Pneumatic or Solid, you will find a solution for your traction needs.
Finding your way to see the Naidex 2018 Exhibitors
Embracing power in 2018 at Duxford conference centre
Wow – 2018 has sure kicked off to a flying start for the team at Strident!!
Tuesday 2nd January 2018 our team got together again for the first time in a new year but this time not at the office – we gathered at the inspiring Duxford conference centre in Cambridge, UK.
A fantastic event for everyone with true to life content we refocused on our vision, realigned to the one underlying commitment to make easy easier. We embraced new products lines presented by guest speakers, discussed exciting future developments some of which will be released very soon but above all we displayed the true team culture of happiness and the willingness to share both pressure and joy – we will carry this forward with us into 2018.
You can our current range of batteries here.
Strident has started on the 2018 journey, it’s exciting and it’s going to be fun, but we are committed as a team to support every one of our valued distributors to even higher level.
Our simple message to you is to hop on board, stay on the plane and enjoy the flight – we’re climbing to higher altitude and we need you to be right on board.
Be sure to keep connected by following Strident on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook as we will have lots of updates for you there over the coming weeks and months in 2018.
Celebrate National Battery Day 18th February with free delivery all week
It's worth celebrating National Battery Day
On February 18th each year we apparently celebrate National Battery Day, Drink Wine Day and, most bizarre of all, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. We will leave it to the winemakers and ice cream makers to promote their respective days - but we would like to stick with what we know best and promote National Battery Day!
So often we take for granted this amazing device that allows electricity to be carried around, well away from wires and chargers. We are all probably carrying many batteries around with us all day for devices such as phones, watches, key fobs, fitness devices, etc. The battery is not often seen – but it makes quite a lot of things possible.
For a significant number of people in the UK, batteries play an even more significant role – providing mobility and healthcare solutions for the disabled, injured, infirm or aged. To these groups, the battery that sits in their mobility scooter, powered wheelchair, personal hoist or riser chair makes many things possible.
How to celebrate National Battery Day
It may be a little too much to buy your mobility or healthcare battery a card or a bunch of flowers – however close to Valentines Day we are – but you could:
- CHECK your batteries. The health of your battery is essential when it powers something that you depend upon.
- CHARGE your batteries. Different batteries need different maintenance and charging regimes. We have articles on battery care that you can take a look at.
- REPLACE old or unreliable batteries. Sadly, no battery lasts forever so don’t get caught out and replace ones at the end of their life. Here is where we really can help if you would like to call our Advice Line and see what would be the best replacement battery for your particular circumstances.
Our contribution to National Battery Day
In recognition of this annual celebration, we would like to offer FREE DELIVERY on any battery order placed with us during the week starting with National Battery Day. So from Sunday 18th February to Saturday 24th February, there will be no delivery charges added to your order.
The best thing to do is to call us on 01362 300102 or you can browse our online batteries catalogue and submit an enquiry.