5 Steps To Speeding Up Any Motorized Scooter for the Elderly

Motorized scooters are a great way to help the elderly stay independent and on the move. However, if they are too slow, it could make it hard for them to keep up with others. A slow scooter could also become a nuisance because its battery keeps running out. This article will explore more behind why a motorized scooter might be too slow and a few ways you can easily increase scooter speed. 

Quick Overview of A Mobility Scooter

A mobility scooter is a scooter that uses an engine to run. Unlike traditional scooters that require you to stand, a mobility one provides a cushioned seat. There is a large handlebar on the front that’s connected to a small control panel that you can use to adjust the speed and power. 

The Average Mobility Scooter Speed

The typical speed for a mobility scooter is about eight miles per hour. While some might be faster, most of them will run at this speed because it’s quick enough to get you around, but not too fast to cause potential injuries. 

Common Causes For a Slow Motorized Scooter

There are a few things that could be behind a slow mobility scooter. Some of the most common causes are:

• A malfunctioning electronic brake which could put pressure on the gears and make it harder for them to move. 
• A battery leak that might cause acid to ooze out. The acid could coat nearby wires and make them disintegrate. 

5 Methods to Speed Up Your Mobility Scooter

Use a Different Battery

For many devices, the battery could be to blame for slow movement. If it’s not powerful enough or made with cheap materials, it could cause the scooter to run sluggishly. Sometimes it might also just be past its prime and need to be replaced. If you want to speed up your scooter, consider using a different battery.

You’ll want to review two things when looking for a new battery:

• Capacity
• Amperage 

The capacity indicates how long the battery will last on a full charge. For every 10Ah, your battery will run for one hour. For best results, you might want to invest in a battery that is 90Ah. 

You’ll also want to look at the amperage. The amperage displays the electric flow in the battery. The higher it is, the faster your motorized scooter will move. For best results, an 8-24 amp battery should be installed. This won’t only help speed up your scooter, but increase scooter mileage. 

Add a New Battery

Instead of replacing the battery, you could instead attach another one next to it. This will give you twice the power so your scooter rides much faster. 

Keep in mind that some models might not allow you to do this. It’s best to research beforehand to see if this is the case. Otherwise, you risk damaging your scooter. 

If you decide to do this, carefully open up the front panel and locate your current battery. Take the wires around it and connect them to the new one while lining it up so that it’s parallel with the old battery. Make sure the positive and negative ends of the new battery are connected to the right parts. 

Replace the Sprocket

Sprockets are grooved wheels that help a chain move to provide traction to the scooter’s gears. 

For most scooters, the sprocket connects to the engine with a small pin. You can use a tiny pick and hammer to gently remove this pin to release the sprocket. Once it is, grab your new sprocket, slide it into place, and then use the hammer to resecure the pin. 

If you’re concerned about destroying your scooter when replacing your sprocket, you could instead try to spray some oil on it first. 

Remove the Speed Limiter

Some scooters have a speed limiter built into them. This tool blocks the motor from going over the preset speed. By disconnecting it, the engine will have unlimited speed so you can go as fast as you wish. 

To remove it, you’ll first want to locate the speed limiter. Most of the time, you can find it by looking at the scooter’s user manual. If you’re unable to find it in the pamphlet, you can instead search for it yourself. After opening up the engine, look for a black wire topper that has two green wires extending from both sides of it. 

When you find it, gently grab one end of the black piece and pull it apart so it splits into two.  You’ve now disconnected the speed limiter. 

Try to Rewind the Motor

The motor is surrounded by various coils that help the scooter transport you. The fewer revolutions per minute it has, the slower your scooter will move. You can change this by rewinding the motor to give it more speed and to improve its lifespan because the rewinding refreshes it. 

While useful at increasing electric scooter speed, this process can be very intricate. Because of this, it’s best to use this option only as a last resort. Ideally, consider having a professional carefully remove and rewind the coils for you. 

Is it Safe to Adjust the Speed?

If done correctly, adjusting a motorized scooter’s speed is safe, but it does come with a few precautions. If you’re not careful, the adjustments could overwhelm the battery or motor making them more susceptible to overheating. 

More power could also irritate the motor because there’s extra torque. You’ll want to make sure that all the new pieces and adjustments will work in harmony with each other. 

The last thing to remember is that sometimes the scooter might go faster than one expects at first. You’ll want to move slowly and get used to the new speed before trying to zoom around on the scooter at full force. 

To Sum it Up

A slow motorized scooter can be a huge inconvenience. Not only does it make it harder for you to get to where you need to be, but it can drain the battery. By keeping these tips in mind, you can easily increase scooter power so it works well for your needs. If you’re on the search for one, check outEverlasting Mobility’s selection. Our shop features a handful of speedy scooters that are built to last you for years.