How to Hook Up a Scooter Battery
The installation of a scooter battery is not difficult, but one can minimize frustration by following a few basic steps. Then you will be confident that the battery works correctly, doesn't short out and stays on your scooter when riding. The dealer you buy your battery from can help you with some of the tasks, but the rest are best performed by yourself.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Phillips screwdriver, and possibly flathead as well
- Rubber gloves
- Eye protection
- Lighting
- Battery
- Wire stripper/cutter/crimper tool
- New hoop terminals for wire ends
- Distilled water
- Small funnel or dripper
- Small plastic container
- Crescent wrench or spanner set (metric values)
Instructions
-
Preparation
-
1
Unpack the new scooter battery from its packaging. Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin, and wear eye protection. Wet the battery down using distilled water, pour in the battery acid that comes with the package and charge the battery on a trickle charger. Make sure to remove the vent plug on the side of the battery. This process may take up to eight hours.
-
2
Take a wire brush and clean up the battery tray in the scooter. Remove rust and dirt so the tray is clean.
-
-
3
Check the wire ends from the scooter to determine if they are frayed or in bad condition. If so, clip the ends off as close as possible to the damaged end and strip new bare wire ends with a wire cutter/stripper tool. Then, using the same tool, crimp new terminal hoop ends on the new bare wire so that it can be hooked to the battery.
Installation
-
4
Look to see if new battery terminal nuts and bolts are included in the battery packaging. Use the new bolts and nuts if so, and otherwise use those from your old battery if available. Check the new battery to make sure that the water level added is between the minimum and maximum levels on the battery side. If not, then add more distilled water. If there is too much, then drain a bit into a safe container.
-
5
Seat the new battery in the battery tray. Take the rubber strap and re-install it to secure the battery. Hook the strap from the bottom of the tray first, and then pull upwards to the final hook to seat the strap (it's easier than working downward, since the strap gets very tight). Hook the wires to the battery terminal, starting with the black wire. Black goes to negative, symbolized by a "-" sign on the negative terminal. Then hook the positive red wire to the positive terminal, marked with a "+" sign. Use a Phillips screwdriver and a 7- or 8-millimeter crescent wrench to tighten the bolts.
-
6
Close the battery compartment after double-checking that the wires are bolted on and the battery strap is secure. Turn on the ignition to your scooter in the electric position without turning on the engine (some scooters only have one position so you may have to turn the engine on with those models). Make sure that your lights, turn signals, and brake light all work. If you have an old battery, then dispose of it, using a hazardous materials service; do not just chuck it into the city garbage can.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep your battery in running shape before installation by hooking it up monthly to a battery charger or tender when not used regularly in a scooter. This will preserve the charge and ensure that the battery is usable when you decide to install it.
Battery acid, usually added by the dealer to a new battery, can be very corrosive and will burn skin and clothes. Make sure to wear gloves when handling a battery and use eye protection to avoid harm from splashing.
