Lithium Batteries for Mobility Scooters and Power Wheelchairs

Among the many applications and uses for Dakota Lithium Batteries, they are exceptionally beneficial in mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. These devices are essential to many individuals with limited mobility or disabilities to remain independent and increase their quality of life. The batteries that power these devices are crucial, as they determine the overall performance, range, and dependability. Dakota batteries are the perfect alternative to traditional SLA batteries, providing complete peace of mind for daily users. This post will explain the benefits of switching to Dakota Lithium batteries, why they are ideal for mobility devices, and introduce Mobility Direct as Dakota’s exclusive mobility dealer!

Benefits of Upgrading Mobility Devices with Dakota Lithium

 

Lightweight

Lithium batteries are naturally lighter than conventional SLA, gel, or AGM batteries. Dakota batteries, in particular, are only half the weight of the typical batteries included with mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. This means your mobility device will be lighter; improving overall performance and portability. With a lighter load, scooters and power wheelchairs can reach peak performance. It makes maneuvering easier, decreases stress on the motor, and in some cases can enable variably faster speeds. Additionally, with many disassembling devices, the batteries or battery case(s) are one of the heaviest pieces. Dakota batteries cut that weight in half, allowing easier lifting and transportation.

Increased Travel Range

One of the most notable benefits of upgrading your mobility scooter or power wheelchair with Dakota Lithium batteries is the substantial increase in travel range. Compared to standard SLAs, Dakota batteries offer 2 to 3 times more distance. The most popular mobility scooters have a travel range of around 8-10 miles per charge. Replacing the standard batteries with Dakota Lithiums will enable the same scooters to travel 20+ miles on a single charge. This drastic increase in travel range provides complete peace of mind while out and about, especially during longer trips.

Long-Lasting

While it is important to note that lithium batteries are initially more expensive, in the long run, they are undoubtedly valuable investments. The standard batteries included with your mobility scooter or power wheelchair are generally under warranty for about six months. Furthermore, SLA batteries only have 250-300 maximum recharge cycles. Frequent or daily users will have to replace them every 12-18 months, which certainly adds up. On the other hand, Dakota batteries have a lifespan of around five times longer. They have up to 2,000 recharge cycles and are under warranty for a considerable 11 years. Although Dakota Lithium batteries are a bit more costly upfront, avoiding regular (and expensive) battery replacements will save your wallet more.

Mobility Direct – Exclusive Mobility Provider for Dakota Lithium

To make lithium batteries more accessible, we have partnered with Dakota Lithium to offer exclusive upgrades for mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. By combining our technological expertise and extensive knowledge of powered mobility products, we are providing advanced solutions to old technology. As Dakota’s exclusive mobility dealer, you can purchase Dakota batteries from us to upgrade your mobility device to go further, faster, and longer. In fact, due to our partnership, select manufacturers will allow the installation of your Dakota Lithium upgrades at the factory, without voiding your warranty! Together, we have helped hundreds of customers switch their mobility scooters and power wheelchairs to Dakota Lithium; resulting in reliable, efficient devices and satisfied users.

Extensive Testing in Mobility Devices

As aforementioned, it is of the utmost importance that mobility scooters and power wheelchairs are entirely reliable, especially for those who depend on them for everyday use. To ensure that Dakota batteries are equipped to operate adeptly in various mobility devices, we have conducted extensive research and a plethora of testing.

Range Testing

First and foremost, we have completed numerous range/distance tests to accurately record the significant increase in travel range that Dakota Lithium batteries offer. Many mobility devices have been tested with the appropriate size of Dakota upgrade. To name a few, the Go-Go Elite Traveller, Go-Go Ultra X, Go-Go Sport, Jazzy Zeroturn 8, Baja Wrangler 2 by Pride Mobility, the Literider 3-Wheel by Golden Technologies, and the Afiscooters by Afikim. During these range tests, battery voltage is continuously measured with a volt meter to illustrate discharge over time. The results of these tests truly speak for themself. For example, the Go-Go Ultra X comes with 12-volt, 12-amp-hour SLA batteries, which last up to 8 miles per charge. After switching to 12-volt, 18-amp-hour Dakota lithium batteries, the same scooter was able to travel a considerable 17 miles on a single charge! As for larger models like the Afiscooters by Afikim, they are compatible with much larger Dakota batteries, including the 60-amp-hour and 135-amp-hour. Afiscooters normally have a travel range of 28-35 miles per charge with SLA batteries. However, upgrading to Dakota Lithiums more than doubles this range, offering a maximum of 100 miles per charge with the 135-amp-hour option.

Take a look at the video below to watch the complete distance test of the Go-Go Ultra X:

 

Thermal Testing

A common concern for potential customers and their mobility scooters or power wheelchairs is the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Dakota Lithium batteries consist of a very safe and stable composition of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). Paired with an internal battery management system, or BMS, Dakota batteries operate cooler under a load compared to traditional SLA batteries. To provide complete peace of mind, we conducted temperature measurements during long-distance tests to demonstrate this. Using thermal laser meters, the temperature of the controller, motors, and batteries was measured periodically. The results confirmed that Dakota’s batteries allow the scooter’s components to run cooler, more efficiently, and even in a hot, tropical environment did not overheat.

Exciting Future Advancements

Amid our ongoing partnership with Dakota Lithium, we are continuously working on advancing the technology of mobility devices. While we solved the question of lithium replacement batteries, there are many prospective improvements to complement this newer technology. For example, the stock battery meters/gauges in most devices are designed to support SLA batteries and might not accurately measure the capacity of a lithium replacement. To remedy this, we are working on sourcing a smarter, lithium-compatible battery meter to display battery levels reliably. In addition, our research and development team is testing a Bluetooth-capable smartphone application. When launched, you can use it to comprehensively monitor your Dakota Lithium batteries. All in all, many exciting advancements are coming soon, so make sure to stay tuned!