Vive Health14 x 13 Inch Ice Wrap
Vive Health28 x 16 Inch Bath Mat
Vive Health3 Loop Hammer Toe Splint
Vive Health3 Wheel Mobility Scooter Battery Pack (Pair)
Vive Health4 Wheel Mobility Scooter
Vive Health5 Level Therapy Bar Kit
Vive Health22 x 22 Inch Shower Mat
Vive Health3 in 1 Padded Commode
Vive Health3 Wheel Mobility Scooter
Vive Health4 Wheel Air Frame Walker
Vive Health4 Wheel Mobility Scooter with Front Basket
Vive Health843 OA Knee Brace Replacement Pads Set, Left
Vive Health26 Inch Oval Bath Mat
Vive Health3 Layer Toe Separators
Vive Health3 Wheel Mobility Scooter Basket
Vive Health4 Wheel Air Frame Walker with Bag
Vive Health5 Inch Alternating Pressure Pad
Vive Health843 OA Knee Brace Replacement Pads Set, RightStorage and charging: where a scooter or power chair should live
Before a new scooter or power chair arrives, it is worth deciding where it will live. That spot has to do several jobs at once: keep the device and battery at a sensible temperature, sit near a suitable outlet, leave room to get on and off safely, and stay out of the way of everyone else in the house. Choosing it ahead of time saves a lot of rearranging later.
This guide uses Pride Mobility's published guidance as a worked example: its Maxima scooter owner's manual for sealed lead-acid batteries and its lithium-ion FAQ. Your own manual is the final word for your model.
Temperature: the first thing to get right
Batteries do not like extremes. Pride's Maxima manual advises storing the scooter in a warm, dry environment and avoiding places exposed to temperature extremes. It gives long-term storage temperatures of -13°F to 122°F, and calls 68°F to 70°F ideal where possible. It also warns to always protect batteries from freezing and never charge a frozen battery.
For lithium-ion batteries, Pride's FAQ recommends charging at room temperature, within an air temperature range of 32°F to 104°F (68°F optimal), and storing the battery between 23°F and 77°F (59°F to 77°F optimal).
In practice, that rules out a lot of garages, sheds and porches for much of the year in many parts of the country. A spot inside the house, such as a hallway nook, mudroom or bedroom corner, is often the safer home. If a garage is the only option, consider bringing a removable battery indoors to charge.
Keep it dry
The Maxima manual tells owners to keep electrical areas clean and free of moisture, and says not to expose the tiller console to moisture. If it does get wet, do not operate the scooter until the console has dried thoroughly. A device kept outside or in a damp space is at risk. If it must sit outdoors for a short time, a cover helps; Vive describes its Mobility Scooter Cover as waterproof for light to moderate rain, with a drawstring base.
The outlet: closer than you think
Charging is a daily or weekly habit, so make it easy. Plan the parking spot next to a grounded wall outlet. The Maxima manual is direct on several points:
- Never use an extension cord. Plug the charger directly into a properly wired standard outlet.
- Do not remove the grounding prong; if you only have a two-prong outlet, use an approved three-prong adapter properly installed.
- Do not use an automotive-type charger; use the charger supplied.
- Do not let unsupervised children play near the scooter while it charges, and Pride recommends not charging while the scooter is occupied.
- The charger case may get hot. Keep it off surfaces that heat could damage.
For sealed lead-acid batteries, the manual also warns that explosive gases may be generated while charging, so keep the scooter and charger away from flames or sparks and provide adequate ventilation. That is another reason to avoid a cramped closet next to a furnace or water heater.
Some devices let you take the battery off and charge it separately. Vive, for example, says its 3- and 4-wheel scooter battery pack charges onboard or offboard, and Pride lists an off-board charger for the Go Go Super Portable. If yours does, you can park the device in one spot and charge the battery at a kitchen counter or desk outlet.
Room to get on and off
The parking spot should also be a safe transfer spot. Think about:
- Enough clear floor beside the seat to stand, turn and sit, with a sturdy surface to steady yourself on.
- A path from the parking spot to the door that avoids rugs, cords and tight corners.
- Good lighting, including at night if the person goes out early or comes home late.
- Where the charger cord runs, so nobody trips on it.
Measure the device's overall length and width from its specification page and mark that footprint on the floor with tape before it arrives. It is the quickest way to see whether a spot really works.
Storing it for a long break
If the device will sit unused for weeks, such as during a hospital stay or a season away, the Maxima manual recommends:
- Fully charging the batteries before storage.
- Disconnecting the batteries from the scooter.
- Storing it in a warm, dry place away from temperature extremes.
- Charging the batteries periodically during long storage.
- Placing boards under the frame to take the weight off the tires and reduce flat spots.
For lithium-ion, Pride's FAQ says never to store the product with a fully discharged battery, and advises charging at least monthly when storing for more than 30 days. Pride also notes that a Go Go Endurance Li battery box can be in shutdown mode after 25 days of storage and must then be charged off the scooter.
Turn it off when parked
A simple habit helps both safety and the battery. The Maxima manual says to always turn off the scooter and remove the key when not in use.
Helpful accessories
Browse scooter accessories, including the Vive Mobility Scooter Cover, the Vive scooter battery pack and the Feather Power Scooter spare battery. Compare device sizes on pages such as the Pride Maxima 4-wheel and the Pride Go Go Super Portable.
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