Electric miniscooter charinging from 12v motorhome alternator?

[WildIrish]

I don't know if this is the best group, if not please let me know
appropriate
group to post to.

I'd like to get two of the entry-level miniscooters for doing
shortrange 'grocery'
runs and keep them in my motorhome. I would like to be able to charge
them when on the road from my alternator output, not 120v generator
power.

I see a lot of those cheap miniscooters say they are 24v... are they
TWO 12v batteries that I could wire a 'custom charge lead' for and run
them in parallel for charging and then PLUG IN to the miniscooter when
ready to use? I have never seen these scooters, and was hoping someone
can
point me in the direction of one that allows me to get it back to
the raw 12volt batteries instead of a sealed 24volt battery that I
can't
easily charge.

Any suggestions are appreciated! Brand sepcific suggestions that will
meet
my needs (for under $200) would be awesome.

Thanks a bunch!
~Brendan

 

[Steve]

I don't know if this is the best group, if not please let me know
appropriate
group to post to.

I'd like to get two of the entry-level miniscooters for doing
shortrange 'grocery'
runs and keep them in my motorhome. I would like to be able to charge
them when on the road from my alternator output, not 120v generator
power.

I see a lot of those cheap miniscooters say they are 24v... are they
TWO 12v batteries that I could wire a 'custom charge lead' for and run
them in parallel for charging and then PLUG IN to the miniscooter when
ready to use? I have never seen these scooters, and was hoping someone
can
point me in the direction of one that allows me to get it back to
the raw 12volt batteries instead of a sealed 24volt battery that I
can't
easily charge.

Any suggestions are appreciated! Brand sepcific suggestions that will
meet
my needs (for under $200) would be awesome.

Thanks a bunch!
~Brendan

Why not just charge them with their included 120v charger but run it
from an inverter if you don't want to use your generator?

Steve

 

[Al]

Why not just charge them with their included 120v charger but run it
from an inverter if you don't want to use your generator?

Steve

I aagree. This is the cheapest and easiest way to do it. Just make sure
your alternator had the extra capacity to do this.

I have seen installations where a second alternator was added to handle
non-automotive loads.

Al

 

[SoCalMike]

I don't know if this is the best group, if not please let me know
appropriate
group to post to.

I'd like to get two of the entry-level miniscooters for doing
shortrange 'grocery'
runs and keep them in my motorhome. I would like to be able to charge
them when on the road from my alternator output, not 120v generator
power.

I see a lot of those cheap miniscooters say they are 24v... are they
TWO 12v batteries that I could wire a 'custom charge lead' for and run
them in parallel for charging and then PLUG IN to the miniscooter when
ready to use? I have never seen these scooters, and was hoping someone
can
point me in the direction of one that allows me to get it back to
the raw 12volt batteries instead of a sealed 24volt battery that I
can't
easily charge.

id probably do some googling, see whats out there. if all the ones youve
been finding use a sealed 24v battery, then youre SOL.

im no battery expert, but it seems to me theyd go for whatever the
cheapest solution is. gel-cell packs are relatively cheap and have been
used for YEARS in power wheels (ride-on toys)6v/12v applications. 12v
versions are 2 6v batteries fed into the same harness.

look up the specs for whatever youre interested in. any DECENT
manufacturer would list the specs, maybe in a .pdf file.

i have a feeling they might use smaller cells in sequence... think "D"
or "C" size rechargeables in an array, like they use in cordless tools.

 

[WildIrish]

Well running them through an inverter is electrically inefficient; 12v
-> 120v -> 24v
Besides my theory was that running it off the alternator would provide
improved
charge rate over the 'wall-charger' they likely come with.

Does anyone know first hand if these batteries are two 12v batteries? I
have googled
the heck out of it and haven't turned up any specific info on how the
batteries are
configured, sure see a lot of sealed 24v units.

Anyone else have any specific info on these scooters battery systems?

 

[Aly]

Well running them through an inverter is electrically inefficient; 12v
-> 120v -> 24v
Besides my theory was that running it off the alternator would provide
improved
charge rate over the 'wall-charger' they likely come with.

Does anyone know first hand if these batteries are two 12v batteries? I
have googled
the heck out of it and haven't turned up any specific info on how the
batteries are
configured, sure see a lot of sealed 24v units.

Anyone else have any specific info on these scooters battery systems?

We don't know. We don't know which scooter you're referring to. We're good
yes, but not that good.

Grab a 24v alternator and modify the motorhome.

There's ALOT of unknowns here, such that if the practical mechanical and/or
electrical skills aren't there, then it's not going to happen. This is
likely Microsoft's fault..

 

[John]

Well running them through an inverter is electrically inefficient; 12v
-> 120v -> 24v
Besides my theory was that running it off the alternator would provide
improved
charge rate over the 'wall-charger' they likely come with.

Does anyone know first hand if these batteries are two 12v batteries? I
have googled
the heck out of it and haven't turned up any specific info on how the
batteries are
configured, sure see a lot of sealed 24v units.

Anyone else have any specific info on these scooters battery systems?

If the scooter uses two 12 volt batteries to get 24 volts, removing
the batteries to connect them to a 12 volt charging source will get
old very quickly. In addition, since these scooters use sealed lead
acid (SLA) batteries, be very cautious about an "improved charge
rate". Exceeding the manufacturer's specified charge rate can cause
the battery to vent the excess gas produced, making it no longer a
sealed cell and (often) leading to swift failure of the battery.

For charging a 24 volt battery, find or build a 12->24 converter to
provide the voltage needed for charging and add the current limiting
needed to protect the battery.

Or accept the inefficiency of a 90% efficient DC->AC inverter and the
provided charger.

Or buy some solar panels that can provide 24 volts at an acceptable
charge rate. No connection to your electrical system, totally green
in use, and only $150 or so.

John

 

[Wim Lewis]

Does anyone know first hand if these batteries are two 12v batteries?

Well, I obviously don't know what particular scooters you're thinking of.
But I have a larger electric scooter that uses four 12v batteries in
series. So it's not impossible that your scooter would use two 12v
batteries. I suggest finding a dealer and calling/emailing them.

 

[Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply]

I would try Voltage Forum at http://www.visforvoltage.com/forums

(disclaimer: Just an occasional reader, Ken, the owner, doesn't know I
am suggesting you visit there, etc., etc.)

 

[Ped Racer D]

Well there Wild Irish if youy budget is that small then all you will be
getting in Scooters is Chinese ones (we hate the Chinese ones) the very
people that have ruined the American Scooter bussiness by stealing our
designs building dad designes Scooters that are literally unsafe
becouse of bad metalergy with bad welds,poor assembly techniques (in
some cases Scooters ahve been known to be shipped with non-working
braking systems and people have been literally killed) poor
workmanship,faulty parts, no parts network to speak of (what do you
expect from 50 cent an hour labor) so to say the least the Chinese
Scooters are a mess. However if you want an American Scooter then its
Boxer or Goped and they will cost you (between $500 and $1000 depending
on the model of sooterand there are many in the product lines of both
manufactures) but they are Quality product so there ya go you pay for
what you get much less the ethical issues of buying American when you
can ! As far as the charging of your electric Scooter goes use an
inverter between your RV's system and the Scooter .Then use the charger
that comes with your Scooter to plug into the RV's inverter (if its
Chinese it will be out board and seperate from the Scooter) if it is
American it will be built in ! You start to get my point about the
American stuff ? Its elegant and very cool indeed to say the least !
The American Electrics are pound for pound more good looking units
faster and way better made !!! We have a saying about the Chinese
product if you still want to buy them at all "Get three one to ride and
two for parts" becouse in the end you will really need them !.......Ped
Racer D

P.S. Ther are no really cheap and easy rides if you spend good money
you will get something that will last. However if you cheap it with the
chinese product you will pay in the end in over all satisfaction of
performance and you will replace almost everything on the Chinese
Scooter in the
end repeatadly over and over again and again !!!......Prd







WildIrish wrote:
I don't know if this is the best group, if not please let me know
appropriate group to post to. I'd like to get two of the entry-level
miniscooters
for doing shortrange 'grocery' runs and keep them in my motorhome. I
would like
to be able to charge them when on the road from my alternator output,
not 120v
generator power. I see a lot of those cheap miniscooters say they are
24v...
are they TWO 12v batteries that I could wire a 'custom charge lead' for
and run
them in parallel for charging and then PLUG IN to the miniscooter when
ready to use? I have never seen these scooters, and was hoping someone
can point me in the direction of one that allows me to get it back to
the raw 12volt batteries instead of a sealed 24volt battery that I
can't easily charge. Any suggestions are appreciated! Brand sepcific
suggestions that will meet my needs (for under $200) would be awesome.
Thanks a bunch ! ~Brendan

 

[Juan Skinner]

Well running them through an inverter is electrically inefficient; 12v
-> 120v -> 24v
Besides my theory was that running it off the alternator would provide
improved
charge rate over the 'wall-charger' they likely come with.

You don't need an improved charge rate, it will shorten the life of
your batteries and possibly cause them to explode in your face.
Adding a second alternator is inneficient and not a minor undertaking.
Modern inverters are cheap and efficient, plus you can charge
cellphones, camcorders etc. The main point though is that you will be
able to charge a scooter regardless of type and still have the
advantage of whatever inteligent charging and temperature supervision
it offers.
Tone.

 

[Ped Racer D]

Well Wild Irish you caused a fire storm of posts out here which is very
cool ! It seems that a lot of people are interested in your electric
Scooter inquiry. The post are very welcome out here and I hope that all
of you keep posting out here on Scooter related issues ! Thanks again
to all for posting out here and good luck to all in the future from the
Alt. !..........Ped Racer D





WildIrish wrote:
I don't know if this is the best group, if not please let me know
appropriate group to post to.