Correctly Charging and Storing WANDLER Batteries in Cold Weather

When it gets cold outside, many owners of a WANDLER electric scooter wonder how to properly care for their battery in winter. Cold significantly affects the performance, range, and charging process of lithium batteries.

Most importantly: The battery should not be charged below freezing temperatures. If the battery is very cold, it must first be slowly brought to room temperature before charging. Additionally, the battery, charger, and vehicle should be stored dry and protected during longer periods of inactivity.

Why is cold important for the battery?

Lithium batteries are sensitive to low temperatures. In cold weather, the available power can decrease, the range can be shorter, and the voltage can drop more quickly under load.

This does not automatically mean that the battery is defective. However, a cold battery delivers less power than a battery at normal ambient temperature. This can be particularly noticeable on inclines, with heavy loads, or during strong acceleration.

Do not charge the battery below freezing temperatures

The battery should not be charged below freezing temperatures. If the battery has become very cold outdoors, it should first be brought into a dry room and allowed to slowly warm up to room temperature before charging.

Charging a very cold battery can shorten its lifespan and, in unfavorable cases, cause damage. Therefore: Let it warm up first, then charge.

Only use the appropriate charger

The battery and charger are coordinated. Therefore, only use the charger that matches your WANDLER or is supplied with it. An incorrect charger can lead to malfunctions, incorrect charging, or damage to the battery.

• only use the appropriate WANDLER charger
• do not connect an unfamiliar charger
• keep the charger dry and clean
• do not start the charging process with a severely chilled battery
• disconnect the charger from the battery after charging

Bring the battery to room temperature before charging

If the scooter or battery has been exposed to cold for an extended period, the battery should not be charged immediately. First place the battery or vehicle in a dry room and wait until the battery has reached room temperature.

Slow warming is important. Do not place the battery directly on a heater and do not use any external heat source. Gentle warming at normal room temperature is the better solution.

Properly storing the battery in winter

If the WANDLER electric scooter is not used for a longer period in winter, the battery should be stored dry, protected, and ideally at room temperature. The vehicle should not be left with an empty battery permanently.

• store battery dry
• store battery at room temperature if possible
• do not store permanently empty
• do not leave battery permanently connected to the charger
• recharge at least every three months during longer periods of non-use
• fully charge after a longer period of inactivity before the first ride

Recharge the battery after every use

After use, the battery should be recharged, regardless of how long the journey was. It is important not to leave the battery deeply discharged for extended periods.

This is particularly relevant in winter, as cold can reduce the usable capacity. A battery that is already almost empty can fall into a critical voltage range more quickly in cold weather.

Avoid deep discharge

The battery should ideally not be completely discharged or stored empty. A remaining capacity of at least approximately 20% is more favorable for lifespan than a complete discharge.

If a battery is deeply discharged or remains charged too low for an extended period, it can lead to permanent damage. In such cases, battery performance can significantly decrease.

Properly break in new batteries

New batteries should be handled with particular care during the first charging cycles. A good practice is to fully charge new batteries the first few times and not heavily load them immediately.

This allows the system to stabilize and ensures the battery is used correctly from the start. However, it remains important: Do not charge below freezing and do not leave it permanently empty.

What happens in cold weather during the ride?

During the ride, a cold battery can warm up slightly due to load. Nevertheless, performance is often reduced at low temperatures. The range can be noticeably lower in winter than in summer.

• reduced range possible
• greater voltage drop under load possible
• reduced performance with a very cold battery possible
• slower acceleration possible
• earlier shutdown possible with very low battery level

This is normal for lithium batteries and does not automatically mean a defect. However, if the performance remains significantly weak even at normal temperature, the battery should be checked.

Quick guide: How to handle batteries in cold weather

When should the battery be checked?

The battery should be checked more closely if it behaves unusually or provides significantly less power despite normal temperatures.

• battery does not charge normally
• charger does not start or stops prematurely
• battery gets unusually warm
• range is severely reduced
• scooter shuts down under load
• battery was completely empty for an extended period
• visible damage to the battery housing or contacts

In these cases, the battery should not be subjected to further stress until the cause is determined.

Conclusion

Cold is particularly important for your WANDLER electric scooter battery when charging and during longer storage. A cold battery should not be charged directly, but should first reach room temperature. For a long lifespan, the battery should be stored dry, recharged regularly, and not left completely discharged.

Only use the appropriate charger, do not charge the battery below freezing temperatures, and regularly check the charge level during longer periods of inactivity. This will keep the battery more reliable and extend its lifespan.