Monday, June 29, 2020

Electric Scooter Maintenance – How to Maintain Electric Scooter

Did you notice some problems recently while you were riding your electric scooter? If yes, you need these electric scooter maintenance tips...
Even though you bought your electric scooter six months ago, you feel that are performances slightly lower?
And you can’t get rid of the thoughts how it will ride in one year from now or two?
By the end of this article, you will find out how you can maintain your electric scooter in the right way. Your electric scooter will experience a transformation if you apply everything you learn, and it will be grateful for that. Also, you will feel the difference as well.

Why Is Important Doing Regular Electric Scooter Maintenance?

Regular electric scooter maintenance reduces the probability of major problems and automatically increases the efficiency of your electric scooter.
Image of hex wrenches on wooden surface.
Basic tool you need to have - Allen wrenches
What does it mean? It means that you can rely on your scooter whenever you want and be pretty sure that it’s going to take you wherever you want on time. I know I can count on mine…
The concept is simple - everything comes down to this two options:

The first option is about leaving as little space as possible for breakdowns. Through regular electric scooter maintenance, we have a chance to notice some smaller problem, predict failures, and prevent a potential hazard.
That can be easy, fun, and really useful at the same time. Here's what I mean.
Easy steps that will save your electric scooter from failure
Bring your e-scooter in order
These steps should be everyone’s golden rules.
The second option is easier - but it leaves us with a bigger problem in the long run. This kind of philosophy creates malfunction more often, and then we must fix the problem.
That creates higher expenses because of new parts or/and the need for professional help. But, that’s not all.
If we don’t have our vehicle available for a day or two, our everyday activities could easily become a nightmare, right?

Basic parts of an electric scooter

Black and white xiaomi mijia m265
photo_credit_instagram @patrycja_michalis
An electric scooter is a small vehicle. However, it can make a big difference in everyday life. As kids use scooters for playing and buzzing around through neighborhood - on the other hand, business people use them for commuting.
Even though electric scooters look like a simple vehicle, you may be surprised how much parts make riding happening.

Electric Scooter Maintenance Tips

A professional mechanic is not a boogeyman (at least on the most occasions), and I don’t want to tell you that you should run from him. However, there is a lot of stuff you can do by yourself and postpone a visit to your mechanic until more significant problems appear.
Before you pick up the hammer, there is something you should know about maintenance - that’s not just about maintaining your scooter, it's about learning and connecting with your ride.

You should consider it more like a relaxing hobby and less as a hassle.
General tools you need
Tools and lubrication set required for basic maintenance
The basic tools that are needed for electric scooter maintenance

Washing - Electric Scooter Maintenance BASICS

You suppose to have several things on your mind:
  • Switch off your scooter
  • Do it outdoor
  • Never use a hose for showering electric scooter

Time for action:

FIRST STEP (MECHANICAL STATIC PARTS)

SECOND STEP (DEGREASING THE CHAIN)

THIRD STEP (WASHING THE WHEELS)

FOURTH STEP

How to Maintain Electric Scooter Tires

Electric scooter maintenance tires
Don't forget to take care of your tires
Tires are only contacting point between the road and us. Of course, until we fall.

TIRE PRESSURE 

Firstly, the right pressure is an essential feature when you want to optimize your riding style and technique. I like to go as fast as I can, and as far as I can, so I need to inflate the tires as much as the manufacturer allows, right? Not really.
Optimal pressure  
Example (35-45  psi)
Check on your tire
  • Lighter rider (36-37 psi)
  • Havier rider (42-43)
  • That’s A MUST
  • Follow logic from example
Check your tire recommended pressure, never exceed max pressure allowed by the manufacturer.
Lower pressure than recommended, consequences:
  • your speed is lower
  • greater danger of damaging a rim
  • higher rolling resistance
  • you spend battery more
  • inconsistent tire spending
While higher pressure increases probability:
  • of the burst while you riding
  • the ride will be extremely uncomfortable
  • cornering is less safe
  • inconsistent tire spending
One negative aspect it appears in both scenario if pressure is under the limit and on the limit or over. That one is inconsistent spending tire. Because of that, you need the right tire pressure.

TIRE DURATION

The second biggest problem is tire lifespan. If I should change tires on my car after 25000 miles, I surely can ride my scooter tires at least that mileage. Right?
I may disappoint you again, although I wish that isn’t the case. You have to change tires after 1000 miles depending on riding style. The tire becomes thinner and bolder, so your cornering and braking are riskier. Also, a puncture is more likely. Use these electric scooter maintenance tips and prolong the life of your tires.

TIRE CHANGING

When a tire wears out, or there is a puncture, here is what you need to have to change it effortlessly and safely:
FRONT WHEEL
  • STEP 1
  • STEP 2
  • STEP 3
  • STEP 4
Removing the front wheel is not a huge deal. You just have to take brakes off. For that use, Allen key usually number 5. Then use a regular wrench to remove the front wheel. You don’t need to unscrew all the way, just enough from both sides to take the wheel down.
A quick note:

It's not a good idea to put a brand new inner tube without checking. If you would inflate the tire and that sharp object is still there, Huston we have a problem - puncture again.
REAR WHEEL
  • STEP 1
  • STEP 2
  • STEP 3
  • STEP 4
Removing rear wheel require unscrewing fenders and plastic covers (if your electric scooter has some). Now, you need a small plate because of these small bolts - to keep it there while you are changing the tire.
Good to know:
  • If you have difficulties to install a new tire on your rim, use a little vaseline around the tire, OR you can put your tire in a microwave for a minute or two. DON’T OVERDO, of course, you don’t want your rim to be covered with vaseline in the first corner where you will be braking.
  • If your wheel hasn't been removed for an extended period, you might have to apply higher pressure to remove it.
A great piece of content that will HELP YOU A LOT if you are interested in handling your own troubles when a puncture occurs is How to handle electric scooter puncture.

How to Maintain Electric Scooter Batteries

Besides your engine and wheels, essential parts of your electric scooter are batteries. When you replace them, watch out not be talked into buying more powerful one than your previous. Classic batteries are usually 12V and 24Ah or more depending on the type of electric scooter.
When checking the health of batteries with digital multi-meter, two scenarios may occur:
FIRST: If you check them and numbers tell you something above 25 V - everything is fine.
SECOND:  If this test tells you something around 23V, 24V - there is some problem. It could be that just one went wrong, but when its time for a change, change both.
Every battery, not just these for electric scooter, has some amount of cycles that represents their life. Some have 300, some 1000 - some have more, some has less.
The main thing is to make sure that we know how to to deal with battery, to use its full potential properly. If we don’t take the following steps, we are throwing away a certain percentage of those charging cycles.
You can prolong the life of your electric scooter battery if you use these golden rules about escooter maintenance tips...

There are some golden rules when it comes to battery life:
  1. Keep it in above minus temperature
  2. You have to be sure that the charger is original and set up for your batteries voltage
  3.  When a battery is full (green light on the charger) unplug it
  4. Charge it after it cools down (don’t put it in charge directly after ride)
  5. Don’t let your battery entirely run out
  6. If that happens, put it on the charger as fast as you can (second rule: after cooling down)
  7. If you don’t use your scooter some extended period, put in on battery tender charger. (It charge the battery to full and then controls charging process by not letting the battery to overcharge).

If you allow your battery to be empty more than a few hours, then the battery can get internal oxidation, which causes shorter battery life.
You know how costly batteries can be, so take these steps to make sure every cycle you paid is delivered on the road.

How to Service Electric Scooter Brakes

A girl is trying to fix something with wrenches
Be strong on the road to became your own mechanic
Stopping is essential for safety. Naturally, everybody loves to cruise around, feel the speed, and kill the traffic rush with these agile machines. However, from time to time we must to brake furiously, and we want the best brakes we can afford.
Here are some electric scooter maintenance tips when it comes to brakes...
For​ electric scooters there are several types of br
It doesn’t matter which one your scooter has; the fundamental thing is that those brakes are functional and well serviced.
Pay attention to:
  • Drum brake shoes, caliper brakes shoes, brake pads, brake calipers must be fitting
  • You have to make sure that your wheels are spinning unobstructed.
  • If not, adjust them
Steps for fine brake tunning:
  1. Get your scooter on the platform (you need those wheels spinning in the air)
  2. Get Allen keys (for brake pads, shoes some smaller one, for brake wire Allen key 5)
  3. Be patient, fine-tuning is not a quick job

Chain/Belt

Some electric scooters, for example, Razor 100, has a belt. Some other scooters have a chain. There are similar conditions for each of the chain types.
Chain/belt can be:
  1. too loose
  2. too tight
  3. just right
  1. If it is to loose, there is the possibility of falling. You lose power because motor ​​​​​spins, but the wheel doesn’t receive that power.
  2. If it is too tight, there is enormous pressure on the belt, and it could snap.
Same is with the chain. Chain/belt has to be just right; you can switch off your scooter and then use some stick (watch your fingers) and try it. You will see in the second if it is too loose.
And if your chain is to tight, like a guitar string and you can play some song on it, you can be sure that it is time for some chain relaxing.
Chain/belt can be adjusted just with a wrench, so you unscrew wheel bolts a bit and move the wheel here and there for some good result.

Grips

Removing the grip from electric scooter handlebar
The correct way to remove the grip
After a while, you get the feeling like you don’t have grips. Grips get worn out, and you feel like you have throttles on both sides. And when that happens, its time for new grips.
How NOT to do
STEP 1
I just bought some brand new grips, and here we are, in the garage, Allen key in my arm to move the throttle a bit, because I purchased a slightly longer one. Ok, so far so good.
WRONG STEP 2
I use my knife and a lighter to stick that knife easier in that old grip. That was a plan.
WRONG STEP 3
That rubber turned into the hot glue. I burned myself, scratch the surface of my handlebar, destroy the knife, and the last, almost killed myself.

Don't you worry. There are some right ways of changing grips.

HOW TO CHANGE GRIPS CORRECTLY?

RIGHT WAY NUMBER 1:
To remove the old grip, you can use some spray as WD-40 with a small tube to spray inside the grip, between handlebar and grip. Then you have to move here and there to remove the old one.
RIGHT WAY NUMBER 2:
You can also use compressed air, which is a better solution.
RIGHT WAY NUMBER 3:
Use hairspray, or deodorant. And repeat the process of moving your grip here and there to take it off. Alcohol will evaporate, and it won't make the surface more slippery.
When is job done, and you removed the old grip, it's time for a new one.
For putting the new one on, it is crucial to prepare the surface by cleaning it with:
Hairspray
Eco-cleaner
Deodorant
It will help you to easier put on your new grip.
You can also mimic air compressor - while you're sliding your grip on the handlebar with one hand, use another palm to kick on top of the grip to create air pockets which allow you easier putting on.

Remember
  • use lubricant ONLY when you TAKE OFF grip
  • when you install new grip DON’T use lubricant, BUT alcohol-based  products
  • don’t use water
  • don’t use grass

Speed controller

Xioami mijia m365 electric scooter maintenance tips
photo_credit_instagram@patrycja_michalis
This is the part that controls everything. When it comes to decreasing voltage in batteries, the controller automatically turns off the engine. It prevents the battery from discharging too much, and during that process, it protects battery life.
The second role is to turn off the engine when the brakes are activated automatically. A motor turns on again when brakes are released. 
The speed controller is the main part which connects everything: motor, throttle, brakes, key switch, battery charger, lights connectors.
Speed controller types
12V
18V
24V
36V
48V
60V
You have to get the right one for your electric scooter. There are also for brushed motors or brushless one. Be sure to check and choose the right one for your e-scooter.

Final Word on Electric Scooter Maintenance

As much as we people love to complicate things, it’s always the best option to keep simple. We can pretend that everything is going to be ok and pray for the best, or we can take wrench in our hands.
We also need to understand that we are responsible for keeping the electric scooter in good condition. Razor models are the most grateful when it comes to electric scooter maintenance.
I am sure that doing maintenance will take you an hour or so, but it also gives you the satisfaction of manual work.
So, what do you think? Is it possible for you to maintain your own electric scooter?

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