5 Simple DIY Electric Scooter Repair Tricks You Can Do Yourself

Before learning about DIY electric scooter repair tricks, you might be interested to know that modern scooters can be traced back to 1895. At that time, patents for electric personal transport systems were brand new. Now, the convenience and eco-friendly fun of electric scooters is a growing industry. I know that my childhood wouldn’t have been the same without the fun of riding electric scooters through my neighborhood.

Since spending time in the great outdoors is so healthy for you, a vehicle like an electric scooter is worth thinking about. If you don’t, you may be left behind in future trends of transport. One study done in 2015 showed that using electronic scooters and bicycles could reduce automobile emissions by half, leading experts to speculate about whether these are the vehicles of the future.

Uses for Electric Scooters

Electric scooters are designed to provide an easy, comfortable mode of transport. When you’re choosing your very first electric scooter, you should know what options are appropriate for you. An electric scooter with an emergency brake is best for your first buy, for example. Who can benefit most from using these vehicles?

Children

In our modern world, it’s not unusual to see a kid learning how to use an electric scooter or even using it regularly. If you decide to teach your child how to use one, try to show them when they are younger (though, at least six years of age) so that they develop proper safety habits. Get your child elbow pads and a helmet to help them stay safe. For kids, it’s best to get an electric scooter that has a maximum speed of 4 mph or so. A low maximum speed will help them learn to use the vehicle safely while still having fun.

Adults

While children should learn how to use an electric scooter with a capped maximum speed, adults are a lot less limited. But beginner adults should choose an electric scooter that doesn’t go full speed and instead has a maximum of 12 to 15 mph or so. As soon as you’re familiar and comfortable with how the machine operates, you can find one with a maximum speed of 20 mph.

Commuters

Need a quick solution for getting to work or school every day? Using an electric scooter to commute means you’re going fast enough to bypass traffic but slow enough to stop safely as needed. For commuters, a motor scooter with a minimum speed of 12 mph is best as this allows you to keep up with traffic flow and move fast enough to prevent an accident if necessary.

The Benefits of an Electric Scooter

Before learning about DIY electric scooter repair tricks, you should educate yourself on the benefits of using an electric scooter to get around. An electric scooter has benefits over using a car or even walking. They have sleek features and an attractive design. Here are some of the most commonly appreciated advantages of using an electric scooter:

Cost

While other electric modes of transport may be fairly costly, an electric scooter will usually be more affordable. The most expensive thing about anything electric and rechargeable is the battery and battery system maintenance.

Fun

Although this is a simple motivation for using an electric scooter, it’s also an important one. Electric scooters bring a lot of fun and enjoyment to those who use them.

Safety

One of the dangers of driving a motor vehicle is the high speeds they reach on the highway. With an electric scooter, maximum speeds are lower, making them a safer alternative. In addition, they usually have safety features like acceleration control and backlights.

Comfort

Although you’ll most commonly see people using them standing up, some electric scooters are versatile and come with seats. Even electric scooters that don’t come with seats usually have a long enough frame for you to hold onto without having to bend forward unnaturally.

Eco-friendly

Electric scooters reduce carbon emissions. If you’re concerned with environmental sustainability, this is a major plus when it comes to switching out your car for an electric scooter.

Easy maintenance

Manufacturers typically design electric scooters with a durable frame and a simple structure. You’ll need to think about maintaining the brakes, deck, and handlebars, but it’s far less maintenance than a car. We’ll cover taking care of your vehicle later on when we discuss DIY electric scooter repair tricks.

A smooth ride

Hand-operated acceleration, a rear brake, and a strong motor all make an electric scooter a smooth, enjoyable way to get to the places you need to go. You also get the benefit of the fresh air in your face while you commute to work or school.

Time

We all have busy schedules, which means that any way you can find to save time is valuable. A sleek vehicle like a motor scooter gives you access to almost anywhere. You can take shortcuts through the park, mall, or subway. And their portability and easy recharging process make them even more time-efficient.

License

The license requirements for using a motor scooter are another benefit to choosing this type of vehicle. Since an electric scooter will usually have a maximum speed, there will be minimal (or non-existent) requirements for driving one.

Portability

While not every model is, most motor scooters are simple to transport. If you encounter an issue with the vehicle (which we’ll cover when we discuss DIY electric scooter repair tricks), you should be able to carry it back to your garage to fix it without a problem.

Laws and State Regulations for Electric Scooters

Another thing to consider before considering DIY electric scooter repair tricks is state regulations. You need to choose one that fits into the regulations and laws of the region where you live. Knowing about these laws will help you choose the right scooter and also avoid fines or legal trouble.

Limits for use

Although manufacturers build them for outdoor use, there are some limits on what you can do with an electric scooter. For example, you have to stay on the bike lane, path, or trail while you ride. You will also have to keep your scooter off of sidewalks, as these are for pedestrians. Using an electric scooter on a sidewalk is putting pedestrians at risk of injury.

Regulations by state

Keep in mind that laws for electric scooters vary depending on what state you live in. In most cases, each state will have its own law for how you can use an electric scooter. In some states, you can use them on the road, but in other states, you can’t. The best way to find out what the requirements are where you live is to check out the Department of Motor Vehicles webpage for your state.

Licensing

Your DMV most likely states that you don’t need registration or a license to use an electric scooter. However, every state has legal age restrictions for driving and general use of the road. Most states treat electric scooters the way they treat bicycles because they have a similar weight and speed range.

Electric scooters are still fairly new on the market when it comes to mainstream use. Because of this newness, there’s some common confusion when it comes to laws and proper use. The best way to avoid legal trouble, however, is to do your research — and always drive cautiously.

5 Quick DIY Electric Scooter Repair Tricks

Scooters are a fun and eco-friendly way to buzz around, but despite all their benefits, you might have some small issues with them from time to time. Let’s look at some DIY electric scooter repair tricks you can learn to do at home. Apart from charging and changing your battery, you should know how to repair your vehicle in case of an emergency.

1. Inspecting your motor

When it comes to learning DIY electric scooter repair tricks, you should first start by checking out your motor in the event of an issue. Check for any disconnected wires or connectors and gently tighten each connector or wire that is attached to the motor. Do you see anything burnt or melted? If so, odds are that your scooter is overheating.

If your issue is that the electric scooter isn’t running, smell the electrical compartments to see if there’s a burnt plastic or rubber smell. If there is, your coils have overheated, which might mean speed control damage. In the event of melted plastic insulation, you will probably need to replace your motor. Replacing your motor in this situation should be done as soon as possible.

2. Checking the circuit breaker

Not every electric scooter uses a fuse, but the ones that do may require you to replace the fuse every so often. You can check it out visually by holding the fuse up to a source of light. Check to see if there are any burn marks on the glass casing interior. If there are, you need to replace the fuse. Other electric scooters will use a circuit breaker, which can overload and pop. If this overload occurs, flip or push on the breaker to reset the vehicle. If that doesn’t reset your system, you may need to seek out a professional’s assistance.

3. Charging the battery

If it’s your first time owning an electric scooter, you may not realize that your battery drains when you leave it alone. When it’s been left alone for too long, the battery can partially discharge. This partial discharge can occur if you’ve left the battery sitting for a few months without charging it. You will also want to make sure that when you do charge, you’re doing it right. Overcharging your battery can lead to permanent damage, so don’t leave it hooked up for more than 12 hours at a time.

4. Investigating the charger

A faulty battery charger will lead to your scooter not starting. You can check for a defective charger by doing a simple visual test. Plug the charger into an outlet and look at the indicator lights. If the lights don’t illuminate, the charger is probably defective. If you want to do an in-depth inspection, test the battery charger output by using a multi-meter. Before checking your battery, read the side of it to find out what voltage you’re working with.

A scooter battery will typically come in one of three voltages: 24V, 36V, or 48V. The goal here is to check whether the charger is putting out a higher voltage than your scooter battery. If you see zero voltage or it’s not showing a few volts over the battery, you will need a new charger. This issue often comes up when buying a high voltage battery and using it with an old charger.

5. Checking the brake lever switch

With an electric scooter, your brake level switch lets the speed controller know to deactivate as soon as you apply the brakes. But when there’s a failure in the switch, it locks for the safety of the driver. In other words, this keeps the scooter from running. If the speed controller and brake level switch are disconnected, you might need to ask a professional for help.

These are the most common issues regarding DIY electric scooter repair tricks, but there are others to keep in mind that you will learn as you get to know your vehicle better over time. As long as you stick with routine maintenance and care for your electric scooter, you shouldn’t need professional help very often.

Ready to Try Out Some DIY Electric Scooter Repair Tricks?

An electric scooter is a great addition to your garage. These fun vehicles are more portable and cheaper than cars. You’ll save money on fuel, not to mention an electric scooter costs far less than a vehicle to buy and maintain. They are better for the environment and easier to park due to their small design. They’re also easy and fun to put together, which can be a personal hobby project or a bonding experience with your family. Now that you’re aware of some simple DIY scooter repair tricks, you’re ready to go. Happy scooting!