When it comes to maintaining your child’s Power Wheels electric toy car, the last thing you want to do is ruin the battery.
Unfortunately, this becomes inevitable when you constantly overcharge or undercharge.
Power Wheels batteries differ in their charging time according to their respective voltages. For example, a 6-volt battery will be completely charged in about 6 hours, while a 12-volt or 24-volt battery takes a longer initial charging time.
If you want to know more about the charging time required for Power Wheels batteries, stick around and read on for more details.
How Long Should You Charge Power Wheels Battery Before and After Its First Use?
So, here’s what you need to know when it comes to charging your Power Wheels battery before and after its first use.
6-volt battery: Its initial charging is approximately 10 hours, while the regular charging after its first use is 6 hours.
12-volt battery: The initial charging is at least 18 hours. Its subsequent charging after first use is 12 hours.
24-volt battery: For this type of battery, make sure to have a minimum of 18 hours for its first charge. After that, you can settle for about 18 hours of regular charging.
Going below or beyond the recommended charging time can cause damage to your Power Wheels battery. So, make sure you are constantly supervising the charging period.
How Long Does a Power Wheels Battery Hold a Charge?
Your child can enjoy riding a fully charged Power Wheels car for a certain amount of time which is primarily determined by factors like terrain, speed, battery capacity, and power usage.
Nevertheless, on average, the Power Wheels batteries hold enough charge based on their voltage and motor use.
6-volt battery: It will hold a charge for about 40 to 60 minutes when used without interruption.
12-volt battery: This type of battery will hold an average of 2 to 4 hours of continuous use. But it will still depend on the kind of motor used in the Power Wheels car and its power usage.
24-volt battery: Depending on its usage and other factors, a 24-volt battery can last from 2 to 4 hours when used continuously.
It is recommended to recharge the Power Wheels battery every after use with close supervision. Otherwise, you might end up overcharging the battery, which can be detrimental to its cells.
Also, draining the battery charge before recharging it can also cause serious damage in the long run.
Simply put, it’s always important to be mindful when charging and using the Power Wheels battery.
How Do I Know When My Power Wheels Battery Is Charged?
You can find out if the Power Wheels battery is charged in two ways: keeping track of the charging time and using a voltmeter to read the voltage.
1. Keeping Track of the Charging Time
It is imperative to supervise your battery’s charging hours. Not only will you avoid overcharging and undercharging, but you also get the assurance that your battery is getting the juice it needs.
Also, make sure to use the default Power Wheels charger for your battery. You can always buy a replacement unit if the charger is lost or damaged. In addition, some chargers nowadays come with a battery level indicator which helps you keep track of the charging.
However, in some cases, it may appear that the battery is charging when in fact, it failed to get the necessary voltage. This could be due to leaks and damages in the battery or charger.
Therefore, before you plug the charger into the outlet, make sure you take the time to check the battery’s health.
2. Using a Voltmeter or Multimeter to Read the Voltage
You can use a voltmeter to check the voltage of the battery. All you have to do is connect the positive end to the positive terminal of the battery then do the same with the negative end. The reading pretty much indicates the health and charging level of the battery.
By principle, a battery is charged to its maximum when the voltmeter reading shows a slightly above figure of its voltage. For example, a fully charged 12-volt battery should show a reading of approximately 12.6 to 12.8 volts.
How to Properly Charge a Power Wheels Battery
Charging your Power Wheels battery may seem like a simple task any adult can do. However, if you are aiming for long-term use and protection against potential damage, it’s high time you start adhering to these recommendations.
1. Do not leave the batty charging for more than 24 hours.
Overcharging is a huge deal in any machine. Given that most chargers used for Power Wheels batteries do not automatically turn off the voltage pump, you can end up with damaged batteries after charging.
Of course, there’s an exception to this rule. You can extend charging time for up to 24 hours when you are charging for the first time after unboxing the Power Wheels vehicle.
2. Use the default prescribed charger.
Universal chargers may be a thing, but when it comes to voltage-specific batteries, it’s still best to stick to the default charger. This way, you can be assured of its compatibility, and by extension, its safety for usage.
3. Charge the battery at least once a month.
If you are storing your kid’s Power Wheels over the winter or for a longer time, it’s still important to schedule a charging session at least once a month. If you leave the battery drained and discharged, it can ruin it in no time.
4. Do the charging in a safe, cool, undisturbed area.
Uninterrupted charging is crucial to prevent undercharging. To do this, bring the battery to a space free of clutter and with no constant foot traffic. Consider a suitable storage area for your Power Wheels car to keep it safe from potential damages.
5. How Do You Improve Power Wheels Battery Life?
A Power Wheels car is an investment in your child’s happiness. But more importantly, it costs a lot of money. So, you would want to preserve its battery life for the longest time.
Luckily, it’s easy to do it. Just consider the following tips.
- Avoid charging below and beyond the recommended time.
- Keep the batteries away from corrosive substances.
- Consider installing additional batteries if you want the Power Wheels to perform better.
- Do not store an uncharged Power Wheels battery.
- Avoid riding the Power Wheels in the rain or when it’s snowing.
Maintaining the battery isn’t complicated just as long as you follow the charging time and avoid having it completely drained or exposed to harmful substances.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum it up, the initial charging time of a Power Wheels battery is longer than its standard charging. So, here’s where you should stand in terms of the voltage type.
6V battery: 10 hours of initial charging and 6 hours for standard charging
12V battery: 18 hours and above for initial charging while 12 hours for its standard charging
24V battery: 18 hours or more for its initial charging and 18 hours for standard charging
After its first use, a Power Wheels battery charging should not exceed its regular charging time, let alone a 24 to 30 hour period. This could ruin the battery completely.