Are you not sure of the right time it takes to charge a ride on car battery? Well, one of the many concerns experienced by parents when buying power wheels is the period a battery takes to charge fully.
Usually, power wheels undeniably offer a fun riding experience.
However, to ensure the kid enjoys the whole experience to the maximum, you must know how much time the battery takes to charge and how long the battery will serve the kid. Doing this helps to maintain the battery for a long and in perfect condition.
Basically, the charging time differs from one toy to the other. Some aspects that influence the charging time are the model, size of the battery, charger, and first time charging.
So how long should a battery take, and how long does it last? Read on this guide to find out!
Time taken by a Power Wheel to Charge
You can all attest that there are many ride cars/toys available in the market, and every toy has a different charging time. That said, prior to giving it to your kid, it is important to consider checking the instructions, pamphlets, or manual. This will give you an idea of how you will charge the toy.
Technically, the battery is one of the main features considered when creating the power wheels. This means that a toy tailored for a one or 2-year-old kid uses a battery with less voltage than the one designed for 7 or 10 years old kids.
Basically, power wheel batteries have 6V, 12V, or 24V, with the least being for the younger kids and the maximum voltage for the older kids. When you are considering buying a toy for your kid, you must keep in mind that a new battery is charged a relatively longer time than the subsequent charges.
So how long will these batteries take to charge?
* How long does it take to charge a ride on a car battery 6V?
6V is a power wheel battery that stores the least voltage. It is ideal for toys best suited for one or 2-year kids. It must be charged for up to 10 hours when it is new.
After that, you can consider charging it using a standard charging time of approximately 6 hours.
* How long does it take to charge a ride on a car battery 12V?
12V is a power wheel battery that stores mid-range voltage. It is ideal for toys best suited for 5-7 years old kids. It requires a relatively longer time than the 6V.
It must be charged for up to 18 hours when new. Other times require a standard charging time of up to 12 hours.
* How long does it take to charge a ride on a car battery 24V?
24V is a power wheel battery that stores a relatively higher voltage. It is appropriate for toys best suited for older kids. Its charging time is 18 hours when new. The standard charging time is also 18 hours.
If your battery won’t charge at all we have a full troubleshooting guide to help you figure out why your ride-on car battery won’t charge.
Extra or Replacement Ride On Batteries Needed?
If you are looking for an extra battery or need a replacement battery or charger this will help.
How long does a Fully Charged Power Wheels battery last
Basically, there are a lot of factors that influence how long a fully charged power wheel battery will last. One factor is the time used when riding. The more you ride, the more the power is consumed. Another factor is the battery capacity.
Available battery capacities are 6V, 12V, and 24V. The more the voltage, the more it will last. Other aspects influencing the power consumption can be average speed, terrain, and slope.
* How long does a 6V ride on battery last
6V power wheel batteries are usually tailored to hold a charge that lasts 40-60 minutes when used continuously.
* How long does a 12V ride on battery last
12V power wheels batteries are designed to hold a charge that can last 1-2 hours when used continuously. Of course, it will depend on various faster like slope, speed, and perhaps power requirements.
* How long does a 24V ride on battery last
24V power wheel batteries are tailored to hold a charge that lasts 1-2 hours when used continuously. However, this will depend on how your kid will use the toy.
For more in-depth analysis please see how long Power Wheels charge lasts per charge.
Note that there are 24V cars that use two 12V motors. Such toys will last longer because the 24V motor will consume more power than the 12V motor.
With that in mind, if you wish to give your kid a longer riding experience, you can consider investing in additional batteries. This way, you will be able to keep them charged to avoid inconveniences.
You also need to keep in mind that power wheel batteries are somehow sensitive, and if not maintained well, they will not serve your kid for long. For instance, do not overcharge them. How? By leaving them charging for over 24 hours.
Usually, leaving them charging for a long time can lead to reduced performance, damage to the cells, or permanent failure.
Make sure to charge a battery between 1 to 2 times a month if the ride-on car is not being used. That will make sure the battery stays topped off and doesn’t experience any issues.
Make sure not to overcharge it, more info about this is below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you overcharge Power Wheels battery
Yes, it is recommended to charge your Power Wheel battery 10 to 30 hours when new. It is a rule that should be adhered to. If you ignore this rule, it will definitely affect the overall battery life. So why take the risk?
After a successful first-time charge, you should avoid overcharging it. Just charge it for 18 hours as recommended. It will help ensure that the battery remains in perfect condition for a long time.
What happens if you don’t charge Power Wheels battery for 18 hours
One of the easiest ways of destroying your power wheel battery is not charging it for up to 18 hours when new. It will be like undercharging it, which arguably can lead to its death. It may not be completely dead; however, its ability to store charge for long will be affected.
Ensuring that the battery charge up to 18 hours is a great tip to ensure it serves your kid smoothly and longer. For the best results, you can consider buying an extra battery and always remember to remove it from the toy before storing it.
Besides, charging it once after every one week will help counter the rate of natural discharge.
What happens if you overcharge a Power Wheels battery
If you are buying a new Power Wheel, it is recommended to charge it for 18-30 hours. If you charge it the same way afterward, you will be overcharging it.
Basically, you should not undercharge or overcharge the battery because it may minimize the battery life and shorten the toy’s running time.
You must avoid removing it from the car to recharge it. You also need to be committed to examining it regularly to ensure that it is safe for your kid. Before charging it, check the plug, cord, or parts that might cause electric short, fire, or injury.
Is it safe to leave a car battery charger on overnight
Although there is no danger of overcharging or leaving the battery charging the whole night, you must leave the charger disconnected during the night. Charging it for more than 24 hours will damage it and reduce its efficiency.
You must charge the battery as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure that the toy serves your kid for a long.
One tip to help increase its efficiency is avoiding charging it after using it slightly. Just wait for the charge to run out, then recharge it. Again, avoid short-circuiting and do not wait until it runs too low. To be safe, you should also follow proper battery etiquette when storing.
How do you know if a Power Wheels battery is good
In most cases, it can be hard to know if the battery is good. But how long it will take to charge and the time it took to serve your kid will tell you whether the battery is good.
Furthermore, you must go the extra mile of researching because some power wheels come with a battery that is not reliable.
Thus, the right way is to check reviews online to know if there are issues with the battery or convenience in charging. Considering checking reviews online makes it easy to know the right one to offer the best experience.
What is the right charger for a power wheel battery
Primarily, power wheel cars come with three battery voltages. i.e., 6V, 12V, and 24V. As such, every power wheel comes with a charger. Although there are several chargers tailored to deliver different voltages, the common types are the trickle or wall-plug charger and float or smart charger.
Trickle charger offers consistent voltage capacity at low amperage.
We have a full guide on Power Wheels Batteries and Chargers.
A smart charger is the same as the trickle in providing a regular voltage capacity at low amperage. The good thing about this option is that it is more advanced.
It has a feature that detects when the battery is fully charged.
Is it possible to boost the battery life of a kids ride on car
Yes. Extending battery life is possible. However, there are a couple of things you need to do to make this happen.
For instance, you need to avoid high speed. The best way is to maintain a reasonable speed of 2.5 mph. Other things that need checking include;
* Maintaining it at the right temperature
Moderate temperature helps to offer cool temperatures to minimize internal corrosion.
* Avoid abuse
Disconnecting the power wheel battery when not fully charged will definitely shorten its lifespan. You only need to charge it when necessary.
You can consider buying one or two extra batteries to avoid using the battery when not fully charged.
Is it possible to increase the speed of the Power Wheel
Many manufacturers recommend charging the motor professionally. Increasing the speed of the toy will only drain the power, which is insecure for the kid. If you purchase a toy with a 24V motor, you will expect it to run at 6MPH.
If that is too high for your kid, you can consider buying a 12V motor. It will help reduce speed. In case the speed is relatively for, there are high-end motor models with 48V that offer up to 15MPH.
How long does a battery last when driving a ride on car
How long the battery lasts arguably depends on several aspects. For instance, battery voltage, speed, and slope are some factors that influence the battery charging life.
If a kid is riding a power wheel with a 6V battery, it will last for a minimum of 45-60 minutes when fully charged. A car using 12V and 24V will last for up to 2-4 hours.
However, this time can be influenced by how frequently the toy is used. If it is used continuously, more power will be used.
Speed also determines how long your kid will ride. The faster your kid rides, the more power will be used and vice versa. What about the slope and terrain?
Usually, a kid riding in areas with rough terrains and slopes will ride less time compared to the one riding in a smooth and flat area.
How much is a 12 volt Power Wheels battery
Usually, power wheels batteries are relatively cheap and long-lasting. You can get them at approximately $50 or less. However, other expensive options cost $80-$90.
With that in mind, we have a full guide for replacement batteries. Just ask around or consider reading reviews online to get the best deal.
Overall summary to keep your power wheel safe and durable
– Charge a new battery 18-30 hours
– Avoid undercharging or overcharging the battery
– Charge ones or twice per month
– Consider storing the battery at the right temperature
Conclusion
Charging a ride-on car battery is something that should never stress you. You must adhere to all the rules to make it offer the best riding experience for a long time.
If you are buying the toy for the first time, be sure to invest in the right model because there are many options available. Note that if you choose a quality power wheel, the chances are that you will land a model with a high-quality battery.
Please be careful and use at your own risk
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