It is standard procedure for parents to store ride-on cars in the garage during the winter season to protect them from harsh weather elements. However, long periods of storage can harm the battery of your toy car. It would be best if you disconnect a battery from the toy vehicle during storage.
On top of that, there are several activities that you need to do to keep the battery in tip-top shape until winter is over. Ideally, you need to check on the battery at least once a month to ensure that it is not flat.
It should also be on a secure counter that can support the weight of the battery until the cold season is over.
Preparing a Ride on Car for Storage
You must prepare your electric toy cars for storage at the end of the warm season, especially for several months. First, you need to clean all the dirt on the ride-on vehicle to preserve the paint but be careful not to get the ride on wet.
Use dish soap, clean water, and a rug to remove dust or bird poop on the toy vehicle before storage. Let it dry in a location with good air circulation before transferring it into the garage.
Second, disconnect the battery of Power Wheels and set it on a stable counter. Taking out the battery reduces the odds of electrolytes leaking and damaging other parts of the vehicle.
Third, you need to cover the vehicle to keep it clean throughout the storage period. Ensure the cover has a waterproof fabric in case there is some water leakage in the garage.
A great way to store the cars in the garage is with storage racks. Looking for more information on storing a Power Wheels long term.
Need a replacement battery?
If you haven’t taken care of the battery and it is now dead a replacement battery and charger guide will help.
Taking Care of a Battery in Storage
It is imperative to take excellent care of a ride-on vehicle battery to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged or become flat. You can take several steps to ensure that the disconnect battery stays perfectly in mint condition during the entire storage period.
- It would be best if you charged a battery before you put it in storage fully. Ensuring that a battery is full prevents it from going flat when it starts losing energy slowly.
- Recharge the battery at least once a month to keep the energy levels high during storage. Each recharging session should leave the battery fully so that it can last for another month before you recharge it.
- Inspect the battery for any cracks before the charger’s plugging to prevent the possibility of an explosion. Keep the battery at a safe location where nothing can hit it and cause the frame to crack.
- Ensure that you do not leave the charger plugged in for too long because it will damage the battery. You can use a timer to ensure that you unplug the battery when it is full.
- Test the battery from time to time with a multi-volt meter to see the battery’s power levels. You can see whether the levels drop too low without having to turn on the toy vehicle to see if the battery is low.
- Keep the battery on a surface that won’t be costly to replace if there is some corrosion during the storage period.
How to Disconnect a Battery from Ride on Cars
It is simple to disconnect a battery from a ride-on car for long-term storage. Start by turning off the toy vehicle and popping up the hood.
Remove the connectors to the battery terminals with care. We recommend taking a picture with your phone first so when it’s time to put it back in you will be able to confirm you have it correct.
Place the connectors safely into the car and pull out the battery from its compartment. Place the battery on a steady counter and shut the hood of the toy vehicle.
You can connect the battery to a charger if it is depleted before moving it to the final storage location.
Why Does a Battery Go Flat?
All batteries release some charge when not in use. The trick is to recharge a battery once or twice a month to maintain an optimum charge level.
A battery will go flat when it stays in storage for more than a month without being recharged.
Once a battery goes flat, you cannot be recharged and need to buy a replacement. Therefore, set a reminder on when you should recharge your vehicle battery until it is out of storage.
The old flat battery should be recycled.
How Long Can a Ride on Toy Car Battery Last in Storage?
Ride-on car batteries are built to last for several years before replacement. A battery can last for a year or more in storage when disconnected with the proper care.
You can check the battery’s electrolytes from time to time and confirm that the levels are good.
A battery will get damaged in storage when you neglect to take care of it. Taking care of the battery will help the Power Wheels charge last longer.
How to Remove a Battery in Storage
Removing a disconnected battery from storage is as simple as preparing it for storage. A few steps will make the process successful and ensure that the electric toy vehicle runs smoothly after the installation.
- Recharge the disconnect battery until it is at full capacity. It is better to recharge before installation because your little one will probably be waiting to play with the favorite toy after reinstalling the battery.
- Match the red connector to the red terminal and the black connector to the black terminal. Crosscheck the connectors to confirm that they are tight and can’t come off when a child drives the toy on rough terrain. Check your picture to confirm.
- Test the vehicle to see whether it is working after a long time in storage. Have one of the kids get in the vehicle and drive around for several minutes as you closely watch the vehicle’s performance
- It would be best if you inspected the ride-on car, in general, to confirm that all pieces are working and nothing is broken. Alternatively, ask an expert to take a look at the toy car and battery before your child gets in it after a long period of storage.
What Charger Should I Use?
Parents should use the charger with a ride-on toy vehicle or buy a new charger from the vehicle’s manufacturer. There are many third-party chargers for a ride-on car that are available online and in toy stores.
However, be wary because third-party chargers can destroy the battery of your ride-on toy. Best stick with the charger a manufacturer provides or sells for your toy vehicle.
How Long Should I Charge A Battery During Storage?
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the charging times. Below are some of the general charging guidelines depending on the size of the battery of a toy.
- It would help if you recharged 6V ride on cars for at least 6 hours until it reaches full capacity. You shouldn’t exceed 10 hours when recharging a 6V battery toy vehicle.
- You should recharge a 12V toy vehicle for at least 10 hours but not more than 12 hours before reinstalling it into your toy vehicle.
- Recharge a 24V ride-on vehicle for at least 12 hours, but not more than 14 hours.
It would be best if you didn’t overcharge the batteries and avoid damage. Do not plug a battery in at night to charge while you sleep.
Ideally, you need to charge it when you are out and about the house to keep a timer close by.
Conclusion
It is generally an excellent idea to disconnect a battery in a ride-on car before storage to maintain the vehicle’s integrity. Batteries can start leaking when they stay in a vehicle for too long, and you may not notice the leakage.
It would help if you recharged the toy vehicle battery at least once a month to ensure that it doesn’t go dead.
It would be best if you stored it at room temperature to last throughout the cold season. Therefore, it would be better to store the battery in the garage instead of the tool shed outback.
Please be careful and use at your own risk
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