The battery voltage of a power wheel might vary. Batteries with 6, 12, and 24 volts are the most widely available. More robust Power Wheels, however, use batteries with voltages of 36 and 48 volts. Toys with greater voltage ratings tend to be more robust. How well a toy works depends on more than just the batteries it uses.
The speed and range of a Power Wheels ride are both directly proportional to the battery voltage. Some vehicles have more power than others while having the same battery voltage because their motors produce higher torque.
This post examines the various battery voltages available and provides guidance on making a purchase.
How Many Volts Are in a Power Wheels Battery?
The number of volts in Power Wheels varies with toy models and manufacturers, but most average-sized toys have six to twelve volts. While higher voltages provide more speed and power, they also drain batteries faster.
Most children’s toys require between six to twelve volts of battery power because that is enough voltage for the toy to be able to move at a moderate pace.
However, some manufacturers offer higher voltages in their models, making them go much faster and further than other brands and models.
Some more powerful Power Wheels have 36-volt or 48-volt batteries, which provide even faster speeds than lower-voltage models. The higher the battery voltage is on a toy car, the faster it will be able to go when it is used.
How to Know the Battery Voltage of Power Wheels
The Voltage and Amps of Power Wheels can be found in the following ways:
- Title of online product (displayed 12V for 12 Volts)
- Online product description
- Check physical box description
- At a local store ask someone
- On the battery itself it has a label of voltage
- Read the owner’s manual
- Finally, using a voltmeter when the battery is fully charged
When buying Power Wheels, the battery voltage is a major factor that you need to consider. Remember buying higher-voltage Power Wheels, say, a 48-volt toy, may not always be a good idea, especially if you have smaller kids.
It is more powerful and can increase the risk of injury.
Also, buying lower voltage Power Wheels for older kids may not be the best idea since such models may not go fast enough for them. The ideal way is to know the voltage of existing Power Wheels and then buy a new one with at least an equal or higher voltage than what you already have.
So here is the list above in more detail to know the voltage rating of Power Wheels batteries:
Ask the shop attendants
In case you are buying from Power Wheels at a local store, you may want to ask the shop attendants. They will tell you the voltage of that particular model.
You can also compare it with other models to ensure they are within your budget and have a suitable voltage rating for your kid’s age group.
Read product specifications
This is especially helpful if you are buying online from stores. The information on battery voltage should be under the specifications so that you can see it in detail.
Sometimes, the website might not have enough information about this, so you can try contacting customer support or checking questions and answers for more details on the toy’s voltage rating.
Look at the label on the battery cartridge
The label is usually available right on top of the batteries. Most Power Wheel toy models include an average voltage indication on their labels like ’12 volts’ or ’24 volts’.
If you want to know the exact voltage rating, then look at the ‘voltage under load’ specification on that label. It will give a detailed description of what Power Wheels toys are powered by and their respective voltages.
Read the user manual
In case you already bought the Power Wheels toy, then the user manual is your best bet. It will give you all the information about the voltage rating of that toy in detail and may also include other specifications like its amperage or wattage ratings.
Use a voltmeter
A battery’s voltage can be precisely measured using this method. However, before to using the voltmeter, the battery must be fully charged, which takes around 14 hours.
You can then disconnect the battery and hook it up to the voltmeter. Voltmeter readings provide the battery’s maximum voltage after being fully charged.
Why Battery Voltage Matters
The voltage rating of your kid’s Power Wheels toy is an important factor to consider. Here’s why it matters;
It determines the power of the toy
As mentioned earlier, the higher the voltage of the toy, the faster it will be able to go. For instance, a 12-volt kid’s Power Wheel can move at moderate speeds, while a 48-volt battery offers high speeds.
Different voltages are appropriate for different age groups
For a 6-year-old, you wouldn’t purchase a 36-volt toy. Don’t purchase a 6-volt toy for an older child, either.
The age and size of your child will determine a suitable voltage rating.
Purchasing the incorrect voltage rating is equivalent to giving your child the incorrect Power Wheels, quite literally. Toy battery voltage identification is crucial before making an internet purchase for a number of reasons, one of which is above-mentioned.
Most toy cars will feature batteries with voltages of 6V, 12V, and 24V. If you are considering a 36V or 48V, this is no longer a toy but a step toward driving. Most of them can support more weight for older children, but much more caution and safety gear are required.
You may wonder if you can put a 12V battery into a 6V for example, you can but not without some modifications.
To give you an idea 6V, 12V and 24V are mainly used for kids 3-8 years old whereas 36V to 48V is used 9-15 years old depending on weight and height of course.
To give you an idea here is how fast a 24V battery will go.
Battery voltage affects the weight limit of the toy
The higher the battery voltage, the heftier your child’s Power Wheels will be. If portability and compact size are priorities for you, this is something to think about before making a purchase.
There are battery alternatives like Lithium-Ion batteries, these are lighter which is really nice. The closer to the weight limit of the vehicle the slower it will perform.
Voltage determines how often you will need to recharge
While factors like how often your kid uses the toy, the terrain on which it is used, etc., affect how frequently you will need to recharge the battery, the voltage rating plays a major role here.
A higher-voltage battery will require fewer recharge times than a lower-voltage toy.
Voltage affects the overall performance
The overall performance of the toy depends on the battery rating. This is why you need to choose your battery voltage wisely.
If you are purchasing online, check the voltage rating before making a purchase or look for information on that particular model in product specifications and customer reviews. You also want to pay attention to the amps. More amps mean more capacity for the battery.
Final Thoughts
Different voltage ratings are available for the Power Wheels batteries. The performance, power, and weight restriction of the toy are directly impacted by the voltage rating.
You want to be careful when choosing your Power Wheels battery. Hopefully, this article has been helpful to you, I recommend checking out how many amps a Power Wheels draws, the more amps the longer the vehicle will run.
Please be careful and use at your own risk
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