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When the days get shorter and the temperature drops, most of us instinctively reach for an extra layer before heading outdoors. Your eFOLDi battery is the same, as the beating heart of every scooter and the Navigator power chair, a little extra care over the colder months can make a big difference to how confidently you get around.
All current eFOLDi models; Lite, Explorer, Compass and Navigator, run on compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery packs designed specifically for the range. They keep overall weight down whilst delivering reliable power, but like all lithium-ion technology they’re more sensitive to extremes of cold, damp and being left flat for long periods. Winter is simply about working with that, not against it.
Finding the right winter space for your eFOLDi
The first step towards good winter battery health is choosing where your scooter or power chair lives. Frosty air and damp corners don’t do the electronics any favours, so if you can, give your eFOLDi a spot that’s dry, reasonably sheltered and away from the very coldest parts of the house or garage, it will be very grateful. If bringing your scooter indoors isn’t practical, the removable battery system really comes into its own. Many owners keep the Lite, Explorer or Compass in a car boot or secure outbuilding and simply take the battery into the house to charge. The same applies to the Navigator power chair, which can either be charged via the joystick base or with the battery removed. Charging in a warmer, dry space is kinder to the battery than leaving it to fend for itself in a frosty atmosphere
Charging habits that help in cold weather
Winter is a good time to turn charging into a simple routine rather than something you only think about when the battery feels low. After using your eFOLDi don’t leave the battery sitting almost empty, instead plug it in when you get home, or at least the same day. This will help support long-term battery health as Lithium-ion packs are happiest when they’re regularly topped up rather than repeatedly run to the point of exhaustion and then left.
It’s also important to use the correct charger. eFOLDi’s batteries are lithium-ion and designed to be charged only with the official charger supplied with your product. Lead-acid, car battery type chargers or generic alternatives are not suitable and can damage the battery or compromise safety. Sticking with the charger that came in the box is the simplest way to avoid problems.
If your eFOLDi has been parked up for a while it’s worth checking in and giving the battery a top-up. Even when not in use, batteries slowly discharge over time, so an occasional refresh helps keep everything in good working order.
Making the most of removable batteries
Removable batteries are one of those features that seem like a convenience in summer and become a real benefit in winter.
On the Lite and Compass, the compact lithium-ion pack is designed to be unclipped quickly so it can be carried inside. The Explorer offers the same flexibility, with a battery located behind the seat that can be charged on or off the scooter. That means you can store the product wherever it’s easiest, while still giving the battery the comfort of a warmer room and a dry surface while it charges.
The Navigator power chair’s battery is located in a pocket on the back of the seat. Again, if your Navigator lives in a car or cooler space, removing the battery and bringing it indoors to charge is a simple way to look after it.
Out and about on cold days
On particularly cold mornings you may notice that any battery powered product feels a little less energetic, and your eFOLDi is no exception. Lithium-ion cells don’t like low temperatures, so it’s normal to see a slight reduction in range when frost is on the ground.
A bit of planning helps here. On very cold days, it can be wise to choose shorter, more realistic journeys or break a longer outing into stages where you can pause, warm up and, if needed, recharge. Hills, rougher ground and carrying heavy loads all demand more from the battery, so combining those with sub-zero temperatures will always reduce how far you can travel on one charge.
A steady pace can make a difference as well. Constantly running at top speed uses more power than a smooth, consistent speed, and easing back a little often helps to stretch your range. Whatever the weather, it’s also good practice to keep things dry: before you plug in to charge, take a moment to wipe away obvious moisture from around the charging socket and battery contacts.
When your eFOLDi takes a winter break
Sometimes winter simply wins, and your scooter or power chair gets a few weeks off. If you know you won’t be using your eFOLDi for a while, it’s worth giving the battery a bit of attention before it goes into hibernation.
Start with a full, proper charge, then store the battery somewhere cool, dry and frost-free. If your eFOLDi is off the road for an extended period, reconnecting the charger from time to time, in line with your user manual, will help keep the battery in good shape.
Safety first
One final point applies to every eFOLDi battery, whether it’s powering a scooter or the Navigator power chair: never attempt to open, modify or repair the battery pack yourself. The packs do not contain any user-serviceable parts and are carefully designed, tested and matched to the product.
If you ever notice damage to the battery or charger, unusual smells, swelling, significant overheating or behaviour that doesn’t feel right even after a full charge, stop using the product and contact eFOLDi or your dealer for advice.
A simple rule to remember
For all the detail, winter battery care really comes down to one simple rule:
Keep your eFOLDi battery warm, dry and regularly charged.
Do that, and your scooter or power chair will be much better prepared to take winter in its stride, so you can keep getting out and about with confidence, whatever the weather is doing outside.
