How Long Does a Power Wheels Battery Last? – Explained in 2023

Your kid may end up with a cold dead battery in the power wheel without any notice. As part of the regular maintenance, you should know the battery’s maximum service time. Only that way, you can be sure that the battery has served to its last moment instead of going off service irrespectively.

This is to prepare for proper storage, keep the wheels safe for kids, and of course, save money. So, how long does a power wheels battery last?

A power wheel battery can last up to 4 years. But many variables can cause your power wheels’ batteries to die faster or slower. Moreover, there are things you can do to make it last longer. So, let’s get on with it and find out which the right battery sl

How Long Does A Power Wheels Battery Last?

On daily usage, a fully charged battery can stay from 40 minutes to 2 hours on one charge. For instance, A 6-volt battery can last between 40 to 60 minutes. Whereas; a 12 volts battery and 24 volts battery can last for 1 to 2 hours.

Let’s check them individually.

6 Volts Battery

A 6 volts battery can offer a comfortable operation for up to 1 year. The time is not particular, though, since; some can last more or lesser due to maintenance or technical issues. But, it is good to use 6 volts battery for power wheels of kids of about 1 to 3 years of age.

The reason is that; 6 volts batteries do not run much faster. Normally, 6 volts can only last for 45 – 60 minutes. Little kids don’t need to embark on too many riding sessions.

12 Volts Battery

At present, a 12 volts battery is among the popular power wheels battery used worldwide. They make riding very entertaining for children of 3 years to 10 years of age. It has 2 different qualities. One of them is one single 12 volts battery while the other is a 6+6 (double 6v) battery. 2 8 volts batteries operate parallel. As a result, you can modify or upgrade them.

A 12-volt battery can last from 1 – 2 years. Even some models last for 3 years. The single battery can last up to 1 – 2 hours for daily usage. Whereas the double 6 volts battery lasts up to 2 – 4 hours. In

24 Volts Battery

Usually, the 24 volts battery can last from 2 years to 3 years. That’s why it’s suitable for 4 seater power wheels or bigger kids, like 13 year old. Like the 12 volts battery, a 24 volts battery also comes in 2 different categories. It has a single 24v as well as a double of 12 volts.

That is; 12v + 12v. This battery’s power level is suitable for children who are mature and much older enough to drive electric cars. This is a common method followed in 12 to 24 volt upgrades as well.

This type of battery is much more powerful than 12 volts battery. Moreover, a 24 volts battery can adjust to different terrains, which can deliver a smooth ride for your kid. Furthermore, it can offer your kids longer riding sessions because of its higher voltage.

It is estimated that the battery can provide your children with an exciting ride for about 90 minutes to 120 minutes for daily usage.

Generally, it is advisable to check what other people are getting to understand the battery’s overall lifespan before you buy. Knowing how long the power wheel battery can last can benefit you when ordering the product. That way, you will know the length of time your kid can play with it before having to charge the battery.

On the other hand, if you want to know the overall lifespan of the power wheel battery, the case is different. You will have to consider the following factors;

• The usage
• How you recharge it
• The way you handle your battery
• Its maintenance
• Storage when not in use

With proper maintenance, though, most power wheels battery can last up to 4 to 5 years. Even most of them can last up to 6 years. That is because the owner takes care of the battery even when it is not used. A power wheel battery requires attention and care, especially during winter. It helps the battery to last longer.

But then, some power wheel owners complain that theirs only lasts for 2 or 3 years. So, what seems to be the cause? It seems that certain factors are at play here. Let’s talk about them a little bit.

What Factors Affect How Long Does A Power Wheels Battery?

Many factors can affect how long the battery lasts in lifespan and useful hours after a full charge. Some of them include usage, maintenance, charging practices, storage, and user’s weight. We’ll be considering those factors in detail below.

Factors Affecting the Lifespan of A Power Wheel Battery

The Usage

How you use your power wheel battery can affect its lifespan. For instance, driving your power wheel very often every day can affect its battery life. Moreover, if your kids drive their wheels more than the required 10 miles for 1 hour, the power wheel battery will definitely wear out faster.

Generally, when you ride on flat and solid surfaces, it brings down the strain on your power wheel battery. Thus, it can increase the lifespan of the battery as well.

How You Recharge It

Another important factor that affects the longevity of a power wheel battery is the frequency at which you recharge the battery. As a rule-of-thumb, a power wheel battery is supposed to be recharged only once every day. That is if your kid drives the gadget every day.

To be precise, charging the battery fully helps to prolong its longevity. Moreover, batteries tend to operate efficiently whenever they are charged fully.

Its Maintenance

Keeping your power wheel battery in top condition is another great way to increase its lifespan. Adequate maintenance and inspection of the battery are crucial to prevent power failure. You should always keep your power wheel battery dirt free, corrosion-free, and clean.

Always water the battery after it is fully charged unless there are exposed plates before you charge it. If the battery has exposed plates by chance, you need to cover it with at least 1/8-inch of electrolyte.

Storage when Not in Use

Power wheels are often kept in storage during winter seasons. So if you don’t store them properly, there is a chance that it may not start again when winter is over. Why? Because, even though you are not using the battery, it has a problem of discharging even though it is charged fully before storage.

All rechargeable batteries tend to discharge automatically after 2 or 3 months of it not being used. So when you charge the power wheel battery for a long time without using or charging it, the battery can become damaged. When you don’t charge the battery for a long period, there will be a buildup of sulfation in the inside plates. Thus; decreasing the capacity of the battery. If this condition goes on longer, the sulfation buildup can lead to corrosion and reduce the efficiency of the battery.

The User’s Weight

The user’s weight and any additional weight you may carry on your power wheel can affect its battery life. If the weight of your kid or that of his friend passenger is much, the battery will need to work harder to accommodate their weight. As a result, you’ll tamper with its overall lifespan range.

Factors Affecting the Daily Usage of A Battery

The length of time a fully-charged power wheel battery can last depends greatly on certain vital factors. For example, it can depend on the riding speed, battery age, riding surfaces, and weight.

Riding Speed

Usually, any power wheel has a particular speed limit that children can control by themselves. Also, some of them also come with remote controls. According to the specific model, the riding speed can go from 4 – 6 mph or lesser.

Therefore, if the speed limit of the power wheel is higher, its battery charge will not last long. The excess speed takes additional battery power.

Battery Age

The battery age is another factor that can affect how long a power wheel battery can last. According to the battery law, the younger the battery is, the higher power it can supply. Thus, if the power wheel battery has lasted above 1 or 2 years, the battery cannot undergo many riding sessions. So if you need better ride sessions, you can always upgrade the power wheel battery.

Riding Surfaces

The riding surface is another variable that can predict if a battery will take more power or less. The reason is that when you ride on a bumpy or uneven surface, the motor loses more speed. As a result, much power is required to increase the speed.

So as you use more power to increase the speed, the battery is likely to run out. Whereas running your power wheel on an even and smooth surface will consume lesser power. And this can make a power wheel battery last longer.

Weight

The weight of the rider is another factor that requires consideration. Most especially since the weight of drivers isn’t the same. According to simple science, anytime the weight of the driver is lesser, the power wheel will run faster. Thus; making its electricity consumption lower.

However, if the weight of the driver is much higher, the battery of the power wheel will be strained to create more power. It means that higher power generation can finish the battery charge much faster.

How to Make Your Power Wheels Battery Last Longer

How you can make your power wheels battery last longer is through the following process;

First Time Charging

As you purchase your power wheel model, you may be tempted to let it out of the box and watch it run wild. But then, you need to adhere to certain steps for the initial charging of a power wheel. For example; you need to;

1. Unbox it before showing it to the kids
2. Ensure that it comes with an instruction manual
3. Use the instructions there to charge the battery for an initial charging

It states that you should charge the battery for about 18 hours before you start using it. And, you should not exceed 30 hours of charging for the battery. It will help the battery get everything necessary for it to operate perfectly for a very long time.

Normal Charging Process

Adding to the initial charging, you need to adhere to vital steps in charging the power wheel battery all the days of its life. That is, you want the battery to operate perfectly and efficiently. Therefore, do not allow the battery to charge above 30 hours.

If it charges more than 30 hours, it has become overcharged. And such a thing can shorten the battery’s lifespan. Anyway, you can buy a smart charging power wheels battery that automatically stops charging immediately it is full. This way, you can rest assured that your power wheel battery will never overcharge.

Proper Storage During Winter Season

It is not always that advisable for children to go out on a ride during winter. As a result, most families have to store their power wheels during the winter season. But then, unless you know the proper method of storing the power wheel battery, there is the chance that the machine may not start again at the end of winter.

Follow these tips to ensure that your power wheels battery is properly juiced up.

1. Ensure that the battery you are storing is not empty. It should be fully charged before you store it.
2. Bring the battery out of the store once or two times for charging. You can charge it for a little while and store it back. This can ensure that the battery works well in the future.

Conclusion

The last thing you need is to spend money on a power wheel that your kid can’t even enjoy for 1 good year. It doesn’t make sense at all. You need to know how long a power wheel battery can last in total lifespan and usage duration.

So, when someone asks, how long does a power wheels battery last? The answer is that it can last for 1 to 4 years or beyond, depending on handling and maintenance. Also, some factors such as a child’s weight, riding terrain, etc., affect the duration which fully-charged batteries can last.