Welcome to the Scooterologist hoverboard charging guide.
It’s important to know how to look after your hoverboard, and knowing how to charge a hoverboard properly is one of the things all hoverboard owners should know.
This hoverboard charging guide will answer all of the frequently asked questions people have about hoverboarding charging.
How to charge a hoverboard? How long does a hoverboard take to charge? Why is my hoverboard not charging?
These are just some of the hoverboard charging questions we will answer in this guide.
How To Charge A Hoverboard
Follow these steps below to know how to charge a hoverboard correctly:
1. Make sure that the hoverboard is switched off
It is always best practice to charge your hoverboard when it is turned off as this leads to a more efficient charge, and can reduce the time it take to fully charge your board.
Turn your device off by pressing and holding the power button down until the balance board is completely powered off.
2. Inspect the hoverboard charger for any damage
Inspect the pins on your hoverboard charger to make sure they are not damaged or bent and that they are perfectly aligned.
You should also check the charger cable for any potential damage.
If your charger pins are not straight or the wire is frayed and looks unsafe you should not use the charger.
If the charger is not damaged and is safe to use plug it in to a power point.
3. Connect the charger to your hoverboard
Now the charger is connected to your board it should start charging.
Some chargers have an LED light indicator on them to let users know when the battery is charging and when it is fully charged.
When a low battery is charging this light will be red.
Once the hoverboard is fully charged this light will change to green to indicate the hoverboard charging is complete.
These colors may be different depending on the make of your charger, but red and green are the most common colors.
4. Once your hoverboard is fully charged disconnect the charger cable
When you hoverboard is fully charged remove the charger cable from the board, and also remove the charger plug from the wall socket to prevent it overheating.
How Long Does It Take For A Hoverboard To Charge?
On average, most hoverboards charge in 2 - 3 hours, but this time period can be longer or shorter depending on the hoverboard model, hoverboard charger, and battery being used. The hoverboard charging time will vary as different hoverboards or self-balancing scooters contain different batteries, and also use different chargers.
Asking “how long it takes to charge a hoverboard?” will not always lead to the same answer as hoverboard charging times vary from model to model.
On average, hoverboards take between 2 -3 hours to charge, but there are some hoverboards that charge in 1 -2 hours, and others that take 3 - 4 hours or more to fully charge.
The hoverboard charging varies as different hoverboard models or self-balancing scooters use different batteries with varying voltage, and they also use different chargers.
Some batteries charge fast, whilst other hoverboard batteries take longer to fully charge.
Hoverboard batteries vary in voltage and as a result so do hoverboard chargers.
Some chargers have greater output than others, and this can also affect how long it takes to charge a hoverboard to full power.
If you want to know how long to charge a hoverboard you should first refer to your manufacturer’s product manual or website to get the right charging time for your hoverboard model and brand.
First Time Hoverboard Charging
Most hoverboards are fully charged when they are manufactured, and as a result can be ridden straight out of the box.
However, between the time they are manufactured, sold, and shipped to you they will have lost some power, so we never recommend using a hoverboard without charging it fully, especially the first time you use it.
The first time you charge a hoverboard battery is important and you should make sure you charge it to full capacity before riding the board.
The first time you charge a hoverboard can set the power standards of the battery for its lifetime, which is why it is important to make the first charge a full charge, ensuring the battery is charged to 100%.
Fully charging a hoverboard before you use it is best practice, and can increase the battery’s lifespan.
How Do You Know Your Hoverboard Is Charging?
Most hoverboard chargers will have a little LED light on them to indicate that the charger is working and the hoverboard is charging. When your hoverboard battery is flat and you plug it in to charge, the light on the charger will normally be red (color depends on the make of charger) to indicate that there is no power in the battery and that it is currently charging. Once the hoverboard is fully charged the light should turn green (or another color) to indicate the charge is complete.
Once the light has changed from red to green you can disconnect the hoverboard from the charger and remove the charger plug from the socket.
Some hoverboard chargers may not have this LED light indicator on them, so you can refer to the lights on the hoverboard itself to know when your hoverboard is charging and is fully charged.
Most self-balancing scooters have a battery level indicator located somewhere on the frame of the board.
This allows riders to keep tabs on their battery power levels whilst riding.
When you plug your hoverboard in to the charger, the battery level indicator will probably be red when you have a low battery, and when the board is fully charged it will turn green.
Some hoverboards start beeping once the battery is fully charged, and some will continue to beep until the charger is removed.
These are just some of the ways you can know if your hoverboard is charging and when it is fully charged.
Hoverboard Not Charging?
If your hoverboard is not charging it could be because of a fault with the charger, the battery, or a fault with the circuitry of the hoverboard.
It’s not unusual to experience hoverboard charging problems at some point. Most hoverboarders will experience this issue at least once.
But what do you do when your hoverboard is not charging? Firstly, try and identify why the hoverboard is not charging.
Here are some reason you could be experiencing hoverboard charging problems:
Faulty charger plug
If you plug your hoverboard charger in and you don’t see either the red or green light or any color at all, it may mean your charger is faulty or may be damaged.
It could also just be a fault with the LED light on the charger, in which case the charger may still be in full working condition and you can continue to use it, albeit without the lights as a guide to knowing when the board if fully charged.
Try disconnecting the charger and re-connecting it to see if the lights turn on.
If they don’t, just leave the charger in and check in a few hours to see if the hoverboard has been charged.
If you return to the board and find the hoverboard hasn’t increased its charge at all than you may want to try using a different power socket, or replacing the fuse in the hoverboard charger plug.
Loose wires in charger
Sometimes the wires in your hoverboard charger may become loose or frayed overtime, in which case the charger stops working and you wont be able to charge your hoverboard.
If this is the case you should purchase anther charger, making sure you only buy one that is suitable for your hoverboard battery voltage rating.
Power socket fault
If your charger is not working it could indicate a problem with the particular power socket you are using, in which case you should test the socket with another plug.
Remove the hoverboard charger and insert the plug of another device, such as your phone charger, in to the socket to see if that works.
If your phone charger (or whatever plug you used) is working than the power socket is not the issue, and there may be an problem with your hoverboard charging port or hoverboard charger plug/cable.
Damaged hoverboard charger port
Check the charger port on your hoverboard for any damage.
There may also be debris such as dirt, dust, or sand which is preventing the charger working, so make sure you blow out or remove any debris which could be interfering with the connection.
Loose wires in hoverboard
You can open your hoverboard up and check for any loose wires.
Sometimes the wires in a hoverboard can come loose, especially if the board has taken a few knocks and bumps.
Some of these impacts can cause wires and connections to become loose or disconnected.
Open your hoverboard casing and check to see if there are any loose wires or connections that need tightening.
Once you have re-connected the wires, screw the hoverboard case back on and try charging the hoverboard again.
If loose wires were the reason for the hoverboard not charging, the hoverboard should now charge successfully.
Why Is My Hoverboard Charger Blinking Red?
When the red light on a hoverboard charger blinks red it is a sign that something is wrong with either the charger or the hoverboard battery pack.
Here are some of the reasons why your charger light may be blinking.
Plugged in to power socket only
If the charger is blinking red when it is plugged into the power socket but NOT plugged in to the hoverboard, it indicates that the charger is faulty and needs replacing.
Plugged in to power socket and hoverboard
If the charger is blinking red when plugged into the wall socket AND hoverboard it indicates one of the following problems:
- The battery pack has loose connections or incorrectly wired connections.
To resolve this you will need to open the hoverboard casing and check the connection between the battery pack and control module for any loose or incorrectly wired connections
- The hoverboard charger port is incorrectly wired to the control module or battery pack, and has reverse polarity or a short circuit
To correct this, make sure the wiring between these components is correct.
If the charger continues to blink red even after correctly connecting the wires than you may have to replace the hoverboard charger port.
- The voltage of the battery pack is too low.
When this happen the battery will signal to the charger that it is faulty and can not be recharged, which is why the charger keeps blinking red.
To resolve this you will need to replace the hoverboard battery pack.
- The charger is not supplying sufficient power to recharge the battery pack
If the charger is not supplying enough power the hoverboard will not charge.
To resolve this you will need to buy a replacement charger.
How To Charge Hoverboard Without Charger
This is a frequently asked question among hoverboard owners who want to know how to charge a hoverboard without a charger.
The short answer is you can’t safely charge a hoverboard without a charger!
Hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters, are powered by re-chargeable lithium-ion batteries.
These hoverboard battery packs require a charger to re-charge them.
You may see videos online where people demonstrate how to charge a hoverboard with a laptop charger or some other non-hoverboard charger, but we do not recommend this!
This is dangerous and could be a fire hazard, potentially injuring yourself and others.
It can also damage your hoverboard and battery, which may need to be replaced, and it could affect your hoverboard settings, which will require you to re-calibrate your hoverboard.
Only use a suitable hoverboard charger to charge your hoverboard, and preferably use a charger that has been specifically designed for your hoverboard model.
Using inappropriate chargers to charge a hoverboard is dangerous and reckless, and should never be attempted.
Do I Need To Fully Charge My Battery To 100% Every Time?
You do not need to fully charge your hoverboard each time you charge it, but it is recommended that you do so. Constantly half charging your battery, using it until empty and then half charging it again will shorten the battery life and limit its performance. This will decrease your hoverboard range, and will lower the battery’s ability to hold its charge.
How Long Does A Hoverboard Battery Last?
This all depends on the type and model of hoverboard you own. Each hoverboard is different, and therefore the run time will also be different.
A fully charged hoverboard can last anywhere between 1 – 3 hours or more.
This run time can be increased or decreased depending on how you ride your hoverboard.
Other factors that affect how long a battery lasts are the riding surface and terrain, weather conditions, and how fast you are travelling.
If a rider exceeds the weight limit of a hoverboard it can also have a negative effect on how long the battery lasts.
Fast hoverboards and off-road hoverboards tend to have batteries that last longer than those found in kids hoverboards and some of the cheaper hoverboard models.
Should I Leave My Hoverboard Charging Overnight?
You can leave your hoverboard charging overnight. Most lithium-ion batteries are “smart” enough to stop accepting power once they are fully charged, so technically speaking leaving your hoverboard charging overnight shouldn’t pose any risks or problems.
Some people say that overcharging a hoverboard can lead to overheating, which can decrease a battery’s lifespan and reduce its performance, which isn't really true for modern lithium batteries.
Although most of the best hoverboards on the market are UL2272 certified so that they will not overheat, leak, or explode, if it gives you peace of mind you can remove your charger as soon as the hoverboard is fully charged.
Should I Charge My Hoverboard Everyday?
You do not need to charge your hoverboard everyday unless you have used up a lot of battery power and need to use the board again the next day. If you ride your board a lot and want to ride for long periods of time without running out of juice than you should make sure you always ride on a fully charged battery.
There is no problem with charging your hoverboard everyday, and doing so will mean your board is ready for action whenever you want to use it.
How Do I Know When To Charge My Hoverboard?
Most hoverboards have a battery level indicator on the board which shows you how much power you have left. When it is fully green it means you have sufficient power. When it turns red it means you are running low and should re-charge it at the earliest opportunity.
Some boards start to beep when the battery level gets to 5%, in which case you should charge it immediately.
If your hoverboard has a companion app you can also use the app to check your battery levels.
Conclusion
Developing good hoverboard charging habits is something all hoverboard owners should do as soon as they buy a hoverboard.
Knowing how and when to charge a hoverboard is an important part of hoverboard maintenance which can greatly improve the performance of your hoverboard battery and extend its lifespan.
In addition to following best practice when it comes to hoverboard charging, learning how a hoverboard works is another good way of increasing your overall knowledge of self-balancing scooters, and will enhance your ability to maintain and look after your device so that it remains in good condition for years to come.