If your kids are like most, they adore the battery-powered pedal rides that let them take their “car” wherever they want. But how long do you have to charge the power wheels battery to keep the fun going for hours?
The last thing you want to do is scramble around, trying to find that elusive instruction manual or charging instructions. I know it can be frustrating when you don’t understand why the power wheel can’t keep up with the fun time. You don’t want to overcharge the battery, either.
That’s why I’ve put together this quick and easy guide to help you with everything you need to know about charging your power wheels batteries.
Table of Contents
How Long Does It Take to Charge a Power Wheels Battery?
The first usage instruction for a power wheels battery is to charge it immediately after purchase before using it for the first time. This helps to ensure that the battery performs optimally and extends the battery life as much as possible.
Manufacturers recommend charging a power wheels battery for 10-18 hours before using it. However, the exact time to charge your battery is determined by its volt size.
Each power wheels battery has a voltage capacity that determines how much power it generates, how long it can run your car, and how long it takes to charge.
Here are the different power wheels’ battery sizes and their charge times;
● 6V Battery
This is the smallest power wheels battery size. It has the lowest capacity and charges faster than the others. You should charge a 6V power wheels battery for at least 10 hours before first use. After this, you should charge for 6 hours after every use.
● 12V Battery
Most ride-on cars come with a 12V power wheel battery. It is a medium-volt battery with a relatively high usage power. A 12V battery needs to be charged for at least 18 hours during the initial charge. Subsequently, you can charge your battery for 12 hours after each use.
● 24V Battery
This is the largest power wheels battery available. It is most commonly used as a replacement battery for ride-on cars and has the longest usage time. A new 24V battery requires at least 18 hours of charging before first use and for all subsequent charges.
However, manufacturers warn that charging a power wheels battery for more than 30 hours can result in overcharging and damage to the battery.
The following are the most noticeable consequences of undercharging or overcharging a power wheels battery:
- The battery quickly depletes.
- Battery capacity is reduced, and the battery cannot hold a charge for an extended period during subsequent recharges.
- It shortens the battery’s life.
- The battery may become completely dead or damaged.
How Long Does a Power Wheels Battery Last after Full Charge?
With the power wheels battery requiring so much time to charge, one would expect the battery life to be even longer. But, unfortunately, one major downside of the power wheels battery is its short lifespan.
A fully charged power wheels battery can only power your child’s car for 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type and capacity of the battery.
The most common type of power wheels battery is the lead-acid battery. It originally comes with all power wheels cars. It is inexpensive but has a low power density.
However, lithium-ion batteries have recently become popular replacement power steel batteries. These batteries are safe, powerful, and have a high energy density, allowing them to power a ride-on car for an extended period.
A fully charged lead acid battery can last anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour, depending on its capacity. Whereas a lithium-ion battery can last from 1 to 2 hours, depending on its capacity.
Also, a 6V battery will only last about 40 minutes to an hour, a 12V battery will last about 1 to 2 hours, and a 24V battery will last about 2 hours or a little longer before it is completely drained.
However, regardless of how short the playtime is, you are required to charge the power wheels battery after each use. So, even if your child only rode his Power Wheel car for 10 to 20 minutes, you should still charge the battery for another 10 to 18 hours before the next use.
Also, if the power wheels battery is not used for an extended period, it continues to discharge in storage. As a result, you must charge your power wheels battery at least once a month to keep it from completely draining and to extend its battery life.
How to Charge Power Wheels Battery
If your Power Wheels car starts to run a bit slowly, it may be time to charge the battery. Here’s a quick guide on how to do just that in 5 easy steps:
Step 1: First, locate the battery compartment – this is usually under the hood or in the back of the car. Once you’ve found it, open it up and take a look at the battery.
Step 2: Next, you’ll need to connect the charger. Simply insert the charger connector into the battery’s charging port.
Step 3: Connect the charger to a standard wall outlet. Before plugging in the charger, make sure to turn off the power. Then, turn on the socket and check to see if the battery is charging.
Step 4: Set a timer to ensure the battery charges for the recommended time. The first charge takes 18 hours, and subsequent charges take 14 hours or more. Also, avoid charging a power wheel battery for more than 30 hours.
Step 5: Unplug the charger from the wall socket once the charging time is up. Then, unplug the battery socket. You can now reinstall the power wheels battery in your kid’s truck.
Additional Power Wheels Charging Instructions
Here are some additional charging guidelines and precautions to ensure the safety of your power wheels battery and your home:
- Use the charger that came with the battery. Every battery should come with a charger, but if yours does not, get an original one from the manufacturer.
- Use a charger that is compatible with the voltage size of your power wheels battery. For example, a 6-Volt power wheel battery should be charged with a 6-Volt power wheel battery charger, while a 12-Volt battery should use a 12-Volt charger.
- The charger’s current should also match the current of the battery. For example, if you use a lithium-ion battery, you must use a lithium-ion battery charger.
- Using a low-quality or incompatible charger on your power wheels’ battery can result in overheating, explosion, and total battery damage.
- To avoid overheating, charge your power wheels battery in a well-ventilated area. Also, keep children away from the charging area.
- Before charging the battery, ensure that both the battery and the charger are in good condition; there should be no cracks or wear and tear on any part of the battery or connector, as this can cause leaks during the charging process.
How Long Before You Replace a Power Wheels Battery?
The lifespan of a power wheels battery varies depending on several factors, including the type of battery, the weight of the power wheel, the frequency of use, and charging and maintenance practices.
An active lead-acid power wheel battery can last up to 3 years, but a lithium-ion power wheel battery can last up to 10 years or 4000 charge cycles if charged and discharged once daily.
How Do I Get Power Wheels to Last Longer?
The short battery life of power wheels can be extremely frustrating, not only for the child but also for the parents watching and enjoying their children’s happy moments.
Getting new batteries as a spare is a safest and simplest way to increase ride time. A spare power wheels battery allows you to replace a dying battery sooner and recharge it faster, allowing your child to play on his truck for a longer period.
Just make sure to get a compatible battery with your child’s truck. I recommend getting a power wheels battery of the same capacity as the pre-installed battery.
Although the battery type can vary. You could purchase a lithium-ion battery as a spare for a lead-acid battery. Also, keep a spare battery charged at all times, whether it is used or not.
Wrapping Up
Power Wheels are very useful, fun toys for kids who want to learn how to drive their own vehicles. However, the batteries are less durable than other types of batteries. Therefore, you need to:
- Ensure your power wheel battery is charged for 10 to 18 hours at first buy and 6 to 18 hours after each use.
- Always charge a power wheels battery with a quality and compatible charger to prevent overheating and explosion.
- Purchase an extra power wheels battery for your child’s truck to ensure more playtime.
- You should only charge for a maximum of 30 hours to prevent overcharging.
I hope this guide helps you get the best out of your power wheels battery and increase your kid’s ride time. If you have further questions, feel free to ask in the comment section!