Alber e-motion battery not charging after a long break: what now?
Axis · Updated:
If, after a few weeks of not being used (in winter, for example), the charger won't recognise your Alber e-motion battery, the most likely reason is that it has discharged below a safe threshold. The electronics draw a small current even at rest, and the cells self-discharge, so an unused battery slowly loses energy. Once it falls below the threshold, the protection circuits block charging. A battery like this can usually be brought back to life through regeneration (replacing the cells while keeping the original Alber BMS), and a few simple storage rules will help you avoid it in future.
The wheelchair sat unused, and now nothing happens
It's a situation that can be really upsetting: the wheelchair was put away for the winter, or while you were ill or in hospital, everything was working, and after the break the wheels are silent and the charger won't charge. It feels as if the equipment broke "all by itself", even though you didn't do anything wrong. Let's explain what happened and what can be done about it.
Why the battery runs down while it's stored
A battery isn't completely "off", even when the wheelchair is standing still. Two things drain energy at rest:
- current drawn by the electronics: the control and protection circuits draw a small current even when you're not riding,
- cell self-discharge: every cell loses charge over time; in NiMH batteries (e-motion M11, M12, M13) this effect is much stronger than in Li-ion.
Over a few days this doesn't matter. Over several weeks or months, especially if the battery was put away already well run down, the voltage can drop below the safe threshold. The protection circuits then block charging, and the charger doesn't "see" the battery.
Why you shouldn't force the battery to "wake up"
You'll find advice online on how to force a deeply discharged battery to charge using a bench power supply or by bypassing the protection circuits. We advise against it. Lithium-ion cells that have been discharged too deeply can suffer internal damage, and such a cell can be unstable and dangerous while charging once it's been "revived". The protection that blocks charging is doing exactly what it was designed to do.
Don't open the housing yourself either. If the battery is swollen, getting hot or smells burnt, stop using it and contact us.
How we bring "sleeping" batteries back
Instead of risking reviving the old cells, we replace them. We start with free diagnostics, measuring the resting voltage, the internal resistance of the cells and the condition of the BMS, micro-switches and charging sockets. This tells us whether the problem is only in the cells or in the electronics too.
| Stage | What we do |
|---|---|
| Diagnostics | measure resting voltage and internal resistance, check the BMS and sockets |
| Cell replacement | a new pack of brand-new cells, spot-welded with pure nickel strip |
| Integration | connect the new pack to the original Alber electronics |
| Testing | a full charge and controlled discharge cycle; check capacity, voltage stability and temperature |
The new pack is made of cells that all start from the same level, so the battery comes back to you balanced and tested under load. The original BMS stays in place, so your charger, remote and app work with the wheels just as before. If the diagnostics reveal an electronics fault, we'll contact you before starting work, and if regeneration turns out to be impossible or not worthwhile, you don't pay for it. We describe the process and turnaround times in the article how Alber e-motion battery regeneration works.
How to store the battery so it doesn't happen again
- Don't put the battery away flat. Charge it before a long break: the lower the level at the start, the sooner it will drop below the threshold.
- Top it up every few weeks. Set a reminder in your calendar and connect the battery to the charger, even if you're not riding. Do this more often with NiMH batteries, as they self-discharge faster.
- Store it somewhere dry and moderately cool: indoors, not in an unheated garage, basement or car. Avoid both freezing temperatures and heat.
- Check your wheels' manual: the manufacturer may recommend a specific way of storing the battery for longer periods, such as removing it from the wheel.
- Charge with the original charger designed for your model.
Long periods with a flat battery also speed up normal cell ageing; read more in our article on Alber e-motion battery lifespan. You'll find regeneration prices for every model in how much Alber e-motion battery regeneration costs.
Axis is an independent service. We are not affiliated with Alber GmbH or Invacare, we are not an authorised manufacturer service centre and we are not endorsed by the manufacturer. “Alber” and “e-motion” are trademarks of their respective owners.
FAQ
- Why won't the charger recognise my Alber e-motion battery?
- Most often the battery discharged below a safe threshold during a long period without use, and the protection circuits are blocking charging. It can also be caused by a fault in the contacts, the charger or the electronics; diagnostics will tell you for sure.
- Can a deeply discharged battery be saved?
- Usually yes, through regeneration: we replace the worn cells with new ones and keep the original Alber BMS, housing and sockets. Diagnostics are free, and if regeneration turns out to be impossible, you don't pay for it.
- Can I charge the battery myself with a bench power supply?
- We advise against it. Cells that have been discharged too deeply may be damaged and unstable while charging, and bypassing the protection circuits is dangerous.
- How should I store my Alber e-motion battery over winter?
- Charge it before the break, keep it in a dry room away from frost and heat, top it up every few weeks, and check your wheels' manual for the manufacturer's advice on longer storage.