Moped Electrics

Like all motor vehicles mopeds are becoming more and more advanced and the electrical systems within them are much harder to maintain. Gone are the days when any Tom, Dick or Harry can re-wire or fix the electrics of a moped. Today the electric systems within moped are much more efficient and more and more small computer chips are being used.

Although mopeds have become a lot more complex routine maintenance and spot checks remain relatively straight forward. With mopeds and electrics you usually find that problems can sourced back to poor maintenance of batteries and wiring. As a result we are going to highlight some of the things to look out for on a regular basis.

The Batteries

The battery is one of the most essential parts of a moped and is something you should keep an eye on. Theres nothing more than a dead battery, right. When inspecting your battery you will want to look for the markings on the casing that shows how much fluid is left within the battery. If this is low then you will need to top it up with de-ionised water. It should also be noted that if you have to update this regularly then the battery is likely to need replacing.

As well as checking the fluid levels you will also want to make sure that the terminals are tight. Corrosion is also a common problem. Luckily batteries are quite cheap to replace however its not something you want to be doing regularly.

The Fuses

The first thing you should check when a problem with your electrics occurs is the fuses. This is fairly straight forward and the great news is that many fuses or fuse boxes are in easy to access places. With some models you will also find that there is one fuse for everything.

If you do find a blown fuse replace this with the same rated fuse as you don’t want to overload the electrics and be sure to check the rest of your components. A short circuit usually happens for a reason and may indicate a further problem.

The Connectors

This is not the most exciting of jobs but it is however very easy. It’s simply a case of checking that the connectors have been pushed in tightly enough and there are no loose connections. The one problem to look for here is a build up in grime or water getting into the connections. If this occurs then you will want to buy some specialist contact cleaners and work your way through the dirty connections. It’s as simple as that.

Lighting

It is important to check your lighting on a regular basis. This is one of the easiest things to check but also one of the easiest things to forget. Its amazing how many riders you see without operational lights. This is not only dangerous but also irresponsible. Of course its not just about the external lights but also the ones on your dashboard. If you notice any irregularities then check the connections and check your lights as a part of your pre ride checks.

For further advice please consult your owner manual and local mechanic. These will be able to provide you with more specifics on your make and model.