How to Charge a Hoverboard Without a Charger

There are a few things that freak out hoverboard users. Top among them is a device without enough charge for a much-needed ride. You can’t charge your self-balancing scooter because its charger is faulty or got lost. But, don’t sweat it out. Because this resource details three little tricks of juicing up your ride without a charger while you wait for Amazon or someone else to  deliver the replacement.

Related: Common Hoverboard Troubles and their Remedies

Not Using An Approved Hoverboard Charger Can Cause Trouble

I can’t insist enough on the need to use a manufacturer-approved charging cable and power adapter. The risks associated with the methods described below are real. Hoverboard owners have reported everything from a trashed warranty to sudden battery explosions.

So, take great precaution when using any of the suggestions below. The best thing to do is to get a replacement charger with equivalent power ratings as your kiddo’s hoverboard.

Alternative Hoverboard Charging Methods

A faulty or lost charger should not deny you hoverboarding fun. Here are three ways to replenish your balance board’s charge even though you misplaced the original charger, didn’t receive it, or it stopped working.

• Roll the wheels manually
• Use your laptop’s charger
• Use a universal charger

First Things First: Order a Replacement Charger

Before you attempt any of the charging a hoverboard without its charger tricks below, order a replacement right away. There’s a lot of decent places including Amazon and eBay where you can find manufacturer-recommended and safe electric scooter chargers.

If you can’t seem to find the replacement charger you seek out, d0n’t freak out. Instead, call or email the hoverboard’s manufacturer and ask if they provide replacement chargers. They most likely do.

Here’s what not to do: Don’t grab the cheapest charger you come across online. Because the cheapest hoverboard chargers from unscrupulous online sellers tend to cause more problems than they solve if they work at all.

Maybe the Charging Port Is The Problem

Loose hoverboard or broken charging ports are pretty common. If live with pets or family, chances are they sometimes trip on your hoverboard’s charging cable. Every time this happens, the cable pulls on the port a little, loosening it and jamming it in the end. Luckily, you can easily tighten loose charging wires or even install a new port.

Let’s now dive in and learn how you can transfer electric power to your self-balancing scooter without its charger.

1.Roll the Hoverboard’s Wheels Manually to Charge It

Every hoverboard comes with a rechargeable battery situated below one foot pad. Some boards come with two batteries though.

To determine which side of electric scooter houses the battery, place the board on a flat surface. Then, lift each side of the device slowly. The heavier side is where the battery lives.

Tilt the hoverboard such that the wheel adjacent to the battery is in contact with the surface. The other wheel shouldn’t touch ground. Hold the hoverboard in this position and with the other hand, rotate the wheel back and forth.

You want to keep rotating the wheel for at least 15 minutes. This action should give the device enough charge for a short ride.

Compared to the other two methods described below, this method poses the least risk to your futuristic transportation device. Still, you risk a shorter battery life with repeated charging.  Also, wear and tear on the wheels is inevitable.

Rolling the wheel doesn’t guarantee a surge in the amount of charge, but it’s great exercise for your arms!

2.Use a Laptop Charger to Charge a Hoverboard

Watch the video above to learn how to charge a self-balancing scooter even if you misplaced the original charger.

This happens to be the most recommended method of charging a Segway or hoverboard without a charger. It’s almost always the result surfaces first when you do a quick online search. But even though this trick is popular, there’s still risks to worry about.

A standard charging port has three projecting pins where the manufacturer charger is inserted. To charge with a laptop charging cable, plug the charging end to either of the three pins. You may have to try out different pins before your hoverboard picks up charge.

Once the charging light indicates power is flowing to the hoverboard, prop the device in a way that keeps the charger supported. Be sure to place the scooter on a flat stable surface. And keep an eye on the device throughout the charging session.

 Note: Make sure the power ratings on your laptop’s charger and the hoverboard are similar. The hoverboard manual has these specs, and if you inspect the charger, you’ll see its output power voltage.

One last word of caution: this is a risky method. It should be used as a last resort. And the charge drawn by the board doesn’t last long, plus it tends to drain much faster than conventional charging. In other words, this isn’t a reliable way of charging without an original charger.

3.Charge Your Hoverboard Using a Universal Charger

This is both a tricky and risky affair. First off, you have to be able to dismantle and assemble a hoverboard. Also, knowing how to adjust power output is vital.

In this method, you open the casing, get the battery, and charge it outside the hoverboard. A number of universal chargers will do this easily. Charging time and how long the battery holds the charge vary.

A variation of this method is having a stand-by battery. Here, you charge the battery you’re not using and carry it on your rides. When the existing battery dies depletes the charge, swap it out and put in the other one.

This means you’ll need to carry the tools you need as well. The risk of battery explosion is real. Battery life and it’s performance are reduced significantly.

Warranty? Forget the warranty if you use universal charging devices.

Risks of Using Alternative Charging Methods

When you use any of the above methods, you risk:

• A short battery life
• Battery explosions
• Warranty issues
• Damage to the charging port
• Short-circuiting internal components and circuit systems

Final Thoughts

Do not let a faulty charger spoil the fun. If done with caution, the above methods can swoosh you away from tantrums and grumpy faces in the house.

Many online sites list down all kinds of crazing ways of charging a hoverboard without a charger. But not everything they say is good for your board. I strongly recommend doing things the right way.

If the charger is the problem, get a replacement battery pack/packs soonest you can. Also, repair faulty charging ports if that’s the issue or replace it altogether where necessary.

And before you charge your hoverboard using any of the approaches discussed in this post, consider the risks involved.

Charging a Hoverboard Without a Charger FAQs

Here’s a few questions hoverboard owners keep asking, and I believe you’re asking some or all of these questions.

Do All Hoverboards Use the Same Charger?

No, all hoverboards don’t use the same kind of charger. Which means you can’t always use the same charger to juice up all the hoverboards you own.

How Do You Charge a Hoverboard Without a Charger?

You can use your laptop’s charger to charge your hoverboard, but this trick doesn’t promise to work all of the time. Alternatively, you can try rolling the hoverboard back and forth on the battery side to generate power for the device. There’s no guarantee it’ll work, but chances this strategy might generate sufficient charge for a short ride.

Finally, you can use a universal hoverboard charger, but you’ll have to open the casing to remove the drained battery and charge it. Having two batteries helps a lot since you can leave one of them charging while using the other to power your device.

How Do You Charge a Swagtron or Hover 1 Hoverboard Without a Charger?

Charge a Hover 1 or Swagtron hoverboard without a charger the same way you’d charge any other brand. You can roll the board back and forth manually on the battery side, use a laptop’s charger, or remove the battery of the scooter and charge it externally using a universal charger. None of these methods guarantee positive results all of the time, but many electric scooter owners find that they work most of the time. The best way to charge a Swagtron or Hover 1 hoverboard is to use a manufacturer-approved replacement charger.

How Do I Know a Hover 1 Hoverboard is Charging?

If there’s a red light on the charger when you connect your Hover 1 hoverboard and a blinking orange light around the middle of the scooter, then the device is drawing charge. Once the unit’s drawn a full charge, the light on the charger should turn green, which is the color seen on the charger immediately you connect it.

Why Does My Hoverboard’s Charger Stay Green When Plugged In?

If a hoverboard’s charger stays green during charging, there’s a good chance the charger is broken. Another reason the green light comes is plugging the charger into a power source, but the light changes to red immediately. Finally, the green light comes on once the device’s pulled in a full charge.

How Long Does it Take a Hoverboard to Draw a Full Charge?

With a good hoverboard charger, charging takes anywhere between 2 and 3 hours depending on the model. Alternative charging methods can’t and don’t guarantee a full charge.

How Long Can I Ride a Hoverboard On a Single Charge?

Many factors affect the performance of a single charge. On a full charge, expect anywhere from 20 minutes to 60 minutes. It all depends on how good the battery really is. Be sure to read hoverboard battery reviews before purchasing any device.

When Should I Recharge My Hoverboard?

Recharge your hoverboard once its red light comes on, or when you hear a warning sound upon powering the board.

Important: If you have been riding, give the hoverboard time to cool off before plugging it into a power source.

What is the Best Way to Charge a Hoverboard?

The best way is the manufacturer’s way; use a recommended charger for your model. Alternative charging methods come with various inherent risks.