How to Install a Smart Screen or Riding System on an E-Scooter: Powering It the Right Way

As electric scooters continue to evolve from simple personal transporters into full-featured mobility solutions, riders are looking for ways to enhance their experience with smart screens or integrated riding systems. Whether it’s for GPS navigation, real-time telemetry, music, dash cams, or even blind spot detection, adding a smart screen can dramatically improve convenience and safety. But before you go bolting on a touchscreen to your handlebars, there’s one critical question to solve:

How will you power it safely and reliably?

Let’s walk through what’s involved, what works, and what can go wrong—especially when it comes to dealing with your scooter’s power system.

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What is a Smart Screen for E-Scooters?

Smart screens range from simple Android-based displays to advanced riding systems with multiple sensors. Here are some popular formats:

• Android Auto or CarPlay-capable units like the Chigee AIO-6 or AlienRider M2 Pro
• Rugged Android tablets mounted with vibration dampers
• Custom ride computers that show speed, trip stats, range, and elevation
• Smartphone-based apps in a waterproof mount (e.g., Kurviger, Calimoto, OsmAnd)

These systems need power—anywhere from a minimal 5V/1A for a phone up to 12V/5A for a fully integrated LTE-enabled smart screen.

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Mounting the Smart Screen

Before you address wiring, make sure the device can be securely mounted. Most e-scooters lack standard motorcycle bracket mounts, so you’ll need to get creative with:

• Handlebar clamps or mirror extenders
• Stem or steering column mounts
• 3D-printed brackets for custom setups

Make sure the screen is:

• Easily viewable while riding
• Not blocking controls or visibility
• Protected from vibration and water

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⚡ The Real Challenge: Powering Your Smart Screen

Most smart riding devices need either:

• 12V DC input (e.g., via a DC barrel plug or wired harness)
• 5V USB (either USB-A or USB-C PD)

However, e-scooters typically run on high-voltage battery packs, usually:

• 36V (entry-level scooters)
• 48V to 60V (mid-range)
• 72V and higher (high-performance scooters)

🚫 Why You Can’t Connect Devices Directly

Connecting a 12V device directly to a 48V or 72V battery will instantly fry your device. Even if your scooter has a USB port or 12V output, there’s no guarantee it delivers enough stable power.

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🔌 Power Options for Smart Screens

✅ 1. Built-in USB Ports

Some e-scooters offer 5V USB-A ports—usually under the dashboard or near the handlebar.

Pros:

• Simple plug-and-play
• Great for charging phones or low-power GPS units

Cons:

• Usually limited to 1A–2A output
• Not suitable for power-hungry devices like a full smart screen with LTE, GPS, and rear camera
• May be unstable or cut off when under heavy load

Use this only for basic setups like phone apps or ride recorders.

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✅ 2. Factory 12V Output (If Available)

A handful of scooters offer a dedicated 12V line or accessory wire—often hidden under the deck or near the controller.

Pros:

• Matches most smart screen requirements
• Easy to tap into if documented

Cons:

• Often low amperage (1–3A max)
• May be shared with other components (lights, horn)
• Quality and reliability vary widely

Always test this output with a multimeter, and verify it holds 12V under load.

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✅ 3. Use a DC Step-Down Converter (Recommended)

This is the most reliable and scalable solution.

🛠 What is a Step-Down Converter?

A DC-DC converter (or buck converter) reduces your scooter’s high voltage (e.g. 60V or 72V) to a stable 12V output.

How to Choose the Right Converter

• Input range: Match your scooter’s battery voltage (e.g., 48V–90V input)
• Output: 12V at minimum 3A, ideally 5A or more
• Form factor: Waterproof, vibration-resistant, compact
• Protections: Look for over-voltage, over-current, and thermal protection
• Certification: CE/FCC/RoHS if possible

Example Setup

• Connect the input of the converter to the scooter battery (ideally after the ignition or via a relay)
• Fuse the power line (e.g., 5A inline fuse for a 12V 5A converter)
• The output can be wired to:
  • A DC barrel plug
  • USB-C PD output adapter
  • Terminal block for multi-device connections

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🔧 Installation Tips

⚡ Wiring Basics

• Use 14–18 AWG wire, depending on current load
• Solder and shrink-wrap connections, or use waterproof connectors
• Avoid routing wires near suspension or motor cables
• Add a power switch or relay to cut off power when the scooter is off

💡 Optional Enhancements

• Add a voltage display or monitor to keep an eye on your power usage
• Integrate Bluetooth speakers or headsets
• Wire a reverse camera or BSD system if supported

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Real-World Example: Chigee AIO-6 on a 72V E-Scooter

The Chigee AIO-6 is a popular smart riding screen offering navigation, LTE, camera input, radar, and music control. It requires 12V/5A for stable operation.

On a 72V scooter:

1. A 72V to 12V 10A step-down converter was used
2. Wired through a fused connection after the ignition key
3. Power fed into the AIO-6’s dedicated wiring harness
4. Rear camera and BSD sensors powered via the same 12V line

Everything was enclosed in a waterproof box under the deck.

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⚠️ Safety Notes

• Never wire directly to high-voltage batteries without protection
• Always fuse any accessory connection
• Avoid drawing power when the scooter is off (unless via dedicated switched output)
• Don’t exceed current limits of converters or factory ports

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✅ Wrapping Up

Installing a smart screen on your e-scooter opens up a world of convenience—from turn-by-turn navigation to music control and advanced safety systems. But the key to a reliable setup isn’t just mounting—it’s power.

With most e-scooters running on 48V to 72V systems, a DC step-down converter is the most dependable way to deliver stable 12V power for your accessories. Check your voltage, use proper fuses, secure your wiring, and you’ll have a future-ready scooter cockpit in no time.