Basic tips for your Portable Electric Wheelchair maintenance..

Basic tips for your Portable Electric Wheelchair maintenance..

• Nov 08, 2021
• 2 Comments

My experience with the handy electric wheelchair is memorable. One of the attributes of this set of wheelchairs is their weight. They have very lightweight with a strong structure in their frame. It will take little storage space and they are very easy to fold. If you have a serious challenge moving around due to an injury, you'll need a handy electric wheelchair. Those that fall into any of the following categories will need an electric wheelchair to move around freely:

• A challenging body disability
• People who have no sense of feeling in their lower limbs
• People with zero movement strength
• Individuals who are unable to walk.

This model is handy and it works through the principle of batteries. It is popular among people who have serious injury challenges that have affected their mobility. People with fewer physical challenges also use this technology, which is moved by the joystick. The joystick is the lever that is used by the rider to control the movement of the wheelchair. Though people with disabilities cannot move with their two natural legs, the electric wheelchair provides some relief to all users. You can go wherever you want, no matter how difficult the terrain is. You can move around outdoors without any strain on your body with this technology. It is a welcome relief to people with disability challenges. This set of wheelchairs is safe for users. The maintenance is cheap; if you put in some little caution in taking care of the chair, it will last you for a long time.

Why Do You Need Maintenance for Your Portable Wheelchair?

Proper maintenance of the wheelchair will prolong the lifespan of the parts of the chair and ensure the safety of the rider. The results of a study carried out by a patient like me in 2017 revealed that 56% of the people that participated in the exercise had some parts of their wheelchair damaged. This is the reason why maintenance is mandatory. It will be easy to notice issues before they get out of hand if you maintain a daily maintenance culture around the wheelchair. When you replace worn-out parts, it will be possible to keep your chair on the road forever. You will have full insurance against accidents in the wheelchair.

The Best Tips for Power Wheelchair Maintenance

When you are familiar with the noise level of your wheelchair, it will be easy to detect when things are going wrong before they develop into big issues. If the noise level is more than normal, then something is wrong with the parts of the chair. When you carry out daily checks and take immediate action on faulty components, your wheelchair will serve you for at least a decade. Invest some quality time in understanding the manual that comes with your model. Here are minor issues that you can fix when issues arise. If the problem is beyond you, then you can call on the manufacturer to get it fixed.

• Always take the necessary steps by replacing worn-out parts in your best interest. You cannot bear the burden of life without your power wheelchair. Any part that is not in a good state should be removed and replaced. The electrical parts must be kept dry 24/7.
• The power chair must be in a dry state as much as possible.

You must take these preventive measures with your electric wheelchair:

• In situations where your electric wheelchair gets wet, stop driving and call in the experts for immediate action before you continue on your journey.
• The waterproof protections must be in proper shape at all times. This is more important if you are driving in the rain.
• The battery is the life of the electric wheelchair. Make sure they have enough power at all times. Whenever the battery power gets below half, connect it to a power source. The technologies in today’s chargers will shut out the power supply to the battery once your battery is charged. When you cultivate the habit of charging the battery each night, you will have the battery strength that will take you through the entire day. Do not keep the battery in extreme temperatures to avoid damage. Never allow the cells of the battery to freeze out before charging it.
• Another very important part of the wheelchair is the tires. Before you sit in your chair, make sure you check on them daily. You are advised to check the pressure of pneumatic tires regularly. Carry out daily checks on the tire. If you notice worn-out threads, then change the tire immediately.

How to Find the Best Electric Wheelchair Maintenance Professionals? 

Do not take any chances; your safety is number one and must not be put at risk. When you discover damage that is beyond your ability, call in an expert. Some models come with warranties that might have you covered. In that case, you can talk with the support desk of the company that produced the faulty model. You can get annual repairs and services as an existing customer with some of the brands. Take a keen interest in the repair and service of your power wheelchair regularly. Ask the company about the available offers in their service routine and pick any option that best suits your budget. If the above arrangement did not catch your fancy, then you can look for help through independent repair companies. Several companies around you will give you quality service delivery which will make sure your wheelchair runs well. You are advised to carry out full service on your wheelchair within the space of 12 calendar months. If you order your model in November, for instance, the elastic limit for full service must not go beyond the last day of November of the following year. When you invest in this, the life of your electric wheelchair will be prolonged. Caster wheels Some of the models have sturdy wheels that are made from polyurethane/rubber. They are compact and are located in the front of the chair. It is known as caster wheels. Inspect them daily for wear and tear. When you notice allowance and wear on the wheels, it is mandatory to take action. When the circular tip of the wheel takes on a new shape, it will not be easy to maneuver the wheel well. Take action by replacing the wheel when you notice this. If the castor wheel is not in proper shape, it can cause a terrible accident. Your Wheelchair Manual The manual that comes with every order of a wheelchair is loaded. My niece was surprised at her level of expertise in carrying out maintenance repairs on her wheelchair. All the info that turned her into a semi-expert was gotten through the manual for the wheelchair. When you go through the manual for your model, you will have a better understanding of the maintenance culture of the wheelchair. Always keep the manual handy.

How Do You Use the Portable Power Wheelchair in Winter Season?

The realities of the winter weather are harsh on any wheelchair user. The electrical parts of the chair must be protected from water. It is safer to keep your power wheelchair indoors during the winter, but you can ride it even during the worst winter weather. The following tips will prepare you for the challenge of the outside weather during winter. You Must Check Your Batter Always Get the instructions clear on the maintenance of your battery. Study the manual because all the info that you need on the battery can be found there. Every battery will lose its charge when it comes to a zero-temperature level and is left in that condition for a long period. Detach your battery if you store your wheelchair in cold conditions and store the battery in a heated environment. If you connect the battery to a power source during winter, it will destroy the power and lifespan of the battery. In that case, it should not be an option if you want to prolong the lifespan of the wheelchair battery. When you are working with GEL batteries, sealed acid lead, it is important to take note of this. The scenario is not the same with Easy Fold batteries. The weight of this battery is below 5 pounds, with charging points coming with each of the batteries. Get a spare battery handy and check the charge on the battery before you move out.

You Should Get a Ramp

If you want to cope well with the challenges that come with wet weather, then you need a ramp in your comfort zone. Check the specs and make sure you invest in a model that will give you full insurance cover during wet conditions or conditions that are at freezing level. You are most likely going to achieve the best results through National Ramp’s aluminum or powder-coated steel ramps.

You Need to Add a Buddy System

It will be a wise idea if you leave a note with people before stepping out on a wet or snowy day on your power wheelchair. If you are late in coming in, you will get a call to verify if all is well with you. Invest in a cell phone holder and you can come along with a cup of hot coffee when you are out in the cold. If you decide to go out with a buddy, he will be there to help you out when issues arise.

You Have to Maintain and Tune-Up

Make sure you get all the assurances that your model is in top shape before hopping into it. When you carry out daily routine checks, issues will be discovered on time. The frame will carry your weight; make sure it is strong enough to do that. Check the tires and tighten all loose nuts. When you are inside a heated enclosure, wipe away all traces of snow on your bike. Do not allow the ice to melt into your wheelchair.

You Need to Buy Travel Accessories 

The conditions during snow weather can be harsh on you. Anything can happen, and this is why it is mandatory to be prepared for the worst scenario when you are out in the cold. You will need a cover for your wheelchair – a travel bag will do. When you have materials that will provide immediate relief when you are stuck in the snow, it will lessen the impact of the situation on you. You will need covering material for yourself as well as medication that will last at least one day. Consider emergency needs for you and your wheelchair and make sure you include everything in a bag. Make sure you bring along only lightweight materials. This will not add a heavyweight to the lightweight electric wheelchair. You will need experts to tell you about the various lightweight materials that you should consider.

Final Words!

You must invest time daily into the care and maintenance of your wheelchair. It is suggested that you carry out general maintenance on your wheelchair once a month. When you free the parts of your chair from dirt regularly, you will prolong the life of the chair. We have left no stone on-turned in this guide on maintenance of the power wheelchair. If you follow our tips above, accidents in the chair will be avoided. Your chair will be there for you for a long time to come. If you have any questions about wheelchair care and maintenance, please leave them in the comments section.