6 Essential Tips For the Maintenance Of Electric Wheelchair Batteries
The powerchair is a model that is powered by rechargeable batteries and is an excellent alternative for a disabled person who is unable to move the manual wheelchair on their own. The motorized/electric wheelchairs use rechargeable battery technology to move around. They are better than mobility scooters in the following ways:
- Possession of a shorter wheelbase
- Reduced turning radius
- Superior head/neck support
Those who are restricted in the movement of their upper arms can use the control on the armrest to maneuver their way around the chair. This model cannot operate without a battery. If you want to achieve excellent returns on the model, then you must charge the two large batteries overnight. You will overcome the embarrassment of a low battery if you charge it overnight.
What you are about to read are pro tips that will make riding this bike pleasurable. While you are on this article you would learn some basic ideas about your wheelchair battery and of course the essential tips that would expand the life of your wheelchair battery.
Three Basic Components of Every Electric Wheelchair
An insight into the technology in the battery shows that it has three major components. We will go into the definition and role of each of them. Here we go!
Capacity
The capacity of the battery is its ability, and it and every user must be interested in this aspect. This is measured in amp-hours and is a sign of how far the battery power will take you. When your machine runs at 10 amperes, for instance, and your cell rates are 30 to 90 ampere-hours, your battery will run for between 3 and 9 hours. If you do not use the model at a stretch, then the hours will be distributed and you can have the chair running for over 24 hours when stoppage time is included.
Current rating
The current rating is the measure of the flow of electrons through the cell, and the unit of measurement is amperes. When you run over rough terrain with cells with high amperes, the delivery of the chair will drop.
Cell type
There are 2 major types of battery cells known as "cell types." You can use either of the two (which will be discussed shortly) in your wheelchair. Manufacturers base their preference on gel-cell because they are free from environmental and maintenance problems that are encountered with wet-cell models.
Wet-Cell
Despite the shortcomings of wet-cell batteries, they have a larger power capacity and last longer. They cost less in comparison to gel-cell. They are the most popular choice for many. If you invest in the vented cell option, you can make it last longer by topping the cell with water on a regular basis. The disabled person that tries to add water to the cell will be at the risk of acid spilling on their skin as well as on the frame of the chair.
The concealed cell options are enclosed and do not need topping up the water level. Sealed wet-cell batteries are enclosed; thus, there is no water level to maintain. There can be issues with acid spills caused by battery leaks. These two types of batteries are banned from airplanes because of their acid content.
Gel-Cell
You will not get issues with chemical spills with gel-cell batteries. The maintenance is free and they are allowed inside the airplanes. The capacity of this model is 10–20% lower when compared to wet-cell options, and they cost more. If you want to place an order for any battery, you must get the right charger accessory that will take care of charging the battery. These batteries must be discharged before they are charged again, and only the right charger can maintain the battery life.
You can recharge the majority of the batteries that are available on the shelf about 300 times before they start losing power, provided you use the right charger.
The pro tips below will help sustain the life of your battery for a long time.
10 Essential Tips for The Maintenance of Electric Wheelchair Batteries
1. Ensure Your New Batteries Are Fully Charged
One of the things you want to make sure you do when you get delivery of your new batteries is to make sure they are charged to full capacity. When you fail to charge a new deep-cell battery to full capacity before its first use, it will not be able to sustain its full-service range. Ask the relevant question about the charge level of the new battery that you bought and take appropriate action on it.
2. Make sure the power doesn’t drop below 70% in the first 10 days
Do not allow the power to drop below 70% within the first week and three days of purchasing the new battery. When you charge after using 30% of the power in the first 10 days of use, you will sustain the charging status of the deep-cell battery for a long time to come.
3. Temperature
The ideal temperature for charging is 64 to 77 F (18 C to 25 C). Do not go outside this range unless it is recommended by the manufacturer of the battery. Temperatures above 86 F (30 C) are dangerous for battery health. If you charge the battery at temperatures lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), you will cause the battery to malfunction. When you charge under very high temperatures, it will ruin the life of the battery.
4. Charge the Batteries Every Night Even If They Have Enough Charge
One of the best care tips that will prolong the life of the battery is to charge it each night. If you do not go beyond 50% capacity and you charge them full overnight, you will increase the life span of the battery to your delight. This is a sure way to prolong the lifespan of your battery.
5. Save The Cells of The Battery
Do not drain your battery by about 80%. If you get to 20% before charging, it will ruin the cells of the battery. If you drive long distances that will drain your battery to that level, then you should prepare a yearly budget for the change of battery.
6. Ensure Your Batteries Are Perfectly Installed
The issues with batteries can be due to incorrect installation procedures. If you want the best, then involve the experts in the installation process. When you do this, everything will be in the right order.
7. Driving Habit
If you are driving an electric wheelchair, then you are advised to maintain a regular driving pattern. If you drive at irregular speeds, it will ruin the life of the battery. There is the need to drive at a regular speed, which will safeguard the life of the battery.
8. Use Your Own Battery Charger
Do not make the mistake of using a charger that is not recommended for your battery. No matter the situation, do not be tempted to do this.
When you face the embarrassing situation of a dead battery when you are out with the power wheelchair without your charger, never use the wrong charger to power your battery back to life. The charger will be destroyed, and the battery life will be altered. When you are stuck, call the company that manufactured the battery for expert advice.
9. Keep Your Wheelchair Batteries in A Safe Place While They Are Fully Charged
When you fail to charge your battery on a regular basis or when you do not charge it to full capacity, you will destroy the life of your battery. You will get irregular performances and erratic battery life when you put the powerchair to use. Even when you store the battery, make sure you charge it at random to maintain the shelf life of the battery.
Make sure you charge the battery of your narrow-motorized wheelchair before storage. Disengage the battery terminals during storage and store them in a warm and dry environment. Anything above or below that temperature will ruin the life expectancy and performance of the battery. Keep them out of any place that can cause an accident.
10. Read the Manual of Your Battery Carefully for Better Maintenance
Make sure you read the specific manual for the battery and understand and put in place the care tips in the manual. You cannot swap one bike's maintenance tips for another. Each of the batteries comes with its own care instructions.
The battery is important to the life of the power wheelchair. Invest time in going through its care tips because that will give you all that you require to get real-time support through the model. If you have experience with the care tips required for lead-acid batteries, they will not give you the same results when it comes to the case of lithium-ion or deep-cycle batteries. When you get the specific info required to maintain the life span of the battery, you will not experience any issues with the dead battery.
Here is some additional info that will help you understand the technology in the battery better. We are continuing with an analysis of what the battery is made of.
Some Extra Tips for Keeping Your Wheelchair’s Battery Healthy
Never use cords through an extension unless it is mandatory. If you use the wrong cord, it can cause an electric spark or shock. If the extension cord to the battery cannot be avoided, then make sure there is a professional connection and that it is in the correct electrical state.
Do not pull off the cable but the connector when you want to disengage the cord from the mains. Do not allow tension in the cord and make sure it is not placed in a way that will entangle the people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Wheelchair Batteries
The powerchairs will enable the disabled to move around with a push on the button of the device. But, without the battery in a good state, the chair will be useless.
When issues arise with the performance of the battery, several questions will come up that demand technical answers. This will have an effect on the care of the battery and how it can be restored. Let's take a look at some of the answers to some of the FAQs about power wheelchairs.
How many times do I need to charge my wheelchair and what is the need for it?
This is a complex question. But, for best practices, it is recommended that you charge the battery every night. You are advised to avoid overcharging the cell. If you are in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s manual or give them a call.
Can I travel by plane with my batteries?
Yes, you can according to the guidelines of the FAA, you can fly with them. If they are non-spillable wet battery for instance Gel cell batteries or AGM you are good to go. These types of batteries are made in a manner that provides protection against any damage. They can prevent short circuits too. It’s possible because of the compliant devices of the wheelchairs.
How long will my batteries last each day?
The combination of your speed and terrain will determine the percent drain of the battery. If you are speeding on uneven terrain, the battery will drain faster. When traveling at a uniform low speed, you will improve the battery life each day.
Is my battery charging?
Your clear understanding of the status lights and what they mean will tell you that 100% of your charger is working. Overreliance on joystick/hand control will not produce accurate results. What they do is to show that the charger is secure.
Bottom Line
There is no time duration on the shelf life of a battery; what you will get will be determined by the care tips that you apply to the maintenance of the battery. When you draw positives from the care tips we have given above, the battery will serve you better.
The shelf life of your battery can be determined by every user. What you need to do to achieve a prolonged shelf life on your battery has been detailed above.
