Electric power wheelchairs are the closest friends that bring greater mobility and independence to people with mobility impairments. The battery of an electric power wheelchair is the lifeblood, and its performance and longevity will directly affect the user’s freedom and confidence to get around. Regular care and maintenance, especially in charging practices, are of great importance to get the best out of an electric power wheelchair battery’s life and enhance its performance.
Understanding Electric Power Wheelchair Batteries
Most electric wheelchairs use deep-cycle batteries. Deep-cycle batteries provide long and uninterrupted power. Car batteries are the opposite; they are designed to be drained repeatedly and recharged. Deep-cycle batteries are made to handle these operations without taking a beating through cell damage. There are three varieties: gel, AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat), and lead-acid with their respective good points and servicing requirements. The choice of proper battery type for your electric power chair is the initial important step to make it live its longest life.
Types of Batteries
Gel Battery: They are sealed and maintenance-free batteries that give a clean and spill-proof installation, which can be fitted in any orientation.
AGM Batteries: Just as maintenance-free and sealed as the AGM batteries, these are also purported to be performers, shockproof, long life, and freezeproof.
Lead-Acid Batteries: Less expensive but needing to be maintained constantly with the water level checks and the topping up, these batteries have a higher likelihood of being destroyed if not kept in good working condition.
Correct Charging Practice for Electric Power Wheelchair Batteries
One of the biggest factors affecting the life of an electric power wheelchair battery is charging.
Avoiding Overcharging and Undercharging
Overcharging and undercharging lower the life of a battery. Overcharging is harmful to a battery’s cells, while undercharging may lead to an unstable performance and capacity. New electric power wheelchairs have intelligent chargers that shut off automatically when the battery reaches its maximum charge and hence avoid overcharging. In the old chargers, one needs to switch off the charger manually when the battery is fully charged to its maximum.
Also don’t fully drain the battery. It’s best to use no more than 80% of your battery capacity. If your electric power wheelchair has a battery life gauge, monitor it during the day.
Charging Frequency
Electric power wheelchair batteries need to be charged every day, especially if the chair is used extensively. It is advised that you daily charge your electric power wheelchair even if the battery is not low. Partial charging is beneficial to deep-cycle batteries because it removes the pressure and increases their shelf life. If you use it a lot, charge the batteries as soon as you get home or charge them overnight. If you won’t be using the chair on a daily basis, charge the batteries every one or two weeks to 100% and leave the charger off.
A few manufacturers suggest charging the new battery for the first 18 hours and then using 12-hour charge cycles when you can. New batteries will require several cycles to reach only 90% charge, which is typical. The battery will be in its optimal state after 10 to 20 charge cycles.
Charging Tips
Use the Right Charger: Charge your power wheelchair using only the original charger it came with. Charging it with a cheap, generic charger will not only ruin the battery but the chair itself.
Charge at Room Temperature: Charge the batteries at room temperature, ideally 77°F (25°C), to charge most effectively. Do not charge at extremely hot or cold temperatures as this will lower the overall battery life.
Avoid Fast Chargers: Do not charge using fast chargers because they generate excessive heat that is harmful to the battery cells.
Proper Charging Method: Position your electric power wheelchair in front of an electric plug, turn off the controller, put the chair in drive mode, plug in the charger, plug it into the electric outlet, and charge for the specified time period (usually 8-14 hours). Never remove the charger until the battery is fully recharged.
Test the Connections: Ensure that the three-pinned charger plug of the battery charger is securely plugged into the socket located below the controller.
Indicator Light: Ensure that there is a light that glows during battery charging as well as when charging the battery to capacity.
General Battery Care for Electric Power Wheelchairs
Other than correct charging, correct maintenance and care also come in handy in the lengthy life of your electric power wheelchair battery.
Storage
Store your wheelchair in cold, dry areas away from heat and sun. Prolonged heat will drain the life from batteries, and high humidity will corrode batteries. Keep your electric power wheelchair battery between 50% to 80% charged if you will be laying up your chair for so long that you will lose track. The said charge will maintain the batteries healthy and not overcharge or deep discharge. If the chair will be unused for weeks, take out the battery as the chair will drain the battery even when unused.
Routine maintenance and Cleaning
Make regular inspections to see if battery cables are healthy and free from corrosion. Clean terminals with a soft, damp cloth but never chemicals that will destroy the battery. In lead-acid batteries, monitor water level and add distilled water when low. For gel and AGM batteries, inspect for swelling or damage and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on maintenance. Allow terminals to be greased and not corroded or clean will keep the battery long-lasting. Replace any corrosion and re-grease terminals using petroleum jelly and ensure that the areas are completely coated.
Environmental Factors
The ground that you travel with your electric power wheelchair contributes greatly to the lifespan of your battery. Traveling on hard, smooth grounds is best since it reduces battery stress. Avoid overloading and going uphill since these will reduce the battery life faster. Consistent speed also reduces battery stress.
How Long Do Electric Power Wheelchair Batteries Last?
The life of an electric power wheelchair battery is normally 1-2 years, provided it’s well maintained. There are, however, some factors that condition the length of time a battery will last, e.g., battery type, rate of usage, and environment of use. A number of other factors such as frequency of maintenance, amount of load it draws, operating area where it is used, and charging cycle influence the lifespan of the battery.
A charged battery will generally have an average ride time of around 8 hours, 10 to 15 miles long, but this is model, rider weight, and terrain dependent. Uploading or riding over rough terrain and high speeds will drain the battery very fast.
Super Pi Model P2 power electric wheelchair is designed based on providing enhanced battery capability in order to achieve greater use for hours required by daily commuting purposes.
Finding The Signs That Suggest The Dying Of Electric Power Wheelchair Battery
Electric power wheelchair batteries, regardless of how well maintained, will eventually have to be replaced. Understanding the signs of a dying battery will allow you to replace it ahead of time, instead of panicking.
Longer Charging Time: If your battery charges longer than ever before, or longer than normal to charge, then its capacity is likely dwindling.
Less Charge Capacity: If the chair will no longer last long when charged, or if your battery will no longer hold its charge as well as it used to, replacement is likely in order.
Battery Age: If your battery is one to two years old or older, it should likely be replaced independent of detectable failure symptoms.
Irregular Performance: Erratic loss of power or low performance when it is being used may be symptomatic of an issue with the battery.
Physical Damage: Inspect the battery for swelling, cracking, or leaking.
Choosing a Replacement Electric Power Wheelchair Battery
When it is time to replace your electric power wheelchair battery, make sure to use a quality replacement. Consult your user manual to find out what the proper type and specifications are for your chair. A good battery will give good performance and longevity. Some power wheelchairs have short battery warranties, so check if there is warranty data available for a problem arising with the battery within the warranty time frame. A replacement battery of the manufacturer’s original or reputable third-party maker is generally safest. Use electric power wheelchairs such as the Super Pi Model P2 that is pre-assembled with good quality components and a prolonged battery life to make it easy.
