Battery technology has advanced significantly in recent years. However, advice on maintaining electric wheelchair batteries has not improved much. This has resulted in confusing and sometimes conflicting guidelines about the best ways to care for batteries.
In this article, we will clarify some of these myths and offer seven practical tips to follow.
Discover Your Wheelchair Batteries
Mobility product batteries differ significantly from car batteries. Car batteries release a lot of energy quickly, but batteries in power wheelchairs, known as deep-cycle batteries, provide energy steadily over a long time.
These maintenance-free batteries use a gel electrolyte method and are completely sealed, requiring only regular recharging.
Because the battery cover is sealed, there’s no risk of acid spills, making them safe to transport, even on aeroplanes, if they are IATA-approved. Always check if the specific chair battery is IATA-approved before travelling, as this rule doesn’t apply to all chairs.
Three Basic Components of Every Electric Wheelchair
A battery has three main parts. A closer look shows what they are.
Capacity
The capacity of an electric battery is crucial. It shows how much energy the battery can store in amp-hours and how quickly it can charge.
Current rating
The current rating indicates how many electrons flow through the cell in amperes. Using high-amperage batteries on rocky terrain may not give you the best performance from the chair.
Cell type
There are two main types of battery cells for wheelchairs. You can use either type. Manufacturers prefer gel-cell models because they are easier to maintain and have fewer environmental issues than wet-cell models.
Wet-cell batteries have some issues but generally offer more power and a longer lifespan than other types. They are also cheaper than gel-cell batteries, making them a popular choice. If you go for the vented cell option, you can extend its life by occasionally adding water.
Concealed cell options are sealed and do not require water filling. Be cautious when handling sealed wet-cell batteries, as adding water can lead to acid spills, which are dangerous.
Gel-cell batteries do not leak chemicals and are often allowed on aircraft. They require no maintenance but have a capacity that is 10-20% lower than wet-cell batteries. They are more expensive, and you must buy compatible chargers to maintain their life.
Factors Influencing the Driving Range of Power Wheelchairs
The driving range of a power wheelchair depends on two types of factors: fixed factors and changing factors.
The Varying Factors are:
Payload
The payload of a power wheelchair includes the users weight and any items being carried, like respiratory products. Most users and their loads are lighter than the maximum payload allowed. This can significantly improve the driving range.
Ground’s surface and properties
A smooth, hard surface cuts down power consumption. In contrast, driving on soft, uneven, rough, or slippery ground raises power consumption.
Environmental influence
Low temperatures affect the viscosity of battery lubricants, making them thicker. At temperatures between -5°C and -10°C, the lubricant loses viscosity, which can reduce driving range by about 10%.
This reduction in battery capacity is temporary. The best operating temperature for batteries is between 18°C and 25°C. At 0°C, the battery loses around 30% of its capacity, while at +30°C, it loses about 10%.
Driving behaviour
Stop-and-go, climbing slopes, curbs, and making turns use a lot of energy.
Air pressure of tyres
Low air pressure raises rolling resistance. A drop of 1 bar in pressure can reduce the driving range by 20%.
Powered options (actuators)
Powered options like tilt, recline, powered leg rests, and riser functions use up energy. Using these features often lowers the driving range.
Battery’s capacity
The battery’s capacity determines how much power is available for the chair. Low charge, low temperature, and ageing can reduce capacity and driving range. Here are some tips for battery maintenance:
- Do charge the batteries, even if they are not in use.
- DO drive at a constant speed when possible.
- DO maintain air pressure as specified.
- Don’t make unnecessary turns or slalom drives.
- DON’T carry extra weight.
The Fixed Factors are:
Think about these points before buying a power wheelchair.
Weight of product
A lighter chair uses less energy.
Size of batteries
Larger batteries with greater capacity will provide a longer driving range. However, they will also increase the overall weight.
Propulsion type and drive technology
The motor and gearbox combination affects energy usage and driving range. Rear-wheel drive chairs use more energy than the center or mid-wheel drive chairs.
Weight distribution of the product
A heavier load on the castors will increase energy use when manoeuvring.
Further Factors to Consider
Please note these important points for your batteries to function well.
Priming
Priming is important for a battery’s life cycle. It occurs during the first charge and should take 18 to 24 hours.
Formatting
Formatting completes the production process and happens during the charging and discharging cycles. The first five cycles should be flat.
New dry batteries usually reach full capacity after 50 to 100 cycles. New batteries cannot achieve their full capacity immediately after production.
Battery Storage
Battery electrolytes should never freeze. Sulphuric acid freezes at -36°C, but it can freeze at 0°C when fully discharged. When storing lithium batteries for an extended period, ensure they are kept at about 50% charge to maintain optimum health.
16 Tips for Keeping Electric Wheelchair Batteries in Good Condition
1. Ensure Your New Batteries are Fully Charged Before First Use
When your new batteries arrive, make sure to charge them fully. A new deep-cycle battery won’t last long if it’s not fully charged before use.
Check the battery’s charge level and act accordingly. If you buy a power chair from Enhance Mobility, it will come fully charged and ready to use.
2. Maintain 70% Power for the First 10 Days
Keep the battery at 70% power for the first ten days after buying it. Charge it after using 30% of the power during this time. This will help the deep-cell battery last longer.
3. Optimal Temperature
The best charging temperature for batteries is between 18 and 25°C. Only try this range if your battery manufacturer suggests it.
Temperatures above 30°C can damage batteries. Charging below 10°C may cause the battery to malfunction. High temperatures will reduce the battery’s lifespan.
4. Charge them Every Night
Charging your device every night is a great way to maintain battery health. Fully charging it overnight and keeping it above 50% can help extend battery life. This practice ensures your battery lasts longer.
5. Never Interrupt the Charging Cycle
Wait until night to do a full recharge. Our chairs’ maintenance-free batteries take longer to recharge completely than lead acid batteries in other products. Keep this in mind.
6. Leave the Batteries Charging if You Aren’t Going to Use the Mobility Chair for a Few Days
As long as the charger is plugged into a power source, it won’t harm the batteries. If the charger is unplugged, the batteries can run down.
For chairs that won’t be used for weeks, use a 10-amp trickle charger. Some 8-amp chargers can actually discharge the batteries if left connected for too long.
7. If you Aren’t Using Your Power Wheelchair for More than 15 Days, Disconnect the Batteries
If you don’t use your power wheelchair for over 15 days, disconnect the cable between the batteries. Charge the batteries fully at least once a week.
8. Regularly Check if the Battery Terminals Show any Signs of Corrosion
If there is corrosion, clean the terminals thoroughly using a wire brush. Apply petroleum jelly to the terminal, not regular oil. Ensure the terminal nuts, screws, wire, and wire clip are completely covered in petroleum jelly.
9. Save the Cells of the Battery
Keep your battery above 80%. Going down to 20% can damage the battery cells. If you drive long distances, set aside a budget for battery replacement each year.
10. Ensure Your Batteries are Properly Fitted
The batteries might have issues due to their installation. For the best results, hire experts for the installation. This will ensure everything is done correctly.
Also, It’s crucial to understand the differences in maintenance between lead-acid and lithium batteries to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
11. When Disconnecting the Charger, Pull on the Connector (Not the Cable)
Ensure the cable is placed so that no one trips or steps on it. It should also be protected from damage or tension.
12. Driving Habits
If you use an electric wheelchair, keep a steady driving speed. Changing speeds can drain the battery faster. Driving at a consistent pace helps the battery last longer.
13. Use the Supplied Battery Charger
Don’t use a charger that isn’t recommended for your battery. If your electric wheelchair battery is dead and you don’t have your charger, avoid using the wrong charger to fix it.
This can damage the charger and shorten the battery’s life. If you’re in trouble, reach out to the battery manufacturer for assistance.
14. Keep Fully Charged Wheelchair Batteries Safe
When using the power chair, expect inconsistent performance and battery life. Charge the battery regularly to avoid reducing its lifespan. Charge it occasionally while storing it to keep it in good condition. Before storage, charge the battery of your narrow-motorized wheelchair.
Disconnect the battery connections and store them in a warm, dry place. Extreme temperatures can harm the battery’s life and performance. Keep the battery away from hazardous areas.
15. Read Your Battery’s Manual Carefully for Better Maintenance
Read the battery handbook and follow the care instructions. Each chair has different maintenance advice, and every battery requires specific care. The battery is crucial for the electric wheelchair, so take time to learn how to care for it.
You can get help from the model as needed. Caring for lead-acid batteries is different from caring for lithium-ion or deep-cycle batteries. With the right information, you can avoid issues with a dead battery.
16. Do not Use Extension Cables
Using an extension cord can lead to fire or electric shock. Do not connect extension cables to your power wheelchair charger.
Contact Us Today if You Want Professional Advice About Our Wheelchair Mobility Batteries
If you have questions about wheelchair mobility batteries, Enhance Mobility is here to help. Our expert team offers professional advice tailored to your needs. We understand the importance of keeping your mobility device in top condition.
If you are looking for mobility scooter batteries, including options such as 12ah and 12v, you can often find them available for next day delivery.
Our expert team can also provide information on potential VAT relief options for eligible customers looking to purchase our wheelchair mobility batteries.
Contact us today for reliable support and quality products. Let us assist you in ensuring your wheelchair runs smoothly and efficiently.
FAQs
What is the lifespan of a wheelchair battery?
Most manufacturers say that power wheelchair batteries should last about two years. This estimate is based on the experience of an average user.
So, what does average use mean? It is typically 2-6 hours of use each day, every day of the week.
Can you charge a dead wheelchair battery?
If you have a dead battery, you can try recharging it and fully draining it about five times to reduce sulfations. It may take longer to recharge, so make sure to buy new batteries soon!
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