How to Use an Automotive Battery in a Wheelchair
Using automotive batteries on wheelchairs is possible, as long as you only use the battery for emergencies where you need to use a wheelchair and the wheelchair's battery is drained or malfunctioning. Remember that automotive batteries that are specifically designed for starting cars and are not meant as supplies for wheelchairs. If you need a battery for regular wheelchair use, use batteries that are specifically designed for the wheelchair.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Know the models. Automotive batteries that may be used on wheelchairs are classified as wet- and gel-type models. Wet models have distilled water in them, and the distilled water needs to be replaced from time to time. These models are generally longer-lasting, but they are a bit more prone to damage than gel type batteries. If the wet battery dries up completely, the connector plates in the battery will corrode and permanently damage the batteries. Gel batteries do not need water replacement, but have charges that last a shorter time.
-
2
Choose the battery. The type of batter you choose depends on the type of electric wheelchair that you use and how you actually use the wheelchair. Permanently disabled people are usually better off with wet batteries, since these have charges that last longer. People who are only in wheelchairs for a couple of weeks or months, however, usually choose gel type batteries that are easier to use.
-
-
3
Install the battery. Start by unscrewing the battery container in the electric wheelchair. After unscrewing, you need to attach the end caps to the connectors in the wheelchair. Close the battery container and then start charging the battery.
-
4
Charge the battery. New batteries need to by cycled first, and should be fully charged and then fully discharged for around ten cycles so that the batteries will get proper condition and last a long time. To charge wet batteries, you will need to remove the caps and then check the filler tubes for water. If there is not enough water, add distilled water until there is just half a centimeter of space before the filler tubes overflow. Connect to the charge and look at the wheelchair screen for charging status. Once the display says that the batteries are fully charged, disconnect the wheelchair from the charger.
-
5
Protect the battery. If you are using newer electronic wheelchair and batteries, you can actually leave the batteries charging overnight because these new batteries have auto-shut circuits that will immediately stop charging once the batteries are fully charged. Otherwise, you will need to time your charge sessions to ensure that the older batteries are not overcharged.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit man in wheelchair image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
