Most of the time these products are pretty maintenance free but sometimes a little care and attention can help with prolonging the life of your scooter or powerchair. We have put together a list of things you can consider to help keep your mobility device in good working order.
Batteries
The biggest question we get is “how long will my batteries last?”
This question depends on a few factors and also the type of battery you have. We’ll split this into two categories commonly used in mobility devices below – Seald Lead Acid, also known as GEL or AGM batteries and Lithium-Ion.
Types of Batteries
Deep Cycle SLA, AGM and GEL Batteries
These batteries are more common in mobility devices due to their price and can be regularly found online and at most battery stores or local dealers. Be wary about buying batteries online due to not knowing the shelf-life of the batteries and also the higher risk of damage due to shipping. Mobility batteries, usually two batteries wired together, have a designated volt rating and Amp Hour rating for each device. The smaller the AH rating the lower the drive range is.
e.g. 12v 12ah
These batteries are designed to be fully charged and give constant power over a long period of time hence deep cycle. Using other types of batteries will not work correctly with your mobility device such as CCA batteries designed to send a large serge of power to start an engine like a car, lawn mower or marine engines, over a short period of time. These types of batteries are not suitable for mobility devices and will not give you the correct results and could damage your device. Deep cycle SLA and GEL batteries usually have between 300 to 400 battery charge cycles and reduced drive range will be observed as the batteries start to degrade.
All SLA style batteries are travel friendly but check with your airline operator for any charges and restrictions.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
These batteries, similar to the ones found in your cell phone, have a longer life span (around 1300 chargers per life cycle) and tend to last around five years before needing to be replaced. With Lithium-Ion you can short charge (charge for a short period of time) if you find that you are running out of power and need a little extra millage. Lithium-Ion batteries last a lot longer than SLA style batteries but tend to be more expensive to replace so always budget for replacement of a battery.
Travelling with Lithium-Ion Batteries
Be aware that not all Lithium-Ion batteries are travel friendly. Please refer to FAA guidelines as to what size of Lithium-Ion batteries are allowed on airlines. Also check with your cruise operator as to what restriction they may have in place.
Taking care of your batteries Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
Store your batteries or device in a cool dry place for best results.
Charge when only necessary
Make sure the terminals are tightly connected and clean
Always plug you charger directly into a wall outlet
Charge your batteries periodically if you are not using your device for a while (at least once a month)
Remove the batteries from your device is you are putting it in storage (check monthly)
Use a damp cloth to keep your device clean
Don’ts
Don’t store your device or batteries in hot or cold places like storage sheds, car trunks, garages or outside
Do not leave your charger plugged in to your device or battery box for more than 14 hours
Never charge your batteries with a charger not designed for your unit
Never use an extension cable with your battery charger
Do not use batteries not designed for your unit (lithium-Ion in replace for SLA)
Do not add more batteries than the unit is designed for
Never interrupt an SLA, GEL deep cycle charge cycle
Never drive your device in wet weather conditions including standing water
Never exceed the recommended incline amount for your device
Never exceed the weight capacity for your device
Never carry passengers if your device is not capable of doing so
Never charge Lithium-Ion batteries unattended or over night
Never use lubricating fluid on the drive motor or brake as it can cause electrical damage
Maintenace and general care for your unit
Most scooters and power wheelchairs don’t require constant maintenance like a car but having a service once a year is never a bad thing. Things like hair and carpet fiber build up on the front and rear axles and can over time cause damage to seals and bearings. Things can rattle loose so it’s always good to get a checkup and a once over to make sure nothing breaks loose, also a good service tech and will advise you on any potential problems that might be occurring. This way you know you are safe and can rely on your device.