Powered wheelchair battery care guide
Please read the manuals supplied by the wheelchair service with your powered wheelchair.
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General wheelchair battery information
Your powered wheelchair battery uses gel and no maintenance is required other than regular charging. You can safely transport this type of battery.
Good charging guidelines
Only use the charger that has been supplied to you by Dorset Wheelchair Service.
Pay attention to the battery display on the controller and always try to charge the batteries before you reach the red lights. Driving with flashing red lights should be avoided under normal circumstances.
Charging process:
- switch off your wheelchair
- connect the battery charger to the charger socket on the controller
- plug the battery charger in
- switch on the power supply (do not switch your wheelchair on whilst charging).
Charge your batteries every night, regardless of the amount of use your wheelchair has had during the day.
Do not interrupt the battery charging cycle. Do not top up the charge of your batteries during the day. Wait until the evening for a full overnight charge.
If your wheelchair is not required for use it should still be charged regularly. Turning the charger power supply off but leaving the cable plugged into the charger will eventually deplete your battery charge.
If you do not regularly charge your batteries this can lead to you travelling shorter distances and eventual battery failure. If regular battery replacements are required owing to a failure to charge them as advised you may be billed for replacement batteries.
Safety instructions
Do not park the wheelchair so the batteries are exposed to direct heat (i.e fire/ gas fire).
Do not put any items on top of the batteries.
When charging always place your charger on a hard surface in a room with good ventilation, the charger casing will get hot during its normal operation please ensure it is not at risk of getting covered when switched on.
You should not charge your batteries in outdoor conditions. The charger is designed only for indoor use; do not expose it to water, direct heat, sunlight or moisture.
Always switch the battery charger off at the mains before connecting or disconnecting it to the wheelchair.
To reduce the risk of an electric shock, unplug the charger from the power supply before attempting any cleaning.
An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary.
To reduce the risk of damage to the electric plug and cord, pull by the plug rather than the cord when disconnecting the charger.
Make sure the power cords cannot be driven over, tripped over or otherwise subjected to damage.