Keeping your batteries charged is easier than ever if you follow some simple rules.
By Edmund J. Rowan
Within the last few years, battery technology has grown by leaps and bounds. Wheelchair batteries today, especially gel/sealed, offer more power in the same size battery and provide much more consistent service to the end user. Maintaining them is easy, if you use care.
Charging Batteries
- • Always use the chair manufacturer charger for all your routine charging.• Don’t use automotive or wet lead-acid battery chargers on gel batteries.• Don’t run your batteries completely flat, but don’t top off with frequent charges, either. Ideally, you should recharge when the gauge reads about 50 percent.
• If you are a daily user, charge your batteries daily. Occasional users should charge up before each foray out and always after active use. If you need to store your batteries for a long time, it’s best to charge and disconnect them. Check batteries once a month and recharge as necessary. Sealed batteries can hold a charge for 6 to 12 months, while wet lead-acid can hold a charge for up to 3 months.
Battery Chargers
Since you must recharge your batteries regularly it is important to use the correct charger with your
batteries. Some can charge both lead acid and gel cell batteries. There should be a clearly marked switching device on the charger. Just make sure it’s switched to the right position for your batteries.
If you are traveling to a foreign country, plan ahead. Find out what the standard voltage is. In the US, the standard voltage is 110 volts. In Europe, where the standard is 220 volts, you will need to buy a transformer to convert to 110 volts. If you are traveling to a few different countries in Europe you may need a set of adapter plugs. Although they are all 220 volts some country’s outlets are different than others.
Safety Considerations
When working with batteries, always use the utmost caution. Always wear goggles and protect your skin. All batteries contain lead and sulfuric acid. Both are toxic and sulfuric acid is very corrosive. Charged batteries also produce hydrogen gas, which is highly fl ammable. Be careful with your tools. Dropping a screwdriver across the terminals can melt the screwdriver in half and spark an explosion.
Overfilled or overcharged batteries can cause acid to be forced into the battery box, resulting in cable corrosion. Any acid that might escape from the box can cause serious damage to persons, clothing, and property.
Edmund J. Rowan, former director of Wheelchair Repair, is now on United Spinal Association’s Board of Directors. This article originally appeared in slightly different form in the January 1999 Action.
