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Tips for improving the wheelchair/scooter battery life

Be Smart

Many of our customers repeatedly ask us for ways to improve the life of their wheelchair and scooter batteries. We thought that these tips will help all of
our customers, so we decided to share our expert advice via this news letter.

Most of the wheelchair/scooter batteries are sealed lead acid batteries. They are also called SLA batteries. Among the SLA batteries used in wheelchairs/scooters there are two types mainly GEL and AGM. We will discuss the differences in GEL and AGM in the next issue of our newsletter.

* Wheelchairs and scooters typically use two 12V batteries. They are connected in series to make a 24V system to operate the wheelchair/scooter.

Some of the factors affecting the life of SLA batteries:

  1. Temperature
  2. Depth of discharge
  3. Cycle life
  4. State of charge
  5. Over charge conditions

     Temperature
          * The higher the temperature means a lower battery life.  

           Try to keep the wheelchair/scooter in a cooler area as much

           as possible.  Leaving your equipment with the batteries in

           them at high temperatures can affect the life of the batteries

          significantly.
 

    Depth of discharge

         * Higher the depth of discharge means a lower lifespan.

  •  When you fully charge the battery and then discharge the battery one time, it means it has completed one cycle.
     
  •  When you discharge the batteries completely, it means the depth of discharge is 100%. 
  • For SLA batteries, higher the depth of discharge means lower the life.

    Whenever possible avoid discharging the batteries fully.

Cycle life
* Higher cycle life results in a lower battery life.

 

The batteries have limited cycle life.  The more number of times you charge and  discharge completely, the lifespan of the battery is reduced.  However, you have to use the batteries.  As explained before one can reduce the depth of discharge to increase the cycle life of the batteries.
 

      State of charge
           * The higher the state of charge results in a better battery life.

  •     If the battery is fully charged the state of charge of the battery is 100%.  When the equipment is not used, try to keep the battery fully charged or near fully charged condition.  This will improve the life of the batteries.

    •        Over Charge Conditions
    *           * Continuously charging the batteries after they are fully charged

                 can reduce the life of the batteries.
     

  • When the battery is fully charged un plug the power cord from the wall.  Continuously charging the batteries after it is fully charged can reduce the life of the batteries.

    • UPS Batteries:
    Alpha Technologies
    APC
    AT&T
    Belkin
    Best Power
    Clary
    Compaq
    Computer Accessories
    Conext
    CSR
    Cyber Power
    Data General
    DataShield
    Datec
    Deltec
    Dynatec
    EFI
    Elgar
    Emerson
    EPD
    Exide
    Fenton
    General Power
    Grizzly
    Hewlett Packard
    Leadman
    Libert
    Merich
    MGE
    Minuteman
    NCR
    ONEAC
    OPTI-UPS
    Parasystems
    PCM Power
    PK Electronics
    PowerVar
    Powerware
    Safe
    SL Weber
    Sola
    Topaz
    Toshiba
    Tripplite
    Unison
    Unisys
    UP Sonic
    Zapotek

    Wheelchair - Scooter Batteries:
    21st Century
    Abec Wheelchairs
    Adaptive Driving Systems
    ADC Scooters
    Amigo Mobility
    Aquatec
    Braun
    Bruno
    Leisure Lift/Pace Saver/Burke Mobility
    Chauffer Mobility
    Damaco
    DCC Shoprider
    Drive Medical Design
    Electric Mobility
    Everest & Jennings
    Evermed
    Falcon Rehab
    Fortress Scooters
    Frank Mobility
    Golden Technology
    Hoveround
    Invacare
    Karma Medical Products
    Leisure Lift/Pace Saver/Burke Mobility
    Levo
    Lifestand
    Medline Industries
    Merits Health Products
    Meyra
    Movingpeople.net (Fortress Wheelchairs)
    Orthofab/Lifestyles (Fortress Wheelchairs)
    Ortho-Kinetics
    Permobil
    Pillar Technology
    Pride
    Quickie
    Ranger All Seasons
    Redman Wheelchairs
    Suiter
    Suntech
    Teftec
    Theradyne
    Tuffcare
    Wheelchairs of Kansas
    Wheelcare
    Win Med

    * The price quoted is for continental US only.  For other locations additional shipping charges will apply.

    * Call us at Toll free: (877) 394-3941 or e-mail us at  "info@battery-consulting.com" for pricing to other locations.

    * Check the voltage, dimension and the terminal type of the battery you need before ordering.

    * If you are not sure of what battery to order call us at Toll free: (877) 394-3941.

    * Some systems may require additional connectors.  Existing connectors may be used if they are in good condition.

    * Safety is the most important thing. Learn about battery safety before you install.

    * Used batteries have to be disposed properly.

    * We do offer free battery disposal service when you buy batteries from us.  In the comments section request for this service when you order.

     

     

    Can't find the battery you need ?
    Give us a Call at Toll free: (877) 394-3941
    info@battery-consulting.com