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3.2 Information on driver training
The safety and well-being of the driver is top priority. It is therefore imperative to understand the driving characteristics. Your specialist
dealer or Alber agent will help you in this regard with a complimentary device training session.
Observe the information, safety instructions and hazard information of your wheelchair manufacturer. This also applies to driving with
the e-fix.
Start your first driving attempts with caution and start your driving training on level ground.
Take your driver training in areas without obstacles.
Always adapt your speed to external conditions to be able, for example, to drive around any obstacles that suddenly appear or to stop
your wheelchair.
Never immediately push the joystick to its maximum position when starting off. This may result in the wheelchair moving uncontrollably
(risk of accident).
Move the joystick gently and not jerkily. Avoid jerking the joystick to its full extent, especially in potentially hazardous situations that
you wish to avoid. Brake the e-fix carefully in advance until it stops.
When releasing the joystick your wheelchair will gently brake. If you need to brake suddenly (immediate stop) then press the joystick
briefly in the opposite direction to which you are travelling and then release it.
Only brake the e-fix using the joystick control. Never grip the wheel push rims “for support”.
Before using the e-fix to drive up or down a slope, practice operating the device on level ground.
Always drive up slopes with a fully charged battery pack.
You should exercise particular caution when driving on slopes of any kind.
If driving down slopes with a fully charged battery pack at a high speed, this can lead to a reduction in speed or the e-fix being forced
to shut down due to overvoltage. Drive down slopes in these cases at a slow speed. This is advisable in any case to avoid any obstacles
that suddenly appear or to stop the wheelchair.
Never travel across steep hillsides or similar conditions. Unintentionally shifting the centre of gravity could result in the wheelchair tip-
ping over on its side.
When driving on inclined kerbs or in similar circumstances, you may need to countersteer a little. Never drive over minor obstacles
such as kerbs by driving parallel to them, drive at a right angle to the respective obstacle. This means that both wheels drive over the
obstacle at the same time rather than being offset. Use a low speed that is appropriate for the obstacle.
At regular intervals, check that the front wheels are aligned at right angles to the ground and that they have the correct air pressure.
Both factors influence the driving and braking performance and the range of the e-fix.
Never drive without anti-tippers and only remove these to drive over major obstacles. It is left to the judgement of the driver whether
to call an attendant for help when there is an increased risk that the wheelchair may topple over.
When driving on public roads you must observe the provisions of the road traffic regulations. Your wheelchair is provided with the addi-
tional equipment specified in this manual.
3. Safety instructions and precautions when driving with the e-fix
3.1 General instructions
Before setting off, check that the parking brakes [6] of your wheelchair have been adjus-
ted to the e-fix wheels and therefore inadvertent rolling away is prevented. If this is
not the case, please contact your Alber authorised specialist dealer and have the brakes
readjusted.
The e-fix wheels are controlled by the control unit joystick (see chapter 5.2.3). When the
system is switched on, each actuation of the joystick is converted into a drive command.
This relates to moving both forwards and backwards as well as accelerating and braking.
We recommend that you have a short driver training session when you first receive your
e-fix. This enables you to become familiar with the drive and all its possibilities.
The e-fix wheels could also be used as manual push rim wheels when switched off (see
chapter 2.6.2). Only the additional weight of the wheels needs to be considered when
starting off and braking.
