32
X. BATTERIES
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Notes -
• Batteries supply the power for your chair. They
contain a finite amount of energy and have limits on
how long they can store and supply energy.
• You can charge batteries only a certain number
of times before they will fail and no longer hold a
charge.
• For answers to questions about batteries, consult
your sup plier.
2. Use Proper Batteries:
• Your chair operates on two 12 volt batteries.
• They should be Group 24 (or 22NF) size with a
minimum of 50 ampere hour rating. Only deep cycle
sealed case construction batteries should be used in
this device.
• Connecting configuration. They should have a post
and clamp style connection or flat tops
• When you buy a replacement, insist on a deep cycle
sealed case type. Do not use a car starter battery.
3. Breaking In:
• A battery requires “breaking-in” for the first 6 to
12 charges. It will not accept a full charge for this
period.
• It is best to limit the length of your trips until you
break the batteries in and you know the range of
your chair.
4. Discharged Batteries:
• Never allow a battery to completely discharge. If you
operate your wheelchair until it has almost stopped,
you will greatly reduce the life of your batteries.
• Never let a battery sit in a discharged condition.
Give unused or stored batteries a full charge once
per month.
• Always fully charge the batteries. Avoid “topping off
” with frequent charges.
!
WARNING
Never connect a life support or auxiliary device to a
wheelchair battery. The electrical system may fail, and
result in severe injury or death of user.
B. BATTERY CHARGER
A battery charger produces a direct current (DC). When
applied to a discharged battery, this reverses the chemical
reaction that led to its discharge.
1. Charge Rate. How fast a battery will charge
depends on:
• Its electrical capacity; state of charge; electrolyte
tem perature, and; internal condition.
• The DC output of the charger. (The charge rate will
vary if the alternating current (AC) supply is higher
or lower than 110 volts).
2. Caution — To Avoid Damage to the Charger:
• Never place the charger on top of a battery during
charging. (Gases from the battery can damage the
charger and may lead to an explosion or fire).
• Never place a battery on top of the charger.
• Never expose charger to rain or snow.
• Never unplug charger by pulling on the electrical
cord. This will damage the cord.
• Never open a charger or attempt to repair it
yourself. Return a defective charger back to your
supplier.
• Keep cord out of the way, where it will not be
stepped on, tripped over, or damaged.
3. Caution — To Avoid Damage to the Battery:
• Make sure you use the correct setting for sealed (gel)
bat teries (located on the off-board charger).
• Never charge a frozen battery. A fully charged
battery will rarely freeze, but the fluid in a
discharged battery can freeze at 16° Fahrenheit
(minus 9° Centigrade). If you suspect a battery is
frozen, thaw it before charging.
!
WARNING
Lead acid batteries generate explosive gas while charging.
Completely read and follow all warnings about the
batteries in this user instruction manual and any labels
applied to the product. Failure to do so could result in fire,
explosion, injury and/or death.
t
X. BATTERIES
Summary of Contents for R HybridHybrid
Page 1: ...Rev 01 February 2017...
