37
Battery
Gauge
Display
FIGURE 5 - WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES
CHARGING BATTERIES (FIGURE 6)
WARNING
Never attempt to recharge the batteries by at-
taching cables directly to the battery terminals
or clamps. Use the recharging plug located on
either the side of the wheelchair frame or on the
front of the joystick.
DO NOT attempt to recharge the batteries and
operate the power wheelchair at the same time.
During use and charging, unsealed batteries will
vent hydrogen gas which is explosive in the right
concentration with air.
CAUTION
Always charge new batteries fully BEFORE initial
use or battery life will be reduced.
MKIV X, A OR A+ JOYSTICK
NOTE: MKIV X Shown.
WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES
(FIGURE 5)
It is advantageous to recharge frequently rather than only
when necessary. In fact, a battery’s life is extended if the
charge level is maintained well above a low condition.
MKIV RII Joystick
BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR (BDI) is located at
the front of the joystick housing and provides information
on the remaining charge in the batteries. At FULL charge
the BDI will be GREEN. As batteries becomes discharged,
the BDI indicator will turn AMBER (YELLOW), then RED
and finally FLASHING RED. If BDI is FLASHING RED, the
user should charge batteries as soon as possible.
NOTE: Accurate readings are displayed when in neutral.
MCC-MKIV X, A or A+ Joystick
BATTERY GAUGE DISPLAY (BGD) is the bar graph dis-
play located on the joysticks. It will keep you informed as to
power availability. A visual warning is given before power
becomes too low to operate the wheelchair. At full charge
the two (2) LEFT segments and the farthest RIGHT seg-
ment of the bar graph will be illuminated. As the battery
becomes discharged, the farthest RIGHT segment will pro-
gressively move to the LEFT until only the last two (2) bars
(LEFT) are illuminated. At this level the last two (2) bars
(LEFT) will start to Flash ON and OFF to indicate that the
user should charge the batteries as soon as possible.
PROCEDURE 8
BATTERIES
B
A
T
T
E
R
I
E
S
MKIV- RII JOYSTICK
Battery
Discharge
Indicator
(BDI)
NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged
daily to assure the longest possible life and minimize the
required charging time. Plan to recharge the batteries
when it is anticipated the wheelchair will not be used for
a long period of time.
The range per battery charge using recommended bat-
teries should be approximately 5 to 9 hours of typical
operation. Extensive use on inclines may substantially
reduce per charge mileage.
Description and Use of Battery Chargers
A charger automatically reduces the charge from an initially
high rate to a zero reading at a fully charged condition.
SHUTOFF PROCEDURE.
R2
BASIC/STANDARD
The charger should automatically shut-
off when full charge is obtained.
R2
250 SERIES
The charger output and green light will stay
ON until the power switch on the battery
charger is moved to the OFF position.
There are some basic concepts which will help you
understand this automatic process:
The amount of electrical current drawn within a given time
to charge a battery is called “charge rate”. If, due to usage,
the charge stored in the battery is low, the charge rate is
high. (R2
BASIC/STANDARD
only - this is indicated by the green
light on the charger. Initially, the green light will stay illumi-
nated for a short period of time followed by a longer period
of off time.)
As a charge builds up, the charge rate is reduced, and
the following will occur:
R2
BASIC/STANDARD
The green light will stay illuminated for a
longer period of time followed by a
shorter off time.
R2
250 SERIES
Battery charger rate decreases to a
"trickle charge".
NOTE: If performing the charging procedures indepen-
dently, READ and CAREFULLY follow the individual in-
structions for each charger (supplied or purchased).
NOTE: If charging instructions are not supplied, consult
a qualified service technician for proper procedures.
Required Items:
TOOL
QUANTITY
COMMENTS
Battery Charger
1
Supplied
✪
✪
✪
✪
✪
Extension Cord
1
Not Supplied
✪
3-prong plug, 15 ampere current rating; industrial type
Wheelchairs Equipped With MCC-Mark IV
Joystick (Detail "A" of FIGURE 6)
1. Attach the battery charger connector to the charger
cable/battery harness.
