53
Issue 10
Batteries and charging
General information
Batteries are the power source for almost
all of the modern mobility products
available today. The design of batteries
used in mobility products is significantly
different to the batteries used to start a
car for example. Car batteries are designed
to release a large amount of power over
a short period of time, whilst mobility
batteries (commonly called deep cycle
batteries) release their power evenly, over
a long period of time. Therefore, due to the
lower production volumes and increased
technological requirements, mobility
batteries are typically more expensive.
Commonly two 12 volt batteries are used
together in a mobility product, giving
a total voltage of 24 volts. The size of
the battery, (e.g. its available power) is
expressed in amps per hour e.g. 30 amp/
hr. The higher the number, the bigger the
battery size and weight then potentially,
the greater the distance you can travel.
Sunrise Medical only fit as standard
maintenance free batteries into this type
of wheelchair.
Maintenance free batteries
This type of battery uses a method
of carrying the electrolyte commonly
referred to as ‘gel’, that is held within
the battery case. As the name implies,
no maintenance is required other than
regular charging. You can safely transport
this type of battery without fear of acid
spilling.
Furthermore, they are approved for
transportation on aircraft.
Battery care
Pages 54 - 59 set out a battery care plan
for maintenance free batteries. This has
been agreed between Sunrise Medical
and the battery manufacturers, to enable
you to get the best out of your batteries. If
a different care plan is followed, this may
result in lower than expected performance
from your mobility vehicle.