932213 Rev. C
25
E N G L I S H
X . B AT T E R I E S
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 supplier.
2. Use Proper Batteries:
Your chair operates on two 12 volt batteries.
• They should be 40 AMP or U1 for the Zippie Z-Bop. Only
deep cycle sealed case construction batteries should be used
in this device.
• When you buy a replacement, insist on a deep cycle sealed
case. 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 oper-
ate 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 to or death of rider.
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 temperature,
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
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 charger to Sunrise or have repairs made only by a
qualified person.
• 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) batter-
ies (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 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 9 degrees Centigrade). If
you suspect a battery is frozen, thaw it before charging.
WARNING
Lead acid batteries generate explosive gas while charg-
ing. 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.
C. ACID BURNS (UNSEALED WET CELL
BATTERIES)
Acid in batteries is corrosive. If you choose to use wet cell batteries,
they can cause serious burns to the eyes and skin and can damage
floors, furniture, clothing and your wheelchair.
WARNING
1. Use extreme care not to spill acid when you handle
wet cell batteries. Keep batteries upright.
2. Avoid contact of acid with bare skin or clothing.
3. Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when you
handle batteries.
4. If acid contacts your skin or clothing, wash immediate-
ly with soap and water.
5. If acid contacts your eyes, immediately flood eyes with
cold running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek med-
ical attention immediately.
Sunrise Medical does not recommend the use of wet
cell batteries on this chair.
D. CONNECTING BATTERIES IN BATTERY
WELL
WARNING
1. Each battery can
weigh up to 45 lbs.
Take care to avoid
injury when lifting.
2. Keep batteries
upright. Take care
not to spill acid (wet
cell batteries).
3. Always wear rubber
gloves and safety
glasses when you
handle batteries.
4. Before working
around batteries, remove all metal personal effects,
such as necklaces, rings, watches, pins, and other
metal jewelry that might contact battery terminal and
cause a short.
1. Attach battery harness to battery post. Connect red to posi-
tive terminal and black to negative terminal.
2. Tighten all terminal fasteners using two wrenches.
3. Cover battery posts with insulating caps on harness.
4. Lift batteries into battery well.
Refer to wiring diagram for
battery connections
