BATTERIES | PROCEDURE 11 |
WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES (FIGURE 7)
It is advantageous to recharge daily 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 theBDIwillbeGREEN.Asthebatterybecomesdischarged, the BDI indicator will turn AMBER (YELLOW), then RED and finally FLASHING RED. If the BDI is FLASHING RED, the user should charge the batteries as soon as possible.
NOTE: Accurate readings are displayed when in neutral.
MCC-MKIV X, A or A+ Joystick
CHARGING BATTERIES (FIGURE 8)
WARNING
Never attempt to recharge the batteries by at- taching cables directly to the battery terminals or clamps. Always use the recharging plug lo- cated on the controller OR the side/rear of the wheelchair frame.
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.
B A T T E R I E S
BATTERY GAUGE DISPLAY (BGD) is the bar graph dis- | NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged | |
daily to assure the longest possible life and minimize the | ||
play located on the MKIV X, A or A+ joystick. It will keep you | ||
required charging time. Plan to recharge the batteries | ||
informed as to power availability. A visual warning is given | ||
when it is anticipated the wheelchair will not be used for | ||
beforethepowerbecomestoolowtooperate thewheelchair. | ||
several days. | ||
At full charge the two (2) LEFT segments and the farthest | ||
| ||
RIGHT segment of the bar graph will be illuminated. As the | The range per battery charge using recommended bat- | |
battery becomes discharged, the farthest RIGHT segment | teries should be approximately 5 to 9 hours of typical op- | |
will progressively move to the LEFT until only the last two (2) | eration. Extensive use on inclines or age of batteries may | |
bars (LEFT) are illuminated. At this level the last two (2) bars | substantially reduce per charge mileage. | |
(LEFT) will start to Flash ON and OFF to indicate that the end |
| |
user should charge the batteries as soon as possible. | Description and Use of Battery Chargers | |
NOTE: Accurate readings are displayed when in neutral. | The charger automatically reduces the amount of charge | |
| from an initially high rate to a zero reading at a fully charged | |
| condition. | |
| SHUTOFF PROCEDURE. | |
Battery Discharge | A. For PRONTOR2 Models - If left unattended, the | |
Indicator (BDI) | charger will automatically | |
| is obtained. | |
| B. For | |
MKIV- RII JOYSTICK | putandgreenlightwillstayONuntilthepowerswitch | |
on the battery charger is moved to the OFF position. | ||
|
| There are some basic concepts which will help you | |
Battery Gauge | understand this automatic process: | |
The amount of electrical current drawn within a given time | ||
Display (BGD) | ||
| to charge a battery is called “charge rate”. If, due to us- | |
| age, the charge stored in the battery is low, the charge | |
| rate is high. (For PRONTOR2 Models - this is indicated | |
| by the green light on the charger. Initially, the green light | |
| will stay illuminated 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 | |
MKIV X, A OR A+ JOYSTICK | the following will occur: | |
NOTE: MKIV X Shown. | A. For | |
FIGURE 7 - WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES | will stay illuminated for a longer period of time | |
followed by a shorter off time. | ||
|
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