PROCEDURE 13 | FWD WHEELCHAIRS |
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C H A I R S
WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES (FIGURE 5)
NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged daily to assure longest possible life and minimize required charging time. In fact, a battery’s life is extended if the charge level is maintained well above a low condition. Plan to recharge batteries when it is anticipated wheel- chair will not be used for a long period of time.
MCC-MKIV X, A or A+ Joystick
BATTERY GAUGE DISPLAY (BGD) is the bar graph display located on the MKIV X, A or A+ joystick. It will keep you informed as to power availability. A visual warning is given before the power becomes too low to operate the wheelchair. At full charge the two (2) LEFT segments and the farthest RIGHT segment of the bar graph will be illuminated. As the battery becomes discharged, the farthest RIGHT segment will progressively 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 end user should charge the batteries as soon as possible.
MKIV RII Joystick
BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR (BDI) is located at the rear of the joystick housing and provides informa- tion on the remaining charge in the batteries. At FULL charge the BDI will be GREEN. As the battery becomes discharged, the BDI indicator will turn AMBER (YEL- LOW), 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 neu- tral.
CHARGING BATTERIES (FIGURE 6)
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 side 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.
NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged daily to assure longest possible life and minimize required charging time. In fact, a battery’s life is extended if the charge level is maintained well above a low condition. Plan to recharge batteries when it is anticipated wheel- chair will not be used for a long period of time.
The range per battery charge using recommended batte- ries 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
The charger automatically reduces the charge from an initially high rate to a zero reading at a fully charged condi- tion. If left unattended, the charger should automatically
Battery Discharge | Battery Gauge | There are some basic concepts which will help you | |
understand this automatic process: | |||
Indicator | Display | The amount of electrical current drawn within a given | |
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| time to charge a battery is called “charge rate”. If, due to | |
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| usage, the charge stored in the battery is low, the charge | |
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| rate is high, as indicated by the green light on the char- | |
| MKIV X, A OR A+ | ger. Initially, the green light will stay illuminated for a short | |
MKIV- RII | period of time followed by a longer period of off time. As | ||
JOYSTICK | a charge builds up, the charge rate is reduced, and the | ||
JOYSTICK | |||
NOTE: MKIV X Shown. | green light will stay illuminated for a longer period of time | ||
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FIGURE 5 - WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES | followed by a shorter off time. | ||
NOTE: If performing the charging procedures indepen- | |||
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| dently, READ and CAREFULLY follow the individual in- | |
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| structions for each charger (supplied or purchased). | |
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| NOTE: If charging instructions are not supplied, consult | |
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| a qualified service technician for proper procedures. | |
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