PROCEDURE 14 | MWD WHEELCHAIRS |
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WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES (FIGURE 5)
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.
NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged daily to assure longest possible life and minimize required charging time. Plan to recharge batteries when it is antici- pated wheelchair will not be used for a long period of time.
MKIV RII Joystick
BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR (BDI) is located at the rear of the joystick housing and provides information 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 (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.
BATTERYGAUGEDISPLAY(BGD)isthebargraphdisplay located on the MKIV X, A or A+ joystick. It will keep you informed as to power availability. A visual warning is given beforethepowerbecomestoolowtooperatethewheelchair. 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 possi- ble.
Battery Discharge | Battery Gauge | |
Indicator (BDI) | ||
Display | ||
|
MKIV X, A OR A+ JOYSTICK
NOTE: MKIV X Shown.
MKIV- RII JOYSTICK
FIGURE 5 - WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES
CHARGING BATTERIES (FIGURE 6)
WARNING
Neverattempttorechargethebatteriesbyattach- ing cables directly to the battery terminals or clamps. Always use the recharging plug located on 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
AlwayschargenewbatteriesfullyBEFOREinitialuse or battery life will be reduced.
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 batter- ies should be approximately 5 to 9 hours of typical opera- tion. Extensive use on inclines may substantially reduce per charge mileage.
Description and Use of Battery Chargers
The charger automatically reduces the charge from an ini- tially high rate to a zero reading at a fully charged condition.
SHUTOFF PROCEDURE.
A.For Models R2BASIC and R2STANDARD
B.For R2250 SERIES
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. (FOR MODELS R2BASIC and R2STANDARD - this is indi- cated 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 the following will occur:
A.ForModelsR2BASIC
B.For Model R2250 SERIES - the battery charger rate decreases to a "trickle charge".
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