Getting the most out of your powered wheelchair 24V lithium battery
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Maximizing the Lifespan of Your Wheelchair Battery: Essential Tips and Best Practices
The battery is the lifeblood of an electric wheelchair, powering its movement and ensuring mobility and independence for the user. Given its crucial role, proper battery maintenance is key to ensuring that your wheelchair performs optimally for as long as possible. Neglecting the battery can lead to reduced performance, a shorter lifespan, and expensive replacements. In this guide, we’ll explore how to take care of your wheelchair’s battery, focusing on tips to enhance its durability and ensure the chair remains a reliable source of mobility.
1. Initial Charging: Building a Strong Foundation for Battery Health
One of the most important things to do when you first receive your wheelchair is to charge the battery fully. This step is often overlooked but is vital to setting the battery up for long-term success. When a new battery is charged to its full capacity upon arrival, it gives the battery cells the energy they need to calibrate and perform efficiently. This ensures that your battery will hold the maximum possible charge in future cycles.
In addition to this initial full charge, the first five charging cycles are especially important. During these first five cycles, it is recommended that you charge the battery to 100% and use the wheelchair until the battery level drops to below 20%. This process, known as battery calibration, allows the battery’s internal sensors to gauge its true capacity, improving the accuracy of the battery meter and optimizing overall performance. After these first few cycles, you can begin charging and using the battery more flexibly. However, by following this initial procedure, you can significantly increase the longevity and efficiency of your battery.
2. Regular Charging: Keeping Your Battery Active
Many users may believe that if they aren’t using their wheelchair regularly, the battery can simply be left idle without charging. However, this can actually harm the battery. One of the best ways to extend the life of your wheelchair battery is to charge it regularly, even if you are not using the chair every day.
It is recommended to charge the battery at least every two weeks. This prevents the battery from discharging to a critically low level, which can cause it to lose capacity over time. When a battery is left unused for extended periods, it can enter a deep discharge state, leading to permanent capacity loss and a shorter lifespan. By charging your battery every two weeks, you ensure that it stays active and ready to perform at full capacity when needed.
Moreover, frequent use of the battery can actually help extend its lifespan. Batteries are designed to be used, and regular cycling (charging and discharging) helps keep the internal chemistry of the battery in good condition. Therefore, even if you don’t need to use your wheelchair regularly, keeping the battery charged and used occasionally will promote better long-term performance.
3. Temperature Management: Protecting Battery Cells
The environment in which your battery is stored plays a critical role in its longevity. Batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes, and improper storage can lead to permanent damage to the battery cells. Ideally, wheelchair batteries should be stored at room temperature, which typically ranges between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
Exposure to temperatures below room temperature can cause the battery to lose capacity more quickly, and cold weather may reduce the overall power output temporarily. Even brief exposure to cold temperatures, such as leaving the wheelchair in a cold room or outside overnight, can have a lasting negative impact on the battery.
On the other hand, high temperatures are even more damaging. If a battery is exposed to heat, the chemical reactions inside can accelerate, leading to swelling and irreversible damage. In the worst cases, excessive heat can cause the battery to overheat, shortening its lifespan significantly. Therefore, it’s important to store your wheelchair and its battery in a location that is cool and dry, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. This simple step will greatly enhance the longevity of your battery and ensure it performs optimally for years to come.
4. Additional Tips for Extending Battery Life
Beyond the essential practices of charging and temperature management, there are a few additional steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your wheelchair battery:
Avoid Deep Discharges: While it’s fine to let the battery drain to below 20% during the first few charge cycles, regularly allowing the battery to fully discharge (drop to 0%) can damage it over time. Try to recharge the battery before it reaches critically low levels to preserve its health.
Use the Correct Charger: Always use the charger provided by the manufacturer or a compatible charger approved by the wheelchair manufacturer. Using an incorrect charger can damage the battery and may void your warranty.
Check for Damage: Periodically inspect your battery for any signs of physical damage, such as swelling or leaking. If you notice any issues, contact the manufacturer or supplier immediately to assess whether a replacement is necessary.
5. The Importance of Battery Care: Conclusion
A well-maintained battery is essential for the optimal functioning of your electric wheelchair. By following these guidelines—charging the battery fully upon arrival, calibrating it during the first few cycles, charging it regularly, and storing it at room temperature—you can ensure that your battery lasts longer and performs better. With proper care, your wheelchair will remain a reliable and essential part of your daily life.
For further advice on wheelchair models or battery care, or if you’re interested in any of our products, don’t hesitate to contact us at 0121 661 4336 or via email at support@etechmobility.co.uk.
You can find spare battery for all Etech Mobility electric wheelchair models include freedom elite and freedom pro at Etech Mobility online store