Tag: maintenance

Looking after your wheelchair

Whether you use your wheelchair occasionally or on a regular basis, maintenance and appropriate use are key factors to ensure you get the most out of your wheelchair!

Here we present some common tips for maximizing the potential and safety for wheelchair users!

  • We recommend you always consult your healthcare professional for advice about transferring to and from the wheelchair. Poor transfers can lead to harm to you and your wheelchair as well as distress to your carer.
  • Use slow speeds on gradients and do not exceed the maximum gradient stated in users manual. Never reverse down a gradient.
  • Balance is key! Wheelchairs are for only suitable for single occupancy as much as you might like to have an enfant on your lap.Users should not move their centre of gravity out of the seating area.
  • Keep your feet on the footplates when moving and avoid standing on footplates. Do not use escalators.
  • Do not reach for items further than your arm will extend. Be aware of hazards in your environment, such as narrow doorways, steps, household appliances, children’s toys, etc.
  • The parking brakes should always be applied when transferring. Ensure that fingers and objects do not get caught in the spokes of the rear wheels.

Maintenance

  • Wipe down frame with a damp cloth at least once a week. If exposed to moisture dry immediately. Metal (steel chair) parts of the chair can be polished once a month with an auto wax.
  • Before each use of the wheelchair, the brakes and tyres should be checked. If there is any side play, loosen nut and retighten axle just enough to remove any side play.
  • Solid Rubber tyres require little upkeep bar an occasional clean with a damp cloth. Worn or cracked tyres need immediate replacement.
  • The wheelchair should be stored in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight.
  • When in storage the wheelchair can be folded up The wheelchair should be kept clean and d
    ust free. This can be done with a duster or damp cloth.

If you have any other technical queries, consult the user manual provided with your wheelchair or give us a ring on 025 24656 or email info@osullivansaids.ie

 

Mobility Aid Battery Maintenance

Do you have  a scooter? powered wheelchair, a powerstroll?

Batteries underpin these devices and failing to maintain your batteries can affect the product life of your mobility aid.

Here are a few tips for keeping your batteries in great shape

Always store your battery fully charged. When storing scooter or electric wheelchair for more than 2 weeks, charge fully and disconnect batteries for storage.

Do not disconnect the charger cord if charging is not completed. Battery longevity will be seriously reduced if the battery is repeatedly used without being fully charged. Therefore be sure to charge the battery fully every time. .

Always complete the charging until the LED light turns green. NEVER stop charging before it is complete.

If the LED is lit GREEN then the charger is switched on and has finished the bulk of its charging and the batteries can be used. However, we recommend that you leave the charger charging for a couple of hours after the green LED has lit. This will maintain and probably increase the capacity of your batteries.

When fully charged, the battery charger will still trickle charge the battery to ensure optimum range.

If you do not use your powerpack for a long time, it should be charged at least every week to keep the battery in a fully usable condition.

The ambient temperature will affect charging time. Charging time will be longer in the winter.

After charging, do not leave the charger socket plugged in to the scooter, as this will cause a power drain on the powerpack and temporarily reduce its range.

Batteries usually carry a twelve-month manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty only covers issues relating to manufacturing faults, and not faults relating to failure to recharge the batteries as instructed above. So look after your batteries!!!

Only use the supplied charger, and recharge the battery to its full capacity every time. You may damage the battery if you use a charger which is not to the correct specification.

Please charge in a well-ventilated space where there is no direct exposure to the sunlight. Do not charge in surroundings where it is humid, raining or dewy.

Never disassemble or modify the charger.

These instructions are for a typical 12v 20ah battery with a 12V charger!

Always be certain to read your individual battery pack for subtle differences between manufacturers!

For more info click here