Batteries And Charging - Pride Mobility Flash Owner's Manual

V I . B A T T E R I E S

BATTERIES AND CHARGING

The Flash uses two long-lasting, 12-volt, deep-cycle batteries. These batteries are sealed and maintenance free. Since they
are sealed, there is no need to check the electrolyte (fluid) level. Deep-cycle batteries are designed to handle a longer and
deeper discharge. Though they are similar in appearance to automotive batteries, they are not interchangeable. Automotive
batteries are not designed to handle a long, deep discharge, and also are unsafe for use in power chairs.
WARNING! Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash hands after handling.
Charging the Batteries
The battery charger is essential in providing long life for your power chair batteries. It is designed to optimize your power
chair's performance by charging the batteries safely, quickly, and easily. The battery charging system consists of the
onboard battery charger, the charger circuit fuse, and the ammeter. See figures 6 and 7. The ammeter indicates the rate of
charge necessary to fully recharge the batteries. It is also a good indication of whether or not the charger is working. The
ammeter and the charger are only functional when the charger cord is plugged into a wall outlet. The charging circuit has an
ATO fuse that protects the ammeter.
WARNING! You must recharge your power chair's batteries with the supplied onboard charger. Do
not use an automotive-type battery charger.
PROHIBITED! Removal of grounding prong can create electrical hazard. If necessary, properly
install an approved 3-pronged adapter to an electrical outlet having 2-pronged plug access. Failure
to heed could result in personal injury and/or property damage.
PROHIBITED! Never use an extension cord to plug in your battery charger. Plug the charger
directly into a properly wired standard wall outlet.
To charge the batteries using the onboard charger:
1. Position the rear of your power chair close to a standard wall outlet.
2. Be certain the controller power is turned off and the freewheel levers are in the engaged position. See III. "The Flash."
3. Plug the charger cord into the charger cord receptacle on the power base, then into the wall outlet. The power chair
incorporates an inhibit function that disables the power chair when the charger is plugged into a wall outlet.
4. The ammeter indicates how much charge is needed to fully charge the batteries. Wait about a minute for the charger to
warm up. The ammeter may move as high as 5.5 amps, then gradually move back down to 0 amps as the batteries
charge.
5. We recommend you charge the batteries for 8 to 14 hours. As the batteries charge, the ammeter needle slowly drops
to 0. When the batteries are fully charged, the needle vibrates on or about the 0 mark on the ammeter.
6. When your power chair's batteries are fully charged, disconnect the charger cord, wind up the cord and store
it in a safe place.
To charge the batteries using an off-board charger:
1. Position your power chair next to a standard wall outlet.
2. Be certain the controller power is turned off.
3. Plug the off-board charger into the off-board charger/programming socket on the controller. See VII. "Operation."
4. Plug the off-board charger into the wall outlet.
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C H A R G I N G
Flash/RevC/Jan04