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9.4 General battery information (Fig.9.8):
Batteries are the power source for almost all of the modern
mobility products available today. The design of batteries
used in mobility products is significantly different to the
batteries used to start a car for example. Car batteries are
designed to release a large amount of power over a short
period of time, whilst mobility batteries (commonly called
deep cycle batteries) release their power evenly, over a
long period of time. Therefore, due to the lower production
volumes and increased technological requirements,
mobility batteries are typically more expensive.
Commonly two 12 volt batteries are used together in a
mobility product, giving a total voltage of 24 volts. The
size of the battery (e.g. its available power) is expressed
in amps per hour e.g. 80 A/hr. The higher the number, the
bigger the battery size, weight and, potentially, the greater
the distance you can travel. Sunrise Medical only fit as
standard maintenance-free batteries into these types of
wheelchairs.
9.5 Maintenance-free batteries:
This type of battery uses a method of carrying the
electrolyte commonly referred to as 'gel', that is held within
the battery case. As the name implies, no maintenance
is required other than regular charging. You can safely
transport this type of battery without fear of acid spilling.
Furthermore, they are approved for transportation on
aircraft, trains and ships.
9.6 Battery care:
Below is set out a battery care plan for maintenance-
free batteries. This has been agreed between Sunrise
Medical and the battery manufacturers, to enable you
to get the best out of your batteries. If a different care
plan is followed, this may result in lower than expected
performance from your mobility vehicle.
Fig. 9.8
100A
RED
YELLOW
100A
BATTERY WIRING DIAGRAM
BATTERY CONNECTOR
RED
YELLOW
BLACK
9.7 Maintenance-free battery care plan:
•
Only use an approved Sunrise Medical charger
compatible with the vehicle to be charged.
•
Charge your batteries every night, regardless of the
amount of use your mobility device has had during the
day.
•
Do not interrupt the charging cycle.
•
If your mobility device is not required for use, it should
remain connected to the charger until required. This
will not damage your batteries, as long as the mains
socket/plug is left switched on. Turning the mains
socket/plug off, but leaving the mains cable plugged
in will eventually deplete your battery charge.
•
If you leave your vehicle for an extended period (more
than 15 days) charge the batteries fully and then
disconnect the main battery lead.
•
Failure to allow for recharge will damage the batteries
and can lead to shortened distances and premature
failure.
•
Do not top up the charge of your batteries during the
day. Wait until the evening for a full overnight charge.
•
As a general rule, maintenance-free batteries take
longer to fully charge than lead acid batteries.
•
The battery terminals need to be checked regularly for
signs of corrosion. If any corrosion is apparent, then
clean the terminals completely (a wire brush is ideal)
and re-grease the terminal using Vaseline petroleum
jelly, not ordinary grease. Ensure that the terminal nut
and bolt, cable clip and exposed cable are completely
covered with jelly.
•
Following all the points above should result in a
healthier battery, greater range for the vehicle user
and a longer life for your batteries.
•
Return the batteries back to Sunrise Medical or
directly to the battery manufacturer for recycling,
when they no longer hold charge.
25
Quickie F35 R2 Rev.E
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