When To Charge Batteries; When To Charge Batteries; Charging Batteries - Invacare Ranger II Basic Service Manual

PROCEDURE 14

WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES

(FIGURE 5)
M
It is advantageous to recharge daily rather than only when
W
necessary. In fact, a battery's life is extended if the charge
D
level is maintained well above a low condition.
W
NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged
H
daily to assure longest possible life and minimize required
E
charging time. Plan to recharge batteries when it is antici-
pated wheelchair will not be used for a long period of time.
E
L
MKIV RII Joystick
C
BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR (BDI) is located at
H
the rear of the joystick housing and provides information on
A
the remaining charge in the batteries. At FULL charge the
I BDI will be GREEN. As the battery becomes discharged,
the BDI indicator will turn AMBER (YELLOW), then RED
R
and finally FLASHING RED. If the BDI is FLASHING RED,
S
the user should charge the batteries as soon as possible.
NOTE: Accurate readings are displayed when in neutral.
MCC-MKIV X, A or A+ Joystick
BATTERY GAUGE DISPLAY (BGD) is the bar graph display
located on the MKIV X, A or A+ joystick. It will keep you
informed as to power availability. A visual warning is given
before the power becomes too low to operate the wheelchair.
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
Indicator (BDI)
MKIV- RII JOYSTICK
FIGURE 5 - WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES
Battery Gauge
Display
MKIV X, A OR A+ JOYSTICK
NOTE: MKIV X Shown.
CHARGING BATTERIES (FIGURE 6)
WARNING
Never attempt to recharge the batteries by attach-
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
Always charge new batteries fully BEFORE initial use
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 R2
tended, the charger should automatically shut-off
when full charge is obtained.
B. For R2
250 SERIES
light will stay ON until the power switch on the bat-
tery charger is moved to the OFF position.
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 R2
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. For Models R2
BASIC
will stay illuminated for a longer period of time fol-
lowed by a shorter off time.
B. For Model R2
250 SERIES
decreases to a "trickle charge".
66
MWD WHEELCHAIRS
and R2 -If left unat-
BASIC STANDARD
-The Charger output and green
and R2 - this is indi-
BASIC STANDARD
and R2 - the green light
STANDARD
- the battery charger rate