Battery Charging And Care; Charging The Battery - Drive Medical Sunfire General Owner's Manual

6 . B AT T E R Y C H A R G I N G A N D C A R E
BATTERIES
The Sunfire General Power Chair 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 are unsafe for use in power chairs.
These batteries are maintenance free and there is no need to refill with water.
Do not expose the battery to temperatures below 50
the power chair. Under the above temperature range can cause the battery either to freeze or overheat,
causing damage and shortening its life.
Warning
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling!
Use proper batteries
Your power chair operates on two 12 volt batteries.
They should be U1 size with minimum of 36 ampere hour rating . Only deep cycle sealed case
construction batteries should be used in the power chair.
When you buy a replacement, insist on a deep cycle sealed case. Do not use any other type.
CHARGING THE BATTERIES
The battery charger is essential in providing long designed to optimize your Sunfire Geneeral's
performance by charging safely, quickly and easily. The ammeter and charger plug are located on
the utility tray for easy viewing. The ammeter indicates the rate of charge being administered 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 power cord is plugged
into a wall outlet.
To charge the batteries using the onboard charger
Position the rear of Sunfire General close to a standard wall outlet
Be certain the controller power is turned off and the freewheel levers are in the engaged position.
Slide the cover of charger plug.
Extend the charger power cord and plug it into the wall outlet.
The ammeter indicates how mush 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 3 amps, then gradually
move back down to 0 amps as the batteries charge.
We recommended you charge the batteries for 8to 14 hours. As the batteries charge, the ammeter
needle slowly drops to zero. When the batteries are fully charged, the needle vibrates on or near
the zero mark on the ammeter scale.
or above 122 F when charging or storing
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