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24 GF0600050RevE06, August 2006 Everest with Captain Seat Owner's Manual
VII BATTERIES
Batteries are of critical importance, require attention and maintenance, and will require periodic re-
placement. As batteries age, their ability to hold a charge decreases. Old batteries discharge much more
quickly than new batteries under the same driving conditions. is results in a decrease in the distance
the wheelchair can travel before batteries need to be charged. is decrease is often misinterpreted as a
problem with the wheelchair system, when in fact the batteries have simply reached the end of their use-
ful lives and should be replaced. Properly maintained batteries can be expected to last approximately 9 to
18 months. e purpose of proper maintenance is to extend that life as much as possible, and to mini-
mize the incidence of unsatisfactory wheelchair performance.
e Everest with Captain Seat uses two 12 volt deep cycle batteries, group size U1 or 22. For best perfor-
mance, batteries with the highest possible amp-hour rating should be used.
s
Caution: Only deep cycle, sealed case construction batteries should be used in this device.
WARNING: Batteries contain sulfuric acid, which can burn eyes, skin, clothes, etc. Use
caution! Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries. If contact
occurs, flush immediately with water and get medical attention.
GUIDELINES TO EXTENDING BATTERY LIFE
• Give the batteries a full charge before using them for the first time.
• Limit use of new batteries for the first ten charge/discharge cycles—avoid deeply discharging the bat-
teries. New batteries are not capable of their rated output until they have been discharged a number
of times.
• Recharge batteries after every discharge. Discharging batteries deeply before recharging them will
shorten battery life. Do not leave partially discharged batteries idle for several days; charge them as
soon as possible after discharging.
• Charge batteries fully each time before using. Allow the charger to finish its charge cycle once
started. is will help prevent deeply discharging the batteries. Unlike some rechargeable batteries,
the batteries used on wheelchairs do not exhibit a significant “memory effect”—they will recharge to
their full capacity, even if only partially discharged before each charge.
• If you must store your wheelchair for a long period of time, charge the batteries weekly.
• Perform regular maintenance on the batteries. See maintenance schedule in Section VIII,
MAINTENANCE, for recommended regularity.