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Don’t tip or tilt batteries.
Don’t use ordinary tap water.
Don’t overfill cells.
Don’t use uneven levels of distilled water in cells.
Don’t tap on clamps or terminals with tools.
Don’t mismatch your battery and chargers.
Use a carrying strap to remove, move or install a battery.
ONLY use distilled water to refill.
Keep the liquid level in the cells at the “split ring” level.
Maintain the liquid in all cells at the “split ring” level.
Push battery clamps onto terminals. Spread clamps wider if necessary.
Use ONLY a GEL charger for a GEL or sealed battery and a regular charger for
regular batteries.
DON’T DO
NOTE: The following test can also be performed through
the controller of the wheelchair along with a remote pro-
grammer. Refer to the individual CONTROLLER
MANUAL supplied with each wheelchair.
Field Load Test
Old batteries lose their ability to store and release power,
due to increased internal resistance. This means that as
you try to take power from the battery, some of that power
is used up in the process of passing through the battery,
resulting in less voltage at the posts. The more power drawn,
the lower the voltage available. When this lost voltage drops
the output 1.0 volts under load (2.0 for a pair), replace the
batteries.
Testing under load is the only way to spot this problem.
While special battery load testing equipment is available, it
is costly and difficult to transport.
Use a digital voltmeter to check battery charge level at
charger connector. It is located on side of wheelchair frame.
NOTE: READ the instructions CAREFULLY before using
the digital voltmeter.
1. Ensure that power is OFF.
2. Make sure batteries are fully charged. An extremely
discharged battery will exhibit the same symptoms as
a bad one.
3. Remove the footrests from the wheelchair and place
the front of the wheelchair against a wall, workbench
or other stationary object.
Battery Charger
Connector on Side
of Wheelchair
FIGURE 1 - BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL
Digital
Voltmeter
4. Place the voltmeter leads into the charger plug on the
wheelchair. Most digital voltmeters are not affected by
polarity, however, analog meters (meters with swing-
ing needles) can be and should be used carefully. A
good meter reading should be 25.5 to 26 VDC.
5. Have two (2) individuals (one [1] on each arm) apply
as much downward pressure as possible on the arms
of the wheelchair.
6. Turn power ON and push joystick forward, trying to
drive the wheelchair through the stationary object. This
puts a heavy load on the batteries as they try to push
through the stationary object. Read meter while mo-
tors are straining to determine the voltage under load.
If the voltage drops to less than 23.5 volts from a pair of
fully charged batteries while under load, they should be
replaced regardless of the unloaded voltages.
Using Hydrometer to Check Battery Cells
(Lead Acid) (FIGURE 2)
NOTE: Perform this procedure when a digital voltmeter
is not available.
WARNING
NEVER smoke or strike a match near the batter-
ies. If the caps of battery cells are removed,
NEVER look directly into them when charging bat-
tery.
The use of rubber gloves and safety glasses is rec-
ommended when testing the battery cells.
When reading a hydrometer, DO NOT allow any
liquid to come in contact with your eyes or skin. It
is a form of acid and can cause serious burns,
and in some cases, blindness. If you do get bat-
tery acid on you, flush the exposed areas with
cool water IMMEDIATELY. If the acid comes into
contact with eyes or causes serious burns, get
medical help IMMEDIATELY.
The battery acid can damage your wheelchair,
clothing, and household items. Therefore, take
readings cautiously and only in designated ar-
eas.
ONLY use distilled water when topping off the bat-
tery cells.
SAFETY INSPECTION/TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE 2
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