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53 Issue 7
Batteries and charging
General information
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. 30 amp/hr. The higher
the number, the bigger the battery size
and weight then potentially, the greater the
distance you can travel.
Sunrise Medical only fit as standard
maintenance free batteries into this type
of wheelchair.
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.
Battery care
Pages 54 - 59 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.