Electric Wheelchair Batteries Using Notes

Types of Electric Wheelchair Batteries

The well-known types are lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries. Whether it is a lead-acid battery or a lithium battery, maintenance, and care should be taken into account. When the electric wheelchair is idle for a long time, it should be regularly charged and maintained. It is generally recommended to charge the Electric Wheelchair Battery at least once every 14 days because even without use, the battery will gradually discharge.

When comparing these two types of batteries, most people consider lead-acid batteries inferior to lithium batteries. So, what makes lithium batteries better? Firstly, they are lighter, and secondly, they have a longer lifespan. Lithium batteries are commonly used as standard in lightweight electric wheelchairs, but they are also more expensive.

The voltage of electric wheelchairs is generally 24V, and the capacity of the Electric Wheelchair Batteries are measured in ampere-hours (AH). In the case of the same capacity, lithium batteries are better than lead-acid batteries. However, most lithium batteries in China are around 10AH, and some are 6AH, which complies with aviation boarding standards. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries typically start at 20AH, and there are also 35AH, 55AH, 100AH, etc. In terms of range, lead-acid batteries have a better performance than lithium batteries.

12v / 24v / 36v / 48v Lithium Battery

A 20AH lead-acid battery has a range of about 20 kilometers, a 35AH lead-acid battery has a range of about 30 kilometers, and a 50AH lead-acid battery has a range of about 40 kilometers.

Currently, lithium batteries are mainly used in lightweight electric wheelchairs and have relatively lower range compared to lead-acid batteries. The cost of Electric Wheelchair Battery replacement for lithium batteries is also higher than lead-acid batteries.

Range is also a concern for many users of electric wheelchairs. It is important to understand the battery’s properties and capacity in AH. If the product description indicates a range of approximately 25 kilometers, it is advisable to budget for a range of 20 kilometers, as there may be differences between testing environments and actual usage environments. For example, in northern regions during winter, the range will be reduced. It is also advisable to avoid driving the electric wheelchair outdoors during extremely cold periods as it can cause significant and irreversible damage to the electric wheelchair battery.

Generally, the battery capacity and range are as follows:

• 6AH: Range of 8-10 kilometers
• 12AH: Range of 15-20 kilometers
• 20AH: Range of 30-35 kilometers
• 40AH: Range of 60-70 kilometers

Battery range depends on battery quality, electric wheelchair weight, user weight, and road conditions.

Battery Charging and Usage Guidelines

Electric wheelchair batteries maintenance key points:

Long-term users of electric wheelchairs may notice a decrease in battery range over time or find that the battery is swollen. Either the battery gets fully charged but drains quickly, or it fails to charge fully. Don’t worry, today I’ll tell you how to properly maintain the battery.

1. After long-term use of the electric wheelchair, do not charge it immediately

When the electric wheelchair is in use, the battery itself generates heat, and combined with hot weather, the battery temperature can reach around 70°C. If the electric wheelchair is immediately charged without cooling the battery to ambient temperature, it will reduce the battery’s lifespan and increase the risk of battery swelling.

It is recommended to let the electric wheelchair rest for at least half an hour until the battery has cooled down before charging. If the battery or motor of the electric wheelchair becomes unusually hot during operation, please promptly take it to a professional electric wheelchair repair center for inspection and repair.

2. Batteries also generate heat during the charging process.

Charging the battery under direct sunlight can cause water loss and swelling of the battery. It is best to charge the battery in a shaded area or choose to charge the electric wheelchair in the evening.

3. Do not use mismatched chargers to charge the electric wheelchair

Using an incompatible charger to charge the electric wheelchair can damage the charger or the battery. For example, using a charger with a high output current to charge a small battery can easily cause battery swelling.

It is recommended to replace the charger with a matching high-quality brand charger at a professional electric wheelchair after-sales and repair store to ensure charging quality and extend the electric wheelchair battery’s lifespan.

4. Do not charge for a long time or overnight

Many electric wheelchair users often charge their wheelchairs overnight for convenience. The charging time often exceeds 12 hours, and sometimes the power is left on, resulting in a charging time of over 20 hours. This will inevitably cause significant damage to the electric wheelchair batteries. Repeated long-term charging can easily cause the battery to swell due to overcharging. Generally, an electric wheelchair using a matching charger only needs to charge for 8 hours.

5. Avoid frequent use of fast-charging stations for battery charging

Try to keep the electric wheelchair battery fully charged before going out, and choose travel distances according to the actual range of the electric wheelchair. For long-distance travel, it is advisable to choose public transportation.

Many cities have fast-charging stations, but using them for high-current charging can easily cause battery water loss and swelling, which affects the battery’s lifespan. Therefore, it is best to minimize the use of fast-charging stations for battery charging.