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Wheelchair Batteries
When should wheelchair batteries be replaced?
No batteries last forever, and although the deep-cycle sealed lead acid batteries that most wheelchairs use are powerful and long-lasting, these batteries will eventually need to be replaced, too.
Average Lifespan of Wheelchair Batteries
The average lifespan of wheelchair batteries, with daily use and responsible charging, is about one and half to two years. If your batteries are about this age and you are having performance difficulties with your electric wheelchair, it's probably time to replace the batteries. If your batteries are about this age and are still performing well, it's a good idea to replace them anyway. You don't want to run into an emergency situation where your wheelchair won't work because of its batteries, and chances are that your batteries will start losing performance soon. If your power chair-related needs are covered by insurance, many insurers will pay for new wheelchair batteries each year, so you may have a great opportunity to replace your batteries for free regularly.
When Performance of Your Batteries Decreases
If you are having difficulty with your wheelchair's performance, it's likely that the batteries are the culprit. The easiest way to see that you have a problem with your wheelchair batteries is when you experience a decrease in the distance you are able to cover in your wheelchair between periods of charging the batteries. To know if this problem with your wheelchair is related to your wheelchair batteries, think about how your wheelchair has performed in the past; is there a marked change? Many wheelchair users are unaware of the actual capabilities of their wheelchair batteries. Compare the factory-defined capacity of the batteries with the actual performance you are and have been getting from your wheelchair to know if there is a problem with your wheelchair batteries.
Dispose of Wheelchair Batteries Properly
When it is time to replace your wheelchair batteries, it's important that you dispose of your old batteries properly. Wheelchair batteries, like other types of batteries, contain chemicals such as lead that can be toxic to humans and damaging to the environment. Don't just toss your old wheelchair batteries in the trash. Check what restrictions on disposal of batteries apply in your community. Many localities have special removal programs for batteries, so if one of these exists in your area, take advantage of it to help you dispose of your wheelchair batteries responsibly.
