Wheelchair batteries are like any other type of battery in that proper care will help extend their lives. This is especially important for people who rely on electric wheelchairs for mobility. The following tips can help you prolong the life of your battery, so your wheelchair won’t run out of power unexpectedly.

How Can You Get More Use Out of Your Wheelchair Batteries?

1. Fully Charge

When you buy a new wheelchair battery, you should ask the supplier if the battery has been fully charged. If they say no, or if they’re unsure, the first thing you should do is to fully charge the battery at home. Failing to provide a full charge before the first use will limit the amount of charge your battery can take. This means you won’t be able to charge the battery fully and that will limit the hours of use you can get out of it.

2. Continually Charge 

The first few days of your new battery are critical for creating a charging cycle that will ensure a full charge each night. For that reason, it’s better to use only 30% of the battery’s capacity before plugging it in to charge. This will make it easier for the battery to take a full charge each night, because it takes up to 10 charges for the battery to reach its full capacity.

3. Charge Overnight 

Each night, your battery will need up to 12 hours of charging time. This rule applies even on days when there wasn’t a big drain on the battery. Charging every night helps develop a cycle that ensures you’ll get the maximum amount of power each day. It will also help you develop the habit of charging, so you won’t forget to plug it in before bed. Waking up to find that your wheelchair battery hasn’t been charged can affect your ability to use the chair for the rest of the day.

4. Compatible Chargers 

If you’re away from home and notice your battery is getting low, it’s better to look for ways to limit your use of power. This is because using a charger that wasn’t engineered to be specifically compatible with your battery can damage the charging mechanism. Additionally, it’s a common problem to find that generic chargers won’t work, so you’ll risk the condition of the battery without even getting a charge. 

If your wheelchair battery isn’t taking a full charge any longer, it may be time to invest in a new battery. Located in Covington, KY, Victory Battery Co. carries a broad range of batteries to fulfill your power needs. In addition to wheelchair and scooter batteries, they also carry automobile and handheld batteries. The family-owned business has met  the battery needs of their customers in their community for more than 63 years. You can learn more about their services online, or by calling (859) 581-0343.