Maintaining a power wheelchair is crucial for keeping it functioning correctly, extending its lifespan, and ensuring your safety while using it. Regular maintenance can help prevent breakdowns and malfunctions, which can be frustrating, inconvenient, and costly to repair. In addition, a well-maintained power wheelchair can help you avoid accidents or injuries, which can be a significant concern if you have mobility restrictions. Learn how to keep your power wheelchair running in great shape.
Battery Maintenance
The battery is the heart of the power wheelchair, and without it, the wheelchair cannot function. One important aspect of battery maintenance is to keep it charged regularly, as leaving the battery discharged for extended periods can damage the battery and reduce its capacity. Store the battery in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, as this can also affect its lifespan. Checking the battery’s terminals and keeping them clean also ensures proper connectivity and avoids corrosion. A common sign the battery needs replacement is when your equipment runs out of energy too fast.
Motor Maintenance
To keep a power wheelchair functioning and prevent breakdowns, regular maintenance and repairs of the motor are necessary. The manufacturer’s manual for the specific power wheelchair model provides maintenance schedules and thresholds for replacement parts based on usage. Motor maintenance includes inspecting the motor for wear and tear, tightening all bolts and screws, and ensuring the motor brushes are not worn out.
Tire Replacement
Worn tires and a bumpy ride are common indicators that it’s time to replace the tires. Inspect the tires regularly and look for signs of wear on the edges or anywhere else on the tire. Uneven wear can cause the power wheelchair to steer to one side, which can drain the battery faster, causing other issues down the line.
Regular Cleaning
Routine cleaning is essential to keep a power wheelchair in good condition. With regular use, power wheelchairs tend to accumulate dust, dirt, grime, and sticky substances. Cleaning your power wheelchair regularly with a damp cloth and a soft dry towel helps keep it clean and looking new. It’s also essential to clean the small area between the tire and the edge of the wheelchair regularly. This area collects dirt, tiny twigs, hair, sand, and other grime from the floor, which can disrupt the flow of the tire over time.
Keep a Schedule
By tracking maintenance, wheelchair owners can ensure that maintenance is done on time and that parts are replaced when needed. This can also help to identify patterns in wear and tear, allowing for proactive maintenance to prevent more significant issues from arising. Keeping a detailed record of maintenance and repairs can also help with warranty claims or reselling the wheelchair in the future.
Helping You with Power Wheelchair Maintenance
Power wheelchairs are complex machines that require regular upkeep and attention to function properly. Neglecting maintenance can lead to malfunctions, breakdowns, and safety hazards that can put the user at risk. Here at Freedom Mobility Solutions, not only do we sell high-quality power wheelchairs, but we also help you maintain them too. Our certified Assistive Technology Professionals will help you find your ideal power wheelchair and repair it for you if anything goes wrong.