Increase the Life of your Wheelchair Batteries and Chargers

Electric wheelchairs are your indispensable partners to increase your mobility. Whatever brand of equipment you have, all of them are quite expensive. Because of their cost, it is important to take good care of them. Since the life of your electric wheelchair depends on its batteries and chargers, it is crucial to perform routine check and regular maintenance on them. Otherwise, if you ignore them, you will lose the essence of your motorized equipment. Here are some things you can do to ensure the longer life of these parts.

Stop Charging

Since most batteries and chargers get damaged due to inappropriate charging, be sure to know when to charge and when to stop the charging. Usually, the batteries and chargers of wheelchairs have light indicators to signal you when to stop charging. When the batteries are full, you need to stop the process immediately. Otherwise, the excess power will cause the generation of heat, which shortens the life of the battery. Before you exceed the upper voltage limit and reach the critical cell temperature, unplug the chargers to avoid overcharging.

Start Charging

To maximize the life of batteries and chargers, it is often advisable to drain them fully before you commence another charging cycle. Depending on the type of equipment you have, the time requirement will vary. Fast devices can charge your equipment in as fast as one hour. The only disadvantage of fast chargers is the higher risk for overcharging. The slower types require as much as 12- 14 hours before you can use the wheelchair to its maximum again.

Never Interchange your Equipments

It is never a good practice to interchange the batteries and chargers of one device to another. If you do this, the risk of electrical shock and damage is higher. In case you cause damage to your unit due to this practice, manufacturers do not cover the repair under their warranty. To avoid problems related to this, use only the parts specific to the brand you are using.

Perform Routine Checks

Even if your batteries and chargers are in good condition, it is better to check them for any possible malfunction. Do the routine examination at least once a month. If you see any problem at its onset, you have better chances of saving your wheelchair from further damage. By using a voltage meter, you can check the power generation and input of these two important parts.

Bob Hall and Halls Wheels

Halls Wheels was a company started by a man named Bob Hall who contracted polio when he was only 9 months old. Despite numerous surgeries, extensive physical therapy and the use of leg braces, Bob Hall was still not able to walk for more than short distances, so he opted to accept his disability and use a wheelchair. But his life changed one day when a friend suggested that he try wheelchair basketball. It was from there that his love for wheelchair sports grew. His first wheelchair was a clunky, heavy standard chair that his friend stole from a mental institution, which he later modified to become what is known today as the Halls Wheels Leader.

The Halls Wheels Leader is a 15lb racing wheelchair with an aluminium frame setting with nylon upholstery and Velcro straps. It has a uniform crown system; meaning it has three wheels, one in the front and two in the back, which makes this wheelchair able to balance even at high speeds. It has adjustable wheel sizes and has a special aero-design for better air flow.

Bob Hall quickly started to excel in wheelchair basketball, even beating a lot of players that were fully capable of using their legs. This i led him to the greater challenge that is the Boston Marathon, where he became the first ever official disabled racer after completing a trial run the year before in 1975. In 1978, Hall was approached by an engineer, asking him if he ever thought of making his original design into a real, mass produced wheelchair, and that was when Halls Wheels was born.

Aside from the Halls Wheels Leader, a pioneering design in sports wheelchairs is the Halls Wheels Defiant. This wheelchair has an aluminum frame with a brushed finish with adjustable leg and foot support. It has a 7 speed thumb shift and a caliber brake system. It has a padded seat and back, and is fully compatible with mountain bike tires.

Bob Hall and Halls Wheels opened up a whole new world to wheelchair users all over the world. Because of his accomplishments and the possibilities that his chairs bring to wheelchair users, he has given more people hope that just because you can’t run or walk like the rest of the world, it doesn’t mean you’re disabled. He showed wheelchair users and the world that anybody can do anything as long as they set their mind to it, even if it’s something as big as a man with a lifelong polio injury finishing the Boston Marathon.

Facts about Indoor Use Wheelchair

Wheelchairs are chairs mounted on large wheels. They are the best companions of people who have temporarily or permanently lost their mobility. Because of the device, injured or paralyzed patients can gain back control over their own movements. They become self-sufficient again and get back the confidence in their capabilities. Indoor use wheelchair is very popular. But nowadays, even the outdoor use is getting more tolerable as many establishments provide easy access for them. If you are into the use of the equipment, here are the things you should know about it.

Safety

With the indoor use of wheelchair, it is important to read the manufacturer’s guidelines in using them. Follow the weight limit and do not overload them. To ensure your safety, get the indoor use wheelchair appropriate for your size. If you stretch the function of equipment, you will not only ruin it but also jeopardize the safety of the user.

Types

There are two different types of indoor use wheelchair, the manual and the electric type. The manual is more difficult to manipulate than the electric. Usually, the user moves the chair by manually pushing the wheels or asking somebody to do it. However, they are more affordable than the other types. On the other hand, the motor-driven indoor use wheelchair allows the user to manipulate the equipment with ease. With one push of the button, it will follow the directions of the user.

Features

To ensure maximum benefit from the indoor use wheelchair, you have to get the best fitting device for you. If you plan to use it outdoors, choose a specific equipment designed for outdoor use. Some other considerations to make are the overall weight, size and weight capacity of the device. Measure the dimensions, whether they fit your body built as well as the space in your home. For easier storage when not in use, be sure to get those with the ability to fold into a trunk.

Comfort

Your comfort in using the indoor use wheelchair is also an important factor. Considering the long hours you stay in it, manufacturers should guarantee your convenience. Look for equipments with a removable armrest and adjustable footrest. Check the seat width and if a reclining back is part of its comfort features. Otherwise, find other items that will fit your needs and provide you with relaxation.
You do not have to spend a fortune with an efficient indoor use wheelchair. For as long as you know what to look for and where to get the best deals, you can find the most suitable equipment for you.

Achieve Radical Mobility with Outdoor Use Wheelchair

There is no circumstance that can succeed to limit your mobility with the modern generation Outdoor Use Wheelchair. It is motorized and can get you literally anywhere you wish to be, in good time and with no effort at all. It would be quite shortsighted for anybody today to think that the physically challenged members of our society cannot live their lives, going on picnics to the most beautiful parks and beaches. They can now use motorized wheels to reach practically every rough terrain they wish to. They are able to go shopping at the malls, participate in sports activities outside, play golf, go fishing, and generally enjoy life.

The Outdoor Use Wheelchair includes some types which have been modeled using innovative technology, making them the all-terrain and beach machines that are capable of reshaping the lives of many people around the planet. It should be noted that a couple of decades back, many wheelchairs could not access the toughest terrains, sandy and grassy areas; but this is now a thing of the past. There is a revolutionized trend with wheelchairs that are specially designed for different purposes.

There are those wheelchairs that can be used for travel – which means they could be used in the cruise ships, in the hotel lobbies and on the sandy beaches because they can roll effortlessly over sand, snow and gravel. Made with soft plastic pneumatic tires, they can easily absorb the shocks on different types of roads to give comfortable rides. This kind comes with an extra kit that contains interchangeable street wheels and they are quite easy to disassemble and assemble at short notice. This is what makes some of the motorized Outdoor Use Wheel Chair very versatile and easy for travel by car, in planes and by ship.

What are the benefits of Outdoor Use Wheelchair?

• The new concept in motorized wheelchairs has revolutionized mobility to improve the daily lives of many people.
• One can enjoy life as a normal human being with the all-terrain wheelchairs.
• A full outdoor life has been realized such that one can manage to join family and friends on the beaches, lakeside, ocean side, national parks, or even for picnics in the grassy lawns.
• One can go out even on snowy days because they can manage to roll easily over snow.
• The lightweight ones that are made for easy travel has generally made it possible for people to enjoy their freedom to live and enjoy life to the fullest.
• Most sportsmen have found that it is much easier to be involved in any type of sport and games. People can now play golf, basketball, tennis, and any other sporting activity they wish to engage themselves in.

Your Child Can Now Enjoy a Selection of Pediatric Wheelchairs

The kind of mobile aids that are designed for use by children come in the form of meticulously modeled Pediatric wheelchairs that are in the market today. Children sometimes require using mobility aids because of different reasons. There are those who have suffered head injuries; muscle issues like muscular dystrophy or what is known as cerebral palsy. Then there are others who are amputees, who have not yet obtained artificial limbs. Note that there could be even more who occasionally need limited use of wheelchairs to relieve their walker or crutches.

Pediatric wheelchairs for children should only be bought with advice from the physical therapist or the physician who provides professional advice after checking the child and determining what is best according to the age and ability.

What to Look for When Choosing Pediatric Wheelchairs:

• The kind of support needed
• Any special features that can be added
• Decide whether the motorized (or electric) one or the manual would be better for the child.
• The kind of locations and activities where they will be used.
• The purpose of the wheelchair; for example, if it will be used in sports, specify which type of sporting activity the child will be involved in and where. There is a wide variety in sporting wheelchairs depending on one’s interests.
• The child’s personal taste is also necessary to be considered because even though the chair is needed for mobility, it will also be an extension of the child’s personality.
• There are a great variety of styles, color and features that are suitable for different activities.
• The age and size of the child should be considered.

Do not buy a wheelchair for your child without first consulting the physical therapist. Their advice will be important to help you get what is physically appropriate for the child’s mobility and physical comfort.

The Different Categories of Pediatric Wheelchairs:

• The Small Child Wheelchairs – which are modeled for use by children below six years of age.
• The Child/Junior or Growing Pediatric Wheelchairs – made for those over six years of age and are still growing. It means that every now and then, their height will increase; the body size will change, so they are made with special features to cater for this. They are also called “Growth Chairs” and are fitted with special replaceable components that can be converted from smaller to larger sizes. These are called “growth kits” to avoid buying new chairs all the time.
• Lightweight or Sports – these are for daily sports activities that the child will be engaged in.

What to look for in Portable and traveling Wheelchairs?

For an injured person or paralyzed patient, it is a hassle to travel if the wheelchair is not the portable and traveling type. If this is the case, your whole family will suffer since you cannot leave your loved one alone in the house while the others go out to enjoy. To make your weekend vacation possible, you should consider the possibility of using your wheelchair during out-of-town trips. Here are the criteria you should set when choosing the best equipment to fit your needs.

Lightweight

If you are looking for the portable and traveling type of wheelchair, then look for the lightweight types. Since the total weight will be an addition to the weight of the user, choose the kinds that provide enough support but is light during transportation. Some wheelchairs alone have a weight of 40 pounds. When you add the person’s weight to it, it becomes too heavy to carry with you during your trip. To get portable and travelling wheelchairs, ask your agents to give you the lightest possible unit during your store visit.

Foldable

The portable and traveling wheelchairs are foldable. When not in use, you can simply fold them and store them in your car’s compartment. Since they can be folded, it does not consume much space in your car and you can still bring with you the things you need for your family vacation. Once there is a need to use the portable and travelling wheelchair, just assemble it and in an instant, you have it ready for use again.

Durable

Another criterion when buying a portable and traveling wheelchair is its durability. Since it experiences constant folding and transport, it has to withstand the wear and tear of your out-of-town trips. Get the items that come only from the finest materials. Never settle on poor quality materials since it will only be a waste of money. Although you pay slightly higher amounts with the superior portable and traveling types, the extra dollars you shell out will go a long way.

Stylish

Being in a wheelchair does not mean you have to be out of fashion. Excellent portable and traveling wheelchair catches up with your fashion statement. There are a wide variety of colors and designs you can choose from. Feel free to shop around and you will definitely find the color and style that best suits your personality.

Portable and traveling wheelchair allows you to enjoy long distance trips with your whole family. Do not allow your disability to be the hindrance for your happiness. By finding the right wheelchair, you can go wherever you want.