AMYPOWER ALLTRACK R3 & R SERIES - Owner’s Manual (Rev. A)
27
X. BATTERIES
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Notes-
Batteries supply the power for your chair. They
contain a finite amount of energy and have limits on how
long they can store and supply energy.
You can charge batteries only a certain number of
times before they will fail and no longer hold a charge.
For answers to questions about batteries, consult
your supplier.
2. Use Proper Batteries:
Your chair operates on two 12 volt batteries.
They should be Group 24 (or 22NF) size with a
minimum of 50 ampere hour rating. Only deep cycle sealed
case construction batteries should be used in this device.
Connecting configuration. They should have a post
and clamp style connection.
When you buy a replacement, insist on a deep
cycle sealed case type. Do not use a car starter battery.
Group 24 batteries are a minimum requirement
for power seating.
3. Breaking In:
A battery requires “breaking-in” for the first 6 to
12 charges. It will not accept a full charge for this
period.
It is best to limit the length of your trips until you
break the batteries in and you know the range of your chair.
4. Discharged Batteries:
Never allow a battery to completely discharge. If
you operate your wheelchair until it has almost stopped,
you will greatly reduce the life of your batteries.
Never let a battery sit in a discharged condition.
Give unused or stored batteries a full charge once per
month.
Always fully charge the batteries. Avoid
“topping off ” with frequent charges.
WARNING
Never connect a life support or auxiliary device to a
wheelchair battery. The electrical system may fail, and
result in severe injury to or death of user.
B. BATTERY CHARGER
A battery charger produces a direct current (DC). When
applied to a discharged battery, this reverses the chemical
reaction that led to its discharge.
1. Charge Rate. How fast a battery will charge depends on:
Its electrical capacity; state of charge; electrolyte
temperature, and; internal condition.
The DC output of the charger. (The charge rate will
vary if the alternating current (AC) supply is higher or lower
than 110 volts).
2. Caution — To Avoid Damage to the Charger:
Never place the charger on top of a battery during
charging. (Gases from the battery can damage the
charger and may lead to an explosion or fire).
Never place a battery on top of the charger.
Never expose charger to rain or snow.
Never unplug charger by pulling on the electrical cord.
This will damage the cord.
Never open a charger or attempt to repair it yourself.
Return a defective charger back to your supplier.
Keep cord out of the way, where it will not be stepped on,
tripped over, or damaged.
3. Caution — To Avoid Damage to the Battery:
Make sure you use the correct setting for sealed (gel) bat-
teries (located on the off-board charger).
Never charge a frozen battery. A fully charged battery will
rarely freeze, but the fluid in a discharged battery can freeze
at 16 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 9 degrees Centigrade). If
you suspect a battery is frozen, thaw it before charging.
WARNING
Lead acid batteries generate explosive gas while charging.
Completely read and follow all warnings about the batteries
in this user instruction manual and any labels applied to the
product. Failure to do so could result in fire, explosion, injury
and/or death.
WARNING
C. ACID BURNS (unsealed wet cell batteries)
Acid in batteries is corrosive. It can cause serious burns
to the eyes and skin and can damage floors, furniture,
clothing and your wheelchair.
1.
Use extreme care not to spill acid when you handle
batteries. Keep batteries upright.
2.
Avoid contact of acid with bare skin or clothing.
3.
Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses
when you handle batteries.
4.
If acid contacts your skin or clothing, wash immediately
with soap and water.
5.
If acid contacts your eyes, immediately flood eyes with
cold running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical
attention immediately.
WARNING
D. CONNECTING THE BATTERIES IN THE COMPARTMENT
1.
Batteries weigh up to 55 lbs. (25 kg). Take care to avoid
injury when lifting.
2.
Keep batteries upright. Take care not to spill acid (wet
cell batteries).
3.
Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when you
handle batteries.
4.
Before working around batteries, remove all metal
personal effects, such as necklaces, rings, watches,
pins and other metal jewelry that might contact battery
terminal and cause a short.
WARNING
Lift batteries into battery compartment. Batteries weigh
up to 55 pounds (25 kg). Lifting batteries may cause
back strain. If you fail to heed these warnings severe
injury may occur to you.
1.
Connect and disconnect battery cables with caution. Con-
nect the red lead to the positive terminal and the black lead to
the negative terminal. Do this for each battery.
2.
Tighten all terminal fasteners using two 1/2" box end
wrenches to 60 in-lbs (6.8 N.m).
