Until a motorized wheelchair breaks down, numerous owners don’t pay a lot attention towards the easy steps that could have prevented any major difficulties. Repairs could be really expensive and take a long time. To guard your valuable mobility device, you will find a number of areas to pay close attention to.
Tighten Any Moving Parts: Adjustable pieces, for example the headrest and arm rests, will occasionally turn out to be loose following being utilized for an extended time frame. It’s really essential to make sure that these parts are kept secure to prevent causing damage which will make it harder to maintain them tightened within the future. This will affect comfort and decrease the value from the system.
Clean Off Debris From The Wheels and Fabric: An accumulation of dirt and mud may cause an unbalance and make the chair harder to maneuver. When a large amount has collected it is vital that it is washed off as soon as possible. This step is especially important for people who live in areas where they experience heavy snowfalls, because the salt used on sidewalks and roads can erode the fabric of your seat and cause a metal frame to rust.
Listen For Changes in The Motor: Sounds from the motor are the best way to monitor performance of your motorized wheelchair. After a few weeks of regular use, the user will be able to recognize the normal noise their device makes, and any changes could be a sign of a more serious problem. Louder or uneven tones should be taken seriously, a minor malfunction that can be repaired quickly and cheaply can quickly turn into a bigger and much more costly problem. If the chair becomes very hot in a short period of time it must be taken to a mechanic to have it serviced as soon as possible, as it could be a safety risk.
Tires should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they have sufficient air levels and are not showing signs of being too worn down. It is normal to have air leak out slowly over time, but if it is happening on a frequent or daily basis there is likely a hole that must be patched. To check if the tires are too flat for optimal use, squeeze them to determine how firm they are. It they are soft it is best to add more air. The engine will have to use more power if the tires are not full enough, resulting in an empty battery much quicker.
The most common issue leading to improper function is dirty or disconnected wires that run from the controls to the motor. These can become soiled, and makes it difficult for the device to properly function. When this happens, gently disconnect the wires and clean with warm water and soap. Be careful to reconnect all wires to the correct locations, which are usually color coded. If the connections are wrong it can lead to permanent damage and potentially cause fires to start.
Though it might occasionally be hard for that user to perform all of these actions, a close friend or family member might be willing to assist. The normal care of the power chair is the greatest method to make sure that it functions correctly.