5 Signs Your Electric Wheelchair Battery Needs Replacement
While knowing the technical specifications of your battery is crucial (as discussed in our Battery Selection Guide, understanding how that battery behaves in your daily life is what truly ensures independence.
5 Signs for Electric Wheelchair Battery Replacement
Below are the common noticeable and convincing signs that your electric wheelchair battery needs replacement:
Slower performance
If you notice that your wheelchair struggles on slopes, or moves slower even on flat surfaces, it is as a result of the battery failing. As batteries age, they lose the ability to deliver steady power with time. For this reason, your wheelchair may feel weaker and the reduced output can affect the speed, responsiveness, and the overall comfort of the wheelchair.
Longer charging time
Assuming it used to take your battery a few hours to charge, but all of a sudden it stretches into several hours or even a day to fully charge, right there is a sign it needs to be replaced. As batteries near the end of their use, they lose charging efficiency and struggle to hold energy. Once noticed, you don't need a magician to tell you what to do next.
Frequent low-battery warnings
If after full charges you still see low-battery alerts, that's a clear red flag. This is an indication that your battery isn't as strong enough to store energy. Frequent warnings can reduce confidence when outdoors and increase the risk of being stranded hence the more reason you should attend to the issue as timely as possible for your own safety.
Sudden Power Drops
In cases where your wheelchair goes off or loses power all of a sudden, the battery may not be stable. Don't assume sudden drops are normal because this is usually attributed to old batteries being unable to handle demand during movement, turning, or climbing slight inclines. Not only can this be inconvenient but can be dangerous in public spaces.
Swelling or Overheating
Visible swelling, unusual heat, or a burning smell from the battery are all signs of something serious going on. These signs can sometimes be as a result of internal damage or chemical failure. Ignoring these signs can pose greater safety risks which is why you should stop using the battery immediately and replace it with a new one once you notice anything weird.
Practical Tips for Choosing the Best Electric Wheelchair Battery
Discussed below are practical, helpful tips to guide you in choosing the best batteries for your electric wheelchair:
Ask the right questions before buying
It's always a smart thing to confirm your wheelchair's required voltage, amp-hour rating and connector type. Knowing how long it lasts per charge, its expected lifespan, and whether or not there's a warranty coverage keeps you ahead. Weight and charging time should also be part of your queries.
This way, you prevent compatibility issues and ensure that the battery you're getting fits your daily movement, comfort, and budget needs.
Consider travel and outdoor use
If you're someone who travels frequently or spends time outdoors, then considering battery range and weight matters greatly. For long outdoors trips, you'll need higher capacity batteries that can deliver stable power output. More so, consider airline rules on wheelchairs if flying. The best options in this case are usually lightweight travel-friendly batteries that improves mobility freedom.
Upgrade to a lithium battery
Lithium batteries are a big step up when it comes to performance. Besides, they have a longer lifespan, can be recharged in less time, and are very light compared to lead-acid batteries. All these advantages translate into a longer range, more comfort, and less stress when moving around.
Although it can seem pricey, its efficiency and fewer replacement possibilities makes it a smarter long-term investment.
How Battery Type Affects Real-Life Performance
The type of battery you choose can affect the performance of your wheelchair either negatively or positively, and here's how:
Range differences
How much distance you need to cover with your wheelchair will only make sense when you consider what type of battery it requires. Lead-acid batteries are your best bet if you're an indoor person. They often last 10 to 15 km; however, for medium to long distances, lithium-ion batteries are the better options, lasting between 20 to 30 km.
Weight impacts on the wheelchair
As earlier mentioned, lead-acid batteries are capable of increasing the weight of a wheelchair due to their component and as a result, pushing, lifting, and transferring the chair can be hectic. To avoid these situations, go for lighter lithium batteries to reduce strain when moving around and most importantly improve maneuverability especially if you travel frequently.
Charging time differences
Charging experience can be different depending on the type of battery. For example, lead-acid batteries usually take between 6 to 10 hours for a full charge whereas lithium batteries do not need all that long to charge fully, at least 3 to 5 hours and they can handle quick top-ups well. The benefit is that there's less downtime and more flexibility even when daily movement seems unpredictable.
Expected battery lifespan and replacement cycle
Every battery type has an estimated duration for which they last especially when in good use. Lead-acid batteries typically last between 2 to 3 years or about 300 to 500 charge cycles. In essence, they require frequent replacement. Meanwhile, lithium batteries tend to last longer, often between 3 to 5 years or over 1000+ charge cycles.
While lithium batteries cost more upfront, they offer fewer replacements and stable performance which makes up for the higher cost in real-time use.
Wrap Up
AGM batteries are the cheapest option, limited to indoor use, gel batteries are not so expensive and their performance is just average, while the best choice is lithium-ion giving the longest lifespan, better quality, and portability. Always choose batteries according to the wheelchair model and your lifestyle needs.