Help With A Battery Question?

[Wassernaut]

Can someone help me with a battery question?

I depend upon a complex power wheelchair daily. It's a high dollar ($16,000.00) chair, with multiple motors and functions. My question is about the charging.

I have been told specifically by wheelchair specialists that I should charge the chair every night. This goes against all I've ever heard about battery charging. The chair has two large 12 volt gel cell batteries. I can usually get by with charging the chair once a week, and the indicator still shows I have about 1/4th of the charge left. Some days I'm not able to use the chair much at all - they still tell me to charge it every night. They say that I will get the absolute longest use out of the batteries (very expensive to replace - $200.00) by charging them every night.

But - I hear on the forum of many who must buy new batteries every year or so using this advice. I used my last power chair for five years (still have it) and the batteries are still fine. I charged the batteries (same type as in my new chair) only when they needed it - about once per week.

So, do I listen to the "experts" or keep doing what has worked for me?

Your thoughts -

Larry

 

[Glasstream15]

Lead/acid batteries, including Sealed Lead Acid or "Gel-Cell" types generally repond best to having the charge maintained at or near full. The general recommedation for that type of battery is to fully recharge as soon as possible after use.

NOW! It is purely up to you. You have had success doing it the other way. I think you need to do what makes you the most comfortable. The actual difference in lifespan should not be great. BUT, not discharging the batteries below 50% is definitely proven to improve the life expectancy. Don't run them down to 25% unless you absolutely must.

That's not much of an answer. I really think the difference in life expectancy will not be great, but recharging daily will probably get you just a little more life. Also, as the batteries discharge, the voltage drops and the motors will operate best on full voltage, and the controlers will also be slightly more efficient and reponsive at full voltage.

 

[Wassernaut]

Thanks for the input. I guess it is best to plug it in every night. Larry

 

[LED_astray]

Are lead-acid batteries susceptible to overcharging? If so, maybe you are more successful by avoiding charger damage? (I don't have any idea if a better charger would be cheaper than slightly reduced battery life though. Perhaps asking in the battery section would be get more expert response?) Good luck.

 

[jayflash]

Generally, I'd agree with the above advice of nightly charging which has the advantage of a full charge providing coverage for unexpected, lengthy, use.

I'll assume a smart charger is monitoring the charge state and adjusts for conditions. You can always have a meter installed or a connection added so you can use a handheld meter to double check the charger's parameters.

Your batteries may have lasted this long because they are expensive and high quality. Nightly charging may help to extend their life. When replacing the batteries make sure they were manufactured within a few months of purchase.

 

[BlueBeam22]

Can someone help me with a battery question?

I depend upon a complex power wheelchair daily. It's a high dollar ($16,000.00) chair, with multiple motors and functions. My question is about the charging.

I have been told specifically by wheelchair specialists that I should charge the chair every night. This goes against all I've ever heard about battery charging. The chair has two large 12 volt gel cell batteries. I can usually get by with charging the chair once a week, and the indicator still shows I have about 1/4th of the charge left. Some days I'm not able to use the chair much at all - they still tell me to charge it every night. They say that I will get the absolute longest use out of the batteries (very expensive to replace - $200.00) by charging them every night.

But - I hear on the forum of many who must buy new batteries every year or so using this advice. I used my last power chair for five years (still have it) and the batteries are still fine. I charged the batteries (same type as in my new chair) only when they needed it - about once per week.

So, do I listen to the "experts" or keep doing what has worked for me?

Your thoughts -

Larry

The lead acid gel cell batteries are different than normal rechargeable betteries because it is actually GOOD for them to be charged up after each use, no matter how short the use was.

Lead acid batteries should be kept topped up and it is VERY bad for them to be run down all the way, so it should be charged every night.

It is bad for them to be over charged, but over night is not to much.