Electric wheelchair batteries should last 1-2 years with proper maintenance. The key to improving the lifespan of your battery is properly charging and maintaining it.

If you want to get the most life out of your power wheelchair battery, keep reading! Our rehab technology experts explain the factors affecting the lifespan of a battery, how to correctly charge it, and a few helpful tips.

How Long Do Electric Wheelchair Batteries Last?

An electric wheelchair battery lasts anywhere from 12-24 months. There are a lot of different factors that affect how long a wheelchair battery lasts, including the weight it carries, how often the battery is serviced, the environment it's used in, and if it's charged properly.

How Long Does a Wheelchair Battery's Charge Last?

In general, a wheelchair battery's charge should last about 8-10 hours with a range of about 10-15 miles. However, the specifics depend on the power wheelchair you have, the weight the chair is carrying, and the environment you're driving it in.

When you're looking at power wheelchairs, the manufacturer's website contains general information about how long the battery is expected to last.

For example, the Jazzy® 600 ES can last up to 17 miles on one charge, while the Jazzy® Elite HD can last up to 14.4 hours.

Factors That Affect the Lifespan of a Wheelchair Battery

Environment

The environment you operate your power wheelchair in can affect how long its battery lasts. Hard, flat surfaces are better to drive on, as they put less strain on the battery.

If you're frequently driving your power wheelchair up and down hills or over rough terrain, the battery will have to work harder to keep it moving. The speed you operate your wheelchair also affects the battery life — the faster you go, the harder the battery works.

Making the wheelchair's battery work in overdrive all the time will lower its lifespan.

Weight

The weight a power wheelchair carries also affects how long the battery lasts.

This refers to the weight of the user as well as any additional weight, such as accessories, groceries, and any additional items you take with you.

The weight of an electric wheelchair is anywhere from 33 lbs to 200+ lbs., so the battery already has to do quite a bit of work for the heavier chairs. Carrying additional weight makes the battery work harder, shortening its lifespan.

Service History

It's recommended to have your battery serviced once per year. The wheelchair repair technicians can test your battery, provide an estimate of how much life is left in it, and help answer any questions you might have about battery care and maintenance.

How Often Should I Charge My Power Wheelchair?

Charge the battery of your power wheelchair up to 100% every day. If you use your power wheelchair daily, this should become part of your routine.

If you don't have to use the power wheelchair every day, you should still make sure it's 100% charged up. However, once it's fully charged, you can disconnect the battery from its power source until you're ready to use it.

How Long Does it Take to Charge a Wheelchair's Battery?

The full amount of time it takes a wheelchair battery to charge depends on the size of the battery, the charger you're using, and the age of the battery.

Some wheelchair batteries can be charged in eight hours, but others can take even longer. If you find that your battery isn't fully charged by the time you need to use the power chair again, it's worth investing in a second battery so you can always have one fully charged.

Should I Charge My Electric Wheelchair After Every Use?

Yes, you should charge the battery of your electric wheelchair after every use. This helps your battery last longer!

Battery Charging Tips:

  • Charge the battery fully every day

  • Make sure the battery is mostly fully charged before leaving the house with it

  • Don't let the battery completely die before charging it

  • Don't let the battery sit on the charger once it's fully charged

  • Follow the instructions in your owner's manual, which will tell you the best practices to get the most life out of your battery

  • Keep your battery at room temperature, especially if it's going to be in storage

How Do I Know if My Electric Wheelchair Battery is Good?

If you're worried your electric wheelchair battery is going bad, you should call a wheelchair repair team to come service the battery.

Signs of a bad wheelchair battery include:

  • It takes longer than usual to charge

  • It doesn't hold a charge

  • The wheelchair travels less distance on a full charge

Battery Warranties

Some power wheelchairs come with limited warranties on their batteries, so keep an eye out for these in case anything goes wrong with your battery in the first 6-12 months.

For example:

Power Wheelchair Repair Services in California

We provide power wheelchair repair services throughout the state of California. We'll come right to your door, whether you need a battery check-up or a new battery installation!

Our experienced wheelchair repair technicians can service and repair any complex rehab equipment you have, even if you didn't purchase it from us.

Contact us today to set up an appointment or book a FREE consultation.

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