Electric Wheelchairs
Posted on 16. Feb, 2009 by Dave in Electric Wheelchairs
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Electric wheelchairs are wheelchairs that run on a motorized system, eliminating the need for manpower in moving the wheelchair. Electric wheelchairs can be relatively simple or complex. Some electric wheelchairs can come with simple standard batteries and a joystick controller, while others may come with microprocessors that control gyroscopic circuitry to allow the chair to move in two wheels and rise on platforms.
Types of electric wheelchairs
There are three basic types of wheelchairs: the rear-wheel drive wheelchairs, the front-wheel drive wheelchairs, and the mid-wheel drive wheelchairs. Rear-wheel drive wheelchairs are the most popular, although they don’t offer the ease of turning that you experience with the front-wheel and mid-wheel wheelchairs. Front-wheel wheelchairs offer tighter turning functions, although they move slower than rear-wheel models. The mid-wheel models provide the tightest turning of the three and come with caster wheels at the back and anti-tip wheels at the front.
Electric wheelchairs can be powered by three types of batteries: the wet, gel, and AGM batteries. Wet batteries are cheaper and lighter but are prone to acid leaks. Gel batteries, on the other hand, have a longer life cycle than wet batteries, have no risk for leaks, require no maintenance, and are approved for air travel. However, they are more expensive than wet batteries. Finally, AGM batteries are the most expensive but they require no maintenance, have no risk of leaks, and are shock-resistant and approved for travel.
Manual vs. electric wheelchairs
Some may wonder what makes an electric wheelchair any better than manual wheelchairs. The answer is fairly obvious, as most electric wheelchairs can be used by those who do not have the upper body strength to push their own wheelchairs. Electric wheelchairs also travel at faster speeds and will have no trouble moving over carpets or grass.
Manual wheelchairs, on the other hand, also have their own set of advantages. For one, manual wheelchairs are usually foldable and very easy to lug around when travelling. The manual wheelchair also provides a good exercise for the upper body, good for a person who cannot exercise using conventional methods. Electric wheelchairs are also considerably more expensive. A standard electric wheelchair will cost thousands of dollars. And because electric wheelchairs depend on an external power source, they tend to break down more easily compared to manual wheelchairs. Electric wheelchairs are also larger than manual wheelchairs, which could prevent users from passing through narrow doors or getting inside very small bathrooms.
