How Long Does an Electric Wheelchair Battery Last?

A battery is one of the main sources of energy of the whole wheelchair. It determines the distance you can cover, the efficiency of the wheelchair, and its reliability over the years. This is why a lot of users are interested in such questions as: What is the lifespan of an electric wheelchair battery?

Usually, an electric wheelchair can serve a person for many years provided that it is taken care of; however, the battery is often the part that should be taken care of first. The exact lifespan of the battery of an electric wheelchair depends on a number of factors.

This blog will tell you how the factors mentioned above can affect your choice of the battery and help you take care of it properly.

Factors that Influence the Lifetime of the Electric Wheelchair Battery

The lifetime of the electric wheelchair battery is not influenced by one factor alone. On the contrary, there are multiple factors that influence the lifetime of the electric wheelchair battery.

• Battery Type: Different battery types have different lifetimes. For example, current lithium batteries have better lifetimes than the old lead-acid batteries.
• Charging Habits: The daily habits of recharging the battery are directly proportional to its lifetime. In other words, the more frequently you discharge the battery completely or charge it wrongly, the shorter its lifetime will be.
• Frequency of Usage: An electric wheelchair that is used daily over long distances will experience many more battery cycles than an occasional use electric wheelchair.
• Environment: Temperature, environmental conditions, and terrain may affect the performance of the battery too. Extremely hot or cold environments as well as storage without charging will diminish the lifetime of the battery. 

Therefore, even with the same wheelchair model, two users may have different battery lifetimes.

Types of Electric Wheelchair Batteries

The lifespan of a battery for an electric wheelchair depends on factors such as the battery chemistry, use, and maintenance practices. There are various batteries available and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most common batteries used for electric wheelchairs include:

Nevertheless, the term 'battery lifespan' does not refer to a period after which the battery will no longer function due to some predetermined number of years. Typically, electric wheelchair batteries experience loss of their capacity through gradual wear over time. Such deterioration is shown by:

• Decreased distance traveled on a single charge
• Increased frequency of charging
• Less power in hills and when carrying heavy items
• Increased charging time

These are all indications of an old battery losing its efficiency at holding charge.

How Can You Tell If an Electric Wheelchair Battery Is Good?

The quality of a battery goes beyond just its range. The best quality battery for an electric wheelchair must offer dependable performance, consistency in terms of power output, and durability. The table below highlights the key factors to consider when evaluating a battery:

While choosing between batteries, all these aspects should be considered simultaneously, instead of being concerned with the aspect of travel range only. A battery which provides a perfect combination of all these aspects would generally prove to be the best option.

When Is It Time for Me to Replace My Electric Wheelchair Battery?

Any battery would eventually need replacement. Here are the common symptoms:

• Distance Travelled Has Been Greatly Reduced: If you used to travel for 15-20 miles on the wheelchair but now can only cover a much shorter distance, this could mean that there is an issue with your battery.
• Discharge Rate Of The Battery Has Been Greatly Increased: This could also mean that it is now time to replace your battery.
• Time Spent On Charging Is Too Much: This could mean that the battery has outlived itself.
• Worse Battery Performance on Hills: Old batteries usually cannot supply enough power to handle hills or additional loads.
• Battery Damage: In case of swelling, leakage, overheating, or any other damage to the battery, one should cease usage and approach an expert.

Good Habits for Using an Electric Wheelchair Battery

The way you operate your wheelchair on a regular basis might affect the lifespan of your battery. However, there are a number of things you could do to make sure that your battery lasts longer and does not need to be changed too soon.

Do Not Charge Only When the Battery Is over

There is a widespread notion that you should only charge your wheelchair once the battery dies. Actually, most batteries of electric wheelchairs perform better when frequently recharged. After using the wheelchair all day, you may need to recharge the chair.

Do Not Neglect Your Batteries for Weeks

In case there is a possibility that you will not use the wheelchair for several weeks, then neglect it under no circumstances. Indeed, batteries have a habit of discharging even when not in use. Therefore, you may have to keep checking them from time to time.

Store the Wheelchair in a Comfortable Environment

High or low temperatures affect the functioning of your batteries. Keeping your wheelchair in a hot environment such as a garage or even parking it inside your car during summer and parking in a cold environment during winter damages your batteries' lifespan. You should store your wheelchair in a cool and ventilated area.

Beware of Excessive Battery Load

Operating the wheelchair in climbing up hills, carrying heavy loads, traversing difficult terrains, and covering long distances every day means that there will be much use of the battery. Nonetheless, you do not have to worry about using your wheelchair since strenuous activities add load on the battery.

Conclusion

The battery of an electric wheelchair is not just an energy provider but has a great impact on the overall performance of the wheelchair including its range and mobility. Although the battery lifetime depends on several factors such as battery type and usage conditions, there is enough information about batteries that can make your experience using a wheelchair more enjoyable.

Choosing the appropriate battery, paying attention to the battery state, and observing the correct maintenance procedures will help you enjoy the prolonged service life and reliable operation of your batteries for years to come. No matter what kind of batteries – lead-acid or lithium – your electric wheelchair uses, maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your investment.

Electric Wheelchair Battery FAQ

Electric Wheelchair: Can It Be Left to Charge Overnight?

Although most modern electric wheelchairs are equipped with intelligent chargers that automatically stop charging when the battery is full, it is better to follow all instructions of the manufacturer regarding this issue and not leave the battery plugged for too long.

Is It Possible to Use the Wheelchair While Charging the Battery?

It mostly depends on your wheelchair model and instructions of its manufacture. However, it is better to avoid this procedure.

My Electric Wheelchair Battery Is Running Out Quickly! Why?

There are many factors that might affect the battery performance such as battery age, climbing of hills frequently, heavier weight of the load, extremes of temperature, and bad charging practices. However, if it is charging correctly but still running out of power quickly, the battery is at the end of its life cycle.

Can I Change the Battery of My Electric Wheelchair by Myself?

Most electric wheelchairs have a replaceable battery; therefore, changing it should not be difficult. However, you need to buy the compatible battery for your particular wheelchair.

Should a Battery Have a High Ah Rating?

Not necessarily. A battery with a high Ah (amp-hour) rating will usually provide you with a greater range, but it will also be heavier and bulkier. The perfect battery would be the one that strikes a balance between the range, the weight, and its convenience.