fixing wheelchair

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=125088
Printed Date: May 19, 2024 at 2:31 AM

Topic: fixing wheelchair

Posted By: dontstealme
Subject: fixing wheelchair
Date Posted: December 17, 2010 at 5:19 AM

This charger cost around 150.00 for my wheelchair. It appears to me it is a basic battery charger. Are there any cheaper alternatives? I was thinking a simple multilevel car charger would work. Any suggestions?

Thank you

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Replies:

Posted By: dontstealme
Date Posted: December 17, 2010 at 5:26 AM

For example something like this. I would make a quick connect harness for it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-SpeedCharge-6-Amp-Battery-Charger/13005743

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: December 17, 2010 at 7:05 AM

It being called a 3 stage charger leads me to believe that it is a smart charger with battery monitoring for ideal charging rates for different levels of discharge. If you get some cheaper charger, you will spend more money on replacing batteries.

Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: December 17, 2010 at 7:28 AM

No - a 3-stage is for AGM batteries; they do not have the higher voltage stage (see BatteryFAQ).

The Schumachers that Don'tSteal suggested seem ok and are about $35 to $45 thru Amazon.
BUT is it a 24V battery (2x12V?) or 12V. The charger you posted says 24V....
The voltage needs to match the battery - usually not above ~14.4V for 12V & 28.8V for 24V.

Otherwise the key is not to "over current" the battery. The usual rule is about 1/10th of their C20 capacity. EG - if a buggy battery is 60AH (C20), then a 6A charger. (3-stage of AGM; 4-stage if wet cells.)

Check your battery size, or if possible check its specs & recommendations. (Or post its brand & model here, and if 2 in series etc.)
If it's 2 series batteries, they should be matched (same type, batch, age etc). (Same for parallel unless in constant use or charge))

$150 for a 4A charger! It sounds like here - a captive market and often better tax rates for recreational pushbikes etc than "essential" wheel chairs etc.