I want to speak today about BATTERIES!
More precisely, rechargeable Lead Acid batteries found in chair lifts, porch lifts, scooters, power wheelchairs, golf carts, and thousands of other places all over our lives. This technology essentially has not changed since its invention in 1859.
We have changed the construction of the battery to better suit different types of operation. Wheelchair and scooter batteries are designed to deliver a steady moderate stream of energy. Starting batteries are designed to deliver a large jolt of energy to start an engine.
Lead acid batteries are a safe and reliable source of power. And today, we use LOTS of lead acid batteries every year, millions and millions of them. When we get a call, “My equipment does not run, ‘Bring Batteries!’” First, check the on/off switch. Yes, I know that you know how to turn it on! AND, we have done plenty of service calls to just turn the machine on or plug in the charger!
Do you get the proper indications of charging activity when you plug in your equipment? [Lights or meter indication] If not, check the outlet.
Recently I fixed a small toaster oven. Once I fixed the inside problem, it worked every time for me and failed EVERY time for Joan. Turns out that I tested the oven on a good outlet, and the outlet that Joan used was bad. Fixed that too.
Next, consider how the machine operates. After overnight charging, does it run just fine but only for a short time? Probably the batteries have lost capacity. Every time a battery does the work that we want, the battery loses a tiny bit of its ability to hold charge. Almost like you get a grain of sand in your gas tank with every fill-up. Eventually, your tank would not hold any gas at all.
A load tester checks part of the battery operation, the ability to deliver a heavy load for a few seconds. This test checks the connections and general health of the battery. If the battery CAN’T deliver a heavy load it definitely is bad, and if it can it MIGHT be good. The real test of a battery comes when you use it in the equipment. Can it deliver the energy you need to keep Rollin’ Along?
Right now, we do not have a quick test for battery capacity. I invented and built a tester and it takes between 10 and 250 minutes to confirm that a battery is good. Sometimes, we find a weak connection in the wires to the batteries or corrosion on the connections. Sometimes the wire just breaks from all the shaking that a scooter or power wheelchair creates.
According to MK Battery and others, your common AGM style battery should {on average} run for 2000 charges. [That is over 6 years!] . In my experience I rarely get more than 2-3 years from a set of batteries. A puzzle that I hope one day to figure out. In any case, if your batteries do not keep you Rollin’ consider calling us to help.
