It is frustrating when your electric wheelchair suddenly stops working. It can ruin your plans and leave you feeling stuck. And you donтАЩt have enough time to go to the mechanic.
But what if you could solve many of these problems yourself? What if you knew how to diagnose common issues and do your electric wheelchair troubleshooting by performing basic repairs. Read on to learn to become a wheelchair expert to troubleshoot common wheelchair errors and keep your mobility aid moving.
Note: The user manual provided with your electric wheelchair contains valuable information on troubleshooting common issues. Refer to the manual for specific instructions on how to address problems effectively.
Common Electrical Issues and Their Troubleshooting
The electric wheelchairs are powered by a battery. Its electrical components may sometimes cause problems. Here are some common electrical issues you may encounter and their troubleshooting:
1. Wheelchair Battery is Not Holding a Charge
The first and foremost troubleshooting you have to do is to check your wheelchair battery and see if it is getting properly charged or not. Because it is the most common problem that suddenly stops your wheelchair, this problem frustrates someone who relies on a wheelchair for daily activities. You will notice your wheelchair dies quickly after unplugging, cannot hold the charge, or even loses power when not in use.
Troubleshooting: You can troubleshoot this problem by checking whether the battery connections are secure or not.
- Please make sure the battery connections are secure, so they do not interrupt the flow of electricity to the battery.┬а
- Look if you have properly plugged the charger and confirm whether the indicator light is on.┬а
- Try a known working charger to rule out charger issues.
- When the wheelchair is not in use for a long time. As a result, the lead sulfate crystals build up on the plates and reduce their ability to hold the charge. Consult with a professional to deal with this problem.┬а
- The last fix is to replace the wheelchair battery.
2: Check the Fuses and Cables
A blown fuse or damaged cables could be another reason your wheelchair isnтАЩt working. So, you have to inspect for blown fuse or damaged cables. If you see any of these interrupting the working of your wheelchair. Then, simply fix them to keep rolling your mobility aid.
You can refer to your wheelchair manual to find the fuses and cables that are responsible for the power supply.
So, if the problem is because of a blown fuse, then you can replace it with a newer one. The same goes for a damaged cable which you can fix by replacing with a new one. If you could find any problem in these two then move on to the next troubleshooting because there could be another issue.
As I already told you have to inspect the fuse and cables to find if the problem is because of these two. However, if are are not sure how to check them. Then, it is better to consult with a professional technician to diagnose and resolve the issue.
3. Troubleshoot the Controller Issues
The controller or joystick is the main control system to maneuver your power wheelchair. It helps you control the movement of your wheelchair. Sometimes, a malfunction occurs in your wheelchair controller, and you can deal with the minor yourself.
If you are facing unresponsive buttons or erratic behavior in your controller. Then, you can easily troubleshoot it by resetting it. You can reset it by turning off the wheelchair and on it again. This simple hack can resolve minor glitches and help you restore the joystick to normal operation.
4. Wheel Alignment
The wheel alignment in your wheelchair is responsible for the smooth maneuvering of your wheelchair. If you feel your wheelchair is not moving in the right direction and showing some difficulty in moving around.
Simply look for wheel alignment in your wheelchair. If you notice your wheelchair wheels are veering to one side and troubling the proper movement. Then, adjust them to align for easier and smoother movement of your wheelchair.
5. Check for Physical Damage
Your wheelchair is not responding properly if there is any physical damage to the critical components of the wheelchair. Carefully look for cracks and other damages on your wheelchair’s external parts.
These damages need to be fixed as early as possible. Further, look for any external damage to the battery, motors, and wire system. If you see any damage, then try to fix it yourself. If you can handle it. Otherwise it is better to call a professional technician to fix the damages.
Conclusion
So these are the common issues that can suddenly stop your wheelchair. Look for these problems in your wheelchair one by one and try to troubleshoot the one that is causing the problem. You can easily troubleshoot most of your power wheelchair issues yourself if the problem is not critical or bigger.
Further, I will suggest following a regular check to find and troubleshoot your wheelchair issue to keep your power chair in optimal condition for a longer time without facing any sudden problems.
