If your wheelchair’s battery has gone completely dead, don’t worry – you may be able to revive it without having to purchase a costly replacement. With the right approach, you can often breathe new life into a drained battery and get your mobility device back up and running.
Recharging a Dead Wheelchair Battery
The key to recharging a dead wheelchair battery is to use the charger that came with your specific model. This charger is designed to optimize the performance and lifespan of your wheelchair’s batteries.
Before attempting any other steps, you should first give the dead batteries a full charge. This will typically take 8 to 14 hours, so your best bet is to simply plug the batteries into the charger overnight.
Avoid Draining the Batteries Completely
One important tip is to avoid letting your wheelchair’s batteries drain completely. Deep-cycling the batteries – allowing them to fully discharge – can significantly shorten their useful life. Try to recharge them before they drop below 20% capacity.
Troubleshooting a Non-Charging Battery
If the charger still doesn’t seem to be registering the dead batteries, you may need to use a trick to “trick” the charger into recognizing them. Some users have had success by using a separate 12V charger and connecting it directly to the battery terminals to kickstart the charging process.
However, this should be done with extreme caution, as working with exposed electrical components can be dangerous. It’s best to consult a professional if you’re not comfortable attempting this yourself.