Charging and caring for an electric wheelchair battery
Good charging habits make the battery last longer and the chair go further. Dos and don'ts for lithium and lead-acid batteries.
General rules
- Use the charger supplied with the chair or a genuine one with the same specification.
- Charge in a dry, ventilated place, away from direct sun and flammable items.
- Do not wait until the battery is completely empty before charging.
Lithium batteries
Charge when about 20–30% remains. If storing the chair for a long time, leave the battery around half full and top it up periodically.
Lead-acid batteries
Charge fully after each day of use. Leaving a lead-acid battery flat for long shortens its life quickly.
Signs the battery needs replacing
- Range has dropped noticeably compared with when it was new.
- The battery is swollen, unusually hot or smells odd when charging — stop using it immediately.
- The chair is clearly weak on slopes even when fully charged.
Safety
Do not open the battery or fit a larger-capacity one without technical advice: the controller and wiring are designed for the original specification.
⚕️ This content is for reference only and does not replace diagnosis, advice or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. To repair a chair, replace a battery or rent a wheelchair, see wheelchair services near you.