Invacare PRONTO R2-250 - Manual (Page 43)

43
CHARGING BATTERIES (FIGURE 8)
WARNING
Never attempt to recharge the batteries by at-
taching cables directly to the battery terminals
or clamps. Always use the recharging plug lo-
cated on the controller OR the side/rear of the
wheelchair frame.
DO NOT attempt to recharge the batteries and
operate the power wheelchair at the same time.
During use and charging, unsealed batteries will
vent hydrogen gas which is explosive in the right
concentration with air.
CAUTION
Always charge new batteries fully BEFORE initial
use or battery life will be reduced.
NOTE: As a general rule, batteries should be recharged
daily to assure the longest possible life and minimize the
required charging time. Plan to recharge the batteries
when it is anticipated the wheelchair will not be used for
several days.
The range per battery charge using recommended bat-
teries should be approximately 5 to 9 hours of typical op-
eration. Extensive use on inclines or age of batteries may
substantially reduce per charge mileage.
Description and Use of Battery Chargers
The charger automatically reduces the amount of charge
from an initially high rate to a zero reading at a fully charged
condition.
SHUTOFF PROCEDURE.
A. For PRONTO
R2
Models - If left unattended, the
charger will automatically shut-off when full charge
is obtained.
B. For PRONTO
R2-250 Series
Models - The Charger out-
put and green light will stay ON until the power switch
on the battery charger is moved to the OFF position.
There are some basic concepts which will help you
understand this automatic process:
The amount of electrical current drawn within a given time
to charge a battery is called “charge rate”. If, due to us-
age, the charge stored in the battery is low, the charge
rate is high. (For PRONTO
R2
Models - this is indicated
by the green light on the charger. Initially, the green light
will stay illuminated for a short period of time followed by
a longer period of off time.)
As a charge builds up, the charge rate is reduced, and
the following will occur:
A. For PRONTO
R2-250 Series
Models - the green light
will stay illuminated for a longer period of time
followed by a shorter off time.
PROCEDURE 11 BATTERIES
B
A
T
T
E
R
I
E
S
Battery Gauge
Display (BGD)
MKIV- RII JOYSTICK
Battery Discharge
Indicator (BDI)
MKIV X, A OR A+ JOYSTICK
FIGURE 7 - WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES
NOTE: MKIV X Shown.
WHEN TO CHARGE BATTERIES
(FIGURE 7)
It is advantageous to recharge daily rather than only when
necessary. In fact, a battery’s life is extended if the charge
level is maintained well above a low condition.
MKIV RII Joystick
BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR (BDI) is located at
the front of the joystick housing and provides information
on the remaining charge in the batteries. At FULL charge
the BDI will be GREEN. As the battery becomes discharged,
the BDI indicator will turn AMBER (YELLOW), then RED
and finally FLASHING RED. If the BDI is FLASHING RED,
the user should charge the batteries as soon as possible.
NOTE: Accurate readings are displayed when in neutral.
MCC-MKIV X, A or A+ Joystick
BATTERY GAUGE DISPLAY (BGD) is the bar graph dis-
play located on the MKIV X, A or A+ joystick. It will keep you
informed as to power availability. A visual warning is given
before the power becomes too low to operate the wheelchair.
At full charge the two (2) LEFT segments and the farthest
RIGHT segment of the bar graph will be illuminated. As the
battery becomes discharged, the farthest RIGHT segment
will progressively move to the LEFT until only the last two (2)
bars (LEFT) are illuminated. At this level the last two (2) bars
(LEFT) will start to Flash ON and OFF to indicate that the end
user should charge the batteries as soon as possible.
NOTE: Accurate readings are displayed when in neutral.