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 Most
power wheelchairs are furnished
by the manufacturer with an appropriate
charger for standard lead-acid batteries.
If, however, the user plans to use
gel cell batteries, it is important
to check to see that the charger
provided will properly charge this
type battery without risk of damage.
In choosing a replacement charger
some points to be considered are:
- The charger should be automatic.
The charge rate should automatically
decrease as the battery becomes
charged so that the output of
the charger is at or near zero
when the battery becomes fully
charged. Poor quality chargers
continue to charge at rates
of 1 1/2 to 2 amps indefinitely.
This level of charge will eventually
cause overheating and actually
boil the fluid out of the battery.
- For 24 volt power wheelchairs,
chargers with capacities of
6 to 10 amps are usually required
to recharge the batteries within
a reasonable length of time.
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