I remember was my first two wheelchairs (power wheelchairs of course) I used acid, deep cell batteries. I also remember a couple of occasions whereby active not want to wait to go through a vendor so I went to a local place called Battery World (in my area) to get them with no problem. Now, I have had my Permobil 10 years and 2 months now with gel cell batteries and have only had to have been replaced twice. But here is a *first (one of my batteries actually blew up on and out of the positive post therefore completely disabling the other one)* Here is the story:
After coming home from Wal-Mart on Tuesday at around 5:30 pm, hubby & I sat outside to enjoy the weather. I began to smell a very very very strong sulfuric rotten egg smell but hubby [Dave] could not smell it although he was only a couple of feet away from me. I thought it was from a vehicle or something and the longer I just sat there are quickly dissipated. Then, unexpectedly, a friend stopped about 10 minutes later and we came inside. I was talking to her in the living room and, again, I could smell that very strong sulfuric rotten egg smell but she could not smell it either. I was quite perplexed at this time since the smell was so very strong and I was only a couple of feet away from two people who did not smell it! Finally, after going to the kitchen for dinner and smelling it again (Dave could not) and then going to bed—Dave said it was coming from the chair. Dave could finally smell it by then because he was transferring me directly from the chair. Also, the chair began to chug, chug along as if I was running out of battery charge which could not be the case because I did not run it all that much and it was fully charged. We put it on charge after I got in bed but in only 60 seconds it showed that it was fully charged. The next morning (Wednesday) we called DEPENDABLE because they were the last to change the batteries in the chair *6 years ago.* We were so very fortunate for two new men to be working there (Joe and Andy) and at first they did not think it was the batteries but then decided it was. So they immediately ordered gel cell batteries and they were supposed to come from Phoenix and arrive on Friday. I am only two hours away from Phoenix. So I was looking at being in bed for an indefinite period of time if it was more than the batteries alone. This is because my hypersensitive body will not allow me to sit in any other chair without having bad AD problems, etc. On Friday when we called (today, later yesterday morning) — as usual someone had not done their job and the batteries did not arrive. They are now coming from California and are supposed to come in on Monday. &($...@! ers! The guy who was working on my chair today was Andy and was very very very nice and very accommodating. He has been in the business for 20+ years and said he has never seen batteries last 6 years (5 yrs -yes. 6 yrs - no) and wondering how we were able to do that. LOL. We told him there was no great secret and that I had been running the chair for miles taking Brandy on MANY MANY WALKS over the years and so on and so forth. He also thought that the chair itself was in very good condition for being 10 years old. Anyway, thank God that he had some gel cell batteries that had been sitting on the shelf that he put in the chair so that I could have them over the weekend so I did not have to stay in bed until Monday (hopefully when the new batteries arrive). The batteries are huge and did not exactly "fit" my chair but they WORK so that I was able to get out late yesterday afternoon and be able to be up over the weekend. I have been in bed since Tuesday evening and, without being able to move and with it being more work for Dave to take care of all my needs when I am stuck in bed, I am so thankful he had the extra batteries on hand that would work with my chair. Also, we found out that the guy (Andy) who just looked at the chair and ordered my batteries for me, etc this week used to work for another company (Apria) and had put my other batteries in 6 1/2 years ago! He even recognized his writing on part of the old battery! LOL In sum, that is the downfall of gel cell batteries. Can't just go pick them up somewhere and install them yourself. Especially with a Permobil power chair like mine. Lori On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 11:53 AM, <wheelch...@aol.com> wrote: > Hi John, > > I would caution anyone considering wet cell batteries or anything less then > gel batteries as a dangerous move. > > When replacing batteries, look at what you have already and copy the name, > make, model, amperage and specifications. This way, no matter which brand > is purchased the size, specifications, and amperage will remain the same. > Most DME batteries are warranteed for 6 months. Auto Zone or Wal Mart may > offer you > a longer warranty term. > > Know what you are getting and know what your charger can handle. Do not > exceed those perimeters. > Best Wishes > > In a message dated 3/19/2009 1:23:22 P.M. Central Daylight Time, > alcibiat...@yahoo.com writes: > > If you pay for it you can get batteries a lot cheaper than DME's charge > at places like Auto Zone or WallE world. Be sure to get no-maintenance deep > cycle batteries. If you can get Medicare to pay 80% then your set. They only > pay for new batteries once a year. If you don't fly, don't waste money on > gell cell batteries. They are only good for about 150-200 recharges. I've > heard people on here say they get a lot longer life from Maintenance free > deep cycle batteries. Some places will install the batteries free. > Most wheelchairs use 22nfd size and type battery. Some wheelchairs are > beginning to offer larger batteries. > They shouldn't cost anymore than $70 each. (Gell Cell batteries can cost > $150 each, sometimes more.)Your battery charger may have a selector button > to charge Gell cell batteries or lead acid batteries. Be sure it is set to > the right position. > So, yes, you can get batteries for your wheelchair at most places that sell > batteries. > > john > > ------------------------------ > *From:* KK <kkba...@yahoo.com> > *To:* quad-list@eskimo.com > *Sent:* Thursday, March 19, 2009 12:59:37 PM > *Subject:* [QUAD-L] Wheelchair Batteries at Auto Zone? > > OK - my service contract was sold to another company that is 2 hours away > from my home. I do not drive. It is impossible for me to go to them. > > So today I get on the phone calling other wheelchair stores & one of them > told me to go to Auto Zone. They would have to order them for me. > > Is that correct? I have gone to Walmart & gotten a lot of supplies for my > chair, rain poncho, gloves, etc. Maybe they could handle batteries. > > > ------------------------------ >
