To most disabled or aged senior citizens, the electric wheelchair is an important part and parcel of their lives because of the convenience and ease of mobility it has provided for them. Hence, maintenance of the wheelchair is important to ensure the continuous and smooth usage of the electrical wheelchair device. However, due to the heavy usage of the electric wheelchair and prolonged outdoor movements, it is inevitable that certain parts of the electric wheelchair will experience wear and tear. This is especially the case for smaller and weaker electric wheelchair parts such as the Drive belts, joysticks and knobs.
How to Replace Parts of Electric Wheelchair
A wheelchair is made up of hundreds of various small and big parts. It can largely be classified under many big sections such as the electrical systems which includes the controls, batteries and electric circuits. The mechanical system consists of the mechanical parts such as joysticks, knobs, drive belts, wheels, forks and bearings, motor parts, circuit breakers, connectors, motors and gear boxes. Since there are so many parts of the wheelchairs that may be replaced, we will only focus on the parts of electrical wheelchairs which are the most likely to be damaged.
The joystick is where the user controls the electric wheelchair directly, hence, it is also most likely to suffer wear and tear from usage. The joystick gimbals is also subjected to the same movements as the joysticks and typically they are both replaced as a set. Due to the modular design of the electric wheelchair, the joystick and gimbals can be detached as one and replaced by a new joystick set that the user prefers.
The wheels of the is also an easily worn out part of the electric wheelchair. It carries a heavy weight as well as moving on rough uneven surfaces. It is one of the most common parts to replace and we usually advise our customers to purchase additional set of wheels as a spare.
When to Replace Electric Wheelchair Parts
As a user or an assistant to the electric wheelchair, it is advisable that you learn how to identify when and which wheelchair parts need to be replaced. You do not wish to risk until the system has broken down before rushing to find the spare electric wheelchair parts. Meanwhile, the user will be stranded with a wheelchair that cannot operate. It does not require a lot of your time to know which parts of the wheelchair require replacement.
The first and most simple method is to do a visual inspection of the electric wheelchair at least once a week. This involves the user looking out for any visible wear and tear to the wheelchair parts. If the wheelchair were to have knocked into something, the dented section may have lost its anti-rust coat of paint. If you do not apply a new paint or replace the segment, rust may appear a few weeks later. Users should also check the condition of the drive belts which connects the motor with the wheel system. It may have worn off and at risk of snapping, stopping the electric wheelchair on its track.
Another method is for the user to sense the problems with the electric wheelchairs. The wheelchair user should have been very familiar with their system such that the slightest difference in user experience can be felt by them. This could be the change in the sensitivity of the joystick system or the braking problems. The braking may not be smooth as before.