Keep It Clean. Like anything that has moving parts, your power wheelchair should be cleaned from time to time. You can use a spray bottle with soapy water for general cleaning, but take care to not get water in or around the electronics, motors, and connectors. For tougher cleaning, you can use a small amount of WD-40. Use computer dust-off (compressed air in a can) to keep all the dust from accumulating on moving parts.
Keep It Lubricated. Use WD-40 liberally on all of the hinged points and sewing machine oil where indicated in your manual. It’s good to lubricate every 30 days, or as needed when you hear a squeak. Remember this rule of thumb: If it is squeaking, it is wearing.
Keep It Charged. If you are using your chair every day, you should be charging it every day. A typical charge will take 8 hours. Try to never drive in the red zone on your charge indicator to avoid getting stranded without power. Driving in the red zone will unduly shorten the life of your battery.
Keep It Cool. Power chairs can take a lot of abuse, but like anything, heat can take a toll. When maneuvering in tight places on soft surfaces (especially carpeting) you are using incredible amounts of energy and that equals heat. That heat will shorten the life of the motor and controller on your power chair. The key to a long life for your power chair is to minimize this kind of use.
We hope these simple tips will help keep you and your chair humming a happy tune for many years to come!
