Quantum 600 XL - Manual (Page 31)

Quantum 600 XL www.quantumrehab.com 31
V I . B A T T E R I E S A N D C H A R G I N G
To charge the batteries using the off-board charger:
1. Position the front of your power chair next to a standard electrical outlet.
2. Be certain the controller power is turned off.
3. Plug the off-board charger into the off-board charger/programming socket on the controller. See VII. “Operation.”
4. Plug the off-board charger into the electrical outlet.
NOTE: If it is a Pride off-board charger, then there are two lights in it. The red light indicates that power to
the off-board charger is on. The green light indicates that the batteries are fully charged. If it is not a Pride off-
board charger, then follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
5. When the batteries are fully charged, unplug the off-board charger from the electrical outlet and then from the controller.
Battery Break-in
To break in new batteries for maximum efficiency:
1. Fully recharge any new battery prior to its initial use. This brings the battery up to about 90% of its peak performance level.
2. Operate your power chair throughout the house and grounds. Move slowly at first, and do not travel too far until you become
accustomed to the controls and break in the batteries.
3. Give the batteries another full charge of 8 to 14 hours and operate your power chair again. The batteries will now perform at over
90% of their potential.
4. After four or five charging cycles, the batteries will top off at 100% charge and last for an extended period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the charger work?
The battery charger takes the standard wall outlet voltage (alternating current) and converts it to 24 VDC (direct current).
The power chair batteries use direct current to run your power chair. When the battery voltage is low, the charger works
harder to charge the battery. As the battery voltage approaches full charge, the charger doesn’t work as hard to complete
the charging cycle. When the battery is fully charged, the amperage from the charger is nearly at zero. This is how the
charger maintains a charge but does not overcharge the battery.
Can I use a different battery charger?
You should use the charger supplied with the power chair. It is the safest, most efficient tool to charge the batteries. We do
not recommend using other types of chargers (e.g., an automotive battery charger).
NOTE: Your power chair’s charger will not operate after the batteries have been discharged to nearly zero
voltage. If this happens, call your Quantum Rehab Specialist for assistance.
How often must I charge the batteries?
Many factors come into play when deciding how often to charge the batteries. You may use your power chair all day on a
daily basis or you may not use it for weeks at a time.
! Daily Use
If you use your power chair on a daily basis, charge the batteries as soon as you are finished using your power chair.
Your power chair will be ready each morning to give you a full day’s service. It is recommended that you charge the
batteries 8 to 14 hours after daily use.