FACTS on Scooters, Wheelchairs and Lifts

Have a few questions? We have created this page to answer your basic questions on scooters, power wheelchairs and lifts for your scooter or wheelchair. Of course, we are still available to answer any further questions you may have and there are several ways to contact us.

• The Shoprider Streamer power wheelchair is a rear wheel drive unit capable of carrying weight up to 350 lbs. outside over grass and gravel.

• Most power wheelchairs have a programmable joystick type controller that allows for excellent maneuverability in tight spaces.

• Most electric wheelchairs are equipped with 2 gell cell 12 volt batteries capable of going 15 to 20 miles on a full charge over level terrain. These batteries are also approved for airline transport as they are sealed batteries.

• All power wheelchairs from Tupper HH Care delivered with batteries and a charger.

• The charger for the power wheelchairs plug into a regular 110 electrical socket. Adapters are available for 220 outlets. You should charge batteries for a full 6 hours to achieve a full charge.

• Once the batteries are fully charged, the charger automatically shuts down to 1 amp, so there is no danger of "over charging".

• The Shoprider Streamer and Jazzy power wheelchairs have a variable speed control knob so you can set the top speed from 0 to 5 mph.

There are 2 different drive types in electric scooters. Rear wheel drive and front wheel drive.

All of the scooters and electric wheelchairs we sell come complete with batteries and chargers that are INCLUDED in the price of the scooter or wheelchair.

Rear wheel drive scooters have 2 - 12 volt batteries capable of traveling 15 to 20 miles before recharging is needed. These scooters have between 8" and 12" rear tires and are capable of traveling over grass and gravel.

Rear wheel drive scooters are capable of carrying between 250 to 350 lbs., depending on the model of scooter.

Heavy duty rear wheel drive scooters are available and can carry up to 500 lbs.

Front wheel drive scooters have smaller 6" wheels and are designed to carry up to 150 lbs.

Front wheel drive scooters are designed for indoor use or strictly over level pavement.

Front wheel drive scooters usually have a single 12 volt battery capable of traveling 5 to 10 miles before recharging is needed.

Scooters and power wheelchairs are electric and the batteries must be charged. The charger that comes with the unit can be plugged into a regular 110 electrical socket in your home.

Adapters are available to covert the charger to plug into a 220 socket.

Batteries should be charged for at least 6 hours for a complete charge.

The charger automatically shuts down to 1 amp when the batteries are completely charged, so you run no risk of damaging the charger or battery by "over charging". However, because of power surges and lightning strikes, we do not recommend leaving the charger plugged in when charging is not needed.

Batteries for most scooters and electric wheelchairs are gell cell sealed batteries. These type of batteries are approved by most airlines for transport. Just ride the scooter or power wheelchair to the gate, board the plane via the airline provided manual wheelchair and your scooter or electric wheelchair will be stored along with the luggage of the flight.

Most scooters have a variable type speed control. This means you can adjust the speed from #1 to #10, from a snails pace to top speed of up to 5 mph. This allows you to set the speed of the scooter or wheelchair to a speed that is comfortable to you.

The two types of lifts we carry are inside trunk, van or truck bed lifts and outside platform type lifts for the rear of your vehicle.

The inside lift works much like a crane. The base gets bolted into the trunk or rear of the van or truck bed. A boom arm is attached to the base and a strap with a claw hook on the end is reeled in by the boom. The claw hooks on to a t-bar attached to the scooter or electric wheelchair. The item is then lifted up electrically as the boom reels in the strap. You then swing it inside the vehicle and lower the item.

The lift runs off of your vehicle battery. A wire is run from the lift to the battery by the installer.

Outside electric wheelchair lifts and scooter lifts require a class 3 hitch on your vehicle with the 2" square receiver. The lift is then mounted on the hitch. The platform lowers electrically to the ground. You then drive or steer the wheelchair or scooter on to the platform. As you raise the platform electrically, a lock down bar or arm secures the item to the lift.

The lift folds up vertically against the rear of the vehicle when the scooter or power wheelchair is not on the lift.

In our local area, the hitch and installation is included in the price of the lift. If you are outside of our local area, most U-Haul dealers can install the lift and the hitch.

E-mail tupper@tupperhomehealthcare.com
Tupper Home Health Care Ltd.
2500 Cousins Ave. Courtenay BC CA V9N-7T5
Phone (250)338-8873
Fax (250)338-8873

Copyright ©: 19997, Tupper Home Health Care, Revised June 6, 2002

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