Mobility challenges are bringing the need for scooters, wheelchairs and powerchairs into the domain of those who are experiencing transportation issues. It is the fact that you can have your independence restored and not have to rely on others that make them so appealing.
After making your choice of mobility scooter, it is vital to get to grips with fault finding and understanding the means and ways of maintaining and fixing your scooter if it develops a problem.
Some of the more common faults are linked to the battery, a simple loose connection or maybe a malfunctioning part. To be reassured that your mobility is back within your capabilities, fixing minor faults is practical and can save time and money as well. Learning to repair some minor issues increases the breadth of your overall knowledge of your device.
Mobility scooters come with a battery, a charger and a user manual. You are advised to read and try to understand the manual as soon as possible. This will help you learn how to use your mobility scooter and troubleshoot some minor problems.
Mobility scooters and powerchairs are powered by batteries and their life depends on several things. Your weight and the speed you ride at are two of the factors that determine how long a single charge will last. Another issue is the terrain that you have to navigate while riding with your device. These elements combine to make regular charging of your battery important.
Troubleshooting
There will be some issues that crop up more frequently than others while you are using your device.
One of the most regular to develop a fault is the battery. If the battery will not hold a charge, it could be time to change the battery itself. Using a multi-meter, you can find out if the voltage is low. If it is, it may be simply a case of needing to be charged up but if this is ineffective, you may ned to replace the battery. You may need to check the charger itself or the charging port for problems too.
Motor Problems
A multi-meter would be a useful tool to have in your kit since sometimes you may need to check the motor’s voltage and resistance. Furthermore wiring, fuses and circuit-breaker are issues worth checking regularly. These may be causing the motor to mal function.
Electrical Issues
If your scooter is not working correctly, wiring could be worth checking, for loose connections, damage to wiring or short-circuiting. Try pressing a reset button to resolve electrical problems. If the issue perseveres you may need to contact a professional and get advice.
Steering and Control Issues
Problems with steering will make your device difficult to operate. The throttle and potentiometer (a manually adjustable variable resistor with 3 terminals) will need to be checked for signs of damage or wear. The controller may be at fault, and it is possible this may need to be replaced. Also, faulty wiring and connections can bring about faulty or intermittently bad behaviour.
Ignition Issues
If your device fails to start you may have a faulty ignition key or ignition switch. Check these for signs of damage or wear. Repair or replace are likely if these are broken
With these issues mentioned above, troubleshooting is possible and achievable to fix but be aware if your doubts can’t be put at ease please contact a reliable professional.
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