For electric wheelchair users, battery life determines the daily user experience and directly affects safety and reliability. Many users have the same question during daily care and charging management: Should electric wheelchairs be kept plugged in all the time?
This question seems simple, but it actually involves many factors, including battery type, charging habits, usage frequency, and safety regulations. Correct charging methods can significantly extend battery life, while incorrect charging behavior may lead to battery damage, reduced range, and even safety hazards.
This article will address this core question from a professional perspective, providing detailed answers and helping you establish scientific charging habits for your power wheelchair.
Should electric wheelchairs be kept plugged in all the time?
The answer is no: Electric wheelchairs should not be kept plugged in all the time.
Overcharging is not only unhelpful but can also shorten battery life.
It is generally recommended that:
• The charger should be unplugged when the battery is charged to about 90%.
• Electric wheelchair batteries should not be charged continuously for more than 14 hours.
Although modern smart chargers have an automatic power-off function after full charge, they cannot completely prevent the long-term damage caused by trickle charging. Keeping the power wheelchair plugged in for extended periods may lead to:
1. Battery overheating
2. Accelerated aging of battery materials
3. Decreased battery capacity
4. Shortened lifespan due to prolonged maintenance at full charge voltage
Therefore, keeping the electric wheelchair connected to the power supply for extended periods is not a healthy charging method.
Why shouldn't power wheelchairs be kept plugged in all the time?
This is because the types of batteries commonly used in power wheelchairs—mostly lead-acid batteries (AGM/Gel) or lithium-ion batteries—are not suitable for prolonged "full charge maintenance."
1. Lead-acid batteries develop sulfation problems when kept at full charge for extended periods
When lead-acid batteries are kept at full charge for extended periods, internal chemical reactions cause lead sulfate crystals to accumulate, resulting in:
• Decreased capacity
• Increased internal resistance
• Shorter range
• Reduced charging efficiency
Long-term accumulation will significantly affect battery life.
2. Lithium-ion batteries age faster at high voltages
Lithium-ion batteries are most susceptible to two conditions:
• Prolonged full charge
• Prolonged complete discharge
High voltage environments accelerate the aging of the positive electrode material, reducing the battery's cycle life.
3. Prolonged charging leads to "temperature stress"
Regardless of the type of battery, some heat is inevitably generated when charging.
Continuously charging keeps the battery in a slightly warm environment for extended periods, accelerating aging.
4. The charger does not completely shut off
Even after reaching full charge and entering "protection mode," a weak trickle charge process still occurs.
Maintaining this state for extended periods is very detrimental to the battery.
In summary:
Leaving an electric wheelchair plugged in for extended periods will damage battery health and affect overall performance.
How to properly charge an electric wheelchair?
Scientific charging methods are crucial for extending battery life. The following are generally recommended charging principles in the industry:
1. Unplug the power after charging to 90%–100%
Do not leave it plugged in after it's fully charged.
Charge until full, but do not overcharge.
2. Do not charge continuously for more than 14 hours
Most power wheelchairs only need 6–10 hours to fully charge, depending on the battery capacity.
Recommendation:
• Limit charging time to 8–10 hours
• Do not exceed 14 hours
3. Do not wait until the battery is completely dead before charging
Electric wheelchair batteries are not suitable for "deep discharge."
It's best to start charging when the battery level is at 20%–30%.
4. Avoid charging in excessively hot or cold environments
The ideal charging temperature is 10–30°C.
Extreme temperatures will reduce charging efficiency and damage the battery cells.
How to maintain the battery when the power wheelchair is not used frequently?
Many users do not use their electric wheelchairs every day. In this case, charging and maintenance methods require special attention.
1. Charge twice a week when not in frequent use
If the electric wheelchair is not used for extended periods, it is recommended to:
• Charge twice a week
• Charge for 5–10 hours each time
The purpose of this is to maintain battery activity and prevent deep discharge or performance degradation due to prolonged inactivity.
2. Do not let the battery completely discharge
If a power wheelchair battery remains at zero charge for an extended period, it will:
• Lose its reversible chemical reaction
• Be unable to recharge properly
• Fail prematurely
Complete discharge is one of the most damaging actions to battery life.
3. Do not leave the charger plugged in during storage
Leaving the charger plugged in for extended periods of inactivity is a common misconception that damages battery health.
Why do electric wheelchair batteries require regular maintenance?
Electric wheelchair batteries are "cyclic" batteries, and their lifespan depends on:
• Number of charge cycles
• Charging habits
• Depth of discharge
• Temperature
• Maintenance methods
If users neglect maintenance for a long time, the first problems that usually appear are:
1. Significantly reduced range
2. Rapid battery drain
3. Inability to fully charge
4. Sudden power failure after a period of use
5. Significantly shortened battery life
Good daily maintenance can extend battery life by 1–2 years.
Under what circumstances are electric wheelchair batteries most easily damaged?
The following are common behaviors that accelerate power wheelchair battery aging:
1. Leaving the power plugged in for extended periods
This is the most misunderstood but most damaging behavior to the battery.
2. Frequently leaving the charger plugged in overnight after a full charge
While convenient, this long-term habit will cause damage.
3. Using the battery until it is completely discharged before charging
Deep discharge significantly shortens lifespan.
4. Not using or charging the battery for extended periods
Natural battery discharge leads to excessively low voltage, which may be deemed as damage.
5. Charging or storing in extremely cold or hot environments
Excessively low temperatures can prevent proper charging, while excessively high temperatures accelerate aging.
6. Using non-original or non-compliant chargers
This can lead to unstable charging or even damage to the battery management system.
How long do electric wheelchair batteries last?
Although different from the main topic of this article, many users are very concerned about this, so we will provide a brief explanation.
With proper use and maintenance:
• Lead-acid battery life is approximately 1.5–3 years
• Lithium battery life is approximately 3–5 years
If charging habits are poor, the lifespan will be shortened by more than 50%.
Therefore, the charging principles mentioned in this article are not only important but also determine the battery's lifespan.
How to determine if a power wheelchair battery is charging properly?
You can determine if your charging status is healthy by observing the following signs:
• The battery does not overheat during charging.
• Charging time is normal, taking 8–10 hours to fully charge.
• The battery level decreases steadily during use, without sudden drops.
• Battery life is close to the stated specifications.
If you notice any of the following abnormalities, you need to check the battery or charger:
• Charging time is too short or too long.
• The battery gets very hot during charging.
• The battery cannot be fully charged.
• The usage time is significantly shorter after a full charge.
These situations may indicate improper charging habits or battery aging.
It's Best Not To Keep Your Electric Wheelchair Constantly Plugged In
Electric wheelchairs should not be continuously plugged into the power supply!
Best practices include:
• Unplug the charger immediately after charging to 90%–100%.
• Do not charge for more than 14 hours.
• If not used frequently, charge twice a week for 5–10 hours each time.
• Avoid letting the battery remain completely discharged or fully charged for extended periods.
These scientific charging habits can effectively extend the lifespan of your electric wheelchair battery and keep your electric wheelchair performing at its best.
What is Dahao Medical’s production capacity?
Dahao Medical has a robust production capacity, with over 8,000 square meters of manufacturing space and 195 advanced machines in our factory. This allows us to produce high volumes of medical equipment, including Electric Wheelchairs and Home Care Beds, while maintaining strict quality control standards. We have the ability to handle both small and large orders, whether you're buying in bulk for resale or need custom designs for specific projects. With fast lead times and efficient operations, we are capable of meeting the needs of clients around the world.
