Deciding On Battery Power

Once you’ve figured out what type of battery you should get – gel cell or wet cell – you need to figure out the battery power you need. Battery power is rated in amp hours and comes in three sizes. If you want a more powerful battery, you’ll get one with a higher number of amp hours. Wet cell batteries tend to have amp hour ratings ten percent higher than that of gel cell batteries.

The three sizes of battery power are group 22, 24, and 27. A group 22 battery is the standard size. A group 24 battery is suited for heavier high performance chairs. The most power goes to the group 27 battery which you might use for extended travel distances and frequent use over sloped terrain.

Wheelchair Accessories To Make Carrying Things Easier

The number of wheelchair accessories you can add are endless. If you’re looking for wheelchair accessories that will help you carry items on the go, take a look at our list for some ideas on what you can use.

Pouch Packs – Hang pouch packs on your wheelchair for easy access to your personal items. You can use Velcro attachments or an over the armrest attachment to carry everything from pens to books and more.

Arm Tote – A little bit larger than pouch packs, an arm tote hangs over the armrest of your wheelchair. You can find compartments for your cell phone and wallet as well as store your papers in a zippered area.

Back carry-ons – This takes a bit more work to reach around and get your items, but with back carry-ons, you’ll have more room for your belongings and will also have compartments to organize whatever you want to bring with you.

Under the seat packs – Under the seat packs work by carrying items under your wheelchair seat. You can find ones that will hold laptops, notebooks, or even clothing. These wheelchair accessories require more dexterity to reach under your wheelchair seat for your items.

Getting The Right Battery Charger

If you’re considering which battery to purchase for your wheelchair, it’s also time you consider what battery charger you plan on getting as well. A battery charger for your wheelchair is typically made for a specific battery rating and battery type. If you plan on changing your battery rating or battery type, you’ll likely need a new charger as well.

Choose an automatic battery charger so that it will shut off when your battery is completely charged. If you choose a manual one which continues charging even after your battery has reached full capacity, you run the risk of damaging your batteries. If you do decide you’ll need more than one type of battery, remember to look for battery charger models which allow you to charge more than one type of battery.

Cushions: Try Before You Buy

"Shop...and...compare online...before...you buy!" No, that isn't you with sore muscles or a gotta-go complex. That's William Shatner in the Priceline commercials.

While Captain Kirk, aka Denny Crane, aka Mr. Priceline, doesn't show any signs of needing a wheelchair, he's a try-before-you-buy kind of guy. You can't try before you buy with airlines, but you can with wheel chair cushions.

You can't send back wheelchair cushions you bought online--at least not if you've had them for a year! But you can go down to your local mobility aids store or consult your doctor. Ask to try out several before picking wheelchair cushions. Try a cooling wheelchair cushion or a solid air one with a little bounce. Check the way it fastens to your wheelchair. Is it large enough? If you have an Enterprise "captain's chair" in your electric wheelchair, does the cushion help you or make you leap out of your chair as if the ship's being attacked by Klingons?

As another "Star Trek" star (who pretended to replace his captain in the Priceline ads), would say, it's only logical to try before you buy. Now, if you could just try out that Hawaiian vacation. Oh well. Ahead...Warp Nine...engage!

The Difference Between Gel Cell and Wet Cell Wheelchair Batteries

If you’re in the market for new wheelchair batteries, you need to know what your options are. There are two main types of wheelchair batteries: gel cell and lead acid (also known as wet cell).

A gel cell battery is the most common type of wheelchair battery. They are costlier than their wet cell counterparts. However, maintenance is lower since you don’t have to deal with maintaining water levels or acid spillage as you would with a wet cell battery.

A wet cell battery has been known to last longer. However, in recent years, the gap between the battery capacities is closing due to advancing technology. Many airlines will not allow a wet cell battery on board because it contains hazardous materials.

Using Clothing Guards

If you find yourself frequently going outside with your wheelchair and finding your clothes dirty in the process, consider getting clothing guards to help keep clean. Clothing guards, also known as side guards, keep your clothing from getting caught on the wheels or dirt from splashing on your wardrobe. You can select armrests for your wheelchair with built in clothing guards. If you’d rather go without armrests at all, consider separate side guards to protect you from outdoor grime. You’ll find clothing guards made of various materials, including plastic, metal, and cloth.

Deciding Whether Or Not To Add Wheelchair Armrests

Deciding what to add on to your wheelchair yields a lot of options, including whether or not to include wheelchair armrests. Wheelchair armrests would serve you well by allowing you to position yourself more easily while in your wheelchair. At the same time, they can also get in the way if you’re at a desk or wheeling your manual wheelchair. Before you decide to whether or not to add wheelchair armrests, take a look at some of the benefits and disadvantages.

• Wheelchair armrests can help prevent spinal problems by allowing you to relieve pressure on your spine.
• You can use armrests to help you shift your weight in your wheelchair and get more comfortable.
• If you have limited upper body mobility, armrests can help you maintain your balance, especially when you are at an incline.
• If you have shorter arms, armrests may hamper your accessibility with the wheels.
• You may have a harder time reaching sideways with a wheelchair armrest.
• If you have a power wheelchair, you’ll likely have an armrest regardless. However, if you have a manual wheelchair, consider that most armrests are removable, so they might be worthwhile to at least have on hand.

Wheelchair Trays To Make Daily Activities Easier

Want to make daily activities such as reading, eating, and playing games easier in your wheelchair? Consider the addition of wheelchair trays to your wheelchair. Wheelchair trays provide a flat surface like a table so you can enjoy daily activities right at your wheelchair. You have a wide variety of choices and materials to select from depending on your preferences and needs.

• Consider a laminate wheelchair tray for easy cleaning and tasks like eating or crafts which may involve messier cleanups.
• For a wheelchair tray you can leave attached to your wheelchair, but still offers you flexibility, select a half wheelchair tray which flips up and down.
• For a comfortable tray with appearance in mind, get a padded, vinyl, upholstered version of the wheelchair tray.
• If visibility and functionality are what you have in mind, consider getting a clear wheelchair tray.

Types Of Wheelchair Cushions

Wheelchair cushions are vital to making your wheelchair comfortable as well as ensuring proper posture. There are several types of wheelchair cushions you can choose from. This handy guide will give you the basics.

Foam wheelchair cushion – The foam wheelchair cushion is an inexpensive and lightweight seating option. Keep in mind it’s prone to wear within a short period of time.

Gel wheelchair cushion – If you want a comfortable option, choose the gel wheelchair cushion. The downside to this type of cushion is that it is heavy and may have gel leakage.

Air flotation – This waterproof, lightweight seat cushion will keep you comfortable during wheelchair use. However, the air flotation seat cushion is prone to puncturing and requires frequent monitoring of its air pressure.

Urethane honeycomb – The urethane honeycomb is a newer type of seat cushion which provides you with good support and helps to absorb shock.

How The Alternating Pressure Seat Cushion Works

When you’re sitting for a long time, you need some form of pressure relief to stay comfortable and prevent stress on the surface of your skin. An alternating pressure seat cushion works to accomplish pressure relief through an air pump. For instance, the ErgoDynamic Seating System pumps air into and out of varying parts of the seat cushion, helping to relieve any pressure you might feel after using your wheelchair for a length of time. Alternating pressure seat cushions have a heavier weight, due to the necessity of pumps and batteries. However, technology advancements over time, will lesson the weight of this type of seat cushion.

Cooling Cushion or Pad? Keep Cool

You're hot. But you knew that. You're also uncomfortably warm thanks to friction. Do you choose a cooling wheelchair cushion or a cooling wheelchair pad? Picking wheelchair cushions is hard! Why not both if it's a hot day and you're dealing with friction? You can fasten a cooling wheelchair pad to the chair back, and a cooling wheelchair cushion to the seat.

You're so hot you're cool. But can you stay cool so you never let them see you sweat? Many cooling wheelchair cushions and pads contain technology to stay cool for days without refrigeration.

So let your natural coolness and hot looks shine through now that you don't have to worry about heatstroke. You're on fire thanks to your personality, not because of your chair.

Wet and Gel Wheel Chair Batteries

Is a gel or wet electric wheel chair battery better? As Deion Sanders says, "Both." Unless you happen to be traveling on an airplane. Even with football star perks, Mr. Sanders would have to remove wet wheelchair batteries from his wheelchair when flying.

But Mr. Sanders would have to recharge his gel wheelchair batteries, since they have 10-20 percent less capacity than a wet wheel chair battery. For a jet-setting football player, that might pose a problem. He could carry wheelchair battery chargers...or he could just opt for a wet wheel chair battery.

Sanders would, however, have to make sure that the team doesn't pour all the water on him during the victory dance (every two months a wet electric wheel chair battery needs the water changed). Still, football players with bulked-up muscles are equal to the task of reaching and lifting the batteries. Just watch the guys—someone might pour Gatorade in as a joke.

You might not be a pro football player, but armed with information about wet versus gel, you can make a good call when selecting wheel chair batteries.

Kid-ding Around with Wheel Chair Batteries

You're a kid and despite the chair, with its awesome racer-like style, you feel you can do anything. You even learned how to charge the batteries...you read the manual while your parents are struggling with programming the VCR/DVD combo. You know about the plugs wheelchair battery chargers need. See, you're a responsible kid with an aptitude for all things mechanical. How come your dad gets upset when he sees you trying to move your wet wheel chair battery?

Relax—he's not dissing your initiative. He's probably proud (parents have to tell you how to do things, share their wisdom and all that). Then your grandma jumps in with tips she learned. Turns out she can charge an electric wheel chair battery better than you can. And, she reminds you, you forgot the water for your wet wheel chair battery.

To be honest, you could use your dad's help lifting those wet wheelchair batteries...they're heavy, even though you're the strongest girl on your wheel chair basketball team.

So yes, kids can do anything, and you can charge and change those batteries...but be smart about it. Talk to your grandma, read the manuals, talk to the people who sold you the wheelchair (ask about selecting wheel chair batteries). Watch how to install a wet or gel electric wheel chair battery.

People say kids today are lazy. But nothing slows you down (including explaining to your mom one more time how to surf the Web).

Wheelchair Anti-Theft Accessories

You've got cameras and alarms in your house and car, in your office, and at school...did you ever think you'd need wheelchair anti-theft devices? If not, you've been choosing wheelchair accessories unwisely.

Sad to say, there are probably people who get their jollies out of stealing your wheelchair—there's such a thing as karma, the ultimate wheel chair accessory. However, you don't want to give anyone the chance to rip you off. While alarm wheelchair accessories usually prevent patients from getting up and wandering off, they can also keep your chair from disappearing or getting trashed (again, karma works too.)

An anti-theft wheelchair accessory bar fastens to the wheels, stopping movement—It's like the Club for wheelchairs. An overhead anti-theft wheel chair accessory device fits all brands of wheelchairs. It may not deter everyone, but you can't forget karma.