Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-08-12 Origin: Site
Electric wheelchair is an important tool for disabled or elderly people. Though it can help them a lot in the daily life, but the maintenance is a hard work. Even the best power wheelchair, there will be various problems. Here are 7 common problems and solutions of electric wheelchair. Next time when you have these problems, you can easily have a check by yourself, instead of searching for the help of wheelchair manufacturers each time.
Electric wheelchairs rely on a combination of motors, batteries, controllers, and mechanical components working together. When any one of these parts has an issue, the whole system can be affected. Understanding the most frequent problems — and knowing how to diagnose them — can save you time, money, and frustration. In many cases, the fix is simple enough to handle on your own without specialized tools. For more serious issues, you will know when it is time to contact a professional repair service or your electric wheelchair supplier for replacement parts.
Why i can't start the electric wheelchair ?
Why the joystick don't light up?
Why batteries for a wheelchair can't hold a charge?
Why batteries for a wheelchair can not work as good as before?
Why the electric wheelchair runs much slower than usual?
Why i can't drive the electric wheelchair smoothly?
Why i can hear the abnormal sound when driving ?
Press the start button but there is no response? You can have a check from these aspects:
1. Have you installed the electric wheelchair batteries correctly?
2. Have you turned on the power ?(By checking whether the light on the joystick is on or off )
3. Make sure the electric wheelchair is on the "Power " mode instead of "Manual" mode. Under "Manual " mode, the wheelchair can only be pushed manually.
4. Make sure the charger and power cord are not plugged into the unit. Many electric wheelchairs will not work under the circumstances.
Press the start button but the electric wheelchair can only moves a short distance
1. Make sure that the circuit breaker has not been tripped and make sure the wires and the breaker are in good shape.
2. Make sure the wires and connectors are in proper condition. The poor contact may lead to this problem.
3. Make sure the throttle / joystick feels right.If they can't spring back correctly, please check the assembly.
Additional tips: If none of the above solves the problem, check whether the battery connectors are corroded or loose. Corrosion on the terminals can prevent electrical contact entirely, even if the battery itself is fully charged. Clean the terminals with a dry cloth and make sure the connection is tight. Also, some models have a safety lock or key switch — make sure it is turned to the "ON" position. If your wheelchair has been stored for a long period without use, the battery may have discharged completely. In that case, plug it in and allow a full charge cycle before trying again.
The joystick don't light up when press the start button, it may caused by following aspects:
1. Whether the power was turned on or not. You can check the controller.
2. Make sure you have connected the controller to the power appropriately.
3. Make sure the electric wheelchair batteries are fully charged.
Additional tips: A joystick that does not light up can also be caused by a damaged cable between the controller and the main body. Inspect the cable for any visible kinks, cuts, or pinched sections — especially near the folding hinge, where cables are most likely to get damaged over time. If the cable looks fine but the joystick still will not respond, the controller itself may have an internal fault and should be replaced by a qualified technician. When choosing a replacement, make sure the new controller is compatible with your specific electric wheelchair model — controllers are not universally interchangeable.
If your batteries can't hold a charge, you should check the battery charger first.
1. Is the charger plugged into a working outlet? You can use other electrical goods to test.
2. Are you using the right charger? Don't mix all your chargers up, most of them are incompatible.
If there is no problem of the charger, you can have a check of other parts.
1. Make sure all parts are connected correctly and efficiently.
2. Check whether the battery is fully charged or not. If it is already fully charged , many electric wheelchairs have the overcharge protection function.
No matter the charger or the battery, once you make sure that they can't work normally, please find the supplier and replace them as soon as possible.
Additional tips: Environmental factors can also affect battery charging. If you are charging the wheelchair in extremely cold or hot conditions, the battery may not accept a full charge. Lithium batteries perform best at room temperature (around 20°C / 68°F). Also, avoid letting the battery sit at zero charge for extended periods — deep discharge can permanently reduce a lithium battery's capacity. As a general rule, try to recharge when the battery drops to around 20–30%, rather than waiting until it is completely empty.
Many electric wheelchair users may find that the max driving distance is reduced. This is because the storage capacity of the lithium battery is getting weaker. When you meet this problem, please note:
Normally, batteries will simply deteriorate over time. It's performance will get worse and worse by constant use. But if If the battery has worn out unreasonably fast, you should find the professional maintainers to help you.
How to extend battery lifespan: While all batteries degrade eventually, there are several things you can do to slow down the process. First, avoid overcharging — unplug the charger once the battery is full, rather than leaving it connected overnight on a regular basis. Second, store the wheelchair in a cool, dry place when not in use. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates battery degradation. Third, if you will not be using the wheelchair for more than a few weeks, charge the battery to around 50% before storing it, and check the charge level every month. A completely drained battery that sits unused for weeks may never recover its full capacity. JBH wheelchairs use detachable lithium batteries that are easy to remove and store separately, which makes battery maintenance much more convenient.
For most electric wheelchair, the max speed is 6 km/h. Some users may found that their wheelchairs run much slower than usual. What happened?
1. Have you adjusted the speed by accidentally? For most wheelchairs, the speed is range from 0~6 km/h. Check the controller to see the speed you have set.
2. Are you using a special wheelchair, like reclining wheelchair or standing wheelchair. These kind of wheelchair will reduce power output automatically when the
seat is not explicitly positioned for driving.
3. Driving on the complicated terrains like grassland, cobbled road will also influence the speed of your electric wheelchair.
Additional tips: A low battery is one of the most overlooked causes of reduced speed. When the battery charge drops below a certain threshold, many controllers automatically limit the motor output to conserve remaining power — this is a built-in safety feature, not a malfunction. If your wheelchair feels sluggish and the battery indicator is low, try a full recharge before assuming something is broken. Excessive rider weight beyond the chair's rated capacity can also cause speed reduction, as the motor has to work harder to move the load. Check your wheelchair's weight specification and make sure you are within the limit.
If you feel that driving your electric wheelchair is not as smooth as before, remember to check the tire.
As we all know , the tire is the basic part of the wheelchair.Tires on a power chair are either pneumatic (air-filled) or solid (foam-filled). If you have flat, punctured or damaged tires, your wheelchair would not run normally.
Another influence factor is the terrain. The feeling of driving on the uneven terrain are totally different from driving on the flat terrain.
Additional tips: If the tires are in good condition but the ride still feels rough, the issue may be with the casters or the suspension. Front casters that do not swivel freely can cause jerky steering, especially when making tight turns. Check for hair, string, or debris wrapped around the caster axle — this is a surprisingly common cause of stiff steering. For wheelchairs with a shock absorbing wheelchair system, worn-out suspension bushings or loose mounting bolts can also lead to an unstable ride. Tighten any loose bolts and replace worn suspension components as needed.
When driving an electric wheelchair, you may hear the abnormal sound sometimes.
1. If the speed is too low, the abnormal sound would be appeared. You can increase the speed to avoid this problem.
2. If the wheelchair motors are damaged, the wheelchair will utter the abnormal sound. Then you should change the motor or send it to the repair shop.
3. Check whether you have assembled the wheelchair well, especially the non-welded joint part.
For your safety, we suggest you have a routine maintenance of your electric wheelchair. Especially the important part of brake, tire, controller and battery...It would reduce the unforeseen circumstances effectively.
Additional tips: Abnormal sounds can also come from debris stuck in the wheel spokes or the motor housing. Small pebbles, twigs, or even accumulated dust can create grinding or rattling noises. A simple visual inspection and cleaning can resolve these issues quickly. If you hear a clicking sound specifically when turning, it may indicate a worn gear or bearing inside the motor gearbox — this type of problem will only get worse with continued use, so it is best to have it inspected and repaired promptly. Ignoring unusual sounds can lead to more expensive repairs down the road.
Most of the problems listed above can be prevented or delayed with a simple maintenance routine. Here is a quick checklist to keep your folding electric wheelchair in good working condition:
1. Check the battery regularly. Charge it after each use and avoid letting it drop to zero. If you will not use the wheelchair for a while, store the battery at around 50% charge in a cool, dry place.
2. Inspect the tires. Look for signs of wear, cracking, or low air pressure (for pneumatic tires). Replace tires that are visibly damaged or excessively worn — driving on bad tires puts extra strain on the motor and can make the ride unsafe.
3. Tighten loose bolts and joints. Over time, vibration from daily use can loosen screws and bolts, especially on folding mechanisms and wheel mounts. A quick check every few weeks can prevent rattling noises and more serious structural issues.
4. Clean the controller and connections. Dust and moisture can build up around the joystick and electrical connectors. Wipe them down with a dry cloth periodically, and avoid exposing the controller to rain or standing water.
5. Test the brakes. Before each ride, give the joystick a quick test to confirm the electromagnetic brake engages properly when released. If the wheelchair coasts even slightly after you let go, have the braking system checked immediately.
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