Range of motorized wheelchairs/batteries

[Texas Star]

If my neuropathy progresses, I may no longer be able to drive and the neurologist said that I may need one of those "scooter" motorized wheelchairs.
I dread the very thought, as anyone normally mobile would.

But if needed, how long will those things run on a battery, and are they rechargeable? How far from home could I risk getting? How bulky are the charging units?

I suspect some variance, but is there a range to expect?

Also, does anyone know anything about hand controls to operate a normal car?

I hate to ask about this, but this place is a remarkable source of arcane knowledge. And the doc had no answers, just a suggestion of worst case possibilities. Told me to see a social worker for details.

 

[Onomea]

T-Star, very sorry to hear of your neuropathy. In Tokyo it is fairly common to see people in motorized wheelchairs out and about the city, so I think they must go pretty far on a charge. Battery technology in general is a whole lot better than it was just a few years ago.

My late mother used a golf cart for getting around our property in rural Virginia, and when she moved into an old folks home initially rode around, inside and out, on a electric three wheeled scooter. After about eight years the staff took it away from her because she refused to slow down and was terrorizing her fellow residents, or so they said. That PO'd her pretty bad. In her case she transitioned at that point to a manually operated wheelchair and got around at a pretty good clip by shuffling her feet.

You might want to check on regulations for where you can ride your possible vehicle of choice as well.

Good luck to you!

 

[Kanewpadle]

Tex, hand controls are available but I don't know about the cost. Takes some getting used to though. Had a friend long ago that drank too much and couldn't drive home. So I had to. It was interesting.

Have another friend that has a couple different power chairs. They are fast and powerful. The batteries seem to last quite a while. He would go a few miles and then back. Last time I saw him, he somehow installed a small solar charger to the chair increasing his range.

He also has hand controls on his vehicle. And a power chair carrier on his hitch. So his range is only limited by gas.

Good luck buddy.

 

[jlrhiner]

The wife made me go to Disney world, and I had to use one there. Charged over night and used all day. I don't know about distance though.

 

[DeathGrip]

There's a guy around town that has a electric motor attached to a three wheel bike. I see him everywhere. The road I usually see him on he travels about 5 miles that I can see. He's moving along faster than I would care to try to pedal. I think I'd get winded trying to keep up with him.

 

[dnonac]

Texas Star....
Sorry to hear that you might need a powered chair. I have a Jet 3 Ultra that was my dads before he passed away a couple of years ago. If you might be able to use it, send me a PM. The batteries need to be replaced but the chair is in great shape.

I don't know a lot about these chairs but this brand has rechargeable batteries....or a built in charger in the chair. The chair comes with a cord that you can simply plug into any wall outlet.

I wish you well,
Craig...

 

[snowman]

If my neuropathy progresses, I may no longer be able to drive and the neurologist said that I may need one of those "scooter" motorized wheelchairs.
I dread the very thought, as anyone normally mobile would.

But if needed, how long will those things run on a battery, and are they rechargeable? How far from home could I risk getting? How bulky are the charging units?

I suspect some variance, but is there a range to expect?

Star,

I assist my wife-to-be's stepmother with her scooter. I set it up, along with her husband's, and keep it charged. The answers to your questions have some variables which make it somewhat difficult to nail things down. But I'll take a stab at it:

All units have rechargeable batteries. The chargers are small; the one that came with the stepmother's unit is a rectangular device around 3"x7"x1-1/2", and weighs probably less than 2 lb. It has a cord attached to each end, one of which plugs into a receptacle on the battery assembly(there are 2 batteries on this unit), and the other into a wall socket. When the unit is fully recharged I put the charger on a shelf in the lady's closet.

She can use her scooter roughly 2 weeks between charges. But she only uses it to go down a hallway to supper each evening which is roughly 50-60yds. one way, and then to special programs held there at the retirement home. The hallways have a very low pile carpeting over concrete floors which make it easier for the scooter to roll. If one uses their scooter outdoors on lawns, etc. that will use the juice up considerably faster. The same is true if one regularly has to ascend any kind of incline. On decent sidewalks or other hard, smooth surfaces, and in a flat area, you can go quite a-ways. In this latter instance, I would guess that one could go half a mile and back without needing a recharge; that is just a guess, keep in mind. Different machines will differ, of course. I'm thinking that you could call any medical supply store and someone there would have a more accurate answer for you.

Of course we hope the best for you, Star. But I've had to use crutches everywhere I go for the past 20 years. Each of us does what he has to do to get along, and I've gotten used to it for the most part. When the kiddies ask me, "What happened to you?", I just say, "Hey, I'm better off than you; you only have two legs and I have four!"

Best wishes to you, our friend.
Andy


P.S. I just noticed that an earlier poster knows someone whom he estimates can go a few miles and back between charges. That shows you how accurate my estimating ability is. Oh well, underestimating beats overestimating, I guess!

 

[Cyrano]

We use a Go-Go scooter at the gun shows as my partner is very bunged up in the legs. It disassembles into 4 parts for easy storage in a car trunk. The charger is smaller than a package of regular sized envelopes. We charge it up beforehand and can run it all day for two days without recharging. Don't know whether you could go for three miles or so and then return, though. They have a basket in front where you can put whatever strikes your fancy. I'm looking for a Ferrari emblem to put on the front of ours.

 

[Muley Gil]

There was a lady that came into the office where I work, riding in her chair. She said that her battery was low and could she charge it there? I believe she hadn't charged hers in awhile. I know she lives about a mile-mile and a half from my office. I'd guess she has a 4-5 mile range, at least.

 

[2fingers]

Texas Star, I have a 4 wheel scooter with 2 rechargeable batteries that require overnight charging when they are fully depleted. The scooter will run 25-30 miles on a charge, with speeds up to 8mph. It also has turf tires on the back so I can run it outdoors around the yard, usually take my dog "Harley" out back to our lot to play ball or run on his 100ft. cord. He likes to ride with his head looking around the side to see where we are going. The scooter has a basket in front and one in back, with 4 shockasorbers and a swivel seat.

 

[bobf]

There are a lot of different models. The one I'm familiar with has two deep cycle batteries and a detached plug in charger. When the batteries need recharging it takes 6-8 hours to fully recharge. It has indicator lights for level of charge, depending on use this one gets recharged about once a week.

The charger is about 12" L x 5" W X 2" T and is fully automatic.

Different models have different size batteries, this one is a big one and depending on load, terrain and speed is supposed to be good for about 15 miles.

One of the places you can see what is available is the scooter store on-line store.

Bob

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks, all. I'm getting a feel for things, if it comes to that. It might never get that bad.

Right now, if I can't drive anymore, the basic need is to get to the grocery store and the branch library. I'd need about 5-6 miles range to feel secure. Three miles might get most trips, round. But I need a basket to carry at least two bags of groceries.

The alternative is to call taxis or the city's handicapped ride program, which I'm investigating. Shuttles or taxis at greatly reduced rates.

I'm just checking all alternatives, at this point, and hoping that things get no worse. I do see a lot of people out on those powered chairs, I think even at shopping malls and sometimes along streets. And in grocers, but I bet they got there in vans.

I'll check laws about them, but think that if I can access sidewalks and avoid the street, they're legal. But most sidewalks aren't always even and safe to traverse that way, I bet.

I hate to ask someone in a chair. Probably will call medical suppliers, but they have an incentive to sell, so may lie some. I wasn't able to Search with any effective result.

Thanks for all help. Someone else here may also need this info and be too embarrassed to post.

 

[jeffsmith]

I have used Hand Controls to drive for 36 years
There are several models and kinds

I have used the permanent mounted ones
and now have a portable unit I can switch between cars
and also remove so my wife can drive without them being in the way

If you plan on driving just one vehicle the permanent ones are a good way to go

Most Importantly find a place that will help you relearn how to drive
often the places that sell & install hand controls have a program to do this

Don't be proud as you can end up in a "World of Hurt"
if you don't learn how to use Hand Controls them properly*

But once you get the hang of them you will have few problems

*Take my word on this i speak from Personal Experience

 

[walter o]

scooters

I don't know about powered chairs but my wife had a GO-GO scooter and rode it constantly when we went shopping ,to the Co.fair <and to flee markets . The batteries are rechargeable and the chargers small .We kept the scooters in the back of a P.U truck and Just plugged them every night after a day of use .Their many different sizes of scooters ,chairs to chose from.They make your quality of life better . One other bit of advise is to shop at scooter stores and look&touch the different types try them out.Then go on line and buy one most will be free delivery to your home and will cost about 1/3 the cost from a brick& mortar store. The 1st one i bought my wife cost $1700.00 At store,i later found the same one om line for$800.00 .Her last scooter was bought on line . The batteries can also be purchased on line at a good savings when you need them.
Hope this helps.

 

[bobf]

If you are medicare eligible they will pay if they approve it. I have seen some advertised for sale for about the same amount as medicare co-pay. I'm guessing the user no longer needs it.

A friend has a pawn shop and usually has one or two for sale, not new but serviceable for around $300.

Bob

 

[SW_shooter]

Hey T-Star;

This isn't about the scooter. I am seeing a neuropathy specialist for non-diabetic issues. They treat foot and leg pain and are having huge success, they are doing so well their procedure is being sought after by a large medical company for the rights to take it national.

Hit me up on a private messageand I'll give you more info if you're interested.

David

 

[Texas1941]

Sorry to hear about you problems. I hope it does not come down to it, but if it does, you have many options.

I've been driving with hand controls since 1965. I had polio in '51, so it's the only way I've ever driven.

The fixed hand controls will cost a little under $1100 (that's what I paid last May when I bought a new truck. I only got 14 years out of the last one. Man was I bummed.) I bought the truck new from Ford, and they rebated the cost to me. You have been driving with you legs for most of your life, so I'm sure there will be a learning curve and some training will probably be neccessary, but nothing you can't handle. I've never noticed the hand controls getting in the way of someone else driving the truck. Both of my exes, friends, etc have had no problems.

I've never had a scooter, but about 10 years ago I started using a Quickie (insert suggestive joke here) folding wheelchair. At the time I was flying about twice a week, and the long walks at the airport just got to be too much. I keep it in the back of the truck and use it for trips to Wally World, stuff like that. It weighs 28 pounds and I have no trouble managing it. I use it at the range a lot too; it's much more comfortable than those darned old hard benches.

If it comes down to it, you will find a way to keep mobile. The world will still be out there, and you will still want your piece of it. Best of luck to you.

Charles

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks, everyone. It's very encouraging to hear this.

A former in-law (a brother's ex-wife) uses hand controls and she may be able to tell me what I need to know. BUT...she cautioned that unless I can get a doc to certify that my condition (a muscle-wasting neuropathy) is not progressive, I probably can't get a prescription for hand controls for a car.

At this point, I'm still walking okay with a cane, but need to be able to get around and run errands. I hope that all works out. But if anyone wants to offer prayers that the condition stabilizes and I find the right answers, I'd appreciate it. I think that sometimes helps.

 

[deralte]

According to most brochures they get somewhere around 14 to 15 miles per charge.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I received a call from Comm Center late one night that a resident from a local nursing home had a verbal disturbance with the staff and left the facility on his electric wheelchair. I found him southbound on U.S. Hwy 41. I "Blue Lighted" him but he refused to stop. There was negative traffic and he was travelling on the edge of the road with lights. I followed thinking that the wheelchair battery would soon quit. Mile after mile we traveled. I finally notified Comm Center that I was 10-31 (in pursuit) 10-18( full emergency)) on a wheelchair. Units from surrounding Agencies responded and a traffic stop (no, not a Felony Stop) was made. After much discussion (and kidding on "Old Sarge) a County Unit transported the electric wheelchair and driver to the driver's relative home. (just another night shift story without violence).
The wheelchair driver repoted that with a fully charged battery, he could go 30 miles (?).
Jimmy