The Complete Battery Guide for Mobility Aid Dealers - Valen
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The Complete Battery
Guide for Mobility Aid
Dealers
Importance of correct battery
technology and knowledge
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Industrial Battery and Energy Storage Solutions Provider
1300 734 253 0800 734 253
sales@valen.com.au sales@valen.co.nz
www.valen.com.au www.valen.co.nz
Introduction
The electric mobility aid market is highly competitive,
with an ever-increasing number of suppliers and
dealers. Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are
more in demand now than ever and play an integral role
in assisting both the disabled and the elderly in their
day-to-day lives.
To keep your clients happy and your reputation as high as it deserves to
be, you need to ensure that the mobility equipment you sell are reliable
and perform at the highest possible capacity.
Callbacks to deal with maintenance issues can sometimes be the result of
problems with the batteries. These problems can be due to:
–– The cells being faulty or low quality
–– The batteries installed are not the ideal technology for mobility aids
–– The client is not following best practices for charging
Batteries used to power mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs can be
expensive, so it’s always essential to use high-quality batteries which are
the right technology type to suit the demands of mobility aids.
It’s also essential to educate your customers on how they can get the
longest possible life from their batteries.
In this eBook, the experts at Valen explore some good-to-know technical
battery information as well as advice for improving your customer service
outcomes.
In this eBook, we’ll take a look at:
–– The importance of educating your customers about
their batteries
–– Which type of battery is best to use in mobility aids?
–– Battery charging guidelines for mobility aids
–– FAQs mobility aid users have about batteries
AUS 1300 734 253 NZ 0800 734 253
INDUSTRIAL BATTERY & ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDER
The importance of Educating
your Customers about their
Batteries They will thank you for it!
In the mobility aid business, there are some key pillars which will contribute to your success:
–– Telling your value story
–– Having a quality foundation - products that deliver on their promise
–– Education - so your customers know how to get the best from their purchase from you
The last thing you want is for your customers to abuse the batteries in their mobility devices
unknowingly and then come back to you looking for answers.
Dealing with enquiries and maintenance calls costs you time and labour. In most cases, your
business won’t be at fault for battery-related issues, unless you’ve installed sub-standard quality
batteries. It’s quite common for mobility aid users to neglect to charge their devices correctly; this
will significantly reduce their driving power. Nevertheless, having unhappy customers can damage
your reputation.
It’s better to be ahead of the game and set your customers up for a trouble-free experience with
their purchase by educating them on battery basics, such as:
–– How different battery technologies work and which type of battery technology should be used
in their device
–– How to properly take care of and charge their batteries to get the longest possible service life
This eBook will cover some critical information about the above points to help you educate your
customers about their batteries.
TOP TIP!
Making the most of your Showroom
Retail space costs money, so it’s natural to want to make
the most of your investment in every square metre.
This means balancing how much space you allocate to
displaying mobility scooters and how much space you
allocate to promoting the batteries that drive them.
One of the key ways to do this is to ensure that your
product displays, including your batteries are:
–– Eye-catching
–– Easy to keep fully stocked
–– Capacity to hold brochures and information resources
so to act as a ‘silent salesman’ when your staff are busy
talking to other customers
AUS 1300 734 253 NZ 0800 734 253
Which type of Battery is best to use in Mobility Aids? A high quality and reliable rechargeable battery is essential for powering any mobility scooter or electric wheelchair. Gel and Hybrid Gel batteries are used widely in mobility aids as opposed to AGM and Lithium batteries. Over the years, many of our reseller customers have asked us why this is the case. There are significant differences between these types of batteries to be aware of and each technology is better suited to specific applications. To help give you the best battery solutions to your customers and reduce the need for replacements, let’s take a quick look at the ins and outs of each battery technology. AGM Batteries AGM is an acronym for Absorbent Glass Matting which is the material in which the electrolyte is held inside the battery. As opposed to traditional wet cell batteries, the internal construction of an AGM battery has the acid immobilised in the AGM separator located between the positive and negative lead plates. While AGM batteries are rechargeable, the number of charges and discharge cycles is restricted to the depth of discharge of each cycle and the conditions the battery is exposed to. AGM batteries are primarily designed to supply power fast and for a short period of time. They are ideal for use in standby applications where energy is required due to mains power failure, or there is a lack of alternative energy. Hybrid Gel Batteries Both Hybrid Gel and Gel batteries are VRLA batteries. “Pure” or “Standard” Gel batteries utilise a heavy Thixotropic Gel separator to contain the electrolyte between the lead plates. On the other hand, Hybrid Gel batteries are constructed by using a combination of AGM separators with Liquid Gel Colloidal Silica electrolyte. This design gives the Hybrid Gel battery technology the advantage of increased cycle life in comparison to the standard AGM alternative. Hybrid Gel batteries are also able to deliver maximum cyclic performance from day one, which is an excellent advantage over other VRLA batteries. These batteries are particularly well suited for use in mobility aids. They have increased cyclic discharges compared with AGM batteries as they utilise Silica Gel electrolyte, which maximises the battery life and delivers ultimate reliability reducing the need for replacements dramatically. 4 AUS 1300 734 253 NZ 0800 734 253
INDUSTRIAL BATTERY & ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDER
Gel Batteries
Gel batteries, like AGM batteries, have the acid immobilised inside the cell. However, in Gel
technology, the acid is immobilised in thixotropic silicone gel. The separator used is typically
a combined porous polyethylene material which supports the Gel between the plates. It is the
combination of Gel and the separator which allows the user to obtain substantial benefits of this
technology.
While a Gel battery of equivalent physical size to that of an AGM battery may have a little less
capacity, the cycling ability of a Gel battery allows for greater longevity in cyclic applications, e.g.
mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs.
Additionally, Gel batteries are able to withstand deep
discharges and recover their capacity.
Gel batteries are designed to release power slowly
over a long period of time, making them perfect for
cyclic applications. As mobility scooters and electric
wheelchairs require a very high power demand over a
long period of time, it is easy to see why Gel batteries
will give the mobility aid user a better long term
battery solution.
Lithium Batteries
Unlike VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries, Lithium batteries are classified as “dry”
batteries as they do not generate power from a liquid solution, and they do not produce gas. Thanks
to the chemistry differentiation between Lithium and Lead-Acid batteries, Lithium batteries will
charge faster.
A Lithium battery weighs around a third of its conventional Lead-Acid companion. This lack of
weight has the added advantage of allowing the mobility scooter to move efficiently with less draw
on the motor and battery.
The cost of a Lithium battery is around three to four times the price of a
standard AGM battery. This cost may be high, but the longevity is very
evident in previous client installations. Once client installed Lithium batteries
into a mobility scooter, and for the first time, he replaced the mobility
scooter and not the battery!
Lithium batteries have a higher cyclic life than VRLA batteries and can be
discharged to a deeper depth of discharge without affecting the battery
life. The higher cycle life results in the Lithium equivalent battery to a VRLA
battery having a greater useable power for your client.
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Battery Charging Guidelines for
Mobility Aids
One of the critical reasons mobility aid users experience issues with their batteries
is because they don’t always follow the best charging practices or use their charger
correctly.
Mobility aid equipment that receives regular, routine charging will reward the user with dependable
performance, consistent power and a long battery lifespan.
Approved mobility aid VRLA battery chargers have an inbuilt “smart” function which regulates the
charge and ensures the VRLA batteries are correctly charged. With these types of chargers, you
cannot over-charge the VRLA batteries. Users shouldn’t be wary of overcharging the batteries.
Best Charging Practices
–– Fully charge the batteries before using the mobility scooter or powered wheelchair for the first
time
–– Always charge the batteries after every use
–– Never allow the batteries to run completely flat
–– Charge the batteries at least once a week when the mobility aid is not being used or is kept in
storage
Correct Charging Procedure
–– Turn the mobility aid switch to the OFF position
–– Plug the battery chargers’ power cable into a power outlet
–– Connect the battery charger’s plug to the charging port on the mobility aid
–– Ensure that the charger lights light up (check the connection if this does not occur)
–– The charging LED function will depend on the brand of charger, so ensure that the charger is
performing at the required charge LED light function
99 For our Valen Fan Cooled Chargers, the orange LED light should be on
99 For our Valen Convection Cooled Chargers, the orange and yellow LED lights should be on
–– Leave the charger connected for a minimum of 2 hours after the LED light is indicating finished
to ensure a complete charge
99 For our Valen Fan Cooled Chargers, the green LED light should be on to indicate the battery
is fully charged
99 For our Valen Convection Cooled Chargers, the green LED light should be on to indicate the
battery is fully charged
–– Disconnect the charger from the mobility aid, then from the power outlet
–– Run the mobility aid before riding to verify the deep cycle battery charge
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INDUSTRIAL BATTERY & ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDER
FAQs Mobility Aid Users Have
About Batteries
Q. Can I use my Mobility Aid Battery Charger
Overseas?
It depends on the type of charger used as different countries use different voltages and frequencies
of electricity. If a mobility aid were to plug in a mobility battery charger while overseas that is not
rated for the outlets’ voltage, the charger might be severely damaged.
The good news is that there are some chargers on the market that have been designed to cope with
a range of different voltages. For example, our Valen Convection Cooled battery chargers have a
110-240VAC input range. This range means they are compatible with all voltage ranges from around
the world.
Q. Can I take my Mobility Aid on an Airplane?
The short answer is yes. While airlines specify that batteries are forbidden on airplanes, they also
state that batteries used in mobility aids are exempt from this rule.
It’s important to note that the user will first need to contact their airline and request approval before
their flight. They will also need to declare the batteries during check-in.
Additionally, they will need to provide a test certificate or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to
the airline to ensure their batteries have been tested to meet Section 38.3 of the United Nations
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and is therefore permitted to be
transported by air.
Q. How long do Mobility Scooter or Powered
Wheelchair batteries last?
Like the longevity of most products, the answer to how long the battery will last depends on a few
vital but straightforward factors.
Choosing the right battery technology for the client’s mobility aid equipment is vital. As we
mentioned previously, there are a variety of battery technologies each with individual features
and benefits. You will need to match the most suited one of these technologies to the client’s
requirements.
Ensure that your client is using the correct sized and technology battery charger.
Depending on the client’s scenario, most mobility aid equipment VRLA batteries last over 2-years.
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Looking for a reliable battery
supplier experienced in the
Mobility industry?
Valen are much more than just industrial battery experts.
We pride ourselves on offering ongoing, expert advice through our technical support team to all of
our mobility dealer and reseller clients.
With our high-quality batteries, callbacks will be reduced, ensuring that your reputation remains as
high as it deserves to be.
We have the capability to:
–– Supply a wide range of batteries, battery chargers and battery testers
–– Provide valuable technical advice and on-site training for installers
–– Offer fast distribution around Australia and New Zealand
–– Assist with end-of-life recycling
If you’re thinking of changing battery supplier, speak to us today. Let us know
your requirements as well as your issues and challenges. We’ll provide sound
technical assistance so you can make that final decision with confidence.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
1300 734 253 0800 734 253
sales@valen.com.au sales@valen.co.nz
www.valen.com.au www.valen.co.nz
8 AUS 1300 734 253 NZ 0800 734 253
INDUSTRIAL BATTERY & ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDER
Our team is ready
to deliver! Making the Promise
Delivering the Promise
Keeping the score
Complete Solution Quality Control
Valen are an End-to-End Solution With our in-house quality control
Provider; so we offer you a complete team and state of the art facilities,
system solution! Being able to offer we ensure the delivery of a unique
the complete solution we save you product that meets and goes beyond
the hassle of having to search for your expectations.
additional suppliers. From design to
supply, we are with you every step of
the way! Technical Support
Our support doesn’t stop once you
invest in our products; with our
Innovative Products experienced and skilled technical
At Valen we take pride in being team we assist you even after sale. If
original, so we have an exclusive you have any questions about your
range of products for our clients. System or Products purchased, our
These unique products and technical team have the answers.
innovation ensure you stay at the
front of an ever changing market.
Personalised Training
Our qualified team of experts are
readily available to provide world
class training to your team. Thus,
ensuring you remain up to date
with the latest battery technologies,
safety and testing.
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