Wheelchair Motors

Out with the old and in with the new. This old adage is particularly true in the wheelchair industry. The availability of power or electric wheelchairs has significantly enhanced the lives of many people with disabilities and mobility impairments. Most of the modern wheelchairs today allow the user to navigate in almost all types of terrain surfaces with more ease and confidence than the manual ones could ever hope to provide. Which explains why motorized wheelchairs are considered to be the hottest new mobility aid in helping handicapped people enjoy more sense of freedom and independence like never before.

One of the most important components of any power wheelchair is the wheelchair motor, which basically acts the engine of a vehicle. With batteries, wheelchair motor is in control for the propelling of the user from point A to point B – all with just a touch of a joystick or controller. In most products today, the frame and the wheelchair motors can be suitably used in various driving conditions. In fact, most of the latest editions of electric wheelchairs today are equipped with powerful wheelchair motors and built to tackle even the toughest surfaces. There are basically three types of gear motors for wheelchair that you can choose from. If you are seriously contemplating on upgrading your manual wheelchair to an electric one, then its best to do your homework and make some background checks so you will have an idea which type of wheelchair motors is more suitable for your needs and mobility requirements. So here are a few pointers that you might want to keep in mind:

Two-Pole Electric Wheelchair Motors - this particular type is powered mainly by electricity that will enter the motor at separate two points. This type of motor is primarily ideal for wheelchairs utilized for indoor use and the user weighs no more than 250-pounds. However, if you are planning to use the wheelchair for heavy-duty activities, the two-pole wheelchair motors have a tendency to wear out more easily.

Four-Pole Electric Wheelchair Motors - this features a motor that is ran by electricity that’s enters at four areas. Such specification allows a more even distribution of heat and electricity, which significantly lowers the process of burn out makes it ideal for both outdoor and indoor use.

Brushless and Gearless Electric Wheelchair Motors - this is the most recent innovation in the power wheelchair industry that features lesser mechanical parts which would make contact all throughout its operation. This is known to be the most durable type of wheelchair motor today.

Still, the question remains, how do you actually know what type of motor is suited for you? A wheelchair with a powerful motor doesn’t necessarily mean its far better than the rest, Just like in the case of automobiles, a stronger motor would usually mean it also comes with a more expensive price tag. So what are the factors that you need to consider?

Of course the primary consideration is the amount of money you are willing to spend for your wheelchair. You naturally wouldn’t be so eager to spend a fortune on a piece of high-powered wheelchair if your needs and lifestyle don’t actually require you to have extra speed. Another consideration would be the type of terrain that you usually travel on, whether you require for outdoor and indoor use, or even rougher terrain. If the electric wheelchair you want is built only for indoor use, then you know better that to subject it to the rough surfaces or paved streets and sidewalks. Another important factor that you need to look into is the time you usually spend on the chair. If you are a regular wheelchair user requiring a wheelchair to cover long distances, transporting extra batteries to and fro may not be appealing for you, which means you will require a motor with lesser energy consumption.

Taking into account all these considerations would help you significantly narrow down your choices and find the most appropriate wheelchair for you. So make sure to discuss all the above-mentioned concerns thoroughly with your healthcare agent or wheelchair manufacturer representative before making a purchase.