Wheelchair Parts

For people who are suffering from mobility impairments, a wheelchair proves to be a highly useful contraption to efficiently move around, both indoors and outdoor use. So if you are greatly dependent on the aid of a wheelchair, it would be quite unthinkable to find yourself in the middle of nowhere with a defective or damaged one with no sign of help anytime soon. Such predicament is not only frustrating and can also be potentially dangerous, especially if you don’t have any companion around. This makes it extremely important to keep your wheelchair in a good working condition to ensure optimum performance anytime and anywhere. Precautionary measures and regular maintenance care is the most viable solution for you, and this includes being familiar with your wheelchair parts.

Learning the basics on the proper maintenance care will help you make a better assessment if your will need to but some wheelchair replacement parts, and identify which one requires a more urgent attention for repair. With constant use, even the most expensive wheelchair will soon succumb to the ill effects of wear and tear and will eventually break down on you just when you least expect it to. So if you don’t relish the though of being caught off guard at the most inopportune time, then its time to have a crash course on the basic wheelchair parts if you want to enjoy a smoother and uneventful ride all the time.

Batteries

If you have one of those fancy powered or electronic wheelchair types, one of the most important replacement parts for wheelchairs that you should look into is logically the battery since you cant possible move another inch without it. Know the battery type your machine uses and don’t forget to always carry a spare one for emergencies. Most of these batteries also come with chargers that are usually available in three major types such as the wet batteries, gel and the AGM batteries. The wet batteries basically apply a chemical reaction between the sulphuric acid and lead in order to create an electrical charge. On the other hand, gel batteries contain a mixture of fumed silica, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and pure water. And for the AGM battery, it features an absorbent glass mat between the plates and is then soaked with some acid electrolyte to generate energy. So be sure to determine which type of battery you are using and keep handy a spare stored in your wheelchair compartment for easy replacement.

Casters

Still, even if you have new batteries, you won’t be able get far without the right wheels. Casters are the one of the wheelchair parts that needs to have regular check up to ensure a safer and smoother ride. These are the tiny wheels that you will see and the very front of your wheelchair that provides support for the base. Casters are often available in all sizes and shapes, and at times finding the appropriate one for your chair can be a rather tedious task. However, the average size usually ranges form 2 ¾ to 8 ¼ inches. Casters are selected by making measurements on your wheelchair’s ability to make a turn versus its capability to move over bumps. Make sure to have the right specifications required by your brand and as much as possible only buy the original replacement wheelchair parts just to be on the safe side.

Wall Guards

Wall guards are also one of the major wheelchair parts that you need to be familiar with, and often enough it is one of the most overlooked component in most of the wheelchair’s accessories. Wall guards are not attached on your wheelchair but are quite necessary if you are prevalently using your chair at home. To avoid the frustration of banging your chair into tight corners and sharp turns that can potentially damage your walls, installing some wall guards can definitely work wonders. This accessory also comes in various sizes. The 3–inch wall guards are usually used to provide protection from the scrapes made from the bottom of your chair and 6-inch ones will cover the wall up to the height of the armchair.

These are some of the major wheelchair parts that would need constant replacements and regular check ups. So make sure to check the parts every once in a while or solicit someone’s assistance in order to enjoy a fuss-free ride all the time.