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Software Vault: The Sapphire Collection
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Software Vault (Sapphire Collection) (Digital Impact).ISO
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SCOOTER.TXT
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1994-09-06
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Purchasing and Maintenance Tips
For Scooters, Lifts & Batteries
Presented by Mobility Plus Inc. attn: Steven Morrow (804) 471-1368
Consider the following before purchasing a scooter: Where will primary
use of the equipment be; indoors, outdoors or both, grass or rough
terrain?
When looking for a scooter for in-home use be sure to check door/hallway
widths. Most of the time bathroom door widths are too narrow. When
looking at indoor scooters stay away from front wheel drive scooters if
at all possible. Front wheel drive scooters usually have only one
battery which limits your range, and your outdoor use (should you care
to go out). They are usually not a comfortable ride and for the same
price you could purchase a rear wheel drive scooter which offers a
smoother ride, more speed, range, and more outside capabilities.
NOTE: If you need more door width to allow your scooter to pass
through, you may purchase a set of off-set door hinges instead of
having a contractor widen your doors (which is expensive).
Most consumers in need of a scooter should not pay more than $2,250.00.
This should include a scooter that is American made with an onboard
charger, rear wheel drive, 2 batteries, a basket, and delivered to your
home. There are companies charging too much for scooters who claim
theirs are better, thats why theirs are so much more expensive, hogwash.
All manufacturers have to pass the same FDA regulations before they are
allowed to sell scooters on the market.
Batteries must be GEL or SLA (sealed lead acid) type to travel by Bus,
Ship, Train, or Airplane.
If the scooter you are looking at has a transaxle drive system, make
sure the manufacturer will sell parts of the transaxle drive system
should a problem arise IE: brake assy, motor assy, transaxle assy. If
not, repairs will be very costly. Same goes for the many other parts of
the scooter IE: seat parts, not entire seat should you need a part.
Some manufacturers will not sell piece parts, or your dealer must buy a
set dollar amount or be charged a penalty (this is passed on to you).
Note: Do some checking yourself by calling the manufacturer and ask them
if piece parts are available for one of the above or must a whole
assembly be purchased?
LIFTS
If primary use of your scooter will be outdoors, or for travel, you may
need to consider how you will transport the Scooter.
Can you or someone who travels with you frequently pick up 40 - 50 lbs?
If so, Scooter may be dissasembled and transported in their vehicle.
INSIDE TRUNK OR VAN LIFT
If you are unable to pick up 40-50 pounds but your are able to pick up
the seat of your scooter (about 15 lbs), you may purchase a trunk lift.
Make sure the Scooter will fit in your trunk/van comfortably, not snug,
before purchasing. Customer may need to measure width and depth of
vehicle, take these measurements and match to scooter. Also, try to
stay away from lifts that you must assemble before the lift will pick up
your scooter. The reasons are (1) If you could pick up things you would
not need the lift (2) Although they are less expensive, they are not as
strong and it takes longer to get the scooter into the vehicle. (If it
is cold or nasty weather you are in the elements longer.)
If you own a van we recommend a C-ARM which allows seat to remain on the
scooter when loading. The rear seat of your van may need to be removed
for Scooter to fit.
FULLY AUTOMATIC OUTSIDE LIFT
Use if customer is unable to lift 15 lbs., Scooter will not fit into
trunk/van, or for the convenience of loading and unloading. This also
frees up trunk for cargo. These lifts allow you to keep your scooter
fully assembled. Please be sure you remove any loose articles on the
scooter before loading IE: baskets or cane. The lift should be fully
automatic in the unfolding/folding and securing of the scooter
procedures (no straps) so you do not have to lift anything. These lifts
requires a Class II or III hitch mounted 1" from bumper, with a 1/2" nut
with bolt, welded onto receiver 1 1/4" back from receiver pin hole to
minimize sway (this is called a pinch bolt).
NOTE: Most new vehicles will require custom Class II or III hitches.
You may also need to install heavy duty shocks if vehicle "sags"
too much.
The lift may obstruct the visibility of the license plate. Some states
require that license plate be visible. If your state requires your
license plate be visible, be sure the holder does not obstruct your rear
visibility (license plate should be low and to the side of your bumper,
etc.) Some carriers come with plate holders but they are so big they
obstruct the rear visibility because they are placed up above the
scooter instead of to the side.
We highly recommend Heavy-Duty lift cover by MED-COVERS to protect
Scooter during inclimate weather. Again remove any loose articles before
loading scooter.
** If vehicle has a lift gate you may consider a lift that has the
ability to be pushed out of the way without taking off the scooter
so you may gain access to the rear of your vehicle.
RAMPS
Inexpensive way of loading or unloading scooter in the side door or rear
door of van, truck, home, etc. Designed for quick and easy use and
portability.
NOTE: You must remove the middle seat of van when loading your equipment
through the side door.
MINIVAN DOOR MEASUREMENTS
DOOR WIDTH TO GROUND INSIDE WIDTH
CHEVY ASTRO 32" 24.5" 58"
GM SAFARI 32" 24.5" 58"
DODGE CARAVAN 30.2" 18" 54"
FORD AEROSTAR 31" 23" 58"
FORD WINDSTAR Side door too small, in most cases you must go
through rear door.
PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 30.2" 18" 54"
TOYOTA PREVIA 31.5" 21" 59"
VW EUROVAN 40" 19.5" 60"
With most minivans you can use a 5' to 7' ramp when loading your scooter
and on fullsize vans you can use a 7' or 8' ramp.
SCOOTER MAINTENANCE TIPS
Most scooters now are maintenance free. Your bearings are all sealed so
they do not require any lubrication. Check battery terminal connections
on a regular basis, and date your batteries on the day you purchased
them for warranty records. If your scooter has a chain or belt drive
system, consult your owners manual for proper tension adjustment. Do
not use WD-40 on any part of the scooter, this will dry out any
lubrication from the factory. When lubricating the chain, about every 12
months, use a bearing grease (only lightly lubricate chain) or a
motorcycle chain lube like BEL-RAY. If you have noise coming from the
chain, check to make sure there are no kinks in the chain and that chain
is aligned with the main drive gear. To clean the scooters body,
covers, seat and metal parts, use a damp cloth and a non-abrasive
detergent. Be sure not to get the electrical parts wet.
NOTE: When getting on and off the scooter be sure to lock the seat and
remove the key.
BATTERIES Some trouble shooting tips:
* If you use the Scooter, charge the Scooter!
* Deep cycle batteries do not have a memory!
* New batteries aren't lasting long? It typically takes about 10-20
charges to get the new batteries to 100% charge.
* Scooter won't charge. What is the voltage across each battery? It
should be about 10 volts each battery. If not, put a 12 volt, 5-10
amp car battery charger on the battery (after disconnecting battery
from the scooter and observing polarity) and let it charge for 15 to
25 min.(Don't let battery get hot). Now recheck the voltage.
Continue until each battery reads 10 volts, reconnect to scooter and
charge (meter should read from 3-8 amps then go down to 0 amps). If
the battery voltage never goes up, you need to replace the batteries
(always replace in pairs or you will need to buy 2 more). If the
scooters charger meter won't go up to 3-8 amps after you have charged
each battery to 10 volts, check the output of your charger. You may
check the charger output at the charger connector, you should have 24
VDC or more. Another way to check the charging system is to read
each battery with a voltmeter and record your readings, then turn on
the charger. Now recheck each battery with your metter, this reading
should be higher than the first readings, if not your charger is bad.
* Scooter won't go as long? This is normal as the battery ages and is
used. Check battery connections. Is customer fully charging
battery? (meter reads from 3-8 amps then goes down to 0 amps). Also,
it is recommended to charge batteries as soon as possible once meter
reads 50% charge, this helps the life of the battery. Take meter
readings while you are moving for correct power level remaining.
Purchase new batteries once usage between charges becomes
inconvenient.
* Do not expose batteries to temperatures below 32 degrees. If they have
been exposed to 32 degrees or less, allow several days to thaw out
before attempting to charge. Cold batteries (above 32 degrees) won't
last as long between charges.
* Be sure to purchase the correct batteries for your charging system,
consult your owners manual. Most scooters now only have chargers
designed to charge gel cell batteries, but some may be designed to
charge lead acid batteries. The two types of chargers are not
interchangeable with the two types of batteries. Also be sure to
purchase deep cycle wheelchair/scooter batteries only. Any other
type of battery will not work as effectively IE: cannot travel as far
per charge, and has shorter life cycles, so you will be buying new
batteries sooner than you should.
This concludes our training. Should you have any questions, concerns,
comments, or would like to inquire about any of these products, please
feel free to write us at:
Mobility Plus Inc.
attn: Mr. Steven Morrow,
1601 Big Springs Pl.
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
or phone us at (804)471-1368
Fax (804) 471-7280.
Ask for our free catalog!
***Sysop's Note: Steve may also be reached by sending netmail to Steve
Morrow at 1:275/429 (FidoNet) or 94:8040/1 (ADANet) or by logging on to
HandiNet B B S (804) 496-3320