Wheelchair 24v battery - a question

[CoventryKid]

Hi:



I have a 24v wheelchair battery (actually 2x12v batteries - see diagram) and an external 24v charger that I'm wondering if I can use in my CT conversion. My fan, water pump, LEDs are all 12v.

Is is possible to wire the existing battery setup so that I can use the 24v charger to charge the batteries, then flip a "switch" to provide 12v output??

Long-term plan is AGM batteries and a "smart" charger/inverter, but I thought this might be a good first step i.e., already got, so no cost.

Thanks! Appreciate any help/advice!

[len19070]

I have a "Jazzy" Wheel Chair. It has 2, 12V batteries but it is all still a 12Volt system.

2 Battery's for 2 independent 12volt Motors on 2 separate Drive wheels. Its Charger is 12Volt, just split going to 2, 12volt Batteries

I believe this is how All Motorized Wheelchairs are.

However, your diagram does show it as a 24volt hook up??? Is this a chair or a Skooter?

But,

Why would you mess with that when a permanent charger is much easier, more dependable and automatic (always on)?

Happy Trails

Len

[Shadow Catcher]

The short answer is yes you can but depending on the type of battery it will provide not much in the way of current, as long as they are some variation on led acid you should not take them below 50% state of charge. Wiring to use the 24V charger could be done with a DPDT switch of sufficient ampacity.
While I am a fan of adaptive reuse I would feel you would be better off getting and installing a http://www.progressivedyn.com/all_in_one_pd4000.html and running your two batteries in parallel.

[CoventryKid]

Len: Battery and charger are from an Invacare AT'm power wheel chair. It has two motors, one each driving left and right rear wheels. Diagram definitely looks like 24v setup. I guess onboard electronics provide 12v to each drive motor. I thought, if it was not too difficult or messy, that I'd give it a try. I certainly don't want to screw up the electronics!

Shadow Catcher: Thanks for the link! I guess the bottom line for me is I'm not entirely sure of what I'm dealing with. I certainly don't want to mess up my wife's wheelchair.

[Shadow Catcher]

CK if it is in active use I would give it a pass. I assumed it was a salvage/reuse. It would be way too easy to get into the permanently damaging the batteries territory. I am betting one of the reasons for a CTC is to accommodate the needs of your wife and the chair. The Progressive Dynamics converter is arguably one of the best for the money, simple reliable and US made. Dedicate a circuit to charge the batteries of the chair.
Our setup includes a solar panel that supplies all of our needs and this could easily supply enough for charging the batteries from your wife's chair with out the use of a generator.