What Part Of Wheelchair Can Be Water Damaged? Helpful Guide

If you’ve been helping someone use it for a while, it’s beneficial to learn what part of wheelchair can be water damaged. The frame, seat, battery, motor, brakes, gearbox, and joystick are the parts that you need to look out for. For non-electric wheelchairs, the features that are prone to water damage include the seat and frame.

In this content, we will discuss how to prevent water damage to the previously mentioned parts. If ever your wheelchair gets wet, it is also essential to know what needs to be done to limit the damage. Lastly, there will be tips on properly cleaning and maintaining your wheelchair so it will last much longer.

what part of wheelchair can be water damaged

 

Parts Of A Wheelchair That Can Be Water Damaged

 

1. Frame

Whether you are using a manual or electric wheelchair, the body and frame are susceptible to rusting. The joints are common targets of rust, as well as any part that has contact with other rusting materials. This type of rusting is called contact corrosion, which is one of the three types of rust.

If you have an electric wheelchair, check out this article on how to reset a power chair. This is essential since they are more delicate and prone to water damage.

 

2. Battery

If you have ever driven any motorized vehicle before, you probably noticed that the battery’s terminals are usually the first to rust. The same is true for electric wheelchairs, whether yours have wet cell or dry cell batteries. A defective battery will cause poor performance of the wheelchair to the point where it might not even start.

 

3. Motor

The motor is the heart of your electric wheelchair. Just as the heart has ventricles, the atrium, and the aorta, the motor has shafts, brush, bearings, commutator, magnets, and coils. Each component plays an essential function in the overall work of the unit, and water damage to any of these has detrimental repercussions.

 

4. Brakes

In most vehicular accidents, the common reason spat out by those involved is that their brakes malfunctioned. You do not want this same thing to happen to you. Brakes have springs, magnets, and coils that can rust when exposed to water.

 

5. Joystick

Since it runs with electronics, water damage to the joystick and display panel is commonplace. This will probably cost you the most bucks to repair since panel control boards are specialized components.

 

6. Gearbox

The latest releases of vehicles today almost always come with a gearbox. One disadvantage of owning one of these vehicles is that the car is essentially good for nothing if the gearbox is flooded. The same goes for electric wheelchairs, so make sure to take good care of the gearbox.

 

7. Seat

It may not be as precarious to have a seat wet as with the other parts, but paying attention to this part is still important. When left unattended, the seat can be a breeding ground of molds, which can then cause damage to other parts of the wheelchair. Molds proliferate in the presence of moisture, so keeping your seat dry must always be top of mind.

 

How to prevent water damage to your wheelchair?

 

Check the weather

The weather is unpredictable, but you can adjust your schedule depending on the weather forecast. If that is not possible, check out some wheelchair motor service to pick up and drop you off at the nearest place to your desired location. If this option is still not viable, make sure to bring a wheelchair poncho and joystick cover to cover the essential components of your motorized chair.

 

Keep clear of puddles

If you are already on the road, it does not matter if the rain has already stopped. Puddles will be plenty and will derail your trip if not avoided. Whenever you need to go through one, go slow and avoid the center part where it is the deepest.

 

What to do when your wheelchair gets wet?

 

Seek shelter

You want to avoid inflicting much damage to your wheelchair when you are caught in a rain shower. So, the first action to take is to seek refuge and avoid soaking yourself and your wheelchair.

 

Dry your wheelchair

First, wipe off any excess water with a soft and dry towel. Next, put your wheelchair in front of a rotating fan at medium to high speed. Lastly, let your wheelchair air dry in a sunny or warm, dry place overnight.

To ensure that you get rid of most of the moisture, get a plastic bag of rice and wrap it around the joystick. The rice will absorb the remaining moisture and will help limit the damage to the electronics.

 

How to properly maintain a wheelchair

Whereas your budget largely influences the quality of the wheelchair you bought, it does not guarantee a long lifespan. A cheaper but well-maintained unit will probably last longer than an expensive but ruggedly used wheelchair.

Here are some suggestions on the proper maintenance of your wheelchair:

  • Battery – Use only the charger specific to the battery. If you are unfamiliar with the entire process, check out this article on charging a jazzy power chair.
  • Electrical components – Avoid getting the electronic parts wet. If it happens, dry as soon as possible. Repair or replace any damaged parts to prevent any further damage.
  • Cleaning – Use a damp towel to clean the surface of your wheelchair. Never hose down your unit, or else some electronic parts will be wet or damaged with the water pressure.

 

Conclusion

Are you still asking “what part of wheelchair can be water damaged?” Various parts of a wheelchair can get damaged if the necessary precautions are not taken after they get wet. Make sure to know how to avoid these scenarios and what to do in case they happen.

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