power add-on for manual chair

[ancientgimp]

If in fact the pressure of the anti tipper bars against the rigid back is being transferred to the front casters and further loading them, then I wonder if use of the Freewheel (which works great on ZX-1 without any adjustments) with the ZX-1 would increase the range?

We are calling our ZX-1 the Mars Rover.

[SCI_OTR]

If in fact the pressure of the anti tipper bars against the rigid back is being transferred to the front casters and further loading them, then I wonder if use of the Freewheel (which works great on ZX-1 without any adjustments) with the ZX-1 would increase the range?

We are calling our ZX-1 the Mars Rover.

On the other hand, if those forces are shifted onto the backrest, and subsequently to the entire chair, the FreeWheel would add more stress to the footrest than it already does.

Fortunately, deceleration would tend to be more gradual with the FreeWheel and you wouldn't use in on a van ramp. Situations where the powerbase would tilt forward should be rare.

These are the types of issues that the vast majority of people haven't thought of until now.

[pattherat]

On one of the RESNA tests where a 250lb user travels down a 6 degree ramp at full speed and turns suddenly and reverses direction 180 degrees and travels uphill, if the rear wheels of the manual wheelchair are too high during this maneuver, the chair could tip over sideways. When trying to find a solution it was observed that the rear Frogleg fork deflected and possibly added to the problem. The real solution came by adding a proximity switch that reduced the speed to 40% when the manual wheelchair's rear wheels are lifted too high by the ZX1. It's important to keep your rear wheels as low as possible at all times, even slightly scrubbing the ground. They act as a sort of training wheel or outrigger. The ZX1 is allowed to raise the manual wheels higher for when encountering obstacles like thresholds where the rear manual wheels may interfere with traction to the drive wheels. After manuevering past the obstacle you should lower the rear of the manual chair to the safe driving position.

To be clear I don't work for or represent Spinergy and they must make the final decision on what they think is necessary to put out as a product that they feel is safe in every possible use. I can only give my advice.

Having said that, in my opinion it is a non issue and a polymer could be used. I have them on all of my ZX1s and they are on the others that I originally built and sold with no problem that I'm aware of. I would though recommend getting their stiffest polymer. Under normal use the difference will be negligible because most of your weight is transferred directly to the drive wheels.

[Mac85]

Back to the topic, Spinergy called me today and they offered to ship me a new anti tip something - I was half asleep so I can't remember what it was. They offered me a overnight shipping which was very impressive but I told them that Monday is fine Since I don't want the UPS guy waking me up in the morning

That's great. It's what I'd expect from Spinergy. Let us know how it works out.

They shipped it ground to save a buck... and I'm not sure if they sent the right part we'll see on Thursday
I just found out that They shipped a rear frog legs setup

[pattherat]

So going down a van ramp, the front casters will be under greater load because the Anti-Tilt Assembly would be pushing against the backrest?

That's right, but most of this is caused by the user leaning forward and putting his weight on the armrests which is natural but if you can avoid doing this then only suddenly stopping mid ramp would cause the ZX1 to rotate forward. It takes practice but I have no fear going down a steep ramp with no anti-tilts. It's not reasonable to expect every user to master this before using the ZX1 so hence the anti-tilt mechanisms that prevent this. Also if you have your armrest brackets setup correctly for your chair's COG, and no anti-tilts, the armrests can only dip down a few inches which is disconcerting but shouldn't throw you out of your chair.

[larry1975]

I go up and down my house and van ramp with no problems, I go down everything on the lowest speed setting which I have set at 35%. The ZX-1 does tip down forward but it's nothing now that I've been doing it for a little over 2 years.

To pattherat I have an original ZX-1 that you made do you have a list where I can buy parts should the need arise?

[pattherat]

I go up and down my house and van ramp with no problems, I go down everything on the lowest speed setting which I have set at 35%. The ZX-1 does tip down forward but it's nothing now that I've been doing it for a little over 2 years.

To pattherat I have an original ZX-1 that you made do you have a list where I can buy parts should the need arise?

You should be able to order anything you need from Spinergy.
And yes the anti-tilts are coming very soon.

[elarson]

Flying with a ZX-1

We are getting a ZX-1 power add-on and a Firefly power handbike in the next couple of weeks. In August we will be taking an international flight from Europe to the US, and then a domestic flight in the US.

I need to book the flights soon, and will need to give information about our equipment requirements. We will be in cities (NYC/Chicago) where the ZX1 would be best for half the trip, and in a wilderness area where I think the Firefly will be best the other half of the trip.

I'm trying to decide if we should take only the ZX-1 or Firefly, or if we could possibly take both. We would need to check the ZX-1 and/or Firefly, but I'm not sure if we would be allowed that much equipment.

Whatever we gate check, I'm thinking of covering with bubble wrap, pallet wrap, or at minimum, cling wrap.

Any idea's, tips, etc?

[amyk]

I had a team hybrid viper which I took to the us twice and Canada once (transatlantic) plus two domestic us flights on the same trip. Each time I left it attached and told them it was permanently attached to my chair, and I brought the battery on board. This could be an issue. The viper battery is nicad, but the zx1 battery is sealed lead acid. Most us airlines IN the us will allow you on board with it because they're afraid of a messy pr fuss - but the fact is they are risking their own insurance, as the IATA guideline they have to follow to get their coverage says specifically that sla batteries are not allowed in the cabin.

According to the IATA guidelines, there are 2 types of wheelchair battery: sealed and unsealed, both lead acid. I have 2 power chairs with lithium ion batteries, one of which I brought to china in 2008. Although at first the pilot (it's up to him/her) said it had to go on the hold, I showed the material cert from the company, which showed it the same as a big laptop battery, and so allowed on board. I brought the other one to Chicago via Atlanta last August. On the transatlantic I had no issue, once they saw the word ’lithium' printed on the battery. They never even checked on the domestic flights.

I have NEVER been allowed to take a sla battery on board a transatlantic flight, and I always argue, sometimes just for the sake of it. BUT it's not difficult to pack it to go in the hold. Just don't get caught out!

Eta: remember that any kind of bubble wrap or whatever, has to be quickly ripped off in the airbridge before he can transfer back in. I occasionally remember to bring a big garbage bag I can tape down to leave the bottoms of the wheels free, but that's rare... And I never have one for the return. Who take a spare garbage bag on their holidays? So long as the brakes are off, no worries...

[Mac85]

We are getting a ZX-1 power add-on and a Firefly power handbike in the next couple of weeks. In August we will be taking an international flight from Europe to the US, and then a domestic flight in the US.

I need to book the flights soon, and will need to give information about our equipment requirements. We will be in cities (NYC/Chicago) where the ZX1 would be best for half the trip, and in a wilderness area where I think the Firefly will be best the other half of the trip.

I'm trying to decide if we should take only the ZX-1 or Firefly, or if we could possibly take both. We would need to check the ZX-1 and/or Firefly, but I'm not sure if we would be allowed that much equipment.

Whatever we gate check, I'm thinking of covering with bubble wrap, pallet wrap, or at minimum, cling wrap.

Any idea's, tips, etc?

You have to be really careful when flying, they damage your equipment. They don't care if it's a wheelchair or scooter or anything else, they just throw it in the airplane like it's a piece of luggage trust me I've flown before and I always ended up with a damaged part. You have to make sure you secure your equipment as best as you can so that nothing bad happens to it.

[nonoise]

Be aware of current lithium battery regs. I have no idea if these from this source ( http://ebikes.ca/store/store_batteries.php ) are up to date or not: "Please note that due to recent changes in transport regulations governing lithium batteries when shipped to the US and internationally they are classified as Class 9 Dangerous Goods. We are able to ship under these regulations using our FedEx International Priority service but FedEx charge a $50 handling fee and it's an extra $10 packaging surcharge because of the increased shipping requirements. "

[SCI_OTR]

Lithium ion batteries are used in the SmartDrive, but not in the ZX-1.

[nonoise]

Lithium ion batteries are used in the SmartDrive, but not in the ZX-1.

She is taking the Firefly which I believe also has a lithium battery. It could be shipped separately ahead of their arrival.

[Gordy1]

We too are planning to fly with my son's Firefly in the near future. I will be dismantling the Firefly so that it can be packed in a bag, and checked in. I specifically asked the airline about the Lithium battery, and here is their response:

"Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with spillable batteries or with lithium batteries. Provided that the wheelchair or mobility aid can be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded always in an upright position then the battery may remain installed in the wheelchair. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuits, e.g. by being enclosed within a battery container, and the battery must be securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.

We already put a note on your booking that you will be bringing a lithium battery as a checked baggage."

So the first part of the response isn't really relevant to us, as the battery will be separate from the Firefly. But I intend to have the battery available to show at check-in, to prove that the terminals can't be short-circuited, then put it back in the bag.

Our airline is Emirates, who are usually very good with wheelchairs etc.

As an aside, we did travel with a Levo standing chair some years ago, which has a battery to power the standing function. When we went to pick the chair up (it had been checked in as oversize luggage), the battery had been removed from the chair, and was sitting near the chair, upright, undamaged. It was firmly fixed to the chair when we checked it in, so someone must have removed it for some reason. Odd.

[amyk]

I'm very interested to hear the firefly has a lithium battery (I seriously am doubting the reasons for wet-cell batteries, for travel or anything else), but it might be better to send air travel discussions to a new thread - returning this one to the zx1. Although I would like to know if there are plans to evolve the zx1 to dry cell technology...