View Full Version : Your Adapted Vehicle
Alrighty, looks like we have a cool new forum to talk shop about various gear. I figure might as well get it started with a topic of your car/truck/van/etc. and how it is adapted for your needs. So fire up that camera and take some photos and post 'em up http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
First up is my car, a Chevy Monte Carlo. Pardon the big scratches under the door, those were from my old TiLite TRA wheelchair with the sharp exposed bolt-on caster barrels that would dig in to the paint. I touched those up and retired the TRA for a TiLite TR which doesnt cause this sort of damage.
On the inside we have a shot of some MPD hand controls. These are push forward for brake, push down for gas. The work pretty good for me. For reference, I am a T6 para, I think this setup would work pretty good for any para. Transfers are very easy as the seat is pretty high and goes back quite far; the door opening is very large, which means easy access to the wheelchair to break it down as well.
Belle
07-16-2004, 08:08 AM
We have a booger green Honda Element. Eric liked it because it has suicide doors but is small SUV size. I think we have damaged it more by driving it through the wild animal park and feeding the animals, than from his wheelchair. So far anyway! Who knew a buffalo would stick its head all the way in??? lol.
He has hand controls. He used to have a seat lift but it was a pta and in the way of the door. So he and his dad removed it. Our controls look like *Andy*'s, except that they hang a little lower...he bumps his knees sometimes.
Kendell
07-16-2004, 11:13 AM
I'd be happy to take a pic and post it later, but for now I do have a question. We have a 94 Ford van(E-150 I think?) with raised roof, bout 52000 miles on it, VanGator Lift, one of those driver's seat that moves backward, forward, up, down and turns around on a track, and hand controls. As with anything with adaptive equipment, it wasn't cheap, but Debbie's old van was two feet from dead and we had to buy the newest van we could afford. Now it's ten years old, and starting to have some rather expensive problems.Much as I"d like to just sell this one and buy something newer, there is no way we can do that right now. Two big issues - we have a problem with having to jump the van if we forget to start her up for more than about two days. WE've had it checked and rechecked to find the reason for the battery drain and have gotten no good answers except that the two battery system might be putting a constant drain on the system. Anyone ever had that problem and found a cause that could be fixed? Second, the lift is having more and more issues and I fear it'll break down completely and we'll have to buy a new one. We are pushing the weight limit for it at this point. For various reasons Debbie has gained weight and her new chair weighs more than the previous one. I think a lot of the problems are coming from that. Bolts wanting to come out, a tilt to the lift when she goes up and down, hesitation when bringing the lift up and down. Or - maybe - it's just getting old. Anyone know of a way to reinforce an existing lift to handle a heavier weight, or if not, and we do have to get a new lift eventually, anyone know the best lifts to look at?
Melissa/Kendell
Belle....
I am about 2 seconds away from buying a Honda Element of my own. I always thought that they were kind of ugly until I got into one last night. Those suicide doors are the deal. It would be perfect for me and my chair. Are you guys happy with your purchase? Thanks ~Justin
"Another day that I can't find my head...My feet don't look like they're my own...I'll try and find the floor below to stand...I hope I reach it once again" ~Norah Jones
Originally posted by Kendell:
. Two big issues - we have a problem with having to jump the van if we forget to start her up for more than about two days. WE've had it checked and rechecked to find the reason for the battery drain and have gotten no good answers except that the two battery system might be putting a constant drain on the system. Anyone ever had that problem and found a cause that could be fixed?
This may sound kind of dumb but make sure your brake lights are not on. That happened to me about a month ago when my hand controls "adjusted themselves" so that it was pushing on the brake just enough to keep the lights on, the way i park my car i would have never noticed..luckely someone mowing the back lawn saw it.
pics of my cars http://members.rogers.com/fxdown/
[This message was edited by Down on 07-18-04 at 02:54 AM.]
~Patrick~
07-18-2004, 08:40 AM
Originally posted by Kendell:
Two big issues - we have a problem with having to jump the van if we forget to start her up for more than about two days. WE've had it checked and rechecked to find the reason for the battery drain and have gotten no good answers except that the two battery system might be putting a constant drain on the system.
Melissa/Kendell
Sounds like you have what is called a "negative short". The only easy way to track it down is to begin disconnecting stuff and constantly checking the battery to see if it has stopped draining. I just traced one in my wifes care to a plug in the trunk that had been crushed by the trunk latch.
T-10 complete
10/08/01
Kendell
07-18-2004, 10:22 AM
Patrick, we did find out there was a short in the lift which we had fixed. Didn't help with the battery drain, though. I agree there must be another short somewhere, but if all the diagnostics run already haven't found it, I"m at a loss where to check next. Somehow, I suspect it just might be somewhere else in the lift, but if they didn't find anything else before I don't know if they would now. Cars - gotta love them. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Down, I will check the brake lights. Thanks for the idea. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif
Melissa/Kendell
Kendell, have the batteries been replaced? It could be possible that the batteries sulfated and the plates in the batteries are shorting out in the battery cases themselves, especially since you mentioned that there was a short in the lift that previously ran the batteries down apparently. Most car batteries cannot handle extensive run-down cycles without damage. With smaller case sizes and manufacturer's selling higher and higher CCA's in these case sizes, that means that they are stuffing larger plates in the batteries, with no room at the bottom of the batteries for sediment that results from wear to settle without shorting out the plates. This in turn creates a situation where they will not hold a charge, even if there is no draw on the batteries. One way to see if this is the situation is disconnect the batteries for a few days and see if you still have the problem when you reconnect them and try to start the van.
Originally posted by Down:
Originally posted by Kendell:
. Two big issues - we have a problem with having to jump the van if we forget to start her up for more than about two days. WE've had it checked and rechecked to find the reason for the battery drain and have gotten no good answers except that the two battery system might be putting a constant drain on the system. Anyone ever had that problem and found a cause that could be fixed?
This may sound kind of dumb but make sure your brake lights are not on. That happened to me about a month ago when my hand controls "adjusted themselves" so that it was pushing on the brake just enough to keep the lights on, the way i park my car i would have never noticed..luckely someone mowing the back lawn saw it.
pics of my cars http://members.rogers.com/fxdown/
[This message was edited by Down on 07-18-04 at 02:54 AM.]
This was happening to us too until we had the spring or whatever on the brake loosened.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon
Broknwing
07-19-2004, 04:01 AM
A little OT here, but ANDY, is there ANYTHING that you don't have some sort of knowledge/experience in? It seems as though you know something about everything & are always giving advice that is very fitting. I have always thought that I was a well rounded/well versed individual, but every time I read another post that you have helped someone with, it amazes me how much vast differing knowledge you have. Thank you for being so willing to share this knowledge with the rest of us. I hope to be as helpful for people as you have been in the short time that I have been a member of this community. Thank-you from all of us for all your help & advice on various stuff!
'Chelle
L-1 inc 11/24/03
firered222111
07-19-2004, 08:46 AM
my name is melissa im a t12 incomplete 3 years now i want to get more independant saw this post would love some info on hand controls and where i need to go to learn how to drive with them if anyone could help thanks
Belle
07-19-2004, 09:00 AM
JDR...we LOVE it. It works great for stowing the chair behind the seat...although we wish he had a folding chair instead of a fixed frame, it would be even easier and faster for him that way. There's plenty of room for four passengers and a chair. Also, the rear seats either fold up off the floor or can be removed entirely, which gives us a lot of options for carrying stuff. Eric is a drummer, so he needs a lot of space. Although his post-injury equipment setup is down to just a box and his MIDI controller.
Eric is very firm about only buying high quality vehicles. In fact, the vehicle destroyed in his accident was a 1994 Honda Odyssey van with over 200K miles on it. He feels the Element will last just as long.
We get a lot of people coming up to us to ask how we like it http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif. It definitely draws attention! Now if he could just find a reliable, convenient gas station to help him fill the tank...
Belle
07-19-2004, 09:04 AM
Oh, and dodger - check with your state agencies for vehicles and disability. The state of Ohio paid for Eric's training and mods to help him go back to work.
Another place to check might be on the auto company websites - they all have accessible driving secvtions now, I think. Some are more useful than others, but you can cross-check the links to find suppliers and training if you have to do it on your own.
jmcquad
07-19-2004, 01:57 PM
Mellissa, put the switch for the second battery off. I had that problem and thats what the dealer instructed me to do. That was the problem.
[This message was edited by jmcquad on 07-19-04 at 04:17 PM.]
jmcquad
07-19-2004, 02:12 PM
To Melissa Kendell: I had that problem and it was that there is a switch for the second battery that has to be set to OFF.
My problem is that when I have my van serviced, it cost me an arm and a leg . I've been checking around since thou my van is equipped with two panels (Command 16 & command 4, by Crescent industries)which works with a series of "inteligent" relay packs, remote controls and so on, I will probably dump the dam digital equipment and go with manual switches which is what local electro-mechanics understand to save myself some $$$. Going through the dealer means like paying a 500% markup. Anyone have had a similar problem. I'm a c5-7 quad so I need all this equipment(Easylock, Ricohn ramp, lowered floor etc.)
PD: Melissa hope putting that switch on the OFF position, solves the problem. It did for me.
CowboyCrip
07-19-2004, 02:40 PM
My adapted Grand Caravan would drain the battery too! No logical explanation given.
What did I do? Buy the highest CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) battery (800 -1000 amps) They come with a 5 year warranty. By 3rd winter it wasn't doing it - So they dropped a new one in for FREE!
Jmcquads advice re: switch on auxillary battery is a good idea if storing the vehicle or if you know you won't be venturing out for a few days... Otherwise, not the best plan as it serves as a backup power supply to power your hand controls and steering assist in the event of main vehicle battery failure!
jmcquad
07-19-2004, 02:54 PM
Originally posted by CowboyCrip:
My adapted Grand Caravan would drain the battery too! No logical explanation given.
What did I do? Buy the highest CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) battery (800 -1000 amps) They come with a 5 year warranty. By 3rd winter it wasn't doing it - So they dropped a new one in for FREE!
Jmcquads advice re: switch on auxillary battery is a good idea if storing the vehicle or if you know you won't be venturing out for a few days... Otherwise, not the best plan as it serves as a backup power supply to power your hand controls and steering assist in the event of main vehicle battery failure!
IT work for me. Had to be jumped twice and the dealer told me to keep it off, put it on only if the regular battery went dead and need it to open dr and use ramp. Otherwise regular battery does the job. Who services ur van? Get good prices?
Kendell
07-20-2004, 01:49 PM
Y'all have given me a lot to chew on and check into, and I appreciate that. Debbie knows more about this stuff than I do, and will have a better idea which way to jump first. We're babysitting two dogs right now, and along with our own crew of four furry children, life is a bit hectic and harried at the moment. Soon as things calm down a bit, I"ll show her allthe posts and see what to try next.
THANKS!!! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Melissa/Kendell
Kendel -
I second the idea about simply replacing the battery. That worked for me [on my Ford E-150.]
Sh0rty
07-21-2004, 08:02 AM
for those who have a honda element, is there any modifications that need to be done with it? It seems alittle high to me, how is it for getting in?
Belle
07-21-2004, 10:18 AM
All we had to do for our Element was add another handle above the door that could take weight. My husband puts his left hand on the handle and his right on the seat and he can lift and slightly rotate himself in just fine (he's tall enough to reach). There's a handle like that already on the passender side. Then he puts in the chair and moves his legs over so he is facing forward.
We started with a seat lift, but it was in the way and took too long to use. So we took it out. He might need that later if his arms give out.
*************
AB wife of T8 complete para
Kendell
07-22-2004, 06:33 AM
Talked to Debbie about all the input. Brake lights are okay. I didn't think we had an auxilliary switch for the battery, and she says we dont' either, so unless it's somewhere we don't know about that idea isn't an option. She agreed that should work, though, so I wonder if it's something we could have added on at some point. She thinks replacing the battery is the way to go. One battery had been replaced after the van totally died awhile back- the other had tested as alright- but that was before running diagnostics and learning about the short that we had fixed, so even if the one battery tested alright at the time it makes sense it could have been teetering on the edge of not so okay. We're gonna try that and hopefully it'll work right. Thanks again for all the advice. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif
Melissa/Kendell
2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT with huge scratches under door http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Here's what I drove before my accident. It's a 98' Cobra Convrt. I now have a 03' E-350 Ford Conversion van. It's loaded w/ T.V.'s and all.
I'll post a pic. of the van a little later today.
(edited to resize photo appropriately-KLD)
[This message was edited by SCI-Nurse on 07-23-04 at 02:08 PM.]
Originally posted by whtpushsu:
Here's what I drove before my accident. It's a 98' Cobra Convrt.
What's up Ed! Really cool car, I was drooling over Mach 1's lately, you can get that twin cam motor with an auto trans in those. Love the looks of those, but the bastards at Ford decided to redesign the thing for next year and the base GT will have 300 horse anyway, run on regular, and have big brakes, making me think about waiting for the new one. Love those Fox chassis Mustangs though!
imnomis
07-23-2004, 10:14 PM
Have had a 1977 Corvette for 11 years. Just had the engine rebuilt last year, then the accident happened. The fellow that rebuilt the engine put hand controls in it and we got a trailer for the wheelchair or Amigo.
Regular vehicle was a Astro Van. Sold that and bought a Monte Carlo with hand controls. We have the same type of huge scratches under the drivers door of the Monte Carlo as Andy has. We have kept the scratches off the Vette so far.
imnomis
Broknwing
07-24-2004, 11:32 AM
I am noticing that everyone's cars have the same scratches that I was getting on my truck. Being that I was a theatre technician before my accident I had something to help prevent these scratches. It's called Gaffer's Tape, not to be biased, but I am, Gaff tape is the best tape in the world! There are a lot of different companies that make it & it comes in several standard and some custom colors. It costs between $11 & $20 per roll on average, so not cheap, but I haven't had to replace the tape on my truck since we put it on about 4-5 months ago. Just put a couple of strips (it's usually 2" wide) along the bottom edge of your car & it'll help prevent those scratches that will inevitably lead to rust. You can do a search for Gaff tape or Gaffers tape & find lots of different companies that will sell it. One of the companies that I've bought mine from is SEAL their website is www.seal-fla.com (http://www.seal-fla.com) but there are tons of others out there.
Just a thought to help you all protect the paint on your vehicles...And one thing I forgot to say was that this tape doesn't leave a residue and it is really durable. Any questions about it, just ask.
'Chelle
L-1 inc 11/24/03
Here's what I'm currently driving. 03' E-250 Ford Conversion Van.
[This message was edited by SCI-Nurse on 08-05-04 at 03:33 PM.]