Power chair breakdown

landrover · 12-11-2010, 11:18 AM

Hi all, my chair is on the fritz...it appears that my controller may have shorted out. My DME provider (ATG) does not have weekend or on-call available. Is there anything I could do before Monday??

LindaT · 12-11-2010, 11:31 AM

Our of curiosity what brand is it?
I unfortunately won't have advice, but curious as Invacare's seem to be going on strike lately.

rfbdorf · 12-11-2010, 11:43 AM

With no real knowledge of the situation -
Can you access the batteries? If so, you might try resetting everything by disconnecting them briefly. Or possibly just disconnecting the controller for a few seconds. It's a long shot, but it couldn't hurt to try.
Are you by yourself, or do have someone to help you over the weekend? Your profile doesn't show your level, but could you manage a manual loaner from someone? How about a loan or (shudder) rental, if there's a source in your vicinity other than your usual DME, such as a drugstore?
Good luck in this

LindaT · 12-11-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfbdorf

With no real knowledge of the situation -
Can you access the batteries? If so, you might try resetting everything by disconnecting them briefly. Or possibly just disconnecting the controller for a few seconds. It's a long shot, but it couldn't hurt to try.
Are you by yourself, or do have someone to help you over the weekend? Your profile doesn't show your level, but could you manage a manual loaner from someone? How about a loan or (shudder) rental, if there's a source in your vicinity other than your usual DME, such as a drugstore?
Good luck in this

You always have such a sensible reply rfbdorf.

Timaru · 12-11-2010, 12:31 PM

Have someone check that both drive/push switches on the motors are securely in the drive position.

landrover · 12-11-2010, 12:57 PM

Hi, I'm C4/5, and use an Invacare Arrow...I have a new chair on order, but in the meantime I'm stuck with this one. All the connections seem to be intact, but when I turn the controller on, the display is jumbled.

rfbdorf · 12-11-2010, 01:30 PM

OK, so that likely lets out Timaru's suggestion (a good one that I hadn't thought of). Have you been able to try a reset?
A stupid question - the display will flash if the chair is powered on while the joystick isn't centered. Any possibility that's the problem (it doesn't sound like it, as jumbled isn't the same as flashing)?
I'm not at all familiar with your chair, but I'm looking at the manual; found it at this site.
Apparently there's a reset (emergency stop) switch and input on the control module. Can you access that?
I suppose you could try calling Invacare at 800-333-6900; if you're real lucky you might find someone there; impress on them that it's an emergency and then if you're even luckier, just maybe someone might be able to help troubleshoot. OK, that's a one in a million chance.
I hope things work out.

Linda, you're very sweet, but I'm just saying the obvious stuff he probably thought of a long time ago.

gotta go for now
- Richard

landrover · 12-11-2010, 02:08 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have someone check that reset switch, but my concern is that still probably wouldn't explain the display. The display just shows black squares along the top row. My secondary tilt switch which is located under the chair, still works to tilt the chair, but nothing works through the joystick

gjnl · 12-11-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfbdorf

I'm not at all familiar with your chair, but I'm looking at the manual; found it at this site.

Thanks for the link to these manuals. Great resourse.

All the best,
GJ

landrover · 12-13-2010, 12:29 PM

The tech just left, and felt the issue may be with the joystick. The controller is the MKIV A+, and because of the age, he didn't think they had any spares at the warehouse, and to order it from Invacare would take a couple weeks. I have a new chair on order, but I can't be without a functioning chair for weeks!

12-11-2010, 11:18 AM	#1
landrover Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Posts: 287	Power chair breakdown Hi all, my chair is on the fritz...it appears that my controller may have shorted out. My DME provider (ATG) does not have weekend or on-call available. Is there anything I could do before Monday??

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12-11-2010, 11:31 AM	#2
LindaT Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,747	Our of curiosity what brand is it? I unfortunately won't have advice, but curious as Invacare's seem to be going on strike lately.

12-11-2010, 11:43 AM	#3
rfbdorf Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,715	With no real knowledge of the situation - Can you access the batteries? If so, you might try resetting everything by disconnecting them briefly. Or possibly just disconnecting the controller for a few seconds. It's a long shot, but it couldn't hurt to try. Are you by yourself, or do have someone to help you over the weekend? Your profile doesn't show your level, but could you manage a manual loaner from someone? How about a loan or (shudder) rental, if there's a source in your vicinity other than your usual DME, such as a drugstore? Good luck in this

12-11-2010, 12:31 PM	#5
Timaru Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hampshire, England. Posts: 4,836	Have someone check that both drive/push switches on the motors are securely in the drive position.

12-11-2010, 12:57 PM	#6
landrover Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Posts: 287	Hi, I'm C4/5, and use an Invacare Arrow...I have a new chair on order, but in the meantime I'm stuck with this one. All the connections seem to be intact, but when I turn the controller on, the display is jumbled.

12-11-2010, 01:30 PM	#7
rfbdorf Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,715	OK, so that likely lets out Timaru's suggestion (a good one that I hadn't thought of). Have you been able to try a reset? A stupid question - the display will flash if the chair is powered on while the joystick isn't centered. Any possibility that's the problem (it doesn't sound like it, as jumbled isn't the same as flashing)? I'm not at all familiar with your chair, but I'm looking at the manual; found it at this site. Apparently there's a reset (emergency stop) switch and input on the control module. Can you access that? I suppose you could try calling Invacare at 800-333-6900; if you're real lucky you might find someone there; impress on them that it's an emergency and then if you're even luckier, just maybe someone might be able to help troubleshoot. OK, that's a one in a million chance. I hope things work out. Linda, you're very sweet, but I'm just saying the obvious stuff he probably thought of a long time ago. gotta go for now - Richard

12-11-2010, 02:08 PM	#8
landrover Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Posts: 287	Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have someone check that reset switch, but my concern is that still probably wouldn't explain the display. The display just shows black squares along the top row. My secondary tilt switch which is located under the chair, still works to tilt the chair, but nothing works through the joystick

12-13-2010, 12:29 PM	#10
landrover Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Posts: 287	The tech just left, and felt the issue may be with the joystick. The controller is the MKIV A+, and because of the age, he didn't think they had any spares at the warehouse, and to order it from Invacare would take a couple weeks. I have a new chair on order, but I can't be without a functioning chair for weeks!