Can You Motorize a Manual Wheelchair?
If you have been on the internet, you might be aware of how both an electric wheelchair and a manual wheelchair have various perks. Flicking through articles must have left you a bit frazzled, though. Questions might be popping up: Should I invest in an Electric Wheelchair? But what if I need to travel? Only a manual chair is lightweight and has the ability to be folded. But what if – and the contemplation saga continues.
During this period of contemplation, you must have wondered if you can motorize a manual wheelchair. Then you must have pushed the idea away because of its ridiculousness. But what if we tell you that your idea isn’t so ridiculous? A manual wheelchair turning into a motorized wheelchair: sounds like magic, does it not?
However, this concept should not be surprising, especially with the great technological advancement. Certain attachments will have to be put on your wheelchair to do so. This article will guide you with all the mandatory knowledge required to transform your manual wheelchair into a motorized one!
Albeit, if you are wondering why one would want to motorize their manual wheelchair, the answer is simple. It is so that people who want to enjoy the advantages of a manual wheelchair can have the perks of both worlds. Not only will they experience the benefits of a manual wheelchair, but they will also not have to put in the effort to move around. Other greater advantages will be discussed below! We shall also elaborate on how to achieve a manual wheelchair into a motorized one look.
What You Will Need
Foremost, the most obvious equipment you will require is a non-electric wheelchair. If you have not invested in one, click here to check out an affordable wheelchair!
Now that it has been cleared up, what you will require next are attachments. These attachments are referred to as “powered add-ons.” The reason behind this name is that they offer a power supply to your manual wheelchair to help it spur on. This device is quite easy to put on, and thus, you will not need anyone else’s help to put it on.
As a result of such a device, you will not have to waste your energy. Your physical movement will be only necessary when you feel like it. Other than that, these add-ons should not make you exert force to maneuver yourself around. So not only will your manual wheelchair be lightweight, travel-friendly, and cheap, but it will also have the benefits that an electric wheelchair will provide!
In addition, the absence of exerting your muscle power will reduce your chances of ending up with injuries. Your shoulders and upper body will get to rest. Ultimately, this will help relieve you of any aches or pain.
Types of Powered Add-Ons
Fortunately enough, you can find a variety of powered add-ons that you can choose from. These are as follows:
Bike Attachment
Electric attachments mounted to the front of the chair are called hand bikes or cycles. As a result, you use your wheelchair just as you would a bike. It will not require your hands to propel yourself. A very cool feature is that your cellphone can be linked to it for seamless navigation.
A small drawback is that you would have trouble managing it indoors. Therefore, it works best in outside circumstances only. This addition can also make moving the wheelchair a little more challenging.
Switch Control
You can push the switch control to operate your back wheel as well. It is typically positioned around your feet on the wheelchair framework. You will unlikely find anything better adaptable and appropriate than a control switch.
Push Tracker
Another powered add-on that is found to be of great help is a push tracker. As implied by its name, you can control the rear wheels by performing gestures like tapping your hand! This is super easy to use.
Power Wheels
The majority of the time, this is offered as a whole package, including a magnetic connector, a small rechargeable battery, a pivot arm structure for mounting a joystick, brake, touchscreen, switch control, and back wheels. They are integrated inside the wheel supports of the chair as electric engines. This also has a battery set that can aid in starting the wheelchair.
The brackets can be used to secure the drive tires. Put the light power supply next because it will be powered by it. This is so that the rest of the attachments you will construct work. The wheelchair’s back wheel is highly rigid and has no bearing on its size. As a result, you won’t have trouble controlling your motions inside and outside. Without becoming tired or experiencing shoulder pain, you can effortlessly move everywhere with this connected wheel.
If you prefer not to utilize the switch control, you can use any smart device to operate it. These devices can include Smart Watch, Phones, and Bluetooth. Additionally, based on the extent of your disability, correct it if you feel like you need the joystick. For instance, this could be important for someone who has injured a full part of their body to immobility.
Doing it this way makes you spend relatively little effort and experience using a real electric wheelchair. This is obvious except that you can connect and remove any electronic parts. Every one of these extras provides you the ability to make a quick and painless reversal. They are excellent when you need to transit through or move across difficult terrain.
So, despite the extent of your disability, these should come in handy! They are user-friendly and very convenient.
Products That Will Turn Your Wheelchair into a Motorized One
Other than powered add-ons, you can invest in other products. These products can also help turn your manual wheelchair into an electric one! A few examples of such products are as follows:
- E-Motion
- FreeWheel
- Firefly Wheelchair Handcycle
- SMOOV One add-on
- Invacare SMOOV One
- R20 Empulse Folding Powerpack
- Permobil SmartDrive, Push Tracker, Push Tracker E2
- Wheelchair Power Packs
- E-Fix
- Alber Twion
- E-Pilot
- Alber E-Pilot Hand bike
- Alber E Fix E35
Perks of Motorizing Your Wheelchair
Does the idea of motorizing your wheelchair sound intriguing to you now? But are you still hooked up trying to count its benefits? Don’t fret over that! Here are multiple perks listed that will solidify your decision to turn your manual wheelchair into a motorized one.
- The accessories are made to give you an extra power boost should you require it.
- They are portable and simple to repair.
- How great is that? Your wheelchair turns into a two-in-one wheelchair.
- It helps you become autonomous and gives you the courage you desire, particularly in social situations.
- Modern types may be handled and managed by your connected devices. Additionally, many types of batteries are permitted for transit on passenger aircraft. So you do not need to worry!
- Since the disabled people who use these motorized manual wheelchairs are self-reliant and quite interactive, they are now commonly referred to as “Active User Wheelchairs.”
- The power add-on packages are easily portable and may be installed as needed. Often manual wheelchairs of various varieties can use them.
- These wheelchairs are increasingly produced with characteristics. These include frameless glasses (which makes them more user-friendly), larger tires, and reduced recliners.
- This kind of wheelchair is frequently used in Paralympics and Paraathletic competitions. The Ultra-Light, K-Series, and Helium Pro are examples of active chairs.
- Some of the accessories’ weights don’t contribute much to the total weight of the wheelchair. Therefore, you should not be concerned about the chair carrying more weight.
What Now?
If you are still leaning towards an electric wheelchair: don’t! Firstly, it is way too pricey. Plus, the affordability scale is also undermined by the maintenance cost. You may also add in the cost of changing batteries and whatnot. And, if you are a beach or a pool person, you can forget it. Most electric wheelchairs are likely to get damaged by water. Similarly, if you intend to travel, then an electric wheelchair might not be a good option. This is so because its overall weight usually exceeds the one allowed by the airplanes!
After having read that, you might have some idea of what you want. It is unlikely that you will want to invest in an electric wheelchair when you can change your current manual one. The process is quite simple and obvious. And not to mention, it will be way more affordable too! Your budget will also not have to budge over since you most likely will already have a manual wheelchair at home. Your old wheelchair will come in handy, and you will not have to throw it out. More importantly, it will give you the benefits of both worlds: you can fold your chair, travel with it, and move it around without self-propel. How utterly cool!
You can head now towards grabbing your manual wheelchair and its mandatory attachments to help it become motorized. Or if you’re looking for the simple solution, we can recommend excellent electric mobility chairs.
