It is not impossible to convert a regular wheelchair into an electric wheelchair if you want to. There are several ways to achieve this conversion. The most popular methods of conversion are as follows:
1. The most complicated way-Full Conversion
This is the most complicated form of modification.You need to prepare the materials and connect them properly.
Gather Materials
Full conversion requires a high level of manual dexterity and technical expertise. First, you will need to gather the following materials: motor, wheelchair controller, battery, and auxiliary materials. You can choose either one 500W motor or two 250W motors. The motor type is recommended to be brushless motor. This will enable the motor to drive the rear wheels. The battery can be a 24V or 36V lead-acid battery or a lithium battery. The controller selection depends on the user’s needs. If you want your wheelchair to be controlled by a smartphone, you can choose a controller with a mobile phone control function.
Installation
Install the battery, motor, controller, and connectors in sequence. Before operating the newly modified electric wheelchair, a comprehensive test is needed. Check if all electronic components are functioning properly. Test the wheelchair’s safety, such as stability during driving and the responsiveness of the brakes, and fully understand how to use the new electric wheelchair.
2.Install an Electric Wheelhead
Directly install a wheelhead that can move forward and backward in front of the wheelchair, which can transform a regular wheelchair into an electric wheelchair instantly. The wheelhead has flexible clips that can be fixed to the front of the wheelchair to drive the electric wheelchair forward or backward. Installing an electric wheelhead is much simpler than a full conversion. The disadvantage is that controlling the electric wheelhead requires the user to have a certain level of mobility, and the electric wheelhead is relatively expensive, around $500.
3.Install an Electric Tail
The so-called “tail” is an auxiliary wheel with a controller, battery, and motor that is installed behind the wheelchair. It is like giving the wheelchair a small tail. Installation involves fixing the auxiliary wheel and the controller on the electric wheelchair. By installing an electric tail, a regular wheelchair can also become an electric wheelchair, no longer relying on human power to move. Like the electric wheelhead, this electric auxiliary wheel is not cheap, with a price of around $350-$500.
Conclusion
It is important to note that electric wheelchair modification requires certain technical and knowledge support. If you lack relevant experience and knowledge, it is best to seek help from professional institutions or personnel. Moreover, the safety and stability of the modified wheelchair may not be as good as that of a finished product, and the cost of modification may not be much lower than the price of purchasing an electric wheelchair. The cost of each of the three modification methods is enough for you to purchase an electric wheelchair from WENRY Medical. Therefore, before considering modification, you should first learn about electric wheelchairs and make a decision based on your own needs and actual situation.You can contact us if you have any wheelchair-related purchase needs.