where to charge a scooter- do uk chargers work ok

[mackay_j]

I have just bought a 2nd hand scooter- I got the same kind as I rented from apple at disney a few years ago - go go elite traveler. But as I have just got it I am not sure how long the battery will last. I have uk charger unit. 2 question

1 will the uk charger work ok with an adapter- if not where can I get a us charger.

2. Last time it never ran down on me so I didn't take note of where on site I could recharge- anyone know

3. My airline has said I need to isolate the battery - for a non tech person what does that mean.

Thanks.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Overall, I did a search and came up with : http://www.mssociety.org.uk/forum/everyday-living/mobility-scooters-travel-air-or-sea which definitely has decent advice. Most of it seems to come from a former BA employee who now is disabled.

1) You will probably need an adapter that also is a power converter. They're bigger, chunkier, and more expensive, but still probably not as expensive as a US charger would be. If you decide to look into buying a US one, you'd need to contact either a local place that sells wheelchairs/scooters and ask them to order one or contact Pride to see if they know how you can get one. ( http://www.pridemobility.com/contact.asp) Pride would also know if you need something to convert the charge or not. I know you must for some powerchairs, but scooters may charge differently. Generally if the charger says on it something like "input: AC100-240V", you should be fine with an adapter that only adapts the actual plug (doesn't convert voltage).

2) I can't help you here. Depending on how the plugs are located, they may not work as well with any adapter that also is converting voltage just because those are usually pretty big.

3) Isolating the battery just means making sure that while it's traveling, there's no way for the scooter to turn on. Depending on the type of your battery (another question for Pride, if you contact them), you can probably just take the key out and be fine. If that isn't enough, you'd need to disconnect the battery from the controls. Either way it can stay in the scooter. After you do this, you should still it in neutral because you don't want someone to try to move it while the wheels/motor are locked. All of the isolating can be done at the door of the aircraft (called gate checking).

I highly suggest bringing written instructions abot disconnecting the battery, putting the scooter in & out of neutral, so that you have the reminder for yourself and to show to the airport ground staff. The best would be to have something laminated and attached to the scooter (just for flying) with instructions both in English and Spanish. If you can't manage the Spanish, don't worry about it, it just would be more convenient for the Orlando ground staff (in many places in the US, Spanish is the native language of many/most of the ground staff that actually load/unload). You also want on that sheet to put very large and clearly that the scooter must be loaded & placed upright in the hold. Even if you don't want to give instructions for everything to do with the battery, putting a sign on it about the upright is the absolute most important information for them. (The second is probably how to take it in and out of neutral.)

 

[mackay_j]

Thanks for that I didn't even think about trying the MS website- now going to read my way through that page.

 

[pbrim]

About isolating the battery -- I have flown several times with the same model scooter as you have, albeit on US-based airlines. All they have ever asked me to do is turn it off and remove the key when I gate check it. If they need more isolation it is possible to remove the battery pack, by lifting straight up on the seat, lifting straight up on the battery pack (it's only held in place by velcro), and replacing the seat. The problem with that is you now have a small piece separated from the rest that might get lost -- I don't recommend it unless they absolutely insist.

Two other things they will almost certainly ask about -- the total weight (95-110 lbs depending on battery size and 3 or 4 wheels on the scooter) and type of battery (non-spillable). Since you got your scooter second hand, if you don't have owners manual and spec sheets you can download them at www.pridemobility.com

You might also check the web-site for your airline to see they have a form to fill out and attach to the scooter. I forget the first airline I flew with in 2008, but they had a sheet for info about best places to grab to lift it, where the free-wheel lever was, weight, etc. I don't see that much anymore, I think they are more experienced with them nowdays. But again, my experience with is with US-based airlines subject to the ADA so YMMV.

 

[mackay_j]

quote-All they have ever asked me to do is turn it off and remove the key when I gate check it. - even I can manage that- why don't they just say that - I thought I was going to have to get some sort of modification done to it.

thanks for all the help.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

This uncertainty is precisely why I won't take a scooter from the UK. I'd rather hire a compatible one, because apart from anything else, I'd be paranoid that the scooter taken over would get broken/damaged in flight. Plus we'd have the problem of getting it in the car along with all the luggage! It just ain't gonna happen!