Drive Medical IMAGE EC Owner's Manual

IMAGE EC POW ER CH AIR

IMAGE EC

OWNER’S MANUAL

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1.

PREF ACE AND INTRODUCTION ……..…………………………………

2

2.

SAFETY NOTICE………..…………………….................…… ………….

 Before driving
 While driving
 Labeling

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3.

4.

EMI……………………………………………..………………………………..

PARTS INTRODUCTION……………………………………………..……….

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9

5.

OPERATION…………………………………………………………………....

 Joystick and controller
 How to operate your power chair
 How to set to freewheel mode

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6.

BATTERY CHARGING AND CARE…………………………………….....

 Charging the battery
 Battery
 Replacing Image EC batteries / charger

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7.

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE……………………………………..….

 Inspection
 Regular maintenance record
 Battery, fuse and tire
 Storage

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8

TROUBLE SHOOTING AND SPECIFICATION…………….……………

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9.

WARRANTY………………………………………………………………….....

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Please carefully read this owner’s manual before using the power chair . Improper use of the power chair
could result in injury.

This owner’s manual includes operating instructions for every aspect of the power chair, including
assembly instructions and how to deal with possible accidents.

◆ The symbols used in this manual are explained below:

Read carefully the notes marked with these symbols:

 Warning Improper usage could result in serious injury or death

 Attention Improper usage could lead to injury and/or damage to your power chair.

 Suggestion Follow these instructions to keep your power chair in a good operating order.

◆ This manual includes a copy of repair and maintenance record chart and warranty information.

Please keep it in a safe place.

◆ If someone else uses the power chair, please make sure that you provide them with the instruction

manual for his or her consideration.

◆ W e reserve the right to make design modifications. As designs change some illustrations and pictures in

the manual may not correspond to the power chair that you have purchased.

“Caution: Federal law restricts this

device to sale by or on the order of a

practitioner licensed by the law of the State in which he/she practices.”

1. PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION

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2. SAFETY NOTICE

2.1 BEFORE DRIVING

The user should become familiar with the usage and operation of this power chair before driving.
Therefore, please always keep the following safety notices in mind.

■ For your safety, please follow these safety instructions

◆ Drive on the pavement or pedestrian areas only.

◆ Do not drive your power chair after consuming alcohol or when tired.

◆ Please be careful when driving your power chair in low light.

It is not been designed for use at night.

◆ The pow er chair has been de signed to operate on pavement or indoors for speeds not to exceed

5mph.

■ Practice operating your power chair

Before using the power chair, familiarize yourself with the operation of your power chair.

◆ Set the speed dial to value 1 for your initial practice.

◆ Be sure someone accompanies you for saf e ty wh en operating you power chair for the first time.

◆ Only use higher speed settings when you are confident that you can easily operate and control your

power chair.

■ The Image EC power Chair is only to be used by one person at a time

Do not carry passengers on your power chair. (Including children)

■ Do not use this power chair to carry or haul goods

◆ The maximum weight with occupant is 300 lbs.

2.2 WHILE DRIVING

■ Carry out daily inspections. Refer to the section titled “DAILY CHECKING”

■ Do not move your body out of the power chair while moving

◆ Such action may cause you to lose balance and risk serious injury.

◆ Pay attention that your clothes do not get tangled in the wheels.

■ Do not use your power chair under any of the following conditions.

◆ On roads with heavy traffic or roads that are snow covered or icy.

◆ Do not drive at night. Do not drive in rain or snow.

◆ Do not drive your power chair in an “S” pattern or make erratic turns.

◆ Do not take the power chair onto escalators.

◆ UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE POWER CHAIR BE USED AS A SEAT

IN ANY OTHER MOVING VEHICLES INCLUDING SUV’S, BUSES OR TRAINS.

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2. SAFETY NOTICE

■ Mobile Phones and Other Wireless Communication Devices

◆ Do not use a mobile phone or other wireless communication device while driving.

◆ Always stop and turn the power off before using a wireless communication device.

◆ Do not charge the mobile phone or any other electrical device from the power chair battery.

■ Automatic Power Shut Down

In order to avoid accidental battery run down, your power ch air is equipped with an automatic power
shut down. If the power chair is turned on, it w ill aut omatica lly tur n of f after remaining undisturbed for
a period of thirty minutes. When this situation occurs, simply switch your power chair off and ba ck on
and it will be ready to use once again.

■ Ramps, inclines and drops

◆ Do not drive onto ramps that are steeper than the specified gradient. Refer to the section entitled

“CLIMBING ANGLE” in 8. SPECIFICATION”

◆ Always use a low speed setting when ascending or descending a gradient.

◆ Do not drive on roads with large drops or potholes. Refer to the section entitle d “MAX. GROUND

CLEARANCE” in “8. SPECIFICATION”.

◆ Do not make sudden turns when driving on gravel roads, ramps or hills.

◆ Always lean forward when climbing a steep gradient.

■ Starting and Driving

1. Make sure the seat is installed properly.

2. Fold down the armrests so that you can rest your arms.

3. Turn the power switch to “ON”.

4. Check battery indicator to ensure proper power. If necessary, recharge the batteries.

5. Set the speed to a safe and comfortable speed.

6. Check the joystick lever to ensure it operates correctly.

7. Make sure the electromagnetic brake is operating correctly.

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2. SAFETY NOTICE

 Warning!

◆ Do not set in the freewheel mode when driving on an incline or hill.

◆ Always re-engage the anti-freewheel device before use. Fail to do so may result in injury.

◆ Always fasten the seat belt when operating the power chair.

◆ To protect your safety, the power will automatically cut off and electromagnetic brake system will

activate while driving down a steep incline or hill. This will limit the speed to a safe level.
Turn the power on again to re-start your power chair.

◆ Maximum User Weight Limit

Refer to section titled “MAX. LOAD WEIGHT” in “8. SPECIFICATION”. Overloading past
the weight limit may lead to damage of your power chair or cause it to malfunction and will
endanger your own safety. The warranty does not cover this type of damage.

 Attention

1. Avoid putting all of your weight on the footrest. This may cause the power chair to tip.
Possibly resulting in injury.

2. Do not turn the power switch to OFF while driving as this will lead to an emergency stop and

possible risk of accident and injury.

3. Do not set to high speeds while driving indoors.

4. Do not adjust the speed dial while driving; a sudden change in speed may cause danger to you

and others, and may damage your power chair.

5. Do not place magnetic devices near the area of the controller as this could affect the safe operation

of your power chair.

6. Be cautious while driving in crowded areas.

7. While backing up the power chair, be aware of people or objects behind you.

■ Stopping

◆ Release the joystick control lever completely. The power chair will come to a stop.

◆ Turn the power switch to (OFF). Remove the key.

■ Driving on the pavement

 Ensure the speed limit switch is set to the slowe st setting when using the power chair . This will limit

the power chair to a maximum speed of 5mph.

◆ The speed controller can be set to the fastest setting for use when safe.

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2. SAFETY NOTICE

Attention: When climbing an incline, do not zigzag or drive at an angle up the face of the incline.

Always drive your power chair straight up the incline. This greatly reduces the possibility

of a tip or a fall. Always exercise extreme caution when negotiating an incline.

Never travel up or down an incline that is or covered by snow or ice.

■Inclines and uneven terrain

When climbing an incline, try to keep your power chair moving. If you must stop, start up again slowly
and then accelerate cautiously . When driving down an incline, do so slowly and in the forwa rd direction
only . If your power cha ir starts to move faster than y ou anticipated or de sired it would, allow the chair to
come to a complete stop by releasing the joystick. Push the joystick slightly forward and continue
traveling slowly down the incline.

■Maximum recommended incline

The Image EC Power Chair has undergone extensive incline testing. Our results show that the
maximum incline your Image EC can safely climb is eight degrees at maximum weight capacit y. Five
degrees is the angle of most handicap access ramps. Any attempt to climb a steeper slope may put your
Image EC into an unstable position.

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2. SAFETY NOTICE

This section provides the user with basic information that describes the problems with Electromagnetic
interference (EMI), known sources of EMI, protective measure to either lessen the possibility or
exposure or to minimize the degree of exposure, and suggested action should unexpected or erratic
movement occur.

Attention: It is very important that you read this information regarding the possible effects of

Electromagnetic interference on your Image EC power chair.

■

ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) FROM RADIO WAVE SOURCES

Powered chair’s may be susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is interfering
electromagnetic en ergy (EM) emitted from sources such as radio stations, TV stations, amateur radio
(HAM) transmitters, two-way radios, and cellular phones. The interference (from radio wave sources)
can cause the power chair to release its brakes, move by itself, or move in unintended directions. It can
also permanently damage the powered wheelchair’s control system. The intensity of the interfering EM
energy can be measured in vol ts per meter (V/m). Each power chair can resist EMI up to a certain
intensity; this is called its “immunity level”. The higher the immunity level, the greater the protection.
At this time, current technology is capable of achieving at least a 20 V/m immunity level, which would
provide useful protection from the more common sources of radiated EMI. This power chair model has
as shipped as with no further modification an immunity level of 20 V/m without any accessories.

There are a number of sources of relatively intense electromagnetic fields in the everyday environment.
Some of these sources are obvious and easy to avoid. Others are not apparent and exposure is
unavoidable. However, we believe that by following the warning listed below, your risk to EMI will be
minimized.
The sources of radiated EMI can be broadly classified into three types:

1. Hand-held portable transceivers ( transmitter-receivers with the antenna mounted directly on the

transmitting unit. Examples include: citizens band (CB) radios, walkie talkies, security, fire, and

police transceivers, cellular telephones and other personal communication devices.

Attention: Some cellular telephones and similar devices transmit signal while they are ON,
even when not being used.

2. Medium-range mobile transceivers, such as those used in police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and

taxis. These usually have the antenna mounted on the outside of the power chair.

3. Long-range transmitters and transceivers, such as commercial broadcast transmitters (radio and TV

broadcast antenna towers) and amateur (HAM) radios.

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3. EMI

Attention: Other types of hand-

held devices, such as cordless phones, laptop computers, AM/FM

radios, TV sets, CD players, cassette and small appliances

such as electric shave rs and

hair dryers are not likely to cause EMI problems with your power operated vehicle.

■

POWER OPERATED VEHICLE ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI)

Because EM energy rapidl y becomes more intense as one moves closer to the transmitting antenna
(source), the EM fields from hand-held radio wave sources (transceivers) are of special concern. It is
possible to unintentionally bring high levels of EM energy very close to the control system of a power
operated vehicle while using these devices. This can affect power chair movement and braking.
Therefore, the warnings listed below are recommended to prevent possible interference with the
control system of the power chair.

■

WARNINGS

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from sources such as radio and TV stations, amateur radio
(HAM) transmitters, two-way radios, and cellular phones can affect your power operated vehicle.
Following the warnings listed below should reduce the chance of unintended brake release or power
operated vehicle movement which could result in serious injury.

1. Do not operate hand-held transceivers-receivers, such as citizens band (CB) radios, or turn ON

personal communication devices such as cellular phones, while the power operated vehicle is
turned ON.

2. Be aware of nearby transmitters such as radio or TV stations, and try to avoid coming close to

them.

3. If unintended movement or brake release occurs, turn the power operated vehicle OFF as soon as it

is safe;

4. Be aware that adding accessories or components, or modifying the power operated vehicle may

make it more susceptible to EMI (Note: There is no easy way to evaluate their effect on the overall
immunity of the power operated vehicle.

5. Report all incidents of unintended movement or brake release to the power operated vehicle’s

manufacturer, and note whether there is a source of EMI nearby.

■

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. 20 Volts per meter (V/m) is a generally achievable and useful immunity level against EMI

( the higher the level, the greater the protection);

2. This product has an immunity level of 20 V/m without any accessories and connected to it.