Drive Medical Sunfire Plus EC, SUNFIRE PLUS GT, SUNFIRE GENERAL, IMAGE GT, Image EC Geo Owner's Handbook Manual

Feel free to enjoy life!

The team at Drive Medical develops its products to give our customers the freedom to live

independently. This encompasses their daily home life and provides them with the opportunity

to enjoy an outing with family and friends. Our goal is to develop a range that will provide

individuals with a chance to enjoy every day life.

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D ive Medica

Design & Manufac uring,

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Drive Medical GmbH & Co.

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Part No. Z20945 (Rev C)

US

UK

DE

fixed base powerchairs
owner’s handbook

SUNFIRE PLUS GT

SUNFIRE PLUS EC

IMAGE GT

IMAGE EC

GEO

SUNFIRE GENERAL

Drive Powerchair Range Page 1 Z20945 (Rev C)

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Problem: Limited range or low power showing
Causes:
Insufficient charge
in batteries
Weak batteries

Remedy:
Ensure batteries are charged for
at least 12 hours.
Replace batteries if error persists.

Problem: Batteries not charging
Causes:
No mains power
Loose connections
Blown fuse
Charger fault

Remedy:
Try another mains socket
Check all connections
Check fuse in charger and plug
Contact dealer.

Problem: Powerchair will not drive
Causes:
Freewheel levers
disengaged
Low battery power
Charger plugged in
Circuit breaker
Joystick held whilst
powerchair is
switched on

Remedy:
Ensure freewheel levers are in
DRIVE position
Recharge batteries
Remove charger and restart
Reset circuit breaker
Release joystick and do not hold;
restart powerchair

Problem: Only one wheel turns
Causes:
Only one freewheel
lever engaged

Remedy:
Ensure both freewheel levers are
in DRIVE position

Problem: Excessive motor noise
Causes:
Freewheel levers
not fully engaged

Remedy:
Ensure both freewheel levers are
in DRIVE position

Problem: Battery gauge flashes
Symptoms:
The powerchair has
diagnosed a fault

Remedy:
Ensure the joystick is released
and switch the powerchair off and
on.
Recharge batteries if error
persists.
Refer to fault diagnosis guide

Drive Image GT pictured

CONTENTS

1. PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION

2. SAFETY NOTICE

• Before Driving

• Whilst Driving

• Labelling

• Electromagnetic Interference

3. PARTS INTRODUCTION

4. OPERATION

• Control Panel – Drive

• How to Operate your Powerchair

• How to set freewheel mode

5. BATTERY CHARGING AND CARE

• Charging the battery

• Battery

• Replacing Drive Batteries or Charger

6. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

• Inspection

• Regular Check List

• Battery and Tyres

• Storage

7. TROUBLESHOOTING

8. SPECIFICATION

9. WARRANTY

10. SERVICE RECORD

11. WARRANTY REGISTRATION

“Caution: Federal Law restricts this

device to sale by or on the order of a

practitioner licenced by the law of the

State in which he/she practices”

(USA Only)

Drive Powerchair Range Page 2 Z20945 (Rev C)

1. PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION

Please carefully read this owner’s handbook before
using the powerchair. Improper use of the
powerchair could result injury, damage or traffic
incidents.

This handbook includes a copy of the service record
and warranty information. Please keep it in a safe
place or with the powerchair. If someone else uses
the powerchair, provide them with this handbook
for their information.

As designs change some illustrations and pictures
herein may not correspond to the powerchair
purchased. We reserve the right to make design
modifications.

The Drive range of powered wheelchairs have been
designed and manufactured to provide a
comfortable and secure yet affordable solution for
some mobility requirements. All Drive powerchairs
have a fixed base (not folding) with a separate seat.
There a number of mid-wheel and rear-wheel drive
configurations available.

The models in the Drive powerchair range are:

• Sunfire General rear wheel drive powerchair

• Sunfire Plus GT RWD powerchair

• Sunfire EC RWD powerchair

• Image EC mid wheel powerchair

• Image GT mid wheel powerchair

• Geo Indoor RWD powerchair

Your Drive powerchair is CE marked by Drive
Medical, who are an ISO 9001 and ISO 13485
certified medical device manufacturer.

2. SAFETY

Before Driving

• The user needs to be familiar with the use and
operation of this powerchair before driving.

• Ride on the pavement and pedestrian areas
only. Never ride on motorways or dual
carriageways. Only use roads to cross to other
side of the pavement.

• Be aware of traffic when crossing or using roads.

• Use extreme caution when driving your

powerchair in busy areas such as shopping malls.

• Do not drive the powerchair under the influence
drink or drugs, or when you are tired.

• Be careful when using the powerchair in low
light. It has not been designed for use at night.

• Before using the powerchair in busy or
hazardous environments, familiarise yourself
with the operation of the powerchair. Practice in
an open and safe area which is free from
hazards and other people. Use a low speed for
your initial practice.

Always remain in seat whilst using the
powerchair. Do not stand on the
footplate.

Whilst Driving

• Do not use your powerchair on surfaces that are
muddy, gravelly, bumpy, narrow, snowed over,
icy; or on towpaths near to canals which are not
guarded.

• Do not use your powerchair outside when it is
raining, snowing, misty or windy.

• Do not make erratic turnings on your
powerchair.

• Bear in mind driving motions such as
accelerating, stopping, turning, reversing, and
the effect of gradients.

• Slow down when driving on gradients. Always
lean forward when climbing a steep gradient. Do
not travel on gradients exceeding those stated
in the specification. Most access ramps are 5º
which is a suitable incline for all Drive
powerchairs.

Drive Powerchair Range Page 3 Z20945 (Rev C)

When climbing an incline, try to keep your
powerchair moving. If you must stop, start
up again slowly, and then accelerate
cautiously. When driving down an incline,
do so slowly and in the forward direction
only. If your powerchair starts to move
faster than you anticipated or desired,
allow the chair to come to a complete
stop by releasing the joystick. Push the
joystick slightly forward and continue
travelling slowly down the incline. When
climbing an incline, do not zigzag or drive
at an angle up the face of the incline.
Always drive your Drive straight up the
incline. This greatly reduces the possibility
of a tip or a fall.

• Do not drive on roads with large drops or
potholes.

• The powerchair is not suitable for carrying
passengers.

• Do not use the powerchair to carry heavy goods.

• Do not use a mobile phone or other wireless

communication devices whilst driving. Always
stop somewhere suitable and switch off the
powerchair before using the phone.

• Do not set in freewheel mode when driving,
especially on a gradient. Ensure that the
powerchair’s automatic brakes are applied
before use.

• Do not exceed the weight limit of the
powerchair.

Labelling

• Please carefully read all labels applied to the
powerchair before driving. For future reference,
do not remove them from the powerchair. The
labels are also shown here:

Product Code: __________

Drive Medical HX5 9JP
Serial #:
Max User Mass ___kg

Above: Located on rear

Above: Located by freewheel levers on rear

WARNING:

EMI

REFER TO

OPERATORS

MANUAL FOR

INFORMATION

Above: Located on rear

Electromagnetic Interference

• Powerchairs may be susceptible to
electromagnetic interference (EMI) from sources
such as mobile phones, walkie-talkies, TV and
radio broadcast stations and amateur radio sets.
In some cases, there is a risk this interference
may cause involuntary movement of the
powerchair. The powerchair has been tested and
passed to withstand interference to a level of
20V per metre.

• Be aware that the above sources may cause
involuntary movement due to EMI. Exercise
caution whilst using the aforementioned devices
and avoid close proximity to TV and Radio
broadcast stations.

• The addition of components or accessories may
effect the EMI susceptibility of the powerchair.
Do not fit accessories other than Drive Medical
authorised accessories.

Drive Powerchair Range Page 4 Z20945 (Rev C)

3. PARTS INTRODUCTION

The parts description below applies to rear wheel
drive powerchairs:

CONTROLLER

ARM R EST

HEAD REST

SEAT BASE

SEAT BACK

REST

FRONT

(CASTOR)

WHEEL

SHROUD

FOOT PLATE

REAR

(DRIVE)

WHEEL

SEAT

ROTATE

LEVER

The parts description below applied to mid wheel
drive powerchairs:

ARM REST

CONT-

ROLLER

HEAD REST

SEAT BASE

SEAT BACK

REST

SEAT

ROTATE

LEVER

FOOT PLATE

FRONT

(CASTOR)

WHEEL

MID (DRIVE)

WHEEL

REAR

(ANTI TIP)

WHEEL

4. PARTS INTRODUCTION

Control Panel

On / Off Button

Horn

Battery Gauge

Speed / Profile Indicator

Increase Speed / Profile

Decrease Speed / Profile

Charger and
Programmer socket

Control Panel
(see previous

diagram)

Joystick

Joystick Control Panel shown above

HOW TO OPERATE YOUR POWERCHAIR

1. Joystick. The primary function of the joystick is to

control the speed and direction of the
wheelchair. The further you push the joystick
from the center position the faster the
wheelchair will move. When you release the
joystick the brakes are automatically applied.

2. On / Off button. The on/off button applies

power to the control system electronics, which in
turn supply power to the wheelchair’s motors. Do
not use the on/off button to stop the wheelchair
unless there is an emergency. (If you do, you may
shorten the life of the wheelchair drive
components). The battery gauge shows you that
the wheelchair is switched on. It also indicates
the operating status of the wheelchair.

3. Increase Speed / Profile. Press this button to

increase the maximum speed of the wheelchair.