Mercury Mambo, Mambo Mini, Mambo Standard, Mambo Midwheel 361, Mambo Midwheel 363 Owner's Manual

OWNER’S HANDBOOK

CONTENTS

1. PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION

2. SAFETY NOTICE

• Before Driving

• Whilst Driving

• Labelling

3. ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE
(EMI)

4. PARTS INTRODUCTION

5. OPERATION

• Control Panel – Mambo

• How to Operate your Powerchair

• How to set freewheel mode

6. BATTERY CHARGING AND CARE

• Charging the battery

• Battery

• Replacing Mambo Batteries or Charger

7. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

• Inspection

• Regular Check List

• Battery, Fuse and Tyres

• Storage

8. TROUBLESHOOTING & SPECIFICATION

9. WARRANTY

Mercury Mambo Powered Wheelchairs Part Code: Z20945 (Rev B)
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1. PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION

Please carefully read this owner’s manual before using the powerchair. Improper use of the power chair
could result in harm, injury or traffic accidents.
This owner’s manual includes operation instructions for every aspect of the power chair, assembly
instructions, as well as instructions on how to avoid possible accidents.
The symbols used in this manual are explained below:







Warning

Attention

Suggestion

Improper use could result in serious injury or death

Improper use could lead to injury and/or damage

Follow these instructions to keep your powerchair in good working order

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

Please keep it in a safe place or with the powerchair

♦ If someone else uses the powerchair, please make sure that you provide them with this owners

handbook for his or her consideration.

♦ As designs change some illustrations and pictures in the manual may not correspond to the powerchair

that you purchased. We reserve the right to make design modifications.

The Mambo range of powered wheelchairs is part of the Mercury range, and has been designed and
manufactured to provide a comfortable and secure yet affordable solution for some mobility requirements.
All Mambo powerchairs have a fixed base (not folding) with separate seat. There are three styles and a
choice of colours in the Mambo range:

• Mambo Mini – Compact powerchair with single seat post

• Mambo Standard – Larger and more robust powerchair with four post seat system

• Mambo Midwheel – Features rear mounted castors, front anti-tip wheels and drive wheels in the centre

for excellent maneouvrability. There are two models of midwheel powerchair available.

Mercury is a brand of Medicare Technology. Medicare Technology is an ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified
manufacturer of medical devices, mainly for the mobility sector. Other products in the Medicare Technology
range include manual wheelchairs, electric scooters, walking aids, bathlifts and bathing equipment, and
many more mobility aids. All Medicare Technology medical devices are CE marked.

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2. SAFETY NOTICE

2.1 BEFORE DRIVING

The user needs to be familiar with the usage and operation of this powerchair before driving. Therefore,

please keep the following safety notices in mind at all times.

 The same traffic rules apply to the use of this powerchair as apply to pedestrians

♦ For your safety, please follow the rules that apply to pedestrians.

♦ Drive on the pavement or pedestrian areas only. Only drive on roads to cross the road or reach the

pavement. Never drive on motorways or dual carriageways.

♦ Please do not drive your powerchair when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

♦ Please be careful when driving your powerchair as evening falls. It has not been designed for use at

night.

 Practice operating your powerchair

♦ Before using the power chair in busy or potentially dangerous areas, familiarize yourself with the

operation of your power chair. Please practice in a wide and open area like a park. In order to avoid

accidents with your powerchair whilst driving, please bear in mind driving motions, such as

accelerating, stopping, turning, reversing, and gradients.

♦ Please select the slowest speed setting for your initial practice.

♦ Make sure someone accompanies you for safety when driving on the roads for the first time.

♦ Only use the higher speed setting when you are confident that you can easily operate and control

your powerchair.

 The Mambo powerchair is only to be used by one person at a time

♦ Do not carry passengers on your powerchair. (including children)

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

♦ The maximum weight that can be carried, please refer to “MAX LOAD WEIGHT” in the

specification section.

2.2 WHILST DRIVING

 Please carry out daily inspections. Refer to the section entitled “DAILY CHECKING”

 Do not move your body out of the powerchair while moving

♦ Such action may cause you to lose balance and risk injury from falling.

♦ Pay attention that your clothes do not tangle in the wheels

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 Do not use your powerchair under the circumstances below.

♦ On roads with heavy traffic or surfaces that are muddy, gravelly, bumpy, narrow, snowed over, icy,

or canal towpaths not guarded by any fence or hedge. Keep away from places where you might get

the wheels stuck.

♦ Do not drive at night or during severe weather conditions (such as rain, snow, etc).

♦ Do not drive your powerchair in an “S” pattern or make erratic turnings.

♦ Do not take the powerchair onto escalators.

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

MOTOR VEHICLE (E.G. CARS, BUSES, TRAINS, ETC).

 About Mobile Phones and other electrical equipment

♦ Do not use a mobile phone or other wireless communication devices whilst driving.

♦ Always switch off the powerchair and remove the ignition key before using a mobile phone.

♦ Do not charge the mobile phone or any other electrical devices from the batteries of the powerchair.

 Automatic Power Shut Down

In order to avoid accidental battery run down, your powerchair is equipped with an automatic power shut

down facility. The powerchair will automatically switch off after 30 minutes if left idle. When this

situation occurs, simply switch your powerchair off and back on and it will be ready for use once again.

 Ramps, inclines and drops

♦ Do not drive onto steep ramps greater than the specified gradient. Refer to the section entitled

“CLIMBING ANGLE” in the specification section.

♦ 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 entitled “MAX. GROUND

CLEARANCE” in the specification section.

♦ Please slow down when driving on gradients

♦ Do not make sudden turns when driving on gravel surfaces or ramps.

♦ 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 on them.

3. Switch the powerchair on.

4. Check the battery indicator to see whether there is enough power for your journey. If you have any

doubt about the remaining power, please recharge the batteries before departure.

5. Select a speed which you feel safe and comfortable with.

6. Check the joystick lever works correctly.

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7. Make sure the electromagnetic brake works correctly. An audible clicking can be heard when

moving the joystick in and out of the neutral position. This sound is the electromagnetic brake

applying and releasing.

8. Make sure it is safe around you before you begin your journey.

 Stopping

♦ Release the joystick control lever completely. The powerchair will naturally brake and stop.

♦ Switch the powerchair off.

 Warning!

♦ Do not set in to freewheel mode when driving on a gradient.

♦ Always re-engage the freewheel levers in to the “DRIVE” position before use. Failure to do so may result

in injury.

♦ For your safety, the power will automatically cut off and the electromagnetic brake system will activate

while driving down too steep a gradient. This will limit the speed to a safe level. Switch the power off and

on again to re-start your power chair.

♦ Maximum User Weight Limit

♦ Refer to section entitled “MAX. LOAD WEIGHT” in the specification section. 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 which could

result in injury.

2. Do not switch the powerchair off whilst driving as this will lead to an emergency stop and possible risk

of accident and injury.

3. Do not set to the highest 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 cause damage to your powerchair.

5. Do not place magnetic or other electrical devices near the area of the controller as this could affect the

safe operation of your powerchair.

6. Be careful whilst driving in heavy traffic or crowded areas.

7. While reversing the powerchair, be aware of people or objects behind you.

 Inclines and uneven terrain

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.

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 Maximum recommended incline

Extensive testing on gradients has been performed on the Mambo. Our results show that the maximum
incline your Mambo can safety climb is six or eight degrees at maximum weight capacity. Five degrees is
the angle of most handicap access ramps. Any attempt to climb a larger gradient may put your Mambo in an
unstable position.

Attention:

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

your Mambo 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 on a gradient that can be potentially hazardous (for example, areas covered with snow, ice,

cut grass, and/or fallen leaves).

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2.3 LABELING

Please carefully read all the labeling on the powerchair before you drive. For future reference, do not remove
them.

WARNING

NEUTRAL

Emergency Freewheel Device.

Always re-engage the emergency

freewheel device after use. Failure

to do so may result in injury

DRIVE

EMI WARNING: Please Read

EMI (E lectromagnetic Interference) are R adio Waves. Radio Waves can effect wheelchair control.
Radio wave sources, such as radio stations, amateur radio (HAM) transmitt ers, two-way radios, and
cellular phones, can affect powered motorized wheelchair. F ollowing the warnings listed below should
reduce the chance of unintended brake r elease or powered wheelchair movement which could result in
serious injury.

1. Do not turn ON hand-held personal communication devices, such as citizens band (CB) radios and
cellular phones, whilst the w heelchair 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, tur n the powered wheelchair OFF as soon as it is
safe.

4. Be aw are that adding accessories or components, or modifying the powered w heelchair, may make it
more susceptible to inter ference from radio wave sources. (N ote: There is no easy way to evaluate their
effect on powered wheelchairs.)

5. Report all incidents of unintended movement or brake release to the power ed wheelchair
manufacturer, and not e whether ther e is a radio wave source nearby.

NEVER LIFT WHEELCHAIR UP BY THE

REAR OR FRONT OF SHROUD

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3. ELECTROMAGENTIC INTERFERENCE (EMI)

This portion of the content will provide the user with basic information that describes the problems with
EMI, known sources of EMI, protective measures either to 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 Mambo powerchair.

3. 1 ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) FROM RADIO

WAVE SOURCES

Powered wheelchair may be susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is interfering
electromagnetic energy (EM) emitted from sources such as radio stations, TV stations, amateur radio
(HAM) transmitters, two-way radios, and mobile phones. The interference (from radio wave sources) can
cause the powered wheelchair 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 volts per meter (V/m). Each powered wheelchair 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 powered wheelchair model as
shipped, with no further modification, has 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, mobile telephones and other personal communication devices.

Attention:

Some mobile telephones and similar devices transmit signals 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 powerchair .

3. Long-range transmitters and transceivers, such as commercial broadcast transmitters (radio and TV
broadcast antenna towers) and amateur (HAM) radios.

Attention: Other types of hand-held devices, such as cordless phones, laptop computers, AM/FM
radios, TV sets, CD player, and cassette players, and small appliances, such as electric shavers and
hair dryers, so far as we know, are not likely to cause EMI problems to your powered wheelchair.

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3.2 POWERED WHEELCHAIR ELECTROMAGNETIC

INTERFERENCE (EMI)

Because EM energy rapidly 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 powerchair while using
these devices. This can affect powered wheelchair movement and braking. Therefore, the warnings listed
below are recommended to prevent possible interference with the control system of the powered wheelchair.

3.3 WARNINGS

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from sources such as radio and TV stations, amateur radio (HAM)
transmitters, two-way radios, and mobile phones can affect powered wheelchairs. Following the warnings
listed below should reduce the chance of unintended brake release or powered wheelchair 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 mobile phones, while the powered wheelchair 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 powered wheelchair OFF as soon as it is
safe;

4. Be aware that adding accessories or components, or modifying the powered wheelchair, may make it
more susceptible to EMI (Note: There is no easy way to evaluate their effect on the overall immunity
of the powered wheelchair ).

5. Report all incidents of unintended movement or brake release to the powered wheelchair
manufacturer, and note whether there is a source of EMI nearby,

3.4 IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. 20 Volts per Metre (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 connected to it.

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