Pride Mobility Flash Owner's Manual

Owner’ s Manual

Stylish Design and Premium Performance

Exeter , P A
S t. Catharines, ON 1-800-800-8586

www.pridemobility.com

SAFETY GUIDELINES

The symbols below are used throughout this owner's manual and on the power chair to identify warnings and important
information. It is very important for you to read them and understand them completely .

WARNING! Failure to follow designated procedures can cause either personal injury, component
damage, or malfunction (black symbol on yellow triangle with black border).

MANDATORY! These actions should be perfor med as specified. Failure to perform mandatory
actions can cause injury to personnel and/or damage to equipment (white symbol on blue dot).

PROHIBITED! These actions should be prohibited. These actions should not be performed at any
time or in any circumstances. Performing a prohibited action can cause injury to personnel and/
or damage to equipment (black symbol with red circle and red slash).

NOTE: Supplemental information that may be helpful to operate the equipment.

Copyright © 2004
Pride Mobility Products Corp.

INFMANU2474

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CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................4

II. SAFETY .................................................................................................................................................6

III. THE FLASH ........................................................................................................................................15

IV. ASSEMBLY.........................................................................................................................................20

V. COMFORT ADJUSTMENTS........................................................................................................21

VI. BA TTERIES AND CHARGING ....................................................................................................26

VII. OPERATION.......................................................................................................................................30

VIII.CARE AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................34

IX . OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES.........................................................................................................40

X. WARRANTY........................................................................................................................................41

This owner’s manual is compiled from the latest specifications and product information available at the time of
publication. We reserve the right to make changes as they become necessary . Any changes to our products may
cause slight variations between the illustrations and explanations in this manual and the product you have purchased.

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I. INTRODUCTION

SAFETY

WELCOME to Pride Mobility Products Corporation (Pride). The power chair you have purchased combines state-of­the-art components with safety, comfort, and styling in mind. W e are confident that these design features will provide you
with the conveniences you expect during your daily activities. Once you understand how to safely operate and care for
your power chair, it should give you years of trouble free operation and service.

Read and follow all instructions, warnings, and notes in this manual before attempting to operate your power chair for the
first time. In addition, your safety depends upon you, as well as your provider , caretaker , or healthcare professional in
using good judgement.

If there is any information in this manual which you do not understand, or if you require additional assistance for setup or
operation, please contact your authorized Pride Provider . Failure to follow the instructions in this manual and those

located on your power chair can lead to personal injury and/or damage to the power chair , including voiding the
warranty .

PURCHASER’S AGREEMENT

By accepting delivery of this product, you promise that you will not change, alter or modify this product or remove or
render inoperable or unsafe any guards, shields, or other safety features of this product; fail, refuse or neglect to install any
retrofits kits from time to time provided by Pride to enhance or preserve the safe use of this product.

INFORMA TION EXCHANGE

W e want to hear your questions, comments, and suggestions about this manual. W e would also like to hear about the safety
and reliability of your new power chair, and about the service you received from your authorized Pride Provider .

Please notify us of any change of address, so we can keep you apprised of important information about safety , new
products, and new options that can increase your ability to use and enjoy your power chair . Please feel free to contact us
at the address below:

Pride Mobility Products Corporation
Attn: Customer Care Department
182 Susquehanna A venue
Exeter, PA 18643-2694
customercare@pridemobility .com
800-424-8205

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I. INTRODUCTION

PRIDE OWNERS CLUB

As an owner of a Pride product, you are encouraged to register your product and enroll in the Pride Owners Club. You
may do so by filling out and returning your enclosed product registration card or by visiting Pride's web site at
www .pridemobility.com. As a registered member , each time you visit our site, you will have access to the most interactive
and honest educational venue available today for people with mobility needs, their families, and friends.

From our home page, select "Owners Club" to enter a page dedicated to current and potential Pride product owners. You
will gain access to interviews, stories, recreation ideas, daily living tips, product and funding information, and interactive
message boards. These message boards invite you to communicate with other Pride customers as well as Pride represen­tatives who are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.

My authorized Pride Provider:

Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:______________________________________________________________________________

Purchase Date:_______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: If you ever lose or misplace your product registration card or your copy of this manual,
contact us and we will be glad to send you a new one immediately .

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II. SAFETY

PRODUCT SAFETY SYMBOLS

The symbols below are used on the power chair to identify warnings, mandatory actions, and prohibited actions. It is very
important for you to read and understand them completely .

Use only AGM or Gel-Cell batteries.

This product has been tested and passed at an immunity level of 20 V/m.

Read and follow the information in the owner’s manual.

Maximum seating weight.

Unlocked and in freewheel mode.

Place unit on level ground and stand behind or to one side when changing from
drive mode to freewheel mode or freewheel mode to drive mode.

Locked and in drive mode.

Battery Configuration:
TT

T = Terminal Post

TT
Connect Red wire to
Connect Black wire to

TT

T with

TT

++

+

++

TT

T with

TT

––

–

––

Do not remove anti-tip wheels.

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II. SAFETY

To pre vent unintended movement, turn off the power to the electrically-powered
mobility vehicle before using a cell phone, two-way radio, lap-top, or any other
type of radio transmitter .

Avoid exposure to rain, snow, ice, salt, or standing water whenever possible.
Maintain and store in a clean and dry condition.

Removal of grounding prong can create electrical hazard. If necessary, properly
install an approved 3-pronged adapter to an electrical outlet having 2-pronged
plug access. Failure to heed could result in personal injur y and/or proper ty
damage.

Prevent personal injury and equipment damage. Do not connect an extension
cord to the AC/DC converter or the battery charger.

Corrosive chemicals contained in battery.

Explosive conditions.

Contact with tools can cause electrical shock.

Pinch Point.

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II. SAFETY

SAFETY

MANDA T OR Y! Do not operate y our new power c hair for the first time without completely reading
and understanding this owner’s manual.

Y our power chair is a state-of-the-art life-enhancement device designed to increase mobility . Pride provides an extensive
variety of products to best fit the individual needs of the power chair user. Please be aware that the final selection and
purchasing decision regarding the type of power chair to be used is the responsibility of the power chair user, who is
capable of making such a decision, and his/her healthcare professional (i.e., medical doctor, physical therapist, etc.).

The contents of this manual are based on the expectation that a mobility device expert has properly fitted the power chair
to the user and has assisted the prescribing healthcare professional and/or the authorized Pride Provider in the instruction
process for the use of the product.

There are certain situations, including some medical conditions, where the power chair user will need to practice operating
the power chair in the presence of a trained attendant. A trained attendant can be defined as a family member or care
professional specially trained in assisting a power chair user in various daily living activities.

As you begin using your power chair during daily activities, you will probably encounter situations in which you will need
some practice. Simply take your time and you will soon be in full and confident control as you maneuver through doorways,
on and off of elevators, up and down ramps, and over moderate terrain.

Below are some precautions, tips, and other safety considerations that will help the user become accustomed to operating
the power chair safely .

Modifications

Pride has designed and engineered your power chair to provide maximum mobility and utility . A wide range of accessories
is available from your authorized Pride Provider to further customize your power chair to better suit your needs and/or
preferences. However, under no circumstances should you modify , add, remove, or disable any feature, part, or function
of your power chair.

WARNING! Do not modify your power chair in any way not authorized by Pride. Unauthorized
modifications may result in personal injury and/or damage to your power chair.

Pre-Ride Safety Check

Get to know the feel of your power chair and its capabilities. Pride recommends that you perform a safety check before
each use to make sure your power chair operates smoothly and safely .

Perform the following inspections prior to using your power chair:

! Check for proper tire inflation. Maintain but do not exceed 35 psi (2.4 bar) in each tire (if equipped with pneumatic tires).
! Check all electrical connections. Make sure they are tight and not corroded.
! Check all controller connections to the power base. Make sure they are secured properly .
! Check the brakes. See VIII. “Care and Maintenance.”
! Check battery charge. See VI. “Batteries and Charging.”

NOTE: If you discover a problem, contact your authorized Pride Provider for assistance.

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II. SAFETY

Weight Limitations

Y our power chair is rated for a maximum weight capacity . Please refer to the specifications table for this limit.

WARNING! Exceeding the weight capacity voids your warranty and may result in personal injury
and/or damage to your power chair . Pride will not be held responsible for injuries and/or property
damage resulting from failure to observe weight limitations.

WARNING! Do not carr y passengers on your power chair. Carr ying passengers on your power
chair may result in personal injury and/or property damage.

Tire Inflation

If your power chair is equipped with pneumatic tires, you should check or have the air pressure checked regularly . Proper
inflation pressures will prolong the life of your tires and help ensure the smooth operation of your power chair.

WARNING! It is important that 35 psi (2.4 bar) tire pressure be maintained in pneumatic tires a t all
times. Do not underinflate or overinflate your tires. Low pressure may result in loss of control, and
overinflated tires may burst. Failure to maintain 35 psi (2.4 bar) tire pressure in pneumatic tires at
all times may result in tire and/or wheel failure, causing serious personal injury and/or damage to
your power chair.

WARNING! Inflate your power chair drive tires from a regulated air source with an available pressure
gauge. Inflating your tires from an unregulated air source could overinflate them, resulting in a
burst tire and/or personal injury .

Incline Information

More and more buildings have ramps with specified degrees of inclination, designed for easy and safe access. Some ramps
may have turning switchbacks (180-degree turns) that require you to have good cornering skills on your power chair.

! Proceed with extreme caution as you approach the downgrade of a ramp or other incline.
! T ake wide swings with your power chair’s front wheels around any tight corners. If you do that, the power chair’s rear

wheels will follow a wide arc, not cut the corner short, and not bump into or get hung up on any railing corners.

! When driving down a ramp, keep the power chair’s speed adjustment set to the slowest speed setting to ensure a

safely controlled descent. See VII. “Operation.”

! A void sudden stops and starts.

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, set your power chair to the slowest speed setting and drive in the forward
direction only . If your power chair starts to move down the incline faster than you anticipated or desired, allow it to come
to a complete stop by releasing the joystick, then push the joystick forward slightly to ensure a safely controlled descent.

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

WARNING! You should not travel up or down a potentially hazardous incline (i.e., areas covered
with snow , ice, cut grass, or wet leav es).

WARNING! When on any sor t of an incline or decline, never place the power chair in freewheel
mode while seated on it or standing next to it. Doing so may result in personal injur y and/or
damage to your power chair.

WARNING! Never trav el down an incline backwards. This may result in personal injury .

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II. SAFETY

WARNING! Even though your power chair is capable of climbing slopes greater than those illustrated in
figure 1, do not, under any circumstances, exceed the incline guidelines or any other specifications pre­sented in this manual. Doing so could cause instability in your power chair , resulting in personal injury and/
or damage to your power chair .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all handicap public access ramps are required to have a
maximum slope of 5°. Therefore, Pride recommends that the maximum slope of an incline you attempt to safely ascend or
descend on your power chair does not exceed 5°. See figure 1.

WARNING! Any attempt to climb or descend a slope steeper than 5° may put your power chair in
an unstable position and cause it to tip, resulting in personal injury .

Figure 1. Maximum Safe Slope (Ascending and Descending)

Braking Information

Y our power chair is equipped with two powerful brake systems:

! Regenerative — uses electricity to rapidly slow the vehicle when the joystick returns to the center/stop position.
! Disc Park Brake — activates mechanically after regenerative braking slows the vehicle to near stop, or when power is

removed from the system for any reason.

Cornering Information

While your power chair is equipped with caster wheels and anti-tip wheels, excessively high cornering speeds can still
create the possibility of tipping. Factors which affect the possibility of tipping include, but are not limited to: cornering
speed, steering angle (how sharply you are turning), uneven road surfaces, inclined road surfaces, riding from an area of
low traction to an area of high traction (such as passing from a grassy area to a paved area – especially at high speed while
turning), and abrupt directional changes. High cornering speeds are not recommended. If you feel that you may tip over in
a corner, reduce your speed and steering angle (i.e., lessen the sharpness of the turn) to prevent your power chair
from tipping.

WARNING! When cornering sharply, reduce your speed. This greatly reduces the possibility of a
tip or fall. T o avoid personal injury and/or property damage, always exercise common sense when
cornering.

Outdoor Driving Surfaces

Y our power chair is designed to provide optimum stability under normal driving conditions—dry , level surfaces composed
of concrete, blacktop, or asphalt. However, Pride recognizes that there will be times when you will encounter other surface
types. For this reason, your power chair is designed to perform admirably on packed soil, grass, and gravel. Feel free to
use your power chair safely on lawns and in park areas.

! Reduce your power chair’s speed when driving on uneven terrain and/or soft surfaces.
! A void tall grass that can entangle the running gear.
! A void loosely packed gravel and sand.
! If you feel unsure about a driving surface, avoid that surface.

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II. SAFETY

Freewheel Mode

Y our power chair is equipped with a manual freewheel system to allow for manual maneuverability by a trained attendant. For
more information about how to place your power chair into and out of freewheel mode, see III. “The Flash.”

WARNING! Do not use your power chair in freewheel mode without an attendant present. Personal
injury may result.

WARNING! Do not attempt to personally place your power chair in freewheel mode while seated
on it. Personal injury may result. Ask an attendant f or assistance if necessary.

WARNING! Do not place your power chair in freewheel mode while on an incline. The chair could
roll uncontrollably on its own, causing personal injury .

Stationary Obstacles (Steps, Curbs, etc.)

Proceed with extreme caution when driving near raised surfaces, unprotected ledges and/or drop-offs (curbs, porches,
stairs, etc.). The correct method for approaching a curb is illustrated in figures 2 and 3.

WARNING! Do not attempt to have your power chair climb or descend an obstacle that is higher
than 2 inches unless you have the assistance of an attendant.

WARNING! Do not attempt to have your power chair proceed backward down any step, curb, or
other obstacle. This may cause the power chair to tip and cause personal injury.

CURB

Figure 2. Correct Curb Approach

Figure 3. Incorrect Curb Approach

CURB

Public Streets and Roadways

WARNING! Y ou should not operate your power chair on public streets and roadways. Be aware that it
may be difficult for traffic to see you when you are seated on your power chair . Obey all local pedestrian
traffic rules. Wait until your path is clear of traffic, and then proceed with extreme caution.

Stairs and Escalators

Power chairs are not designed to travel up or down stairs or escalators. Always use an elevator.

WARNING! Never use y our pow er chair to negotiate steps or escalators. You may cause injury to
yourself and to others and/or damage your power chair.

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II. SAFETY

Doors

! Determine if the door opens toward or away from you.
! Drive your power chair gently and slowly forward to push the door open. Or drive your power chair gently and slowly

backward to pull the door open.

Elevators

Modern elevators have a door edge safety mechanism that, when pushed, reopens the elevator door(s).
! If you are in the doorway of an elevator when the door(s) begin to close, push on the rubber door edge or allow the

rubber door edge to contact the power chair and the door will reopen.

! Use care that pocketbooks, packages, or power chair accessories do not become caught in elevator doors.

Lift/Elevation Products

If you will be traveling with your power chair, you may find it necessary to use a lift/elevation product to aid in transporta­tion. Pride recommends that you closely review the instructions, specifications, and safety information set forth by the
manufacturer of the lift/elevation product before using that product.

Motor Vehicle Transport

Currently , there are no standards approved for tie-down systems in a moving vehicle of any type to transport a person
while seated in a power chair.

Transfers

Transferring onto and of f of your power chair requires a good
sense of balance. Always have an attendant or healthcare
professional present while learning to properly transfer your­self.

T o eliminate the possibility of injury, Pride recommends that
you or a trained attendant perform the following tasks be­fore attempting a transfer:

! Turn the power off. See VII. “Operation.”
! Ensure your power chair is not in freewheel mode. See

III. “The Flash.”

! Turn both caster wheels toward the transfer destination

to improve power chair stability during transfer.

! Make sure both armrests are flipped up or removed

from your power chair.

! Flip up the foot platform or move the leg rests aside;

this will help to keep your feet from getting caught on
the front rigging during the transfer.

! Reduce the distance between your power chair and

the object you are transferring onto.

Figure 4. Ideal Transfer Position

WARNING! Before transferring, position yourself as far back as possible in the power chair sea t
to prevent the power chair from tipping forward during transfer and causing injury .

WARNING! Avoid using your armrests for weight bearing purposes. Such use may cause the
power chair to tip and cause personal injury.

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II. SAFETY

WARNING! Avoid putting all of your weight on the front riggings. Such use may cause the power
chair to tip and cause personal injury.

Positioning Belts

Y our authorized Pride Provider , therapist(s), and other healthcare professionals are responsible for determining your re­quirement for a positioning belt in order to operate your power chair safely .

WARNING! If you requir e a positioning belt to safely operate your power chair, make sur e it is
fastened securely. Serious personal injury may result if you fall from the power chair.

WARNING! The positioning belt is not designed for use as a seat belt in a motor vehicle. Nor is
your power chair suitable for use as a seat in any vehicle. Anyone traveling in a vehicle should be
properly belted into seats approved by the v ehicle manufacturer.

WARNING! Do not sit on your power chair while it is in a moving vehicle. Personal injury and/or
property damage may result.

WARNING! Always be sure your power chair and its batteries are properly secured when it is being
transported. Failure to do so may result in personal injury and/or damage to your power chair.

Inclement Weather Precautions

WARNING! Pride recommends that you do not operate your power chair in ic y or slippery conditions
or on salted surfaces (i.e., walks or roads). Such use may adversely affect the performance and
safety of your power chair , resulting in an accident and personal injury.

WARNING! Avoid e xposing your power chair to an y type of moisture at any time (rain, snow, mist,
or wash). Such exposure can damage your power c hair. Ne ver operate or charge your po wer chair
if it has been exposed to moisture until it has dried thoroughly.

Reaching and Bending

Never reach, lean, or bend while driving your power chair. If it is absolutely necessary to reach, lean, or bend while seated
on your power chair, it is important to maintain a stable center of gravity and keep the power chair from tipping. Pride
recommends that the power chair user determine his/her personal limitations and practice bending and reaching in the
presence of a qualified healthcare professional.

WARNING! Do not bend, lean, or reach for objects if you have to pick them up from the floor by
reaching down between your knees. Movements such as these may change your center of gravity
and the weight distribution of the power chair . This may cause your power chair to tip , possibly
resulting in personal injury. Keep your hands away from the tires when driving.

Preventing Unintended Movement

WARNING! If you anticipate being seated in a stationary position for an extended period of time,
turn off the power. This will prevent unexpected motion from inadvertent joystick contact. This
will also eliminate the possibility of unintended chair movement from electromagnetic (EM) sources.
Failure to do so may result in personal injury.

Removable Parts

WARNING! Do not attempt to lift or move a power chair by any of its removable parts. Personal
injury and/or damage to the power chair may result.

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