   
Electric v Battery Stair Lifts
When it comes to choosing a stair lift for your home one of the main
decisions you will need to make is whether it will be electric (AC) powered or battery (DC)
powered. Both types need to be plugged into a power outlet but a battery powered model will have a
constantly recharging battery that will enable the stair lift to work even in the case of a power
outage.
What does a replacement stair lift battery
cost?
A DC battery model has its advantages and if you are in an area that
is subjected to regular black outs and power cuts then it will give you peace of mind to know that
your stairlift will still function in an emergency situation. The downside of the battery powered models
is that stair lift batteries have a limited lifespan and must be replaced over time. At around $70 per
battery, this is an extra ongoing cost that will need to be allowed for in your budget.
How long will a stair lift battery last?
To give you an idea of how often a battery will need to be replaced we
have compiled the following information based on a typical AmeriGlide DC Stairlift:
-
AmeriGlide DC Stairlifts use a battery that is rated for 3200 cycles. A
cycle is defined as being a one-way trip up or down the stairs therefore a round trip up and down would
be two cycles.
-
One round trip each day is 730 cycles per year which should see the
battery last over 4 years. Two round trips a day would see the battery lasting just over 2
years. If you are making four or more trips per day you can expect to need to replace the battery
in one year or even less.
-
Even if you won't be using the stair lift every day you
shouldn't expect a battery to last much more than 4 years. In addition, if the stair lift is exposed to
conditions that are not temperature controlled or if the person using it is close to the maximum weight
bearing capacity, then the battery will have a reduced lifespan.
Is Electric or Battery Best?
The general advice given by AmeriGlide is that if you
will be using the stair lift for three or more round trips every day then you are probably better suited to an
AC-powered lift that will not require a battery change every year or sooner. On the other hand, if you live on your
own and are unable to negotiate the stairs without a lift then a battery powered unit is probably essential for
your overall safety.
AmeriGlide Stair Lifts in both battery and electric powered models are
available on sale at usmedicalsupplies.com. Click here for more details.
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