Building a better wheelchair!

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

For some reason this appeals to me? When we discuss wheelchairs what it comes down to is mobility. A wheelchair literally becomes the legs for the user, and believe me, I guard my chair as if it were part of me. Facing the world with impaired mobility is tiring, it is constant and affects every aspect of life. The intelligence and ingenuity of the people on this site can definitely be used for the greater good, and I am asking that everyone do what they can to contribute.

Paralyzed, u hit the nail on the head with that one, life without a chair would be un-imagineable and u tend to protect them with your life.
[/QUOTE]My wheelchair is a dual brushed motor model ran by two 12v sealed gel lead acid batteries. It runs at 24v and puts out a total of about 900 watts total. There is a gearbox directly attched to the motor with a 7.5 mph top speed. It is a fairly simple steel and aluminum frame. There is some kind of speed control (Obviously) and a controller(joystick). The joystick is the only thing that I can see being expensive. The wheelchair cost $15,000. Do you guys think you could build one cheaper?[/QUOTE]
That sounds about like my chair, what brand is yours?, mine is a permobil.

Originally Posted by TexasSP

I would start with a 6061 aluminum frame (not 7075 as it is extremely difficult to weld) as it would be light and strong. Carbon would be nice too but would add a lot of expense and is more difficult to work with. I would also think cushioning would be a major issue as people spend all day in these chairs so some nice advanced memory foam would be in order. It also seems to me updating to lipo's and a good brushless motor would be in order. I think one or two of the hobby city large outrunners linked below would be good as well.

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5139&Product_Name=HXT_80-100-A_180Kv_Brushless_Outrunner_(eq:_70-55)

I would guess that chain drive would be optimal for this as well.

Let us know what you need and I will do what I can to help.

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

The insurane has a lot to do with the price, so does the liability. Cushioning for the chair is a whole other ball of worms, it's better to have a flat base in standardized sizes to accept available cushions. Standards are in two inch increments, for example, I am in an 18x20 cushion, a very common size is the 16x16. My cushion cost $500. It has a gel lining and foam and a neoprene cover. It could definitely be made cheaper, but let's get the chair first!

I had a cushion made of gel and foam, but i was getting pressure sores, so i went to a complete foam one. There is an adjustable air cushion out, but u have to take pics of the sore, then it has to be a really, really bad sore for insurance to even think about buying it and i didn't just have $1500 just laying around to buy it with.