Building a Better Wheelchair

[JERRY2KONE]

Yea the gel batteries are probably the best and safest ones on the market for such use. They are virtually harmless and they give quite a long storage capacity, but the makers know this an charge like 3 to 4 times as much at regular lead acid batteries. I think it is a pitty as they are trying to get rich from a simple idea that isn't some major breakthrough in technology. Anyway Gels would probably be the best idea for this project. I believe they run about $100 to $150 for good cells. The good thing is there is no risk of spillage.

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

I've seen 11 and 12 mph chairs and the users said that was just flying! I think 15 is a nice number, it would definitely have to be marketed as extreme, and run at your own risk! A 2:1 two speed would be so awesome, hill climbing torque and high speed. I have an led 10 bar battery meter and on a typical day I will use one bar of power, and that's 16 hr's of use. The only time I ever killed my batteries was when I made multiple 5 mile trips. 12v sealed gel lead acid batteries are the standard and the only battery approved for flight.

Shaun,

I like the wheels form northern tool and they most certainly get back on track with better, not cheaper. your original plan was to build a cheaper better chair. I love te idea of moon caps color matched to the chair!

The only possible Isse I see with those northern tool tires is tey are conventional in tire shape and may sink into the sand. they will be GREAT on al other surfaces, but forsand tey may be a bit rough for the pusher to push.

That may be why the pricey chair from wheeleez uses to round balloon tires?

I think 2 of those giant outrunners would be perfect for the bl version.

I found http://www.hotshotproducts.org/roleez_wheels.htm#49cmg - same thing a bit cheaper than wheeleez. still looking for mo better cheapa options.



edit hmmm. it seems that roleez has gone out of business. Their website gives the following message:

Dear Visitor:

Roleez® brand wheels are no longer available through this website.

Should you be interested in beach or balloon wheels and beach products like Beach Carts, please visit www.google.com to look for such items.

For sourcing and market consulting in Asia, please contact Primex Marketing, Inc. either via telephone 1-707-746-6855 (USA) or send your inquiry to info@primexmarketing.com.

Thank you for your understanding. We regret the inconvenience.


edit again:
I found these: http://chihyoungindl.trustpass.aliba...oon_wheel.html
no pricing listed, i have contacted them and requested pricing info per unit.

and for the ALL TERRAIN chair! http://chihyoungindl.trustpass.aliba...arm_wheel.html

[/QUOTE]I totally agree and I’m listening.. But for my first one I'm going manual, I want to know what it takes to build $1200 beach chair.. Then I'll either work on my 3rd world chair and or do a BL one.. But I will have one soon so if you can please start to think about the drive system for it that would be killer!.

Here is what has been offered up thus far by TexasSP. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...28eq:_70-55%29

I'll probably need at least two total of them if not one per wheel..

What do you think?? got any other recommendations??

Thanks for your time and your input as it is always much appreciated!..:smile
I can and will do better than that! but I guess I need to ask what is / should the top speed be?? that quickest one I've seen went 10mph, so how quick do I go paralyzed?? do I double it?? and what kind of runtime should I account for during a typical day ?? [/QUOTE]

The HobbyCity 180kv outrunner would be great if outrunners r as good as people say they r (never had personal experience with one). I would suggest one on every drive wheel. I must ask though, how dependable r these motors?, i mean it isn't like our rc's that u can simply pick up and take home to fix, if the chair breaks down u r stuck until someones finds u; not good if its cold outside. I think 15mph is good number to shoot for. My chair will do a 16 mile range @ full tilt(7.5mph), so i would like to at least that of range on a single charge going 15mph.

Control is also on the top of the list, it can't be a 2-speed; 1st speed is stop and 2nd speed being "OH CRAP, SO FAST MY EYES R BLEEDING! My powerchair has such fine-tuned control that i leave it on it's full power setting all the time. I can creep, go full-tilt,and everything in between all on the full power setting.

[TexasSP]

I had some guys who built me some very nice analog joysticks for some machinery I had. They had a variety of options and specs. I will try and find the name and contact information.

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by Fast5sRevo88

Control is also on the top of the list, it can't be a 2-speed; 1st speed is stop and 2nd speed being "OH CRAP, SO FAST MY EYES R BLEEDING! My powerchair has such fine-tuned control that i leave it on it's full power setting all the time. I can creep, go full-tilt,and everything in between all on the full power setting.

all of that programming is in the controller. There are 2 or 3 manufacturers of controllers(joysticks) that all of the wheelchair manufacturers share. The sophistication and complexity of the controller will be very hard to meet, and for the controller the chair should use existing parts. The controllers can control top speed, braking speed, joystick sensitivity, joystick throw, acceleration, turning speed, turning acceleration, reverse speed, torque, more I forgot and have 5-6 different programmable drive profiles, along with being able to control several peripherals, such as tilt, recline, elevate.... unless we can do better!!!!!!!!

How many amps can a stock powerchair controller handle? Also, is a powerchairs speed restricted from the controller or the gear motors on them. I mean the best motors money can buy would still only get u to 7.5mph if the controller is what constricts it.

I've been looking, but haven't found a BL esc that can handle 150amp@48v that would go with the huge HC outrunner, not a cheaper one anyway.

this seat may be better on the arsssss

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0064117018144a




also i want to commend you for doing something so nobel , and wish you the best with this build

[JERRY2KONE]

That chair actually looks very nice, and it looks to be quite comfortable. Nice choice if you ask me, and only $90 which seems to be worth the extra comfort.

Originally Posted by entjoles

this seat may be better on the arsssss

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0064117018144a




also i want to commend you for doing something so nobel , and wish you the best with this build

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by Fast5sRevo88

How many amps can a stock powerchair controller handle? Also, is a powerchairs speed restricted from the controller or the gear motors on them. I mean the best motors money can buy would still only get u to 7.5mph if the controller is what constricts it.

My controller is a 100 amp unit. We are pretty much stuck with 24v, unless there is a 24v battery the size of a standard car battery. The gearing and motor choice determine the top speed. 24 at 100 amps could double the power we have now, the x-5 tdc linked to states 900w of power. We could easily get 1800w, and with the increased efficiency of brushless we are looking good........ especially with a 2 speed!.....

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by entjoles

this seat may be better on the arsssss

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0064117018144a




also i want to commend you for doing something so nobel , and wish you the best with this build

unless we are also going to reinvent the cushion a standardized base to accept existing cushions is the answer. These aren't "everyday" chairs, and most chair users have a prescription pad with their "everyday" chair that they could just transfer from one chair to the other. These pads are $500, but lets get the chair built first! Most common base is 16x16, i'm 18x20, width x length

[TDC57]

Gentleman I proudly present to you the making of the Prototype 001TDC special!

The chair that I hope will one day change the world as we know it!, The lowest cost / yet (hopefully to be proven) extremely reliable wheel chair available today at a cost of $110.00 per chair,

Here is what this (NEW!!) particular build is all about:

“Disabled people are more likely than other people to live in grinding poverty. Unless disabled people are brought into the development mainstream, it will be impossible to cut poverty in half by 2015 or to give every girl and boy the chance to achieve a primary education. ”
James D. Wolfsensohn, former President of the World Bank

According to the UN Economic and Social Council, there are 300 million people with disabilities in the developing world. Of these, 20 million need wheelchairs to become mobile again. Without chairs, many have no choice but to stay confined to their houses or drag themselves along to get anywhere, exposing themselves to potential injury and disease. Many children are unable to attend school. Chances for education, employment, and community involvement disappear. Under such conditions, they often end up either begging or relying on family members to support them.

So with the above said as eloquently as I'm able I’ve decided to start with my initial goal / vision. Build a better cheaper 3rd world / developing country chair.. As I stated before your basic all terrain chair start out @ $400.00 I did some research and found an organization that is doing what I was initialing planning to do with bikes and they are at $200.00 per chair! http://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...e=9&?series=60


So after Jerry relined my sense of perspective (you’re the Man Jerry!) I’ve gone a whole new / same approach as I do all my builds (MAKE IT BETTER!) and I must say that after making a few Major adjustments I'm happy to report that I'm back on track and building the Better (yet CHEAPER!) Chair “my / TDC57 / RCM WAY!.. LOL.LOL.LOL

For those who have been following the build to date have seen nothing but square boxing, PVC chairs (shower and Beach) chairs that start at $1,100 and go up to $1,500.00.. Well I'm changing things up the RC Monster WAY!!! I'm adding the artistic flare that I believe these chairs need!, function and maneuverability can and have been achieved, but how about the flair / where is that’s cool affect!?! Does that diminish with the value of the chair??

Not at RCM! It most certainly doesn’t! It get improved like all of out builds, we start out with a piece of something and turn it in to and bad ass, well this chair is on that same path of badness as out RC builds..

I present to you the first glimpse at the cheapest and by far the “coolest!” 3rd world chair ever built! The TDC special 001 (prototype)

How it all started out!
I started out this build with every intention of gong bigger and stronger then the competition, I'm using 1” schedule 40 PVC inlue of the ¾” everyone else is using, I was also able to incorporate into the my chair build stunning cures and good looks that are only available on here on the Monster!.. LOL.LOL..

In the beginning there was nothing more than parts!








As the night progressed and the booze & herbal remedies kicked in the creativity went into over drive!.. Straight and boxy are OUT! Curves, strength, style and simplicity are in.. LOL.LOL..

[TDC57]

FYI:
This is as far as I gone tonight, I did have to redo it three times to get it write! And It’s late so I'm going to bed.. I should have it finished up to morrow night!..

My questions to the team:

How does it look so for Am I on the correct path or have I gone to far to the right??

Thank you so much for your time team!..

P.S.
Can someone give me the following measurements:
From the rear axel (center) how far is the front axel away???








Thank you all so much for your time and help!.

Shaun..

P.S.S.
Please keep the conversation going regarding BL motors.. I’ll have this and the child’s shair completed within the next week and I plan on moving to BL so I’ll need all the help I can get.

P.S.S.S..
I don’t want to hear any crap about the what color the chair is or isn’t!.. I'm going to dye the whole setup once I get all (per-installed)..

Thanks again.

[_paralyzed_]

Awesome! Your mission statement couldn't have been put any better. As far as axle placement: It needs to be as compact as possible, yet the cog can't be behind the axle(making it tippy) so a lil trial and error may be in order to make it as small as possible yet stable. PM me if you need anything, I am your sounding board!