FreedomChair A06 User manual

Operating Manual
Please read these Operating Instructions before using your FreedomChair
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Issue 20200529

PRECAUTIONS
Please read the instructions before using the chair in
order to operate and maintain it properly.
PLEASE PAYATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING
CONTENT WITH THESE WARNING SYMBOLS.
FAILURE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURIES.
IT CAN ALSO DAMAGE OR DECREASE THE LIFE
EXPECTANCY OF THE CHAIR.
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Contents
1 Introduction....................................................................................................................4
2 Contents of Packaging...............................................................................................5
4Opening/Folding the Chair.......................................................................................7
6Installing the Joystick Controller............................................................................9
7Lifting the Armrest......................................................................................................10
8Manual Operation........................................................................................................10
9Joystick Operation.....................................................................................................11
10 Charging Instructions...........................................................................................12-13
11 Transport & Storage..................................................................................................13
12 Safety Guide...........................................................................................................14-20
13 Appendix......................................................................................................................21
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3 Routine Checks by the User ....................................................................................6
5Fitting Anti-Tip Wheels..............................................................................................8

1 . Introduction
Thank you for choosing FreedomChair which will provide you with years of dependable
service with proper use and care.
It is important to read through this manual before operating your FreedomChair to become
familiar with its features as well as its limitations and safety information. You will find the
operation and care of your FreedomChair very simple and easy, but should you have any
questions, please contact the reseller from where you purchased the chair.
Getting to know your FreedomChair
Seat Back/ Push Handle
Rear Powered Wheels
Backrest with Cushion Armrest
Armrest Lock
Joystick Controller
Safety Belt
Joystick Controller Knob
Storage Bag
Anti-tip Wheels
Battery Box
Serial Number Label
on Left or Right Side
Seat with Cushion
Foot Rest
Front Wheels
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2.Contents of Packaging
Your FreedomChair will arrive carefully packaged in a cardboard box. We suggest that
two people are available to remove the packaging and set up the FreedomChair for the
first time.
1. Carefully open the top of the box then turn the box on its side for easier removal of
the contents.
2. Once all packaging has been removed, you will find the following components:
Main Chair Assembly Travel Bag
Tools
Joystick
Controller
Rear Reflectors
Battery or Batteries
(depending on order)
Cup holder (option if ordered)
Battery Charger and
off-board charging cable
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3. Routine Checks by the User
IMPORTANT
Your FreedomChair is a mode of transport designed to safely enhance your independence.
It contains items that should be regularly checked by the user to ensure that the chair
remains safe to use.
Please make a general inspection of the chair before each use, but in particular:
•All bolts, screws and fixings on the frame of the chair should be checked for tightness.
The Toolkit provided with the chair can be used for this.
•Fastenings securing all wheels are tight.
•Electrical connections are secure. These include:
oconnections to the Control Module located above the battery compartment
othe lead connecting the battery
othe connection in the cable behind the joystick
(see 5. Installing the Joystick Controller)
•Any straps securing seat or backrest covers are secure and in good condition without
any tears or cuts in the fabric.
•If your FreedomChair is fitted with pneumatic rear tyres, keep them inflated to a
recommended pressure of 40 psi or 2.75 Bar.
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4. Opening the Chair
A) Unfolding - Step 1
Hold the top of the backrest
and pull up while holding
down on the seat to expand
the chair and complete the
opening.
B) Unfolding - Step 2
Lock the safety clasp.
This locks the frame of the
chair and prevents it folding
when being used.
Hold backrest bar
Hold down seat to expand
Safety clasp
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5.Folding the Chair
A) Folding - Step 1
Open the safety clasp.
B) Folding - Step 2
While one hand holds
the seat and the other
holds the backrest,
push the backrest
forwards and
downwards, folding
the chair.
Hold backrest bar
Hold the seat to fold

5. Fitting Anti-Tip Wheels
NOTE: Applies to Models A08 & A08L only
Supplied with the FreedomChair model A08 & A08L are a pair of Anti-Tip Wheels. These are
used with the chair to minimise it tipping backwards.
* They should be fitted to the chair at all times when it is being used.
With the locking screw backed-off, insert an anti-tip wheel into each receiving tube located
under the motors.
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With the the wheel positioned upright as shown in the photo below, tighten the locking
screw to secure the anti-tip wheel assembly inside the tube.
Ensure there is an anti-tip wheel fitted to each side of the chair.
Note: if the anti-tip
wheels are removed
from the chair, it is
recommended to rotate
in the locking screw
until it is tight to
minimise accidentally
loosing the screw.

6.Installing the Joystick Controller
Step 1
Insert the controller joystick into the armrest tube and tighten the knob to fix it in position.
Step 2
Connect the wire from the Joystick to the connector which is secured under the armrest,
taking care to line up the pins properly so that they do not get bent, broken or damaged.
The connectors are designed to only fit together in one position. Gently rotate both parts
until they can be pushed together. Rotate the locking ring to secure both parts.
NOTE: DO NOT force the connections together or you may bend or break the pins.
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7.Lifting the Armrest
Under each armrest is a rotary knob which can be turned to release or secure the armrest
lock. This allows the armrest to be raised for easy side transfers or to clear the joystick
when pulling up to a table.
8.Manual Mode Operation
The chair can be pushed by an Attendant in freewheel mode. Push forward on both of the
red motor levers to disengage the electromagnetic brakes.
In normal powered mode, without an Attendant pushing the chair, both red motor levers
should be pulled back to engage the electromagnetic brakes. Both wheels will now lock,
holding the chair on the brakes.
Pull back both red
motor levers for normal
powered mode.
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9.Joystick Operation
Joystick: controls the chair’s direction and speed.
Before entering or exiting from the chair, ensure that the Power is turned OFF.
This will prevent unintentional movement of the chair.
•Power on: press the Power switch to turn on the power
•Power off: press the Power switch to turn off the power
•Battery level indicator: all lights on indicate a full battery. The number of lights illuminated
decreases as the battery power is consumed.
•Speed increase button. Press to increase the maximum speed of the chair.
•Speed decrease button. Press to decrease the maximum speed of the chair.
•Speed level indicator. All lights on indicate that the maximum speed has been set.
•Horn Button: sounds when the user presses the button.
Battery level
indicator
Power button
Speed increase
button
Speed level
indicator
Speed decrease
button
Horn button
Directional
Control Knob
Operating
panel
Charging port
Directional
Control Knob
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Lock Function - immobilising the wheelchair
FreedomChair can be immobilised to prevent misuse.
To Immobilise the Wheelchair (Lock the Joystick)
1. Press Power button to turn on and release
2. Press both the + and - buttons together and hold down until the amber speed lights go out.
The chair will now NOT respond to movements of the joystick.
To Mobilise the Wheelchair (Unlock the Joystick)
1. Press Power button to turn on and release
2. Press both the + and - buttons together and hold down until the amber speed lights
illuminate. The joystick will now operate normally.

10.Charging Instructions
The battery requires charging once every three months, otherwise it could lead to
over-discharge damage.
Charging Method 1 (Joystick charging):
1. Turn the power OFF using the green button on the Joystick.
2. Plug the charger's power cable into the battery charger and then into a mains wall
outlet. TURN OFF the mains power.
3. Connect the round metal plug from the charger's lead into the socket on the underside
of the Joystick (see below). NOTE: The plug is designed to only connect in one position.
Gently rotate the plug until it can be pushed into the socket. DO NOT force the plug.
4. Now TURN ON the mains power.
5. Allow your chair to charge for 5 hours/battery (10 hours/ two batteries) or when the
light on the charger turns green, which means your battery/ies are fully charged.
6. BEFORE disconnecting the charger's plug, TURN OFF the mains power.
Joystick Charger Port
Front of Charger
Charger Light illuminates after
plugging in the charger. Light color
indicates charging state:
RED – battery is fully drained
ORANGE – battery is charging.
GREEN – battery is fully charged.
Back of Charger with an explanation of
what the Charger's light colour indicate.
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Charging Method 2 (offboard charging):
NOTE: BEFORE removing a battery and disconnecting any cables, please note all connections
so that reconnecting the cables is done in the same way. A Guide to correctly connecting
batteries for each model of FreedomChair is shown in the Appendix section.
FreedomChair batteries can easily be removed from the chair. This may be required before the
chair is stored in the hold of an aircraft for example, or more commonly if the batteries require
charging in a different location from the chair. You have the option of charging the batteries
individually, or using the Battery Parallel Connection Cable to charge multiple batteries.
11. Transport & Storage
•To lift the chair, stand it upright when it is folded.
•The battery should be fully charged and the chair should be placed in a cool, dry,
and ventilated place, especially if stored for a long period.
Battery Parallel Connection Cable
Offboard Charging Cable
Battery Release Clip is located under
the front of the battery.
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12. Safety Guide
•The user must be of sound mind and judgment.
•The user must read this User Manual before
operating the chair and get familiar with its
components and features.
•The user should practice driving skills with
assistance on open, flat, and safe grounds
before normal use.
•To move Forward and for Parking.
To move forward, push the joystick gently forward. To
stop, release the joystick.
•Moving backwards
To move backwards, push the joystick gently back.
The user must be aware of what is behind them
before manoevering backwards to avoid collisions.
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•Turning
To turn, push the joystick to the left or right. and be
aware of what is to the left or right to avoid collisions.
•Driving on bends
Lightly push the joystick in the direction of the
bend. Practice speed control.
•Practice avoiding obstacles
Lightly push the joystick in either direction to
avoid and manoever around the obstacles
Practice speed control.
•Driving More Quickly
Push the joystick all the way in the direction you
want to go. Pull the joystick back to the middle if
you do not feel you are 100% in control.
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•Driving Uphill
Keep your body tilted forward to keep the center of
gravity stable. Drive slowly. We recommend the slope
be less than 9 degrees for optimal performance.
•Entering & Exiting a passenger lift
The user should pay attention to the opening and
closing intervals of the lift door to avoid
collisions while entering or exiting the lift.
•Driving on pavements
The user should stay on the pavement and avoid
entering the motor vehicle lane unless to cross the
street. Pay attention to obstacles and avoid contact
with them.
•Crossing the street
Pay attention to avoid vehicles and only cross when
you are allowed to. Look for dropped curbs where
available and drive slowly over the curb. To return to
the pavement, look for a dropped curb or one that is
no more than 3cm high.
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•Driving over train/railroad tracks
Don’t cross railroad/train tracks alone, we
highly recommend you should be accompanied
by an Attendant.
•Driving on a steep incline could result in
the chair rolling over or a serious accident.
•Driving over a high curb/step (more than
3cm) could result in in the chair rolling over
or a serious accident.
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•We recommend that the user has assistance
getting out of and into the chair. Move
the armrests and footrest out of the way
before entering and exiting the chair.
•Do not attempt to repair the product on
your own. It may cause permanent damage
to the chair and could put yourself at risk
of injury or death. It should be repaired by a
professional technician.
•Do not allow children access to the chair.
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•Do not hose down the chair with water or
any liquids. It will cause damage to the
chair and could also harm or endanger your
personal safety. To clean the chair, wipe
down with a damp cloth.
•Do not leave the battery or electrical
components of the chair in a car that is
exposed to direct sunlight. It will cause
permanent damage. Also, keep it away from
fire and all heat sources.
•Do not allow children access to the battery
or electrical components to the chair. It
should be stored in a cool, dry area that
children do not have access to.
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•Do not store the battery in direct
sunlight. Please store in a dry, cool, and
ventilated area that children don’t have
access to. Also, do not store in a
severely cold environment. It will damage
and decrease the life of the battery.
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