Why meet a Motobility Product Specialist?

Our consultants are mobility experts with years of experience in equipment prescription and rehabilitation. By talking with you, they will be able to understand your requirements and recommend the solutions that best with your lifestyle needs. As an added convenience for you, our Mobile Equipment Showroom allows us to bring our products to you for a free trial and demonstration of your desired piece of equipment. So call us today for a free consultation and no-obligation quote.

Why Folding Scooter ?

Our consultants are mobility experts with years of experience in equipment prescription and rehabilitation. By talking with you, they will be able to understand your requirements and recommend the solutions that best with your lifestyle needs.

How often will I need to replace batteries?

Batteries should last you between 3-5 years depending on usage.

How long does it take to get a stairlift?

Motobility stocks straight stairlifts, which means we can install your stairlift as soon as we can book it in with our installation team, usually within a few business days. Because the rails for the curved stairlifts are made especially to your stairs in the UK, these can take up to 30days from when the final plans have been signed off.

Are there any second-hand options?

If you are trying to save a little bit of cash, it’s best to enquire with your Mobility consultant regarding second-hand or reconditions chairlifts and their current availability. If you require a straight stairlift, you may get lucky and find a secondhand rail, carriage and chair. Our curved stairlifts are all made to order. Hence the rail will need to be custom-made to suit your stairs. However, you may be able to use a reconditioned carriage and chair, depending on availability.

Will a measure and quote commit me to purchase?

Absolutely not. Motobility will come to your home, assess your stairs, talk to you about your needs and wants and discuss the best options for you and your home. Once all the required information has been specified and all your questions and concerns addressed, our trained consultant will leave you with a written quote. You won’t be under any obligation to go ahead with the purchase just because you received a written quote.

Why do I need a custom-fitted sports mouthguard?

A custom-fitted sports mouthguard provides the best possible protection for your teeth, gums and jaw while playing contact sports. While more expensive than over-the-counter types, the cost of treating a dental injury far outweighs the cost of a custom-fitted mouthguard.

How often do I need to charge my chairlift?

You would not the curved rail is designed, so the stairlift is continuously charging. Curved stairlifts have charge points at the top and bottom of the stairs and can also have additional charge points on landings or other convenient locations. While the stairlift is parked, it is charging. If it isn’t on a charging point, it will emit a beeping sound to let you know that it needs to be moved to a charging location.

What if someone uses the lift and takes it downstairs, will I be stuck at the top?

Every stairlift comes with “call buttons” like air conditioning remotes they sit in small brackets, which are mounted to the wall at the top and bottom of the stairs, allowing you to “call” or “send” the stairlift up or down the stairs. We recommend keeping the call buttons in their brackets to avoid misplacing them or taking them with you up/down the stairs.

Will other people still be able to use the stairs

Oto stairlifts and Stannah Lifts are both compact and designed to fold up when not in use, allowing for additional room for other stair users. The rail itself is slim and designed to fit snuggly against the wall or balustrade, allowing for ample room.

Will my home get damaged?

No, all stairlifts supplied by Motobility (Stannah & Oto) are attached to the stairs, not the walls. This means no structural damage to your home, just a few screws in the treads of your stairs.

How long does the installation take?

Depending on the style of stairlift and size of your staircase, the installation usually takes between 2 and 6 hours.

What is the best stairlift available in Australia?

Motobility prides itself in only providing products that have been well designed and manufactured by reputable suppliers to the highest of quality standards. Both Stannah Stairlifts and OtoLifts have a long-running history of excellence, and we feel confident about providing you with the solution that is best for you. Because everyone's need is different and all staircases are unique, it is hard to say what the best stairlift is in Australia as we believe it is about finding the best possible solution for you while choosing from the best products currently available.

What happens during a power outage?

Each stair-lift is fitted with batteries, which are continuously being charged while the stairlift is at it’s “charging points” these are usually located at the top and bottom of your stairs, but can also be located in turns or areas, where the chair causes the least amount of disruption to the stairs. During a power outage, the battery will continue to power the chair for 6-8 return journeys, depending on the length of your stairs and the condition of the batteries.

Will the stairlift be noisy?

Stairlifts have a battery-powered motor; this means they are near to silent. They emit a mechanical noise as they move, but it wouldn’t be loud enough to disrupt any other occupants. The chairlifts don’t beep unless there is a fault or they haven’t been returned to their charging points.

Will a chairlift fit into narrow hallways?

Both Stannah and Oto lifts offer solutions for narrow stairs. So far we haven’t come across a staircase that we couldn’t fit.

Can stairlifts go around bends, landings and corners?

Yes, both Stannah Stairlifts and OtoLifts offer bespoke curved rail options. Include one rail and two rail solutions. These are custom-made to suit your stairs for a snug fit and additional room on the stairs for other users.

How safe are Stairlifts?

Both Oto Lifts and Stannah only produce products that comply with the latest European and British quality standards. They are tested rigorously and continuously to ensure a safe product. Motobility employs a team of qualified and trained technicians that will ensure your chairlift has been installed in a manner that complies with the manufacturer's guidelines.

Will I need to modify my mobility device to use a vehicle hoist?

Dependent on the style of hoist you are looking at and the type of product you are wanting to lift, you may need to make minor modifications to your mobility device. If the hoist system you are looking at uses a spreader bar, you will need to add some lifting brackets to your mobility scooter, electric wheelchair or powerchair. These brackets are all different, they either attach under a seat, on the frame or on a Seatpost allowing you to easily attach the spreader bar and lift the product into your car. The LM hoist is an exception to the rule, as it comes with a lifting strap. Small folding mobility scooters, such as the Solax Transformer or Luggie Elite, can easily be lifted into the car, without having to add any lifting brackets.

How does a stairlift swivel?

Depending on the brand and model of stairlift you have decided on, you will find either a manual Swivel or a powered swivel.

Can a Carer drive an Electric Wheelchair?

YES! There are many different options for a carer or attendant to take control of an electric wheelchair. 1. Use the joystick instead of the user. While this can be a bit tricky, there is no reason why a carer or attendant can't take control of the users joystick, (if the user permits this) and maneuver the electric wheelchair through tricky situations 2. Use an attendant controller. If the Electric Wheelchair usually needs to be controlled by an attendant, we can easily fit an attendant controller to the back of the chair to make it easier to maneuver for the carer. 3. Put the chair in manual mode. Simply unlock the castors at the back and manually push the chair. Keep in mind, this also switches of the breaks, so ensure you only do this on level ground and gentle inclines.

What is the difference between a regular cane and a quad cane?

A regular cane and a quad cane serve the same primary purpose of providing support and stability for individuals with mobility challenges, but they differ significantly in design and functionality. A regular cane is typically a single, straight shaft with a handle at the top and a rubber tip at the bottom to prevent slipping. These canes, are also available as folding canes, making it even easier to take them with you wherever you go. It offers basic support and is lightweight, making it easy to use and carry. Regular canes are suitable for individuals who need minimal assistance with balance or walking due to minor mobility issues or temporary injuries. In contrast, a quad cane features a base with four small legs or feet, providing a larger surface area for stability. This design makes quad canes more stable and less likely to tip over compared to regular canes. The enhanced stability of a quad cane is particularly beneficial for individuals with significant balance issues, muscle weakness, or those recovering from a stroke or surgery. Quad canes are generally heavier than regular canes, but the added weight contributes to their sturdiness. Additionally, the wider base allows for a more even distribution of weight, reducing the strain on the user's hand and wrist. The choice between a regular cane and a quad cane depends on the user's specific needs and level of mobility assistance required.

What Items are included in the 12-months free Roadside Assistance?

Any Scooter, Powerchair and Electric Wheelchair purchased after 1st April 2023 is covered by 12 months free roadside assistance through 24/7 RoadServices Australia, including secondhand products. Electric Rollators are excluded from this offer.

How can I find my Free Road side Insurance Policy Number

Your 12-month Free Roadside Insurance Policy number is your Invoice number with the MOB prefix. So if your Motobility Invoice number for your scooter purchase is INV-12345 your policy number will be MOB12345.

What happens to my free Roadside assistance when the 12-months are over

When you purchase your eligible mobility equipment your policy gets forwarded to 24/7 Roadservices Australia we include your contact details (Phone, Mobile, Email), when the term of your policy is about to expire. 24/7 Roadservices Australia will reach out to you to give you the optin to extend your policy. You can also set a reminder, for you to reach out to them, simply quote your Invoice Number with a MOB prefix, for example MOB12345 and advise that you would like to extend your policy.

08 9242 7333

Lithium vs. Lead Acid Batteries... Which is Better?

Product Reviews

16 April 2020

Lithium vs. Lead Acid Batteries... Which is Better?

Home Batteries

If you haven’t noticed, lithium batteries are becoming more and more popular with mobility scooters than their predecessor, lead acid. So why is lithium so popular, what’s the difference between lithium and lead acid and what can you do to prolong their life?

LITHIUM

Lithium batteries actually re-charge at double the speed and they weigh a third less than lead-acid. This means that for those who use or need a portable scooter, which requires lifting into the back of the car, having a lithium battery will make picking up a scooter, much easier. Separate to this, a lighter battery means the battery itself can propel your scooter more efficiently as it has less weight to move. This also reduces the overall demand on your mobility scooters motor. The only downfall is that lithium batteries will cost you more upfront, but they’re more efficient and offer a significantly longer life span.

LEAD ACID

Lead acid has been around since the mid 1800’s. They’ve have stood the test of time and regardless of weighing more than lithium batteries, they’re still around today for a reason. Lead acid is dependable, and it’s more cost effective on a cost per watt basis. Lead acid takes longer to charge, however, they can cost hundreds of dollars less than a lithium battery, depending on the size. Lead acid batteries can also offer a relatively decent lifespan, if they are cared for properly.

CARING FOR A LEAD ACID VS LITHIUM BATTERY

Remember your first cordless phone? Remember how you use to have to plug it in and charge it in full, then drain the battery completely and then plug it in again? That’s because the way we use and charge lead acid, responds differently to lithium with regards to the way its used and charged. A lithium battery can be run all the way down to 0% capacity, whereas a lead acid battery should only be run down to 50% capacity if you want to maximise its life cycle. Though a lead acid battery can go all the way down to 0%, it’s not recommended if you want it to last as long as possible. You’ll need to replace your mobility scooters battery possibly once a year, whereas a lithium battery may last several years (depending on how much ou use it).

A lithium battery can be plugged in and left overnight. Once it’s charged you can actually leave it plugged in as long as you like, and this will in no way affect the batteries lifespan. With lead-acid, it’s recommended that once the battery is charged, you unplug it. This is a slight inconvenience because let’s face it, no one is going to wake up from having 8 hours of sleep after just 6 hours, to unplug their mobility scooter once it’s fully charged.

VERDICT

So what’s the verdict?

Though lithium is lighter and charges faster, it’s of course more expensive than lead acid. Lead acid is heavy, it charges slower and you shouldn’t drain it past 50%. If you want a battery solely based on price, then you’ll get more wattage out of a lead acid battery which means if you keep using lead acids for years to come, you’ll get more bang for your buck. Keep in mind that this means more maintenance and less convenience as you can’t just drain it or plug it in and forget it.

If your goal is convenience, then lithium is the winner, as its lighter, charges faster, goes further and you can drain the battery to 0%, re-charge and keep it plugged in as much as you like. If you tend to forget things or have difficulties lifting, than lithium is your new best friend!

To discuss lead acid and lithium batteries further or to get your battery tested or replaced, ring us today on 9242 7333. OR, like us on facebook to see our regular posts about our products and services. :)

Happy scooter battery shopping!