Stairlift Batteries Explained
We are often asked the question similar to “if my stairlift is plugged into a regular AC wall outlet, why are batteries important?”
Many stairlift users may not realize that, stairlifts are actually battery powered. What we mean by this is that, if the stairlift is turned on, operating, moving, or in a ready state, it is operating under battery power. The cord that you see plugged into the AC wall outlet is for a battery charger.
It is imperative that your stairlift charger stay plugged in 100% of the time so that your batteries stay charged and ready for use. Without being plugged in and charging, your stairlift will beep or alert you to know that the lift is parked and not charging as it should.
The most important thing to understand is that the lift is always running on battery power. There are a few reasons that this is the preferred way for modern day stairlifts to operate. One of them being, the lift can operate during a power outage. The other being that the lift can travel from end to end without a traveling cable moving with the lift. Twenty years ago, that was a common design. Battery technology has improved this situation.
You can expect your stairlift batteries to last anywhere from one to five years depending on user habits, user weight, and the specific lift. We recommend replacing batteries yearly to prevent unexpected service calls and lift outages. Batteries are the most popular cause of stairlift service calls.
Can you replace your batteries yourself in DIY fashion? Stairlift Medics and the manufacturers that we support do not recommend that owners complete stairlift maintenance. This is because when you remove the seat and cover from the lift, ultimately you are moving, removing, reinstalling, or manipulating safety switches and wiring circuits that the lift needs for safe and proper operation.