What can go wrong with your electric riser recliner or care chair? Here at Vivid.Care we believe in openness and transparency, and in the spirit of this we want to advise you what the most common repair issues are we encounter with the chairs we sell, and how we resolve them.
All our chairs are sold with a 2-year manufacturing warranty and 5-year frame warranty, and are made to the highest quality in Great Britain. As you would expect therefore, the most common faults are due to accidental damage, which we have outlined below.
Problem | Solution |
Handset Failure | |
- Wear & Tear / Dirt | Replace handset |
- Crushed | Replace handset |
Cable Damage | |
- Chewed by pets | Replace cable |
- Crushed/trapped in mechanism | Replace cable |
Motor issues | |
- Reclined against wall | Replace motor |
- Overloaded | Replace motor |
Jump straight to…
Handset Failure
All of our electric chairs come with a detachable handset that is used to operate the rise and recline functions, typically with either 2 buttons for a single motor or 4 buttons for a dual motor chair. Single motor chairs have one motor that operates both the rise and recline function, dual motor chairs have an additional motor to operate the independent backrest and legrest tilt.
These are the most common causes of handset failure and how they are solved.
Wear and Tear / Dirt
Problem
General wear and tear occurs from constant handset use, and from the handset being dropped, trapped or knocked against other items. Fortunately most chairs have an in-built battery backup that gives the chair enough power to return to its standard position if the power connection to the handset is lost.
Ingress of dirt into the handset is a problem if the handset is not kept cleaned, this can get in through the gaps around the button and cause the handset to malfunction.
Lento Mobile handset
Solution
We keep stocks of replacement handsets on our vans, so generally this issue can be sorted on the first callout visit.
Preventative Tips
Hook the handset on the loop when not in use. Our Lento Mobile Riser Recliner has a magnetic attachment strip on the arm panel. Keep the handset away from food and drink and wipe off any dust or dirt regularly.
Lento Mobile magnetic handset
Crushed / Cracked Handsets
Problem
If the handset becomes trapped or bashed when it is in the side pocket, the plastic can crack and damage internal wiring. If the handset falls to the floor and becomes trapped underneath the chair it can become crushed if the chair is moved over it.
Solution
We keep stocks of replacements handset on our vans, so generally this issue can be sorted on the first callout visit.
Preventative Tips
Keep the handset on the loop or in the side pocket when not in use. If kept in the side pocket, be careful not to bang anything against the side of the chair and damage the handset.
Cable Damage
Electric cables are positioned at the back of the chair and from the handset to the back of the chair, which can present problems if not managed correctly. They are coated with plastic sheathing but have adaptions and connections that can be easily damaged if not used carefully, causing power loss to the chair.
Chewed by Pets
Problem
Pets can chew through the soft plastic and sever the wire cables inside.
Solution
We keep spare cables on our engineer’s vans, so are generally able to resolve this problem on the first visit. We can also send out new cables in the post.
Preventative Tips
Try and keep pets away from the chair when not in use, and ensure the cables are tucked behind the fabric flap so they are out of sight.
Crushed / Trapped in Mechanism
Problem
If cables are fed incorrectly through the chair, the frame may crush or stretch the cables when the mechanism is operated.
Solution
We keep spare cables on our engineer’s vans, so are generally able to resolve this problem on the first visit.
Preventative Tips
Keep cables in right place, and if you are unsure whether they are positioned correctly, test the rise/recline first without going all the way.
Motor Issues
The chair motors have a 2-year manufacturing warranty and will maintain their condition if the correct practices are observed. Undue stress or strain placed on the motor is a common cause of chair breakdowns.
Reclined Against a Wall
Problem
If the back of the chair or the front legrest is reclined against a wall or firm object, the strain placed on the motor can break the motor and also damage the structure of the chair itself.
Solution
We can replace the motors on site as we normally carry spares, if other areas of the chair are damaged we may need to return the chair to our workshop for repair.
Preventative Tips
Keep the chair away from walls so the backrest and legrest can move freely without obstruction.
Motor Overloaded
Problem
If the weight of the user exceeds the specified weight limit the motor will become overloaded. The weight limits of the chairs are specified on our website, we have higher weight limits available on our 40 and 50 stone bariatric chairs.
Lento Bariatric Riser Recliner chair
Solution
We can replace the motors on site as we normally carry spares. If the frame is twisted or damaged in any way due to being placed under excess strain we may need to return the chair to our workshop for repair.
Preventative Tips
Ensure the correct weight limits are observed, and do not place full body weight on the backrest or legrest section.
Summary
Our chairs are Made In Britain to the highest quality standard but as with all consumer goods there are things that can break and go wrong if they are not used correctly. Please follow the instructions for use and consult us if you are unsure about anything, or think there may be a problem with your chair.
Speak to our team today
Ralph has many years' experience in the healthcare sector. In a previous life he worked in finance, and his spreadsheet skills come in handy for all the analysis and research he does as he investigates topics and solutions for some of the world's most complex healthcare conditions and challenges. Aside from writing in-depth articles and organising webinars and interviews with top healthcare professionals, Ralph also administrates Vivid's "Healthcare Pioneers Board", a large group of healthcare specialists with multiple disciplines, who are working together to improve care for years to come.
