THIS POWERCHAIR MOVED THE GOALPOSTS The mobility industries stagnated offerings have not changed substantially in 15 years. They keep telling us they have. New "marketing" gimmicks, fancy new names and new launches every year. Lots of hype, no actual action. I see only: Cup holders, colours, minor changes to seating systems, big screens that tell us little and get in the way. No fundamental design changes of any substance. Just same old off the shelf standardised industry parts reassembled in a different order...  This does not reflect the rest of the worlds products using cheap improved technology. E.g. higher voltages for improved efficiency or speed. Made possible by MASSIVELY better, completely safe types of Lithium batteries.
Fast charging with informative graphs, PC control and battery testing and control system programming and data logging. Bluetooth charger control and remote monitoring. Safe Radio Control built right in. Better, lighter, or more corrosive resistant materials, tubeless puncture proof tyres etc (all as used on this chair). The world moved on but powerchairs really have not. Everything I own that uses batteries for e.g. from my laptop, my strimmer, mower, ex GF's E-bike, my drill, all my RC hobby stuff, every phone and iPads, even some kitchen appliances all use lithium batteries. Because they are just massively better. Cheaper long term, more reliable, and better energy density, lighter, faster charging. EV bikes and cars all use higher voltages for efficiency reasons. Every car and motorcycle uses tubeless tyres as they are massively less likely to suffer deflation. Bicycles, manual wheelchairs and practically everything of any importance made, uses carbon fibre, alloys, etc for lightness. My cheap Chinese made quad-copter has a lithium battery, brushless motors, autopilot, carbon frame and props, built in GPS and 6 axis gyros and accelerometers, magnetic compass, and a barometer and an HD camera that sends its signal back to my laptop. It can fly home and land on the table in my garden all by itself. Its 2015! Its about time we had all of this cheap modern technology in our powerchairs where it MORE important!  I can only do some of the above innovation from my bedroom however, with a zero development budget and a hacksaw... However, read the following CAREFULLY because my home built zero budget powerchair makes the rest of this industry look silly!

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  BM3 SPEED 15MPH (Actual measured GPS = 16 MPH, 26 KPH)
  
  It would actually be easy to make an even faster powerchair. Since the BM3  has some 3x the electrical & controller power (3x the Watts/Horsepower) available, compared to the best mobility powerchairs. But this wasn't the goal.
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• This chair isn't about its speed. Its about control and flexibility in every circumstance especially indoors. Added speed is just a nice extra!
• It's really about ultimate daily usability and efficiency. Maximum flexibility. Designed to be used full time, all day, every day, with complete reliability & control. So as to give CHOICE to the user.
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  It must then, have no compromises or disadvantages because of this speed. It MUST do everything indoors and outdoors at LEAST as well as the mobility industry’s far slower chairs. And it does. And it still goes 16 MPH if you wish! But you don't have to!
  
   
• EXISTING CHAIRS: Increasing a chairs speed via gearing, as the mobility industry universally does, results in decreasing both the range & torque available in direct proportion to the speed increase. And fitting more powerful motors / controllers (in some cases) to try to fix this, just means that the Lead battery & 120A maxed out mobility controllers limits are exceeded. You just can't get a quart from a pint pot! 
• In simple terms then, an 8mph chair will typically have half the torque, and Half the range, than a similar 4mph chair. If all else (battery, controller Amps etc) remains the same.  This limits performance.
• Lead 70Ah batteries, 24v, and a max of 100A with a couple of seconds 'boost' to 120A, is the best the mobility industry have on the shelf to work with. The industry then offers a best possible speed of just 8.5 mph on some special powerchairs limited by the above. And in every case with a loss of range and torque over their slower models - showing that you just cant beat physics! (With a 'normal' powerchair, its usually best to opt for a 6mph version, with the biggest batteries @ 70Ah unless a loss of range/torque and control doesn't matter)

However, there's a better way to go faster.

Just DOUBLE the working voltage, instead of increasing the gearing. This way at lower speeds nothing changes. You simple send the motors a lower voltage, and range, torque, etc remain the same. But you *can* send the motor more voltage!

The mobility industries standardised off the shelf 24v low power mobility controllers, and ancient lead batteries (they all use these parts for the past 15 years), simply don't allow this.

OF COURSE YOU DONT HAVE TO GO FAST! The BM3 chair can simply have its speed turned down with a simple round control knob on the compact Joystick pod. Down to 1mph if you want! Or lower. And it will behave just like a stock slow powerchair (only steer much better!). Your mum could drive it. But it’s really nice to have the option! However, sometimes you need to move fast.  With multilane highways/junctions to cross, often with no exit ramps (or blocked by traffic or pedestrians). Or when trying to escape from being reversed over by a seemingly blind driver in a car park. Where there is no suitable footpath available, you often have no choice but to take to the roads. Speed can mean a much greater margin of safety outdoors. And in the correct place its really fun. 16mph feels like 30mph in a powerchair. You overtake cyclists and keep up with town centre traffic. It allows you to actually USE the 3x greater range that this powerchair offers. That's right, you can actually GO places you dream of, in a sensible time frame! * I have to add that the Bounder looks quite fast at 11.6mph but it does this with gearing alone. Just 24v, 120A electrics and lead batteries (or an optional smallish Lithium!). By using taller gearing, with the massive disadvantages this gives, it eats its batteries fast and it does not exactly have a lot of torque. You better live somewhere pretty flat! And be a 7 stone ballerina. Its more of a marketing exercise than usable stump puller. The big numbers look good on paper. Its a case of all fur coat and no knickers. As far as I can see.
My 150A per motor, 45V, 3.2kWh Lithium storage power, BM3 chair however, has way more torque, and way more range, and way more power than all of these other chairs. Due to a bigger Amp control system and a higher voltage larger kWh capacity hi-rate storage battery.  See below!

 

BM3 RANGE:  45+ MILES or 72+KM Real World Measured! (ISO figures would be 75 miles! But thats rediculous)

Or up to 7 days of "normal" daily use between charges. Or about 3x better any 24v powerchair you can buy!

Forget the rest! This BM3 chair WILL get you there! And back.

Range even with new batteries, on standard lead powered powerchairs, is completely inadequate for many of us & you never know if you will make it back home again. Some of us live on hilly areas, or a long way from the shops, or are very active. It restricts the very places that you may attempt to travel to. Especially later in the day. If you are paralysed as I am the thought of running out of battery power before you make it home again is scary!

Fancy a night out? Not sure if you have enough battery left?  Its a real worry and I personally can't ever get through a busy full day with a lead battery powered chair. So you just tend to choose not to try to go some places. Impacting your mobility. 

                                                                 The world is big!  And has hills!  >>>

Lithium batteries have been this way for a decade. That's why your phone and laptop, drill, bike, strimmer, RC toys, and everything else uses Lithium already.

BM3 BATTERY:  300% greater energy storage than typical large Lead (Gel/AGM)

High 10C rate Nano Phosphate LiFePO4, 45v, with a massive 3240 Watt/hours of usable energy. With just HALF the weight of a set of lead batteries! And 10 to 15 year expected lifespan.

The equivalent stored power of 6x hi-end lead/gel/AGM 70Ah powerchair batteries. Charge on average twice a week gives 2000 cycles at 80% D.O.D. That's a 1000 week lifespan. Or a theoretical 19.2 years before range drops below 80%. Or 37 miles. This battery will outlive the chair and probably the user.

This isn't just any old lithium fitted for marketing reasons (as powerchair manufacturers will eventually do!) Its a high performance, low resistance, high C rate, massive 45V power pack!
 

• BM3 CHARGER:  FAST charging. Lightweight, PC linked, cell balancing, high powered 550 watt output charger. Charges directly in a car or at home. (Approx. 3 hours to 100% to replace 35 miles of discharge).
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  Optionally connects via Blue-Tooth to any PC/Laptop and monitors & logs battery health, displays capacity used, capacity replaced & charge/discharge graphs & cell balance information + more in real time. Charger can also charge any other battery of any chemistry any capacity or cell count up to 50V. On any other device. Lead, Lithium, Nickel based cells. All types.

Charging, controllable via PC and Bluetooth if you wish. Logs data, shows cell balance, Ah in/out and battery state and much more as it charges. Roboteq software allows for extensive programming and setup, configuration, logging to PC etc. And in real time during use. All way more advanced and more configurable and informative than the typical mobility product and free to download including updates, without restrictions or cost.

• OUTDOOR CAPABILITY: Mud, snow, grass, sand, roads & pavements, hills & real world footpaths in comfort.

• With enough power, speed and range & outdoor capability to make it practical all day long.
   

EXISTING CHAIRS: Heavily loaded often small casters sink on soft surfaces. Small width & cross section, harsh riding drive tyres also sink and transmit vibration. Causing discomfort, pressure sores & muscle spasm problems. Only work well on solid smooth surfaces e.g. shopping centres.

Inadequate speed, torque or accurate control for any practical real world outdoor use. Short battery range, gives no user confidence in going anywhere that is too far or is too difficult type of terrain such a hills or grass.  

High floatation low pressure puncture proof tubeless tyres, lightly loaded large front casters, tons of power, huge battery capability make this sort of thing easy!  Want to walk a dog up the beach? In the forest? Fields? Snow?  Photo shows a friend in Thailand on holiday having fun.

Battery door at rear, 4 inches plus ground clearance, 5psi Kevlar reinforced K-Shield puncture proof tubeless tyres for smooth ride and floatation on soft ground, sand, snow. EVERY part show quality powder coated for protection against salt and corrosion. Including all fabricated centre section, motor mountings etc. No ugly rear overhang like production chairs means I can reverse my HEAD to a wall. This chair is just 37 inches long INCLUDING footplates and anti tips. Rear punctures on these special tyres are practically 100% impossible. Deflated FRONT tyre no problem!  And no harsh riding skinny "flat free" tyres here! I can always get home.

• DRIVE WHEELS/TYRES:  SMOOTH RIDE ON HIGH FLOATATION (low pressure) 6 INCH WIDE, PUNCTURE PROOF, KEVLAR REINFORCED & TUBELESS TYRES, ON LIGHTWEIGHT POLISHED 3 PART TUBELESS ALLOY SPLIT RIMS.

EXISTING CHAIRS:  Almost without exception use skinny harsh riding high pressure or foam filled 3.00 x 8 drive tyres. Or smaller. These transmit vibration and cause discomfort & spasm. They sink on soft surfaces, like wet fields, sand, snow. They are either tube (so suffer many punctures) or solid/foam filled (so called puncture free), which both eat battery power and give an even harsher ride.

• CASTER WHEELS/TYRES:  9.75 X 3 INCH WIDE TUBE TYPE: Filled with puncture seal fluid. These are lightly loaded with a rear biased powerchair CG position. To ride easily over sand, snow, soft ground. Chair drives safely with a fully deflated caster if required to get home.
   
• CONTROLLED WHEELIES: Rearward CG position (Centre of Gravity or Mass) and instant & precise linear throttle control - For similar agility to a manual sport chair with easy wheelies etc, Useful for curbs, accuracy & control & better feel of chairs steering lightness. This also saves approx. 10 to 15 percent of the battery power.
   
• POWER: 2x 150 AMP@45V ROBOTEQ HDC2450: Running custom code/script, external Hall Effect current sensors, and custom built hall affect joystick controller. (approx 3x more power than existing powerchairs – some 13,500 max electrical Watts electrical capability). Uses custom control code with mix algorithm and all control settings - similar to mobility controllers, and includes adjustable motor compensation etc. See Custom script
  
  Essential for correct control Custom script Custom built Hall affect pod using APEM Joystick and pilot plus shell - used with the Roboteq controller. Full control, programming, data logging capability of all motor and battery and controller parameters.
  
  
  
  
   

Battery:   Safe, Lithium ion Phosphate (78 x 12Ah 10C cont. cells in 13x series and 6x parallel configuration). 43v nominal (46.8V charged). 45v nominal running voltage. 720A continuous current rated. 360A continuous charge capability. Given a large enough charger that is 5C or 12 minutes to fully charged is possible before damage.

Cycle life of 2000 cycles to 80% D.O.D.  (1500 cycles even at 100 percent D.O.D). That's at least 5 times better cycle life than the best conventional gel or AGM lead based battery. And HALF the weight! Saving some 50lb!  And since you need charge only every few days will last 10 to 15 times longer.  (Equivalent usable stored energy to 6x group 24 lead batteries).  Or 3x the usable energy storage capacity @ 3240 Watt/hours (compared to usable energy in a typical pair of group 24, 70Ah batteries at a high discharge rate). This pack would be at home in a small Electric Car!

Control System:  Roboteq HDC2450 with 150 Amps per motor at 45V.  Approx. 13,500 Watts electrical power capability for over 60 seconds.  Almost 3x the power level of the mobility industries BEST offerings and for much longer before any thermal rollback occurs!  Radio Control capability is built right in & full comprehensive PC control & data logging, graphing and battery, motor and controller real time monitoring capability + programming via PC and USB.  Custom script/code for powerchair usage includes such things as motor compensation settings and other advanced control user settings. This controller is UNUSABLE without the script I use for control. And External current sensors to allow motor compensation to be utilised. Don't just go buying one thinking this is plug and play stuff. It will not be drivable!

Custom Joystick Pod Uses a Pilot Plus shell (its small and I had one!), custom switches, LEDs, Speed potentiometer and a replacement Hall Effect Joystick by APEM. This is much better suited to the Roboteq than the PG Drives ones for technical reasons. Custom loom, contactors, inverters for lower voltage brakes, lighting etc. 

Speed: Nominal 15MPH or 24KPH (Actually about 16.4MPH measured speed via GPS)

Range: At least 45 Miles or 72 Kilometres real world on footpaths. More if calculated in the same way powerchair manufacturers do things. (The official ISO tennis court test)  Or 15 miles+ of very unfriendly steep hills, beaches, off road use etc. About 3x what you will get from any other industry standard lead battery (AGM/Gel) powered powerchairs.

Ground clearance: 4 inches or 100mm (without tie down bolt - 2.5 inches with this installed).

Seat height: 16 inches at the rear, 17 inches at the front edge.  Adjustable dump. Rehab seating also possible but may implement stability. Chassis mods recommended. Car style seats or other high/heavy seating not an option as they raise the G of G too high for good stability with the lightweight battery and short wheelbase.

Rear tyres: 145/70 - 6 (14.5 inches x 5.5 inches wide) low pressure tubeless 4 PSI high floatation for sand, off road, and comfort on the streets or off road!  4 ply, treated with off road puncture treatment. Best for ride comfort, snow, mud and keeping width below 25.5 inches. Wear very fast in summer.

Or: (Preferred option shown above) 15" (6.00 x 6) Kevlar lined puncture proof (turf tyres) for dry summer use. ALL tyres are tubeless, fitted to alloy tubeless polished aircraft rims. (Tubeless tyres are approx. 20x less prone to puncture deflation). And these Kevlar re-enforced and are PUNCTURE PROOF and last a very long time. They can be run at 5 to 6 PSI for best floatation and grip and offer a lot of vibration isolation.

Front casters: 3.00 x 4 tyres (9.7 inches x 3 inches) Treated with puncture seal. Powerchair can drive safely with a totally deflated front tyre due to rearward C of G (mass) position. And for the same reason these work on sand and snow too.

Width: including a 20 inch cushion, 25.4 to 26.4inches depending on rear tyres fitted. (All Terrain or Turf).

Length: Including footplate, anti-tips etc. 37.5 inches total! Shorter than all other powerchairs.

Charging: While mobile in a car or from the wall at up to 20 amps and 47v with an ultra-accurate automatic cell balancing Hyperion 1420i computerised 550 watt charger. Includes PC control, graphing, battery capacity measurement and IR resistance testing via PC.

Finish and durability: ALL bolts, nuts, washers, bearings, spacers, axles, from polished stainless steel.  All other metal parts including hidden ones are heavy show quality gloss powder coated. Corrosion proof on our salty winter streets.  All power and motor cables are high quality 10sq mm heavy gauge crimped and soldered.  Built to shrug off corrosion and abuse.

Programming: PC based free to download, all possible options. This is a very technical programming tool that allows PC control, several different input control devices (including Radio Control) and logging information options in real time while in use on a laptop.

Motors: AMT 24V 8.5mph, 130Amp stall at 22V. Running on 45V so stall current up around 240 Amps, and RPM doubled to achieve 16+mph.  Limited to 150A / 45v by Roboteq/software/ Custom script/code and external current sensors.

Lights: LED rear, LED bright driving lamp front.

Radio Control:  JR 12X transmitter, converted to DSMX, and power output increased from RF out of 100mWatt to 3200mWatt. RC receiver is DSMX Spektrum AR10000 with 3 satellite DSMX additional receivers located in rear lights, seat back, seat tray front edge. Approx 4 miles line of sight range or at least half mile in and around vehicles and buildings. RX powered from Roboteq 5v directly, and 3 channels used. One for emergency RC switch to stop the chair via main battery contactor if required. 2 used for control. RX switched on off from control pod. Failsafe on encoded RF signal loss, stops chair fast.

K Shield = puncture proof easy riding low pressure high floatation tyre. These work fine everywhere other than ice or really fine dry sand. And they will ALWAYS get you home!

Tubeless. Smoother riding, high floatation, works on grass, sand, snow, pavements and in the house and not mark if they are dry. Fatter tyres exert a lower pressure on the carpets and wooden floors. The opposite to the Stiletto heel affect. Same reason they float over soft ground and sand/snow with ease.