FAQs
Answers To Your Questions
Tell me more about the different Attachments?
The PowerUp, Elemart A5 and Elesmart A6 all have a 12 inch diameter wheel and use the same powerful 36V 500W motor, controller, throttle and brake controls. The main differences are frame, handlebars, LCD display and method of connection to the wheelchair.
The original Attachment is called PowerUp on our website. It has two connecting arms with clamps on the ends. The clamps are connected to the two wheelchair front down tubes (side connection). If you have seen any of my videos then that is the Attachment that I have. It is available in black and features a black and white LCD display and is unbelievable value for money. See here.
The Elesmart A5 has the same connection method but has suspension on the wheel, backward tilt adjustable handlebars and a stiffer main frame with colour options. It also features a coloured LCD display with USB port. See here.
The Elesmart A6 has one single central connection arm. It fixes to a cross beam that is mounted across the wheelchair under the seat (centre connection). It should be quicker to connect and disconnect and easier for people with poor coordination and dexterity. The A6 also has backwards tilt handlebars, the stiffer main frame with colour options, colour LCD display with USB port, but no suspension. See here. A 48V version of the A6 is available. It provides slightly more torque, which makes it more suited to heavier users, contact us for more information.
The Elesmart A8 is similar to the A6 with a central connection arm, but has a 16 inch diameter wheel and a massive 1000W motor. The A8 is considerably more bulky than the A6 but suited to heavier users and those whishing to venture out on rougher ground and off road trails.
Is my wheelchair suitable for use with these Attachments?
The PowerUp and Elesmart A5 Attachments are designed to fit a wide range of wheelchairs with round frame tubes. We recommend rigid frame chairs but the factory say that they are suitable for some folding chairs.
The critical aspects for fitment to a chair are shown on this graphic and are:
- Frame front down tube of round cross section and diameter 22 to 36mm.
- A straight section tube, minimum 55mm long, towards the upper part of the front down tubes.
- The front tubes should be angled slightly forward from top to the foot plate at the bottom.
These Attachments are not suitable for chairs with removable footplate arms as the fixings of the arms, to the main frame, are unlikely to be sufficiently strong and the main frame legs too far back and too upright.
The Elesmart A6 and A8 will work with most rigid or folding wheelchairs with round frame tubes of between 22 and 33mm diameter, even those with removable footplate arms! Connection is made centrally to a cross beam fitted between the side frames, under the seat. See this graphic for more information on the fixing criteria. Longer and shorter crossbeams can be supplied for wider and more narrow wheelchairs, contact us before ordering.
If in doubt please contact us.
See video of the connection method for the PowerUp and Elesmart A5 and the Elesmart A6 and A8
What is the size and weight of the Attachments?
The Attachments are easily transported in a car and just 100cm in height.
The weight of the 500W 12” Diameter Wheel Attachments, without a battery, is 12.5kg. The version with suspension is about 0.5kg heavier.
The 1000W 16" Diameter Wheel Attachments are more bulky, due to the much larger wheel, and slightly less easily transported. The A8 weighs 17.6kg without the battery.
What are the speed controls?
The Handcycles use a right hand quarter twist grip throttle and have the facility to set a maximum speed and are able to be set with a cruise control above 6km/h. If required, a Left hand throttle is available..
They have 3 ‘speed’ settings or ‘gears’. In reality these are really power settings. They will affect the maximum speed with 1 being the slowest and 3 the fastest but also setting 2 or 3 will be necessary to give the power to go up steeper inclines. There is a reverse ‘gear’ too.
The manufactures state that the maximum speed is 25 km/h (15.5mph). I can achieve, just about, 20mph on my PowerUp!
Tell me more about the batteries?
The 36V Attachments are currently available with a selection of battery options, 7.8Ah, 12.8Ah, 14Ah and 16Ah. The 7.8Ah (8Ah) battery is the lightest, great for ease of transport and the only battery that conforms to the CAA regulations for taking on a plane, but is only suitable for shorter journeys. The larger batteries will give more range before a recharge is required and the extra weight over the front wheel will increase traction, reducing spinning of the front wheel on loose ground and steeper inclines. Of course the larger batteries do increase the cost.
The approximate distance that each battery would propel the Attachment at 10 miles per hour on a smooth flat and level surface, before a recharge is required, is:
7.8Ah (8Ah), 15 miles
12.8Ah, 25 miles
14Ah, 27 miles
16Ah, 31 miles
This is under ideal conditions. On rough/loose ground and on inclines these distances will reduce, probably considerably on steep hills. In practice I have found that the range is considerably more, as average speeds are usually a lot less than 10mph.
The approximate weights of each battery are:
7.8Ah, 1.6kg
12.8Ah, 2.5kg
14Ah, 2.6kg
16Ah, 3kg
15Ah 48V, 3.7Kg
20Ah 48V, 4.6Kg
The batteries have indicator lights to show the amount of charge left in the battery and this is also displayed on the computer screen on the handlebars.
Should I choose with or without suspension?
I have the PowerUp 12” wheel without suspension and I am very happy with it. It has good traction over smooth and rougher surfaces, assisted by keeping the tyre pressure low (5psi or less) and leaning forward to put more weight over the front wheel, when required. The soft tyre gives a degree of cushioning too and with this type of device, most of the weight is carried by the main wheels of the wheelchair anyway.
The PowerUp with suspension and Elesmart A5 are slightly less easy to lift and transport, as they are a bit heavier and more bulky. The suspension units are probably too stiff to work effectively, however, there is backwards tilt adjustment on the handlebars. This reduces the reach and is, therefore, recommended for shorter users and those whose core stability/strength is not so good and who may like to gain some support from the backrest from time to time.
Do the Attachments require assembly on arrival?
Yes some, but it's pretty straight forward and the required tools are included. There are no assembly instructions but we provide a video to help.
Will these Attachments be suitable for me?
These are relatively simple and light weight devices and offer exceptional value for money. They should be suitable for most wheelchair users, but not all. Users will need a degree of dexterity to operate the righthand twist grip throttle and at least one brake lever, which are on the left and right side (gentle throttle and brake control are desirable). Connection to the wheelchair can be fiddly on the side connection models, see video, I get somebody else to connect/disconnect for me. If hand dexterity and poor co-ordination are an issue then the central connection provided by the Elesmart A6 would suit you best. This type of device does need some user mobility to get their weight forward to avoid the front wheel from slipping when going up hill or on loose/slippery ground. There are some settings and techniques to help and we would be happy to advise. The manufactures recommend a maximum user weight of 100kg to get the best from the Attachment, however heavier users of up to 150kg, would find the ability to climb inclines significantly reduced. It may not fit wider Bariatric Wheelchairs. Larger users may find the clearance between the handlebars and their legs tight when connecting the attachment, we can advise some adjustment to reduce this. Finally a degree of mechanical aptitude would be helpful to assist with assembly and maintenance, eg adjusting the brake cables. If unsure then a bike or e-bike shop could do the maintenance for you.
We don't want to supply an Attachment if it is not suitable for you, Please contact us before you purchase, if you are in any doubt.
Can I take the Attachment on an Aeroplane?
Yes for the 12" 36V 500W PowerUp, A5, A6. As it's a disabled aid it should be free to take in the hold. I used to pack my Attachment in the box that it arrived in, so I kept the packing materials in good condition. The boxes are now a bit bigger so some users pack them in a hard suitcase. I recently used an Attachment to get to the door of the plane then left it connected to the wheelchair and they were then placed in the hold, which was very convenient. You should pack the battery separately as this will need to be taken with you in the cabin. You will need permission from the Airline to take the battery, so let them know about the battery at check-in. Note the Voltage and Ampere-hours as the Airline staff may ask, however, please be aware of the CAA regulations mentioned below.
The CAA regulations for ‘wheelchairs and mobility aids powered by lithium batteries’ states that you should notify the airline prior to travel. Lithium batteries must be taken in the cabin as hand luggage and the maximum rating of the battery should be 300Wh calculated by the voltage (36) multiplied by the capacity in Ampere hours. Only the 7.8Ah battery at, 36x7.8=281Wh, satisfies the regulations.
These regulations are now being applied more stringently. The 7.8Ah batteries (sometimes referred to as 8Ah) are available on this site.
Unfortunately the 48V A6 and A8 do not have a battery suitable for taking on a plane.
What are the highway regulations in the UK for power attachments?
The Electric Wheelchair Attachments, ‘PowerUp’, ‘A5’ and ‘A6’, supplied by WillStreetTWF.com, are medical devices for those who cannot walk or who have difficulty walking. There are no specific regulations for these devices. Although they are not strictly an 'invalid carriage' as the Attachment can be disconnected from the wheelchair, 'The Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988' can be used to give us an idea of what should be permissible.
There are three Classes of Invalid Carriage covered.
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Class 1 - Manual Wheelchairs. Self or attendant propelled (not electrically powered).
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Class 2 - Powered Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters intended for footpath or pavement use. Maximum speed limit of 4 mph.
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Class 3 - Powered Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters intended for use on the road, with a maximum speed limit of 8 mph but with the facility to travel at 4 mph on a footpath or pavement.
The Electric Wheelchair Attachments are not intended for use on the road. We should follow the requirements of Class 1 when the Attachment is not connected and consider Class 2 as guidelines when it is. So they can be used on pavements and in pedestrian zones but cannot be used on the roads except to cross the road or for short distances when the footpath is inaccessible. When used on pavements or pedestrian areas, safety of other users is paramount and the maximum speed should not exceed 4mph.
Can I use my Electric Wheelchair Power Attachment on public roads?
Manual wheelchairs fitted with power add-ons are not road legal and so, for our Electric Wheelchair Attachments, the answer is no. They can only ever be used on the road if the footpath is blocked or where it is necessary to cross the road.
An exception to this is for power attachments that incorporate handcycle cranks and pedals as these are covered by the bicycle regulations and can be used on the road as can Class 3 scooters and powerchairs.
All classes of ‘invalid carriages’ can be used on footpaths, pavements, bridleways and in pedestrian areas at a maximum speed of 4mph.
Do I need to register and insure a wheelchair power attachment?
No – you do not need to register an Electric Wheelchair Attachment.
It is not a legal requirement to insure a power attachment. By doing so however, with a suitable provider, then third party and injury cover could be obtained.
Most insurers will not provide cover for speeds over 8 mph. We are able to set the maximum speed to meet their requirements.
What is the maximum speed that I can go with a wheelchair power attachment?
There is no speed restriction for manual wheelchairs on public paths and in pedestrian zones, however when using your power attachment it is good practice to limit your speed to a maximum of 4mph (according to Class 2 invalid carriage rules).
Acknowledgement to John Preston Medical and Mobility for information used in this section.
What is your return policy?
Returns accepted within 30 days of delivery.
Customer to disassemble the device and repack in the original packaging and box so as to avoid damage to the device during transport.
WillStreetTWF.com will arrange for a courier to collect the packaged device at a time convenient to the customer. Customer to pay the return postage cost.
WillStreetTWF.com reserve the right to charge a 10% restocking fee, subject to inspection of the returned device.
Refund will be made as soon as the inspection is completed.
What are your payment options?
Card, PayPal and Apple Pay.
All popular debit and credit cards are accepted by selecting 'checkout' on the cart. Alternatively select 'PayPal Checkout' to use PayPal express and secure website payments, offering their card payments, finance options and providing PayPal buyer protection. Apple Pay is also available for customers who use this service on their mobile phones.
Are spare parts available?
All parts are readily available, We hold many in stock in the UK, for fast delivery. If necessary spare parts can be sent directly to you by Airfreight from the factory in China.. Contact us for prices.