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Stair Lift User’s Physical Condition and Model Selection

March 5, 2009 by  
Filed under Stair Lifts

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Height of Stair Lift User

1. If the stair lift user is under 5’4″, then the stair chair seat height is important to enable easy transferring on and off the chair of the lift. Alternatively, if the stair chair lift user is tall, then seat height must be high enough.
Tall stair lift users must also consider the distance from the the seat to the foot plate so that they are comfortable in riding the chair lift. Also, if a the person is tall, then the stairway width maybe an issue if less than 36″ wide.
2. Lower Back Pain – Another concern is if the stair lift user has lower back pain, then a soft start and stop would be more important.
3. Ability to Bend Knees - If the user can not bend their knees then the width of the stairway is extremely important.
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Battery versus Electric Powered Stair Lifts

March 4, 2009 by  
Filed under Stair Lifts

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I formed SILVER CROSS over 15 years ago and have not changed my opinion that an electric powered stair lift is more reliable than a battery operated stair lift.  The key reasons why I say this are the following: 

1. Batteries eventually die and you can not predict when this will happen.  

2. Your furnace, air conditioner, fridge and stove are most likely run by electricity.  You count on these appliances just as much as you would count on a stair lift.  So, why choose a battery operated stair lift over an electric powered stair lift?  It does not make sense.

3. The stair lift manufacturer’s that insist that their battery operated stair lifts are more quiet and more reliable than electric powered stair lifts have an agenda to push their stairlift models.  

4. Battery operated stair lifts rely on electricity to  power the battery charger.  If electricity goes out in your home, the stair lift charger will not get power and your stair lift will not work after a few runs up and down your stairs.

5. Most stair lift batteries will die unless you charge the batteries every few weeks.

On the other side of this opinion, battery operated stair lifts now dominate the marketplace and there are only a few stair lift models that are electric powered.  

If you plan to use the stair lift for less than two years, and plan to charge them weekly, then a battery operated stair lift is fine.

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Used Stair Lift Factors

March 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Used Stair Lifts

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Used Stair Lift Factors

1. If the previous used stair lift user’s weight was in excess of 250 lbs.  then the wear and tear of the stair lift rail may be a factor.
2. Some stair lift models are not possible to switch from one side of the stairs to the other.
3. If the stair lift is run by batteries, then the age of the stair lift is important since most batteries should be changed in about three years from installation date.
4. If a stair lift was removed by the client, then there is a strong possibility that parts will be missing or not properly removed and thereby make re-installation difficult.
5. Most stair lift tracks can be reduced in length.  Adding to the track length may be more difficult due to the fact that some rail systems are not quite the same width as the next lot.
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