This was a stairlift repair case study in Birmingham, UK. This was actually a stairlift installation but I’m calling it a repair because it falls into the “repair” category. You can find more about our repairs, maintenance and services here. In this stairlift installation, our engineer had to swap the arms round on this straight Stannah 600.
This is sometimes required because of an issue with the arm controls. On this installation our client had an injury and couldn’t operate the stairlift with her right hand due to injury.
Stairlift Repair Case Study Birmingham – Arm Swap
The left arm on the Stannah 600 has sensors in it so that when the arm is lifted (to exit the stairlift), the power is automatically cut. This is a safety feature which prevents the stairlift moving in the case of an accidental lifting of the downstairs facing arm. It might signal someone falling out of the chair, should it still be moving.
On the right arm is the controller for power of the stairlift. Simply push the controller towards the direction of travel and the stairlift starts moving. If there’s a problem using your right arm, we can swap the arms around so the power controller is in the other arm.
Stairlift Repair Case Study Birmingham – A Quick Fix
Another quick fix for this kind of problem is simply to fasten the remote control device to the opposite arm. This is a great “hack” especially if the problem arm is only temporary. This allows the user to drive the chair using the opposite hand. However, after trying this we quickly learned that the remote wouldn’t work in the fixed position. The remote control for this stairlift uses infra-red and you must point it towards the receiver. With the remote fastened to the arm, it pointed away from the receiver in the chair, and wouldn’t work!
So with this one, our engineer had to remove the wiring from each side and swap them over.
Stairlift Repair Case Study – Swapping The Arms
To swap over the arms, the arm casings had to be removed and the wiring altered. This usually takes only a short time. Wiring runs along the arms and down the back of the chair to the base.
The power switch on the right arm was eventually swapped over on to the left arm so our client could easily operate the machine.
While taking pictures on this job I must have distracted Scott because he managed to take the arms apart and then put them back the same way! Oops! It was only when our client sat back on the chair did he notice the arm hadn’t been switched!
Luckily it was a quick fix!
Summary
This small repair is something that often needs to happen if there’s an issue with having the operating controls on the wrong arm rest. In the case of a disability or an injury, controls can easily be swapped over depending on which side it is better to have the controller in. You can see the arm swap in the pictures below. On the left, the controller is on the right hand armrest (pointing upwards). On the right, you can see the arm controller has been moved on the left hand armrest.
Call Us
For all your servicing, repairs and stairlift needs, call us on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page here.
You can also watch some of our installations and removals on our YouTube channel here.