{"product_id":"merits-axcel","title":"Merits Axcel","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMerits Axcel FWD Powerchair\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Merits Axcel is a highly configurable, rapid-build time, front-wheel drive powerchair designed for people who need proper rehabilitation seating without sacrificing outdoor performance. With large 14-inch drive wheels, independent hydraulic suspension and 9-inch rear castors, it is intended to provide a stable, controlled ride both around the home and out in the community. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standard Axcel base is 62.2cm wide, supports seat widths and depths from 14–22 inches, has a 136kg maximum user weight and has a maximum speed of 6mph. The Axcel runs on a pair of 60Ah Gel batteries with a published maximum range of up to 19 miles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor users with more complex seating requirements, the Axcel can provide 0–50° powered tilt, 85–160° powered recline with shear reduction, an optional 30.5cm powered seat lift and an optional powered articulating footplate. R-Net electronics also allow the chair to be configured around more complex control requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe now have the Axcel available to demonstrate at our Ashford showroom, alongside the Axcel Narrow, allowing the two bases to be assessed and driven back-to-back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFront-wheel drive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e62.2cm overall base width\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100.6cm overall length\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14–22 inch seat width\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14–22 inch seat depth\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUp to 6mph\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUp to 19 mile manufacturer-rated range\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60Ah M34 Gel batteries\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e136.1kg maximum user weight\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.6cm ground clearance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14-inch hybrid-gel drive wheels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e9-inch hybrid-gel rear castors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent hydraulic suspension\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eR-Net 120A controls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntegrated LED lighting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTool-free rear battery access\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFront-wheel drive and outdoor performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFront-wheel drive places the large powered wheels towards the front of the chair. This gives the Axcel a useful advantage when approaching changes in surface, thresholds and uneven ground because the drive wheels meet the obstacle first rather than smaller castors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerits has combined this layout with unusually large 9-inch rear castors and independent hydraulic suspension. The aim is not to make the Axcel an off-road powerchair, but to produce a more controlled ride across the sort of broken pavements, dropped kerbs and uneven surfaces encountered during normal community use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFront-wheel drive does require a slightly different driving technique from mid-wheel drive. The rear of the chair swings around during tighter turns, so users moving from a mid-wheel powerchair should allow some time to become familiar with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeating and positioning\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Axcel is a rehabilitation powerchair rather than a fixed-seat mobility chair. Its seating should therefore be configured around the individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeat width and depth can be specified between 14 and 22 inches, with different cushions, back supports, head supports and positioning equipment used where appropriate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowered functions can include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epowered tilt from 0–50°\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epowered recline from 85–160°\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eshear reduction during recline\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e30.5cm powered seat elevation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epowered articulating foot support\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese functions can be particularly important where somebody spends substantial periods in their powerchair or needs help managing posture, pressure, transfers or functional reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would always assess the complete seating requirement rather than selecting powered functions simply because they are available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far will the Axcel really travel?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerits quotes a maximum range of up to 30.6km or 19 miles per charge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe deliberately describe this as a manufacturer-rated maximum rather than promising that every user will achieve 19 miles. Real-world range changes with user weight, gradients, terrain, temperature, battery condition, powered seating use, driving style and numerous other factors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor somebody regularly travelling longer distances, we would discuss their normal journeys during assessment rather than relying solely on the brochure figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Axcel uses two 60Ah Gel batteries. Our normal advice with this type of powerchair battery is to charge regularly, ideally overnight after use, rather than repeatedly running the batteries very low before charging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAxcel or Axcel Narrow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the most important decisions with this chair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standard Axcel is 62.2cm wide, while the Axcel Narrow is 57.2cm wide. That 5cm difference can be extremely important in a property with restricted doorways, narrow corridors or limited circulation space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, we wouldn't automatically choose the Narrow simply because a smaller chair sounds preferable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standard Axcel offers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eseating up to 22 inches wide and deep rather than 20 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ea higher maximum speed of 6mph rather than 5.2mph\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eR-Net 120A rather than 90A electronics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003egreater flexibility for users who don't actually need the narrower base\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the standard Axcel fits comfortably into the environments you use every day, it will often be the more logical choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOur view\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Axcel is particularly interesting for users who like the characteristics of front-wheel drive but need a genuinely configurable rehabilitation seating system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts combination of large wheels, hydraulic suspension, R-Net controls and powered seating makes it much closer to the established high-end rehabilitation powerchairs we regularly assess than to a conventional mobility powerchair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are compromises. It is a substantial chair, weighing approximately 159–175kg depending on configuration, so this is not something intended to dismantle and lift into a normal car boot. Front-wheel drive also feels different from the very tight pivoting behaviour of a mid-wheel drive chair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the right user, however, the standard Axcel offers a convincing combination of outdoor capability, configurable seating and sensible dimensions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTry the Merits Axcel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have both the standard Axcel and Axcel Narrow available for demonstration in Ashford.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving both versions available is particularly useful because we can measure your seating requirements and access needs, then let you experience whether the narrower chassis provides a meaningful advantage before deciding which configuration to pursue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cinque Ports Mobility","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53782575284571,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0921\/1484\/6043\/files\/axcelprofilecloseup.jpg?v=1786697177","url":"https:\/\/cinqueportsmobility.com\/products\/merits-axcel","provider":"Cinque Ports Mobility","version":"1.0","type":"link"}