# Travel >> Types of Travel >> Senior Travel

What Causes a Controller Error on Power Chairs?

A power chair is ideal for people that struggle with immobility issues, as it allows them to stay active while being safe. Power chairs are typically powered by electricity and are driven with a joystick or driving device by the operator. If you are thinking of purchasing a power chair, being aware of controller errors that can occur during use can help increase the enjoyment of the chair, while easily troubleshooting potential problems.

Battery Voltage
- If your power chair's controller flashes a red light two times, it is indicating that there is a problem with your chair's battery functioning. To determine if your controller is non-responsive due to a battery issue, it is important to check that the voltage has not dropped below 19vdc. If you determine that your battery voltage is lower than 19vdc, check that the connections are tight and recharge the battery.
  
  A too-high battery voltage could also make your controller non-responsive. A voltage higher than 30vdc will create problems with the functioning of your chair. If your voltage is higher than 30vdc, allow your batteries time to discharge and ensure you are using the correct battery charger.
Connectors and Faulty Wiring
- Your controller will flash a red light three times to indicate that your power chair wiring is faulty. Faulty wiring could indicate that the connections to both the battery and the motor are not tight or are damaged and not in a good working order.
  
  Generally, there are two motors on each side of your power chair. If you receive a red light that flashes on your controller four times, it indicates that the wiring to your motors is loose or has malfunctioned. If this occurs and your motor connections are un-keyed, you may swap the wires to see if it temporarily fixes the problem.
User Fault
- A one-time red-flashing light on your controller indicates that the chair is experiencing a user error. Each power chair has a stall current timer that turns the battery power off after you have been stalled for a period of time, usually longer than 15 seconds. In order to regain control of your chair and controller, you will be required to restart the chair's power system.
Controller Fault
- A red flash that occurs eight times typically indicates that there is a problem with the actual controller. A faulty controller could indicate that the control system needs to be maintained or replaced, as your power chair will not respond to your requests quickly. This can become an extreme safety hazard for power chair users; therefore, maintenance needs to be completed immediately.