CareCure post #625 elarson

My husband has hemiparesis and neglect (functional paralysis and complete lack of awareness on one side). He does fine with the joystick on the ZX-1 when the environment is not too hectic and I can coach him. He does not do well in crowded loud environments where he cannot hear me well or there is a lot going on with bikes, trams, cars — we live in Amsterdam. He also needs assistance with tight spaces like elevators, trams and wheelchair taxis, and it’s hard for me to take over standing behind him to reach the joystick.

I saw that PG Drives has a VR2 – Dual Attendant Control http://www.cw-industrialgroup.com/Pr…endant-Control. I think the push button exchange of control between user and attendant would be the perfect solution for us. Has anyone configured the ZX-1 to use this, or know if the Dual Attendant Module can be retrofitted to the ZX-1?

CareCure post #627 pattherat

There is no reason why you couldn’t use a dual attendant control on a ZX-1 BUT I can see some potential problems if it isn’t done correctly. I only see one way of doing it correctly and that is to mount it securely to the ZX-1’s armrest. The first thought is to mount it to the backrest push handles, if your husband’s chair has them, but then the joystick would move independently of the ZX-1 at times, like when you start to ascend a ramp or just the front casters going over a bump. I can see that causing a problem with joystick control. Another problem with mounting it there is that it must be unplugged from the controller before the wheelchair can disengage from the ZX-1. If your using the anti-tilts with the crossbar this can be very difficult to do and if you forget you could damage the control.
So yes it could be easily done but you have to do it right and I think that can only be done with a custom made bracket that attaches solidly and securely to the ZX-1’s armrest, be sure to route and zip tie the cable so it doesn’t interfere with any moving parts or pinch points of both the ZX-1 and the manual chair and make sure the manual chair is still allowed to rotate within the clamshell without hitting the attendant control.

CareCure post #629 pattherat

Yes it’s possible. I don’t know that anyone has done it before. Only you know you’re situation but if you want my opinion, if your husband has trouble with controlling the joystick in certain situations and you have to assist him at times it seems like a good reason to invest in this option. There is no programming necessary, it’s “plug n play”. You would just need to purchase the Dual Attendant Control and plug it into your VR controller. There is one on ebay right now for $430.

CareCure post #631 elarson

I found the VR2 Attendant Module for about $100 on eBay.co.uk, but it does not include the Dual Attendant Intermediate Cable. If anyone see’s one of these at a good price, let me know.

CareCure post  #632 elarson

I managed to buy the Dual Attendant Intermediate Cable directly from PG Drives in the UK. Based on my experience with them in the past when I was going to order a programmer, it’s cheaper than ordering through other channels and they are very quick to respond. Now I just need to figure out how to mount it.

CareCure post  #633 elarson

I installed the VR2 – Dual Attendant Control today. It was really easy — “plug n play” as mentioned by Pat. I did a quick lash-up for a mount with a cheap mobile phone holder and a lot of Gorilla glue. It will need something more robust, but is good enough for testing. I also had to order a joystick knob because what we bought is off of eBay and it was not included, but it’s not here yet.

Overall, it all seems to work and I am quite impressed with it, though this is my first experience with attendant controls and I’m quite limited with power equipment in general. It’s really great to be able to take over control when we get into hectic situations, and we both feel safer having it. It will also be helpful in shops where it is easier for me to take control. We sometimes use a trailer that gets hitched to the wheelchair and it’s really hard for my husband to maneuver when he can’t see what is happening behind him..

This might be a good option for others who may have a similar situation with vision problems, brain injury, etc. who need some help from time to time.

I have some questions I hope to get some help with:

I’m finding the steering is a bit wonky. It is not as easy to steer as the standard joystick and kind of swings around a bit. I did a reorientation of the joystick as described in the VR2 Technical Manual and all seemed fine with the flashing light indications. Possibly this is because the mount is not great, or the location aft, but I thought I would ask in case Pat or others have some tips.

We programmed the VR2 with multiple drive profiles, rather than just the default of a single profile to increase and decrease speed. From the testing I have done with the Dual Attendant Control, it looks like the speed is only an increase and decrease of speed, rather than using the multiple drive profiles. Does anyone know if the Dual Attendant Control can be programmed similar to the the VR2 Joystick?

Does anyone know of a cheap mounting solution? I would really like something that might be a bit higher so I don’t have to lean down to operate it.

Lastly, if Pat or others think I’ve not done this in a good way, i.e., cables, location, etc., please let me know. I took a leap on this and have no idea if I did it right.

Wheelchairdriver.com PG Drives VR2 – Dual Attendant Control mount by elarson

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8338

I’m trying to mount a PG Drives VR2 – Dual Attendant Control (part number D50872) on the armrests of a Spinergy ZX-1 power add-on for a manual wheelchair. I have it working using a cheap mobile phone bicycle mount but am looking for something that is more robust, and if possible, higher up so I don’t need to lean down to control it. Any ideas?

I was trying to upload photos, without success. Photos can be seen on this post in the CareCure forums http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread … ost1867248

Wheelchairdriver.com PG Drives VR2 – Dual Attendant Control mount  by Burgerman

You need a man with a workshop and a hobby like model planes. I am describing myself here. But anyone that can drill, bend, and work with metals. Its quite trivial to make a solid secure mount. Placed wherever is best for you use. But the problem is that you need to be there, like nam. You need the chair, you, the joystick, and a little time. I dont think an elegant solution off the shelf would be possible. Although there are a few from existing powerchairs that may be adapted to fit one way or another. Every one I see is different.

To mount to a tube, a simple U bolt of the right size, and a bit of metal, bent and cut to the correct shape, with a couple of screw holes is all thats really required here.

Start with something like this

And make a bracket that bolts to the U bolt and the Joystick. Would take me about 15 mins including reassembly after spraying it black!

CareCure post  #638 pattherat

I think it’s probably just the movement of your mount that’s making it steer funny. If you’ve ever tried driving the ZX-1 with the armrest not locked in you know it’s not easy.
It looks like you routed the cables well.
I could probably make you a decent solid mount if you’d like. I think it would be better if it was a bit higher and further back.

CareCure post  #640  elarson

You are a rock star Pat! I think you are right about it just being that weak mount, because it is a similar feel as when the armrest is not locked. And I’m glad I did the cables okay. I have since cable tied them all better underneath too.

I would be really interested in having you make a solid mount. I’ve been searching for something off-the-shelf that I could modify, and don’t see many good options. The closest I found were Stealth Products mounts and Ram Mounts, but all would require modification.

I’ll send you a PM so we can talk about it more. Who knows, maybe Spinergy will want to buy yet another of your good works!

Attendant Control components

First testing

Modified testing

From what I learned from our rather limited testing using the cheapo telephone mount, it would be good if the attendant control was very near the push handles so I can easily switch between them depending on the situation. I would want enough room to grip the push handle, about 2 cm to the attendant control. This would be used in non-attendant mode, when I need to guide the chair sometimes. It would be good if I could hold the push handle and be able to apply some power with my pinkie for when going up curbs in attendant mode.

I think it would be good if the aft of the attendant control is about the same as the aft of the push handles. I would not want it any further aft than the push handles so that it will not be damaged by people bumping into it in crowded places.

The following are photos of  Modified testing that I did with a mock-up of the attendant control at the position I think might work. I’ve also included dimensions of the attendant control and the mounting holes position. If possible, I would like to attach the device to the mount using M5 hex cap screws.

Attendant control mount / bracket

As a follow-up to posts about adding an attendant control to the ZX-1 (see posts #625 and later), we received the mount/bracket that Pat made for us. He used a motorcycle mirror mount and welded on a plate to screw into the attendant control. It fits perfectly!

The positioning is good for me to operate while walking behind the wheelchair. It is at a good height and angle so I can comfortably use it for a long walk, but hopefully low enough to not get knocked around too much.

We should now be able to go out and battle the bike paths in Amsterdam and I will be able take over as an attendant when things get a bit crazy, as they often do here. My husband said he will feel much less stressed having me on the attendant control.

Pat Tallino is a super star for helping us by making this mount! Who knows, maybe it is another thing he can license to Spinergy if other’s are interested too.

I’m still finding the steering is a bit wonky for the attendant control joystick. It is not as easy to steer as the VR2 joystick and swings around a bit. I’m not sure if that is because of the location relative to the ZX-1, or some other reason. I had hoped it would be better with the better mount, which it is, but it is still not ideal.

I did a reorientation of the joystick again, as described in chapter 5 Dual Attendant System, section 5 of the the VR2 Technical Manual. Everything seems fine with the flashing light indications, but it is still not as good as the VR2 joystick.

I’ve also tried adjusting the position of the mount as far forward as possible on the ZX-1 arm rest, and reorienting the joystick, but it is still not as easy as I think it should be.

The control system is programmed for drive profile operation, which as I understand, the dual attendant system speed adjuster will only adjust the speed within the selected profile. I’m wondering if I need to do a reorientation of the joystick in every profile?