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A Comparison of DC and AC Electric Powered Stair Lifts

When the first electric stair lifts were launched on to the market, they were wired directly to a mains socket via a trailing cable. This cable was usually stored in spring-loaded drum that was positioned at the top of the stairs. The use of this type of trailing wire caused problems for stair lift manufacturers, since not only did it pose the potential hazard of people tripping over the wire, the performance of the lift was impeded by erratic stop and start motions.

One of the main reasons that AC powered units were more preferable at that time was the issue of reliability. Since battery technology had not evolved significantly, the issue of battery life was a major consideration. However, like most things technologies improve over time and as batteries have improved, most manufacturers these days have opted for battery powered lifts that can be recharged between trips up and down the stairs.

The major advantage of DC powered stair lifts is the improved ride performance. Battery operated units offer a superior ride quality in terms of a smoother start and stop, imperative for users whose condition may be aggravated by sudden movements. In addition to this, DC units are notably quieter when in operation.
The battery packs are a sealed unit that is maintenance free and should last for a number of years before needing to be replaced. Normally, the battery packs are attached to the stair lift unit although some are externally mounted near the charger. The batteries are usually fairly inexpensive to replace, although it is always worth checking the costs with the manufacturer before making a purchase.

Depending on the model, the battery life should provide between 6-10 trips up and down the stairs before needing to be recharged, although this depends on the length of the staircase and the weight of the user. A major boon of this is that even during a power cut, the stair lift will remain operational. Today, there are still stair lift manufacturers that continue to use and promote the outdated AC technology. We would always recommend choosing a DC model stair lift over an AC powered unit.