How To Easily Replace The Batteries In An ACORN Stair Lift

This video describes how to remove and replace the batteries in an Acorn Superglide 120 Stair Lift. You will need a regular length and a short phillips head screwdriver, plus something to cut a large plastic zip tie. The video is mostly filmed in real time and it takes less than 10 minutes to remove the batteries and about the same to replace them. The average life span of this type of battery is only 3-4 years so this is something that is good to know how to do since it will need to be done regularly. If either one of the limiter switch plates happens to come loose while removing the cover don't worry they will snap right back on very easily. The batteries cost around $35 to $40 each and are readily available.

[annnorth]

Thank you for sharing a great, precise, informative video! You enabled me to replace the batteries on our stairlift with no problems! Your video was Perfect and it gave me the confidence to do it myself! I really appreciate your expertise, as well as being able to explain all the details clearly, and step by step, that are necessary! I never imagined I could do this and the wonderful feeling of accomplishment and helping out my husband so he can still keep on living his life is the Best! Thank you!

[BIGSID]

I have a friend who is taking care of a 93 year woman and her chair broke. She asked me to fix it and thanks to your video I was able to do it in one hour. It would have taken me a long time to fix it. Just the carcass alone would have been a big headache. You made it easy. Your video is excellent . Very easy to follow, doesn’t get better than that. Thank you.

[LonMcClure]

Just recently got one of these from a neighbor. It works great after cutting the rail to fit our one-step shorter basement stairs. I found this as I like to know all about machines that I have *before* there is need for maintenance. Many thanks for providing an informative video.

[bruceg]

Thank you! My son fell and hit the panel on our stair lift. Using it, the panel popped off and disconnected three quick connects. We called for service and couldn't get anyone out here for 5 days. A few years ago we decided to buy a stair lift, rather than move into a ranch house. Today's problem showed us the flaw in that decision. Following your instructions, I was able to take the cover off, look at the panel, reconnect the quick connects and get the stair lift working again. I am SO happy that we are not stranded for five days, waiting on service.

[kimsturtevant]

your tutorial is stupendous! I followed it religiously as I replaced the batteries in my brooks (same as acorn) stair lift. Had to hand crank it up to the charging station location and it is now charging up! Hardest part was getting the cover on and off! thank you so much for this video....could never have tried it without it!!

[pauljackson]

Thank you very much for posting this video! Mostly I watch YouTube for entertainment purposes. This is the only video that has saved me money and time! YOU ARE THE MAN!!

[lawrencehawkins]

CHEERS! 90 yr old lady downtown. Promised her I'd get her chair fixed. Thanks to this vid, NOW I can!!!!

[FairlyOddball]

Thanks! My dad's chairlift needs new batteries, and you just saved me a repair bill.

[manxman]

Great content, spoken to Acorn and £300 to change the batteries, cost me £30 for the batteries and did it myself 😊😊😊

[drbettyschueler]

Thank you for making this video. It will be a big help to my daughter when she installs the new batteries. I suppose this is easy, for some people, but I would have a hard time doing this myself. It is a shame they didn't design it so that it would be easy for those of us, who use the lift, could change the batteries ourselves.

[stevenmckee]

Great video. Just bought a house with an acorn chair lift. The display was blank. Thanks to your video, I was able to learn how to take the cover off and find a loose wire!

[dhansen]

I can't thank you enough for posting this video. Following your clear instructions, my daughter and I were able to replace the batteries in our old Acorn Superglide 120 without too much difficulty, and with confidence. It made it into a very doable and fun project, and took all (well, most) of the anxiety out of it.

[oldoriginalbiker]

In my "younger years" I was a "Heavy Line Mechanic" (fancy term for being able/required to repair any and every thing on an automobile!!) for a couple of decades, also raced motorcycles professionally (lotsa metal plates, pins, broken bones, including a Crushed C-4 and Fractured C-5 [broken neck!!] ).. Now, kicking seven and a half decades in the posterior we went to buy a VGC but gently used stairlift, I had NOT a clue as to where to find the batteries!! (I DO know how to change them, tho ;-} ) I enjoyed your informative video.. Thanks for teaching this "old dog" a "new trick"!!

[stevecooper]

Thank you very much from Germany, Tom!!! Even after five years, your video is as useful as it was on the first day. Even an impractical person like me got my lift going again (and saved a lot of money). Thank you again!

[gizmobently]

Great video and detailed video presentation. It came at the right time and I appreciate all your time in sharing this. I know this post is too long and apologize, anyone else read on but don't complain later.

I have been concerned about my 99 year old's aunt's Acorn chairlift batteries for some time since I bought it for her used and put it in over 5 years ago. I got a call from her this past week and she told me the chair stuck in middle of way down and she had to get out and walk.

I went down the next day to look at it and had just replaced the batteries in the remote the day before. It would not make a complete pass up or down without stopping and keep pushing the remote's button. I figured it was the main batteries on the lift. Called Acorn up and was totally shocked at price (around $360) to replace these. I had no idea how to do it and saw this very helpful video which someday will save me well over $300 for 10 minutes work. It turned out that our trouble was that the remote's 9 volt battery was bad even though just replaced the day before. I can't recall what code I was getting when it was stuck and stopped.

Is there any way you can check battery condition for strength even though still working and show code 1 when at charging locations?

Bottom line is SHAME ON ACORN for ripping off these elderly people who need help the most. Please people, check on any repair costs before buying any unit. I personally do not believe the service extensions are worth the other RIP off price they want. These excessive prices to fix really upset me and Acorn knows that most of these people don't have help like you and me can provide to relatives. They even told me they would not sell me the batteries alone as it required a technician to do it. Can you believe that? This was told to me by their home office customer care agent on Jan 29, 2020 for all who read this.

[cliffdietrich]

My local Svc. Supplier has been charging me $ 300 to repl. these batteries & his Batteries only last a Year ! thank YOU, Tom !!!

[tomteamann]

This YouTube video was extremely detailed, and very specific as to what had to be done to change the batteries. The manual provided with the Acorn 120 Super Glide Stair Lift doesn't provide any instructions on changing the Stair Lift batteries so this was very helpful.

[neildavies]

Thanks Tom. I found this a most helpful video - a masterclass in clear communication by an experienced and careful skilled worker who knows what he is doing and knows how to teach.

[warrenbrook]

You are a trusting man. I would have tried the unit with the new batteries before fighting to put the cover back on. Great video. I've ordered one of these and now have the confidence to change the batteries on my own, when they are needed. YES!!! Batteries Plus are the best!!!

[tomteamann]

This video is so helpful. Hope it remains online. It’s the 2nd time I used it in 4 years. Specific detailed explanation of everything that had to be done to change the batteries is shown. Great job Tom!