hello from Washington state USA

[wcibrian]

My name is Brian Epp. I am 46 and have a wife and 3 boys. I was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. I can't talk or walk anymore. But formally, I've already outlived the average life span of someone who has ALS. I have gotten to know many ALS stricken people and have been to lots of there funerals. But enough of that. I like to live and enjoy life. I'm vary active and every summer I like to do long road trips in my power chair. I went along the road for 4 days covering 170 miles and tones of battery changes. I have teamed up to do an ALS powerchair relay that covers 200 miles. We've done that the last 2 years in September. Plan to do that every year. So you ask, what kind of chair I have. Permobil C300. Been a great chair but horribly slow and a rough ride. I plan to change that this winter as I and my able bodied friend plan to build a BM3 like chair.
This form is full of very talented and helpful people! The amount of knowledge to be gained from this forum is amazing! Keep sharing guys and I will share what I learn through the build process. Keep your wheels down.

[brs]

Greetings everyone. I'm a friend of WCIBRIAN and will be helping build Brian's chair. The project looks to be a great challenge and learning experience. My skills stem from light aircraft building and maintaining. Thanks for all the great information/contributions to this forum.

As an outsider (never spent any time in a wheel chair) and new to this forum may I make an early observation. It's clear that there have been some neat modifications and complete chairs which are a huge improvement from what I see Brian driving. Also it's clear that some of you have spent much sweat and blood figuring out how to make all this work and no doubt feel very connected to your achievement. Though, it struck me, that there does not seem to be any kind of opens source effort. What I mean is, it would be neat if there were a basic design with a list of sources so one could more easily create a chair. I've seen in the experimental aviation world small cottage industries centered around a few common parts (ie. tail wheels, custom molded windshields). I could imagine folks specializing on one or two parts of a chair design and putting it out there for supplemental income and help to others needing to build a chair. It would be cool to be able to purchase the components then build a chair with simple tools. This would put a new type of chair within reach to those who don't have the tools or skills set to work through some of the most challenging parts of such a build. Just a thought from a newbe outsider with no chair experience. Please forgive my ignorance.

-Brock

[hobie1dog]

Brian and Brock: welcome to the forum.

[SteveO]

Greetings everyone. I'm a friend of WCIBRIAN and will be helping build Brian's chair. The project looks to be a great challenge and learning experience. My skills stem from light aircraft building and maintaining. Thanks for all the great information/contributions to this forum.

As an outsider (never spent any time in a wheel chair) and new to this forum may I make an early observation. It's clear that there have been some neat modifications and complete chairs which are a huge improvement from what I see Brian driving. Also it's clear that some of you have spent much sweat and blood figuring out how to make all this work and no doubt feel very connected to your achievement. Though, it struck me, that there does not seem to be any kind of opens source effort. What I mean is, it would be neat if there were a basic design with a list of sources so one could more easily create a chair. I've seen in the experimental aviation world small cottage industries centered around a few common parts (ie. tail wheels, custom molded windshields). I could imagine folks specializing on one or two parts of a chair design and putting it out there for supplemental income and help to others needing to build a chair. It would be cool to be able to purchase the components then build a chair with simple tools. This would put a new type of chair within reach to those who don't have the tools or skills set to work through some of the most challenging parts of such a build. Just a thought from a newbe outsider with no chair experience. Please forgive my ignorance.

-Brock

Hi Brock, although everyone has different needs and wants from a chair that actually sounds like a great idea to be fair. In saying that, many of the people do already help each other in many ways. The problem really is time, effort and skills, along with ability. I myself have been rebuilding a chair since about March this year, before my illness I would have easily completed it within a month. I do come on here pretty much every night but I rarely comment on things as my mood quite often prevents me. I hope to complete my first build within the next week or so and hopefully will post some pics then. I have found that everyone is really helpful and honest when they're asked for help but I'm also sure that what you're suggesting would also help a great deal too. Anyway, welcome to you both.
SteveO

[hobie1dog]

Though, it struck me, that there does not seem to be any kind of opens source effort. What I mean is, it would be neat if there were a basic design with a list of sources so one could more easily create a chair. I've seen in the experimental aviation world small cottage industries centered around a few common parts (ie. tail wheels, custom molded windshields). I could imagine folks specializing on one or two parts of a chair design and putting it out there for supplemental income and help to others needing to build a chair. It would be cool to be able to purchase the components then build a chair with simple tools. This would put a new type of chair within reach to those who don't have the tools or skills set to work through some of the most challenging parts of such a build. Just a thought from a newbe outsider with no chair experience. Please forgive my ignorance.

-Brock

This needs to be a new topic thread, great idea. One person could put together a battery package, another one a control system, another one make a frame out of aluminum with motor mount plates, seat brackets,etc. ready to bolt on. Wheel and tires complete, etc.