Minivator 2000 Curved Stairlift (Minivator Stairlifts)

Member Name: EJimbo

Product:	Minivator Stairlifts
Date:	23/11/08 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap for its type of stairlift

Disadvantages: Ugly looking rail

Minivator manufacture a variety of stairlifts each one designed for different stair configurations and users.

Minivator 2000 - Curved Stairlift

This stairlift is generally cheaper than other lifts of a similar type.

The rail fits to the treads of the stairs; each foot has three screws in it. There are two rails that run up the stairs about 1 1/2" in diameter. There is rack welded to the underside of each rail. The rack generally has grease (normally silicone) on it. It is not the best looking rail system, but is effective. The rails are generally strong enough to use as a handrail, but you will likely get grease on your fingers from the rack. The rail is normally screwed to the wall at the top and bottom of the stairs.

The footplate where you place your feet when travelling is sturdy.

There is a selection of seats, but with a ride time of approximately 20 seconds, comfort doesn't really matter. At the end of one of the arms is the paddle control. Most people find it easy to use; you push it in the direction you want to travel. However, there are a few cases where severe arthritis can make it difficult to operate.

At the top of the stairs, some seats will swivel, ie, they will turn around so that you are facing away from the stairs. This provides a safe way to get off the stairlift. There is a manual lever either side of the base of the chair which is fairly easy to operate; you can then turn the chair by pushing against the wall. Alternatively there is a powered swivel option which turns the chair under its own power. The powered swivel option will not work if there is a power cut, but there is a manual override under the chair.

Under the control paddle is a key switch which can disable the lift for unauthorised use. A common engineer call-out is that the key has been turned off; all it requires is to be turned on again.

There are a couple of options for seat belts, a car style reel belt which automatically retracts when not in use, velcro and clip options. If not used, the velcro and clip belts can fall onto the rail and get trapped under the stairlifts.

When not in use the footplate, both arms and a seat section fold away, this does give more room to walk past the lift, but it does make the staircase more cramped.

The stairlift has safety edges on it designed to stop the lift if it hits or traps anything. There are no safety edges on the chair arms.

This is battery powered stairlift which recharges automatically when the lift is parked on one of the charge points which are usually at the top and bottom of the rail. The battery normally holds enough charge for two people to use the lift, its duty cycle will not cope with 7 or 8 continuous rides and is therefore not really suitable for a carehome.

When the stairlift is no longer requrired, there is very little resale value as the rails are custom manufactured for the staircase. Once removed, there will be a few small screw holes and the pile will be flattened in the carpet. There will also be a few screw holes in thd wall where the rail has been secured.

Summary: A good budget curved stairlift