Both the Odyssey and Optima batteries are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) instead of gel or liquid, and so they are non-spillable, and approved for air travel the same way that gels are. Anybody flying with AGM batteries just needs to say “Dry, non-spillable”.

For MK gel you’d want the group 24 size for most chairs that we use for soccer (P200 specifically), and the D34/78 model if you go for the Optima Yellowtop, and the PC1500 model (group 34 size) if you do Odyssey.

Optima is a smaller battery, it shifts around in the battery box a bit and doesn’t last as long on a charge. The Odyssey costs more, but lasts longer on a charge, and seems to last significantly longer before replacement. The Odyssey is a *very* snug fit in the P200 battery box, and there have been some battery boxes that I was not able to completely close.

Either the Optima or Odyssey can deliver good power and stay strong until they are very empty, so if you’re going to use them heavily then I’d recommend getting a rapid charger to top them up during breaks. The batteries will be much happier, and by using the 25 amp charger during meal breaks I was able to keep Kendra’s batteries in the green when everybody else on Team USA was limping around with blinking reds, or switching to spare batteries. That’s also how we got a set of batteries to stay strong for over a year instead of killing them in a matter of months.

Thanks,
Corbett

All of the “Invacare storm” chairs that I have seen are rear wheel drive chairs, so I’m not sure exactly which one your son has if it’s not rear wheel drive. The Invacare Storm series can absolutely be modified to be a great soccer chair- in fact, Jordan Dickie used that model as he played on Team USA during the recent World Cup. His chair was modified to remove as much weight as possible and to respond to his controls very quickly. I have seen him tip over in that chair two or three times.

It is very scary to tip over for anybody; most power soccer players are unable to do much to protect themselves as they go over, and getting a bump on the head is likely when this happens. I understand that with brittle bones this turns something scary and painful into something far more likely to require a trip to the hospital, and so I’m glad that you’re paying a lot of attention to safety so early. Improved equipment and improved awareness and proactive officiating by the referees is reducing the frequency of chair tipping, but it’s always a possibility. I’d recommend talking to your son’s doctor about what safeguards (such as a helmet) can be used. Helmets used to be a lot more common in US power soccer before the 6mph speed limit was enacted.

Regarding how to make sure your son’s chair doesn’t tip, here are a few things to consider:

-Lower the center of gravity as far as possible. This may mean a custom seat or a thinner cushion. It can also be achieved with smaller wheels.

-Use good “side guards”, blocking off anywhere that the ball can be trapped, wedged, or pushed under a part of the chair.

-Make sure that the chair is unable to pop a wheelie if it’s a rear wheel drive (these are still the most preferred for soccer). One of the common ways I’ve seen people tip is if they start to pop a wheelie while accelerating forward into the path of somebody who’s driving the ball forward. Neither person stops in time, and the ball gets wedged under the extra space that’s opened under the chair during the wheelie.

-Make sure that the chair is programmed (and your son is used to it) so that he has as much control as possible for stopping on a dime. There are many situations where I’ve heard from athletes, “I thought I was going to tip, but we both stopped.” and there are many situations where I’ve seen people tip because they just kept driving into an unstable situation. Being aware and being ready and able to quickly take action to not tip is nearly as important as the equipment.

There are members of Team USA who have never in their power soccer careers tipped their chairs. I think that it’s possible to minimize the risk here, but not to eliminate it. I hope my tips are helpful, and invite you to comment again or email me directly if you want to discuss it further.

Joe

Did you have a link for batteries you recommend?

Thank you.