# Why does my recliner chair have a place for batteries? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 4, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210 "2021-02-04T17:27:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/1 "2021-02-04T17:27:05Z")
I recently bought this power reclining chair: [https://www.valuecityfurniture.com/product/group/living-room/seating/chairs-chaises/lark-power-lift-recliner-gray/2379962/2360497](https://www.valuecityfurniture.com/product/group/living-room/seating/chairs-chaises/lark-power-lift-recliner-gray/2379962/2360497) In the transformer that plugs into the wall is a compartment for two 9 volt batteries. What would they be for? It’s not mentioned in the setup instructions. I called the store and they have no idea. The “features” on the web page mention a USB port which I don’t seem to have but two little 9 volt batteries wouldn’t give any significant power for that anyway. There are reclining chairs that use a battery pack but that is a large 24 volt battery. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/2 "2021-02-04T17:36:28Z")
If you unplug the chair, but have the batteries in, will it work? Maybe it’s a back-up for a power failure. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/3 "2021-02-04T17:37:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Maybe it’s a back-up for a power failure. It is – so the chair can lift while the power is out. [Battery backup located in the cord supplies enough power so users can not get stuck in power outages (2 9-volt batteries needed).](https://www.macys.com/shop/product/karwin-leather-power-lift-reclining-chair?ID=4611749&swatchColor=Chocolate) ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/4 "2021-02-04T17:37:32Z")
Could they be for memory backup - so you can set up differant positions and not lost them if you disconnect it from the supply and move the chair to another spot? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/5 "2021-02-04T17:40:28Z")
Wish my recliner had that feature. We had an outage last week, just a couple of weeks after knee surgery. Wasn’t easy climbing out of that thing. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/6 "2021-02-04T22:13:37Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > I recently bought this power reclining chair: > > [https://www.valuecityfurniture.com/product/group/living-room/seating/chairs-chaises/lark-power-lift-recliner-gray/2379962/2360497](https://www.valuecityfurniture.com/product/group/living-room/seating/chairs-chaises/lark-power-lift-recliner-gray/2379962/2360497) > > In the transformer that plugs into the wall is a compartment for two 9 volt batteries. What would they be for? It’s not mentioned in the setup instructions. I called the store and they have no idea. The “features” on the web page mention a USB port which I don’t seem to have but two little 9 volt batteries wouldn’t give any significant power for that anyway. > > There are reclining chairs that use a battery pack but that is a large 24 volt battery. Ours are the same way. Like yours there were no specific instructions about the 9v battery matter so we have concluded they’re in the event of a power failure. I’ve actually had that happen and of course the batteries were dead on my side. Getting out of an elevated recliner in the dark even for a perfectly healthy 68 year old was a bit of a challenge. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/7 "2021-02-04T22:26:44Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > I recently bought this power reclining chair: > > [https://www.valuecityfurniture.com/product/group/living-room/seating/chairs-chaises/lark-power-lift-recliner-gray/2379962/2360497](https://www.valuecityfurniture.com/product/group/living-room/seating/chairs-chaises/lark-power-lift-recliner-gray/2379962/2360497) > > In the transformer that plugs into the wall is a compartment for two 9 volt batteries. What would they be for? Sometimes the batteries in your TV remote die, and you don’t want to walk all the way across room to get a fresh pair. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/8 "2021-02-05T03:43:34Z")
I assume you’re joking, I had the same thought from the thread title. But just in case, when was the last time a remote took 9v’s? I’m now legitimately curious if they ever took 9v, even back in the long ago times… ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/9 "2021-02-05T11:08:21Z")
My power-recliner sofa has the same sort of battery holders. I was told that this was so you could retract the footrest (and raise the back) if the power went out. They’re just standard little 9-volt batteries, not a lot of energy available; they’re really intended for a single use, just to get the sofa back to its most usable/transportable configuration and only while nobody is sitting on it. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > It is – so the chair can lift while the power is out. > > [Battery backup located in the cord supplies enough power so users can not get stuck in power outages (2 9-volt batteries needed).](https://www.macys.com/shop/product/karwin-leather-power-lift-reclining-chair?ID=4611749&swatchColor=Chocolate) In spite of what your link says, I’d be very surprised if two little 9-volt batteries can muster enough energy to raise a 400-pound person, plus a 50-pound recliner, plus deal with all of the friction in the machinery along the way. I suspect the batteries are actually only for lowering a chair that’s already been raised. Here for example is a replacement recliner power supply with a compartment that holds a couple of 9V batteries; it refers to battery compartment as a “slot for emergency lowering batteries.” > **[Amazon.com: Replacement Electric Recliner Lift Chair Power Supply with 9v...](https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Electric-Recliner-Supply-Battery/dp/B07D7NFT59)** > > Bracketed Power Supply with battery back up. This SPS works with many brands of furniture that use Limoss, Okin and Kaidi 2 pin prong connectors. Features green power indication light and 2 9v battery backup emergency lowering power. Does not include... ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/10 "2021-02-05T15:19:02Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > it refers to battery compartment as a “slot for emergency lowering batteries. That seems most likely. I don’t have any 9 volters around or I would try it. I did notice that if I unplug the power supply the light stays on. I hit the retract button and with no 120 volt power and NO battery it bumped a little bit just from the capacitor in the power supply. As I mentioned in the OP there are numerous chairs with full battery backup. They use a battery the size of a motorcycle battery. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/11 "2021-02-05T19:20:26Z")
If you have to ask, the answer is too indecent for your delicate sensibilities to handle. j/k ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/12 "2021-02-05T19:27:37Z")
This is why I have our power recliner chairs on a UPS. The main difficulty was finding a model of UPS that didn’t screech at you to alert you to the fact that sudden absence of lights and teevee and whatnot had been caused by a power failure. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-recliner-chair-have-a-place-for-batteries/932210/13 "2021-02-05T23:36:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > If you have to ask, the answer is too indecent for your delicate sensibilities to handle. I asked about a recliner, not a vib\*\*tor! So, to hijack my own thread this reminds me of an incident at work decades ago. We’re sitting around the break table and someone pointed out a photo of an ancient “therapeutic” vibrator that predated electricity. It had a hand crank. No, really. One guy launched into a pseudo discussion of the ins and outs of this model and described a two handed version. About this time the only female on the crew (who was fairly hardened to this type of chatter anyway) stood up and threw a folding chair at the guy. > **[From the Vault of the Museum of Sex: Macaura’s Pulsocon (Published 2015)](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/nyregion/from-the-vault-of-the-museum-of-sex-macauras-pulsocon.html)** > > Invented in the 19th century by Dr. Gerald Macaura, who turned out not to be a doctor, the Pulsocon was one of the many early vibrators prescribed to women as cure-alls for ailments like the always-vague “hysteria.”