Freerider FR510GDX(D,Land Ranger XL8) - Manual (Page 10)

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BATTERY CONNECTIONS
Warning: Batteries are heavy, always handle with two
hands. You may require assistance. Do not allow metal
tools to touch both battery terminals together, this will
cause an electrical short and may damage the battery and
injure you. Always cover the battery terminals with the
red/black plastic covers.
BATTERY CHARGING
Your FR 510-GDX has a lot of power for a Scooter.
Keeping it working to its maximum potential means
that its two batteries must be maintained with full
power. Nightly recharging, after use, will help you to
give them a longer life and will ensure your FR 510-
GDX is always ready to go when you are.
BATTERIES
Your FR 510-GDX is fitted with two sealed maintenance
-free batteries, especially designed for motive traction
use. This means that you do not have to worry about
topping up the cells.
Warning: Do not attempt to remove the safety valves
situated in the top of the battery. Failure to observe this
warning will invalidate your battery guarantee.
Your FR 510-GDX batteries are virtually maintenance-
free because the electrolyte is immobilized in a special
form and therefore will not leak out, even if the battery
is accidentally overturned.
Because your Freerider batteries are sealed they are
more likely to be accepted for carriage on aircraft.
Please consult your carrier prior to departure, as they
will need advance warning that you wish them to carry
batteries. Please note: Each carrier reserves the right
not to carry what may be termed ‘HAZARDOUS
CARGO‘. Freerider cannot be held responsible for
their final decision.
BATTERY CHARGER
The battery charger supplied, is special to your FR 510-
GDX and it may not be suitable for any other powered
mobility product. Only use the charger supplied
with your FR 510-GDX other makes of charger
may permanently damage your batteries and would
invalidate the Guarantee.
CHARGING THE BATTERIES
Please refer to the battery charger instruction attached
along with the battery charger.
YOUR GUIDE TO SAFE AND
LASTING BATTERIES
When your battery’s voltage is very low, the Charger
will work extremely hard to replenish the spent energy.
This is called the ‘Bulk Charging’ stage. As the battery
voltage approaches 90% of the full charge capacity, the
Charger reduces its output for the final stage of the
re-charge cycle. The time taken from switch-on to the
end of the bulk charging will vary, depending on the
amount that the batteries have been used, or in time
their age. At this point a timer is automatically started,
to regulate the final stage of the charging cycle, this set
time ensures maximum capacity and battery life.
The length of time to re-charge your batteries will vary
from 4 up to 6 hours. This variation in time is due to
the following factors:
1. Depth of discharge - The amount of energy you have
removed from your batteries when driving your Scooter.
2. Battery age - This is due to the changes in their
internal electrical resistance.
Where can I re-charge my batteries ?
In most safe domestic environments, i.e. your house,
garage or shed. Do not expose to rain or spray - for
indoor use only.
Later on in this information, there is reference to the
way temperature variations can affect the performance
of your vehicle. When charging your batteries where
reasonably practicable, ensure that the battery Charger
is close to the vehicle being charged so that the
temperature of the battery Charger and batteries are
almost compatible.
For example, a vehicle may be outside whilst the battery
Charger is inside. It is possible in this situation that
the battery Charger will sense the inside temperature,
whereas the batteries on the vehicle will be at the
outside temperature, resulting in an undercharged
situation. This situation must be avoided.
How often must I re-charge my batteries ?
Many factors come into play when deciding how often
to charge your batteries. You may use your vehicle all
day on a daily basis or you may not use it for weeks at a
time. Other factors such as driver and baggage weight,
smooth or rough terrain, flat areas or inclines and speed
must all be considered.
With these variables you should concern yourself with
two questions: HOW OFTEN should I charge and
for HOW LONG? The Charger is designed so that it
is impossible to overcharge your batteries. If you follow
the guidelines below, your batteries will provide safe
and reliable operation.
1. If you use your vehicle during the day. put it on charge
as soon as you have finished using it. The Charger is
fully automatic so it will not overcharge your batteries.
Your vehicle will be ready each morning to give you a
full days service. It is recommended that you charge
your batteries after daily use until the green ‘Charge
Complete‘ light illuminates.
2. If you use your vehicle infrequently (once a week or
less) you should charge it at least once per week until
the green ‘Charge Complete’ light illuminates.
Remember: Keep your batteries fully charged and avoid
deeply discharging them.
3. Storing batteries : Batteries should always be stored
fully charged. Check once a month and recharge fully
if needed. Sealed batteries can hold their charge for
approx. 6 months. Always disconnect battery leads. If
they are left connected on the Scooter, remember key
switches, meters, lights and electronic circuits can
drain the batteries rapidly. It is advisable to disconnect
the batteries for prolonged storage. Store in a warm,
dry room.
How can I ensure maximum battery life ?
Simply put, a fully charged battery is a happy battery! A
fully charged battery will provide reliable performance
and extended battery life, so keep your batteries fully
charged whenever possible. Remember batteries are
expensive to replace, good maintenance will save you an
unnecessary expense!
Handling your batteries
Extra care must be taken when handling batteries, if
you decide to dismantle your vehicle for transportation
etc.
Dropped batteries, even from a very small height, can
lead to damage of the internal components, causing
premature cell failure. Your batteries are sealed and do
not require maintenance. Do not force open the valves
in the battery top.
Warning: Batteries are heavy, you may need assistance
when lifting.
Disposal
Caution: Used batteries must not be disposed of by
means of a domestic refuse disposal unit (dustbin) etc.
Please contact your Dealer to dispose of used batteries.
Please note, he may charge for this service.
BATTERY WARRANTIES
The batteries fitted to your vehicle are guaranteed
against a manufacturing or material defect for 6 months.
Any battery faults due to a defect in manufacture or
materials will be obvious within a few weeks of use.
Your batteries are not guaranteed to perform to full
capacity for 6 months. This will, of course be dependent
1. For longest life, your batteries should always be
re¬charged after use. Preferably over night.
2. If your FR 510-GDX is not used for a period of time,
a refreshing charge should be given every month.
Never leave your batteries in a discharged condition.
This is particularly important with sealed batteries as
fitted to your FR 510-GDX. If your batteries fall
below a total terminal voltage of 12 volts, the charger
supplied with your Scooter will not operate. Please
consult your Freerider dealer.
3. If your FR 510-GDX has been stored away for some
time, re¬charge your batteries before re-using it.
4. Every month, check the connections on the batteries,
making sure they are tight and clean.
5. Batteries carry a limited guarantee from the
original manufacturer which is subject to a stringent
wear and tear clause. Any battery faults due to a defect
in the original manufacture will normally become
obvious within the first two months. Any gradual
deterioration in performance after this period is
normally associated with fair wear and tear, mis-use
or accidental damage and, as such, is not covered
by the manufacturer’s warranty. (This does not
affect your statutory rights).
Note: If one battery becomes faulty during the
guarantee period only that battery from the pair will
be replaced.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do my batteries require recharging?
Batteries are the fuel tank for your Scooter. They
provide the vital energy to power your vehicle. When
you ride your Scooter, the drive motor consumes the
energy stored in the batteries. The battery’s energy is
gradually reduced over the period of driving time and
will need to be replaced before you can use your Scooter
again. Similar to the situation with a motor car, in that
you need to replenish the fuel as it is used up as energy,
likewise with your Scooter, you need to replace the used
battery energy by re-charging the discharged battery
cells.
How does my Charger work ?
Your battery Charger is an intelligent automatic
charging instrument. Your Charger’s robust framework
contains a number of quality components; namely a
transformer, rectifier and complex control circuitry.
The Charger receives the 230volts domestic electricity
supply via a standard 3-pin wall plug and reduces this
voltage down to 24 volts via a transformer. At the same
time it rectifies the A.C., alternating domestic current
into D.C., direct current. This matches exactly, the
voltage characteristics stored by your Scooter’s batteries.
Your Charger automatically controls the re-charge cycle
from the moment that you switch it on to the moment
the green ‘Charge Complete’ light on the face of your
Charger illuminates.
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