Freerider FR168W - Manual (Page 14)

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to optimize your power chair’s performance by charging the batteries safely, quickly, and easily. The
battery charger is only functional when the charger power cord is plugged into an electrical outlet.
PROHIBITED! Removal of earthing can create electrical hazard. If necessary, properly install an
approved 3-pronged adapter to an electrical outlet having 2- pronged plug access.
PROHIBITED! Never use an extension cord to plug in your battery charger. Plug the charger
directly into a properly wired standard electrical outlet.
PROHIBITED! Do not allow unsupervised children to play near the power chair while the
batteries are charging. Freerider recommends that you do not charge the batteries while the power
chair is occupied.
MANDATORY! Read the battery charging instructions in this manual and in the manual supplied
with the battery charger before charging the batteries.
WARNING! Explosive gases may be generated while charging the batteries. Keep the power
chair and battery charger away from sources of ignition such as flames or sparks and provide adequate
ventilation when charging the batteries.
WARNING! You must recharge your power chair’s batteries with the supplied off- board
battery charger. Do not use an automotive-type battery charger.
WARNING! Inspect the battery charger, wiring, and connectors for damage before each use.
Contact your Authorized Freerider Agent if damage is found.
WARNING! Do not attempt to open the battery charger case. If the battery charger does not
appear to be working correctly, contact your Authorized Freerider Agent.
WARNING! If the battery charger is equipped with cooling slots, then do not attempt to insert
objects through these slots.
WARNING! If your battery charger has not been tested and approved for outdoor use, then
do not expose it to adverse or extreme weather conditions. If the battery charger is exposed to adverse
or extreme weather conditions, then it must be allowed to adjust to the difference in environmental
conditions before use indoors. Refer to the manual supplied with the battery charger for more
information.
To charge the batteries using the off-board charger:
1. Position the front of your power chair next to a standard electrical outlet. (See figure 28).
2. Be certain the controller power is turned off and the freewheel levers are in drive mode.
(See figure 8).
3. Plug the off-board charger into the off-board charger/programming socket on the controller.
(See figure 28).
4. Plug the off-board charger into the electrical outlet.
5. When the batteries are fully charged, unplug the off-board charger from the electrical outlet
and then from the controller.
Figure 28.Battery charging.
NOTE: The LED lights on the charger indicate different charger conditions at various times: charger
power on, charging in progress, and charging complete. Refer to the manual supplied with the charger
for a complete explanation of these indicators.
BATTERY BREAK-IN
To break in new batteries for maximum efficiency:
1. Fully recharge any new battery prior to its initial use. This brings the battery up to about 90%
of its peak performance level.
2. Operate your power chair throughout the house and yard. Move slowly at first, and do not
travel too far until you become accustomed to the controls and break in the batteries.
3. Give the batteries another full charge of 8 to 14 hours and operate your power chair again.
The batteries will now perform at over 90% of their potential.
4. After four or five charging cycles, the batteries will top off at 100% charge and last for an
extended period.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How does the charger work?
The battery charger takes the standard electrical outlet voltage of 120 VAC (alternating current) and
converts it to 24 VDC (direct current). The power chair batteries use direct current to run your power
chair. When the battery voltage is low, the charger works harder to charge the battery. As the battery
voltage approaches full charge, the charger doesn’t work as hard to complete the charging cycle. When
the battery is fully charged, the amperage from the charger is nearly at zero. This is how the charger
maintains a charge but does not overcharge the battery.