Freerider FR168-4A(Ascot-4,12Ah) - Manual (Page 9)

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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.
CHARGING YOUR BATTERIES AWAY FROM
YOU SCOOTER
In circumstances when your Scooter is stored in your
car etc., your batteries can be recharged away from your
Scooter with charging cable. The cable links together
your battery pack and Charger. Simply connect the
3-pin plug on your battery pack, Connect your Charger
to a convenient wall socket, switch on your batteries are
now being recharged away from your Scooter.
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.
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. Note: very old batteries
may take longer to fully recharge.
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.
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.
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
on the actual use of the vehicle and how often the
batteries are cycled i.e. discharged and charged. Gradual
deterioration in performance and reduction in range is
normal and associated with fair wear-and-tear, misuse
or accidental damage. Under these circumstances, the
warranty will not apply. It is a fact that some users due
to their hectic lifestyle, weight or operating conditions,
may wear their batteries out during the original battery
manufacturer’s guarantee period due to extensive use of
their Scooter. This is termed ‘Cycle Life’. Batteries have
a defined number of discharge cycles they can make i.e.
the more times you use your Scooter the more cycles
your battery will make - the shorter their life span. If
you take time to run-in your batteries properly, it will
be worth it. Remember: how long your batteries will
provide service is quite often a reflection of the care
they receive. This is how to run-in your new batteries:
1. Fully recharge any new batteries prior to your initial
use. This will bring your battery up to about 88%
performance.
2. Ride your vehicle around the local area. Do not venture
too far away until you become accustomed to the
controls and feel of the vehicle. This will gently run-
in your batteries.
3. Give your batteries another full charge and run the
vehicle again. The batteries will now perform to over
90% of their full potential.
4. After ten to fifteen charging cycles, the batteries will
top off at 100% charge and last for an extended period
due to your patience and care in the first few days of
operation.
How can I get the maximum operating time per
charge ?
Rarely do we have an ideal driving situation such as a
smooth, flat, hard terrain with no wind or curves and
warm temperatures. More often, we are presented with
hills, uneven and loosely packed surfaces, curves, wind,
cold and heavy loads. All of these factors will affect the
distance or running time per battery charge.
Here are a few suggestions for obtaining the maximum
range per charge:
1. Always charge your batteries fully prior to your trip.
It is a good idea to keep your Charger connected
when the ‘Charge Complete’ (green) light is illuminated
in the ‘Top-Up’ mode.
2. Plan your trip in advance to avoid inclines, kerbs and
soft surfaces.
3. Limit your baggage weight to essential items.
4. Try to maintain an even speed to avoid stop and start
driving.
5. Ensure recommended routine servicing of the vehicle’s
components, i.e. motors, brakes, electrical connections
etc., is carried out as instructed in this Users Instruction
Manual.
Warning: When working or disposing of your
batteries
1. Do not allow metal objects to short out the terminals,
your battery could explode causing you injury.
2. Do not allow your batteries to freeze. If frozen allow
them to naturally thaw out before charging, failure to
observe this warning may damage the batteries.
3. If you need to replace your batteries, contact your
Freerider Agent. Only batteries supplied as original
equipment on your machine will give you the best
performance. When charging batteries make certain
the positive and negative terminals are correctly
assembled. Failure to observe this warning may cause
an explosion, short circuit or fire.
4. Always handle batteries carefully, they are heavy, it
may require two people for lifting. Wear protective
gloves and glasses when handling.
5. Dispose of worn out batteries carefully, contact your
local waste disposal authority.
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