Handicare 1700 DT, TA Scooter Owner's Manual

O W N E R’ S M A N U A L
FORTRESS 1700 SERIES
3 & 4 Wheel Scooters
Issue 4
October 2010
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
© 2009 Handicare
All rights reserved.
The information contained in this manual may not be reproduced and/or published in any form, by
print, photoprint, microfilm or by any other means, whether electronically or mechanically, without
the prior written authorisation of Handicare.
The information provided is based on the general data relating to the design of the product known
at the time of publication of this manual. Handicare has a policy of continuous improvement and
reserves the right to make changes and modifications to its products.
The information provided applies to the standard version of the product. Handicare can not be
held liable for any damage resulting from product specifications which do not conform to the
standard configuration.
The information made available has been compiled with the greatest care. However, Handicare
can not be held liable for any possible errors in the information or for the consequences thereof.
Handicare accepts no liability for loss as a result of work carried out by third parties.
Under regulations concerning the protection of trade names, the names and trade names etc.
used by Handicare may not be regarded as openly available.
2
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Table of contents
Introduction ........................................................................................ 5
This manual ........................................................................................ 5
Product labels.................................................................................. 6-7
Symbols used in manual.................................................................... 8
Service and technical support ........................................................... 9
Identification plate .............................................................................. 9
Identification of the product .............................................................. 9
Approvals…………………………………………………………………..10
Use for intended purposes .............................................................. 10
Warranty………………………………………………………………..11-12
1 General safety regulations and instructions ............................ 13
1.1 Labels and instructions on the scooter ............................ 13
1.2 Technical specifications................................................... 13
1.3 Modifications ................................................................... 13
1.4 Safety ......................................................................... 13-15
2 General description ................................................................... 16
3 Main components.................................................................. 17-18
4 Adjustment options ................................................................... 19
4.1 Seat adjustments ................................................................... 19
4.1.1 Adjusting the seat height ........................................... 19
4.1.2 Adjusting the seat depth............................................ 19
4.1.3 Backrest adjustment ................................................. 20
4.1.4 Adjusting the armrest ................................................ 21
4.1.5 Adjusting the headrest ............................................. 21
4.2 Adjusting the steering tiller
…………………………………22
4.3 Adjusting the rear suspension……………………………….....22
5 Operation .................................................................................... 23
5.1 Charging the batteries………...…………………………………23
5.1.2 Battery Charger……………………………………….....24
5.2 Driving the Fortress 1700 DT/TA ........................................... 24
5.2.1 Inspection before use ................................................. 24
5.2.2 Getting on and off...……………………………………...25
5.3 Controls…………………………………………………...............26
5.3.1 Console panel ....................................................... 27-29
5.3.2 Switching on .............................................................. 30
5.3.3 Charging connection .................................................. 30
3
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
6
7
8
4
5.4 Driving Procedures ................................................................. 31
5.4.1 Driving forward and in reverse ............................. 31-32
5.4.2 Corners……………….…………………………….........32
5.4.3. Slopes ................................................................. 33-35
5.4.4 Obstacles……………………………………..................36-37
5.4.5 Overload Shutdown .................................................. 37
5.4.6 Switching off ............................................................. 37
5.4.7 Parking ..................................................................... 38
5.5 Pushing the scooter............................................................... 38
5.5.1 Freewheel position of the scooter ............................. 39
5.6 Dissassembling the scooter for storage or transport .............. 40
5.6.1 Removing the seat.................................................... 40
5.6.2 Separating the scooter……………………………...40-43
5.6.3. Folding down the steering tiller ................................. 44
5.6.4 Handling and loading……………………………………....44
5.6.5
Reassembling the scooter……………………………..45
5.7 Transporting the scooter fully assembled ......................... 45-46
Maintenance…………………………………………………………..47
6.1 Maintenance table ................................................................. 47
6.1.1 Batteries ................................................................... 48
6.1.2 Replacing the batteries…………………………..... 48-49
6.1.3 Cleaning the batteries ............................................... 49
6.2 Tires………………………………………………………………..50
6.2.1 Inflating the tires ....................................................... 50
6.3 Cleaning ................................................................................ 50
Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 51
7.1 Troubleshooting table ...................................................... 51-52
7.2 Automatic circuit breaker ..................................................... 52
7.3 EMI malfunction .................................................................. 53
Technical specifications ........................................................... 54
8.1 Product specifications Fortress 1700 DT/TA................... 54-55
8.2 Authorized service and technical support ............................ 56
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Fortress 1700 Series electric scooter.
Welcome to a growing community of people who use a scooter from the
Handicare product range.
Handicare stands for reliability and innovative technology, which results in
easily operated quality products.
This Manual
With this manual you can safely use and maintain the product. In case of
doubt always contact your dealer.
In this manual, the words "left", "right", "front" and "back" are used to indicate a
certain part of the product. This is viewed from the position of the user seated
on the scooter.
front
left
right
rear
Please refer to the back cover of this manual to find to your scooter’s serial
number, model description, and your authorized Handicare dealer. This
information will be helpful for any product assistance that you may require in
the future.
5
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Product Labels
The product has the following decals and labels:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
6
Charging connection
Circuit breaker
Tire pressure wheels
Freewheel lever
Tiller angle adjustment
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Product Labels
A. Charging connection
For charging of the batteries, see 'Charging the batteries'.
B. Circuit breaker
The scooter has a safety circuit breaker feature. See
‘Automatic circuit breaker’.
C. Tire pressure
For tire pressure of the wheels, see 'product specifications’.
D. Freewheel Lever
1.
2.
Lever in the full rear position (brake engaged):
The drive motor has been engaged: the scooter can be
electrically driven and the brakes are engaged when
the scooter is switched off.
Lever in the full forward position:
The drive motor is disconnected: the scooter can be
pushed manually.
F. Tiller angle adjustment
Adjust the steering tiller to obtain a position that is most
comfortable for you while driving. See ‘Adjusting the
steering tiller’.
7
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Symbols used in this manual:
CAUTION
Poorly executed procedures that can result in damage to
the product, the environment, or injury to the user.
ATTENTION!
Suggestions that help specific procedures to be carried out
more easily.
Consult the specified information source(s) first.
Disconnect the charger cord from the charging connection
of the scooter before doing any maintenance on the
scooter.
8
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Service and Technical Support
For information concerning specific settings, maintenance or repair work,
please contact your dealer. He is always prepared to help you.
Ensure you have at hand:
• Model
• Serial number
This information is provided on the identification plate. See diagram below.
Identification plate
Product information can be found on plate (A). See: 'Identification of the
product' below.
Identification of the product
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Model
Date of manufacture
Serial/Identification number
Maximum load
Usage: Indoors, Outdoors, or both
9
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Approvals
The product meets the following requirements:
•
EN12184; 1999 Electrically powered wheelchairs and scooters, class B.
•
ISO7176-8 Requirements for static, impact and fatigue strengths.
•
ISO7176-9 Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs and scooters.
•
ISO7176-14 Requirements and test methods for power and control systems
for electric wheelchairs.
•
ISO7176-16 Requirements for resistance to ignition of upholstered parts.
The product has been EMC-approved (for electromagnetic compatibility) in
accordance with EN12184.
CE declaration
The product complies with the regulations of the Medical Devices Directive
and therefore bears the CE mark.
Use for intended purposes (1)
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA scooters were developed for:
•
The transportation of people weighing up to 350 lbs (DT), 300 lbs (TA)
•
Use on pavements, groomed footpaths and cycle paths
•
Use in and around the house
The dealer must give you clear instructions before you start operating the
product independently.
Your first test drives of the Fortress 1700 DT or TA are best carried out under
the supervision of an experienced dealer.
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA scooters are not classified as road vehicles and
therefore may not be used on the road (crossing over the road being the only
exception).
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA scooters have a maximum speed of 10 km/h
(6 mph).
ENSURE THAT YOU ARE FULLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE CONTENTS OF THIS
MANUAL BEFORE STARTING TO DRIVE THE FORTRESS 1700 DT or TA.
If you use the scooter in a dangerous fashion, or use the scooter for purposes
other than those for which it is intended, Handicare will accept no liability for any
personal injury or damage to property caused by such misuse.
(1) Intended use, as specified by EN 292-1, means the use for which the technical product is
suitable according to the manufacturer’s declaration, including the manufacturer’s instructions in
the sales brochure. In the event of doubt, use is taken to mean the use as construed from the
design, construction and function of a product. The instructions contained in the user manual must
also be followed within the scope of intended use.
10
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Warranty: Fortress 1700 DT and TA
Handicare warrants to the original buyer that the new equipment sold by an
authorized Handicare dealer is, at the time of delivery to the buyer and for the
defined time periods (found below) following such delivery, free from defects in
material and workmanship and meets designed performance levels.
Handicare agrees that, during the defined time periods, it will either repair or
replace, at Handicare’s sole option, any part or parts of new equipment which
under proper and normal conditions of use proves to be defective or fails to
meet designed performance levels.
The warranty time periods for various components of the Fortress 1700 DT
and 1700 TA are defined as follows:
Component
Warranty Period
Frame
Main Frame Weldment
Tiller Framing and Steering
Structure
Seat Assembly
Lifetime
3 Years Non-Pro-rated
1 Year
Drive System
“Duro-Torque” Motor and Differential
(1700 DT)
Transaxle and 2-Pole motor (1700
3 Years Non-Pro-rated
2 Years Non-Pro-rated
Bearings for Differential (1700 DT)
1 Year
Electrical
Controller, Wiring Harnesses,
Electronics, Charger
2 Years Non-Pro-rated
TA)
Exclusions and Limitations
• Equipment modified other than by Handicare is not covered by this
warranty.
• Tires, inner tubes, plastic covers, basket, brake pads, motor brushes,
wheel bearings, chain, fuses, light bulbs, arm pads, and seat upholstery
are considered wear items and are not covered by this warranty.
• Cosmetic appearance of items will change as a result of use and are not
covered by this warranty.
• Items added to the equipment by the buyer or by a user are not covered
by this warranty.
11
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Warranty: Fortress 1700 DT and TA
Exclusions and Limitations Continued…
•
•
•
•
Any damage to items added to the Handicare supplied equipment, caused
by the Handicare supplied equipment, is not covered under this warranty.
Any damage to the Handicare supplied equipment by the additional
equipment is also not covered by this warranty.
Any use of the equipment outside the criteria published in the current
Handicare sales brochures, or beyond the manner, in which a prudent
person would normally use the equipment, will void this warranty (i.e.
abuse and misuse).
Labour and shipping are not covered by this warranty.
Any batteries supplied by Handicare are covered by the battery
manufacturer’s standard warranty.
Warranty Claims
All claims for warranty-covered parts under the above warranty must be
presented to Handicare by an authorized dealer within forty-five (45) days of
the event upon which any warranty claim is made. Handicare reserves the
right to refuse the warranty claim should the claim not satisfy the basic
requirements.
The foregoing warranty is exclusive and in lieu of all other express warranties.
Implied warranties, if any, including but not limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, shall not extend beyond
the duration of the express warranty provided herein. Handicare shall not be
liable for any consequential or incidental damages whatsoever.
For all warranty inquiries, please contact your authorized Handicare
dealer.
Recommendations
Please complete the Handicare Warranty Registration Card. Mail it to
Handicare within 10 days of delivery of the equipment. This will assist
Handicare to initiate and to provide your appropriate warranty coverage.
Your equipment must receive an annual service inspection by an authorized
Handicare dealer within 30 days of the anniversary of the purchase date.
12
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
1 General safety rules and regulations
Handicare accepts no liability whatsoever for damage or injury caused by the
failure to (strictly) adhere to the safety rules and regulations or else due to
carelessness during the use and cleaning of the scooter and possible
accessories. Depending on the specific operating circumstances or the
accessories used, additional safety instructions may be required. Please contact
your dealer immediately if you observe any potential danger during the use of
the product.
The user of the scooter (see under 'use according to
purpose') is at all times fully responsible for the fulfilment of
the locally applicable safety rules and regulations.
1.1
Labels and instructions on the scooter
Signs, symbols and instructions placed on this scooter comprise part of its
safety guidelines. They must never be covered or removed and must remain
present and clearly legible throughout the entire life span of the scooter.
•
Immediately replace or repair illegible or damaged labels, symbols and
instructions. Contact your dealer with regard to this.
1.2
Technical specifications
The technical specifications must not be altered.
1.3
Modifications
Modifications to parts of this product are not permitted.
1.4
Safety
To avoid accidents and undesirable situations, it is of great importance to pay
attention to the following safety regulations:
Pay extra attention to driving on slopes:
-
Never remove safety devices, such as anti-tip wheels
Never drive the Fortress 1700 DT/TA up a slope with an angle
greater than the guidelines listed on page 34 of this manual.
On slopes, always drive slowly and with great awareness.
Never drive down a slope at full speed.
Do not drive down slopes with loose gravel or a sandy surface,
because one of the back wheels might slip.
Do not turn on a slope.
13
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
-
Never take a turn at full speed. Decrease speed when taking a
turn.
When driving up a slope, assume a body position for increased
stability, as described in detail on page 33 of this manual.
Ensure that no items of clothing hang loose as these could
become caught between the wheels.
Ensure that your fingers do not get caught in the mechanism for
adjusting the angle of the steering tiller or the mechanism for
flipping up the armrests
You must adjust your driving according to these circumstances:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14
Drive carefully on slippery surfaces resulting from rain, ice, or
snow!
Drive more slowly in crowded environments.
Do not use the scooter on uneven surfaces and/or ungroomed
footpaths and cycle paths.
Ensure that the Fortress 1700 DT/TA does not come into contact
with salt water. Salt water is caustic and may damage the
scooter.
Ensure that the Fortress 1700 DT/TA does not come into contact
with sand. Sand can affect the moving parts of the scooter,
resulting in unnecessarily rapid wear.
Never operate the scooter if you are under the influence of
drugs, alcohol or medication that could affect your driving
ability.
You must have sufficient visual acuity to be able to drive safely
in the scooter.
It is obligatory to turn on the lights in case of reduced visibility.
The scooter has been equipped with brake lights that light up
when you brake.
Only use the indicator lights to indicate an intended change in
driving direction.
Only use the horn when it is necessary to warn pedestrians or
other road users of dangerous circumstances.
Always remove the jack key from the jack key receptacle when
not driving the scooter, even if you plan to remain seated on the
scooter while it is parked. This will ensure that there will be no
accidental activation of the forward/reverse lever resulting in
unexpected movement of the scooter.
Never place metal parts on top of the batteries: this may cause a
short circuit in the batteries, resulting in damage.
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
-
-
-
Do not carry any passengers: your scooter was specifically
designed to transport only yourself.
Do not drive your scooter with the backrest reclined too far. It
may affect weight distribution and therefore the rearward
stability of the scooter, especially when driving on inclines or
encountering obstacles.
Do not burden your scooter with any more load than can be
placed in the basket.
Never hang anything from the handlebars.
Never use your scooter to tow a trailer. The scooter was not
designed for this. It can cause serious damage to your scooter.
Do not stand on the floor pan to reach objects.
Do not place your feet close to the front wheel and fork when the
unit is moving. Always keep your feet on the rubber mat, rather
than against the front cover.
Never operate the scooter with the plastic cover shrouds
removed.
Never attempt to stand on the plastic cover shrouds.
Any replacement of fuses on the scooter must be done by an
authorized Handicare dealer.
The scooter is electronically operated. Certain parameters have
been factory-set. These settings are designed to allow comfortable
and efficient use. These parameters cannot be changed.
The standard version of your scooter was tested in accordance with
the most stringent requirements for electro-magnetic interference.
When using a mobile telephone in the vicinity of a scooter with
special adaptations, you are advised to first switch off the scooter.
Your scooter may influence electromagnetic fields such as alarm
systems. If the electronics of the scooter is not properly shielded,
this may affect sensitive electrical appliances, such as shop alarms
and garage openers. The scooter has been tested for this. Should
any problems of this nature occur, please report these to your
dealer immediately.
-
Take care in ultra-violet light: this may cause premature
deterioration of materials such as rubber, plastic and enamel.
Be aware of any objects that may protrude from the unit that could
cause damage to your surroundings or to the unit itself.
Keep your scooter away from open flames.
Avoid extreme weather conditions or extremely wet conditions.
Maintain and store the scooter in a clean and dry state.
15
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
2
General Description
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA are electrically driven scooters for general use
in outdoor and indoor environments.
The height of the seat is adjustable according to the leg length of the user.
The seat can be rotated and the armrests folded back by the user for ease of
getting on or off the scooter.
The steering tiller is adjustable to enable a comfortable driving position.
When driving at higher speeds, one should be extra careful. Slow down,
especially on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas.
The following should be kept in mind when using the scooter:
•
•
•
16
A scooter is not a motorised vehicle in the traffic regulations sense. You
have the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
At all times, you are responsible for keeping your scooter in perfect working
order, so that driving the scooter is safe.
The scooter is a technical product. Therefore, any repairs and maintenance
should be carried out by qualified personnel. If any work needs to be done,
you should contact your dealer.
Fortress 1700DT/TA
3
Main Components
The following main components are, or may be, installed on the scooter:
A. Seat.
This is where the user is seated
B. Backrest.
To support the back of the user
C. Head rest
To support the head.
D. Armrest.
To support the arms
E. Steering Tiller
The console and all operating keys and handles are located on the tiller
F. Lights
When driving in the dark the lights should be turned on
G. Turn Signals
To indicate a change in direction while driving
H. Detachable fixed mounted basket
For carrying personal items
I. Front wheel
Front wheels offer suspension
J. Front bumper
Protects the front wheel in case of a collision
K. Rear wheels
Rear wheels offer suspension
L. Anti-tip wheels
Wheels to prevent the scooter from tipping over backwards on slopes
(See next page for location of these components on the scooter)
Various features and components can be adjusted for optimum seating
comfort.
17
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
D
C
E
B
G
A
H
F
J
K
I
L
4-wheel model:
18
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
4
Adjustment options
The Fortress 1700 DT/TA seat offers a number of adjustment options to
increase sitting and driving comfort.
The following may be adjusted:
A. Seat height
B. Seat depth
C. Backrest angle
D. Armrest width
E. Armrest height
F. Head rest
G. Steering tiller
4.1 Seat adjustments
4.1.1 Adjusting the seat height
The whole seat may be adjusted in height up to obtain an optimal seating
position. This adjustment should be made by the dealer.
4.1.2
•
Adjusting the seat depth (sliding seat)
See illustration (seat may vary slightly from illustration)
Adjust the seat depth as follows:
•
•
•
Pull lever (A) up and hold.
Slide the seat forward or back.
Release the handle when the seat has
reached the desired position. Slide the
seat back or forward a little so that it
locks in place. This will set the seat
depth.
A
19
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
4.1.3
Backrest adjustment
A
The backrest is angle-adjustable. The adjustment must be done as follows:
•
•
•
Pull up the handle (A) while you are sitting on the seat.
The backrest will now automatically move forward.
Push the backrest to the rear by leaning back until it is in a position that is
most comfortable for you.
After adjustment, release the handle to secure the backrest in the position
you have chosen.
Attention:
Be aware when operating the handle when the seat is
unoccupied. The backrest is spring-operated and will fold
forward quickly and powerfully.
The backrest must be adjusted in such a way that your back
is properly supported while driving.
If the backrest is tilted too far backwards, this will negatively
influence the seating stability, especially on slopes.
Never drive your scooter with the backrest reclined too far
back.
20
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
4.1.4
Adjusting the armrest
Adjust the armrests as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
4.1.5
The armrest width adjustment knobs (A)
are located at the rear of the seat.
To loosen armrest, turn the knob
counter-clockwise.
After selecting a new width, re-tighten
knobs and ensure the armrests are
secure.
The armrest height adjustment knobs (B)
are located on the armrest posts
B
To loosen armrest, turn the knob counterclockwise.
Push the detent button and raise or lower
A
the armrest into one of three positions.
After selecting the new height, re-tighten knobs
and ensure the armrests are secure.
The armrests are capable of safely supporting 200 lbs of weight.
Do not sit on the armrests.
Adjusting the headrest
The headrest can be adjusted to several different heights.
Adjust the height of the head rest as follows:
•
To raise or lower the head rest, press the plastic button located on the left
side where the head rest mounts to the seat. At the same time, move the
headrest to the required height. It will engage into one of three positions with
a click.
21
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
4.2 Adjusting the steering tiller
The steering tiller can be adjusted for driving comfort and ease of
getting on and off the scooter.
A
The steering tiller can be adjusted as follows:
Pull handle (A) down with one hand, while at the same time pulling the
steering tiller towards you with the other, until the most comfortable position
is reached.
•
Then release the handle to set the chosen position. Then, release the
steering tiller.
•
If you release the steering tiller while still pulling the handle down, the gasspring-loaded steering tiller will move to its most forward position.
Use caution when adjusting the steering tiller to avoid
getting your fingers pinched.
4.3 Adjusting the rear suspension
The rear suspension of the scooter can be adjusted to provide optimal comfort.
This adjustment is to be carried out by the dealer.
22
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5
5.1
Operation
Charging the batteries
For charging, see the following documentation:
Regulations concerning the batteries
User manual for the battery charger, or the instructions on the
battery charger
The scooter uses gel batteries. These batteries are entirely sealed and
maintenance free.
With normal daily use, the batteries should be recharged every night. If you
use your scooter only occasionally (once per week or less), the batteries must
be fully charged at least once per week.
Charging should be done as follows:
•
•
•
Switch off the scooter.
Put the plug of the charging cable into the charging connection. See
‘Charging connection’.
Put the plug of the battery charger into the wall socket of the main power
supply.
Safety:
The scooter will not operate as soon as the plug of the charging
cable is connected to the charging connection.
The battery charger has been designed in such a way that
batteries cannot be overcharged.
When the batteries are no longer charging, the charging current
will automatically drop until the charging is stopped completely:
the batteries are fully charged.
The minimum charging time for gel batteries is approximately
8 hours. Most batteries will have reached 80% of their capacity
after 8-12 hours’ charging time.
In order to optimize your battery life:
•
•
•
•
In general, keep your batteries fully charged
Avoid deeply discharging your batteries
Do not store your batteries without being fully charged
Avoid storing your batteries in areas of extreme cold or heat.
23
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
When the batteries are charged:
•
Switch off the battery charger, if applicable.
•
Unplug the battery charger from the wall socket of the mains power supply.
•
Unplug the charger from the charging connection on the scooter.
The scooter is now ready for use.
Always remove the charging cable when the batteries are
charged. This way, you prevent the batteries from slowly
depleting themselves.
5.1.2
Battery Charger
Use only the supplied battery charger to charge the batteries.
Maximum allowable charger capacity is 5 Amp.
5.2 Driving the Fortress 1700 DT/TA
The following topics are covered in this manual in order to enable you to drive
your scooter:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Inspection before use
Console
Driving
Getting on or off
Pushing
Disassembly
5.2.1
Inspection before use
It is important to check the following prior to driving your scooter:
•
•
24
Make sure the seat is properly locked in place.
Make sure all lights and turn signals are working properly, both at the front
and the back.
Make sure the tires are sufficiently inflated. (50 psi). See ‘Product
Specifications’.
- Poorly inflated tires have a negative effect on the driving
characteristics.
- Poorly inflated tires cause higher power consumption, depleting the
batteries more quickly.
- Poorly inflated tires cause unnecessary wear to the tires themselves.
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
•
Make sure the batteries are sufficiently charged: this is indicated by the
green zone on the battery-condition indicator. See ‘Console’.
In winter, batteries have a lower capacity. In case of light
frost, the capacity drops to about 75% and at a temperature
of less than -5 degrees, it will drop to about 50% of the
normal capacity. This will decrease the range of the scooter.
•
•
Make sure the free-wheel lever is in the ‘Brake Engage’ position. See ‘Free wheel position of the scooter’.
Make sure the brakes are functioning correctly. See ‘Driving procedures’.
If the scooter starts behaving in an unpredictable manner, let go of the throttle
levers and let the scooter come to a complete stop. Remove the jack key from
the console and then reinsert to restart the scooter.
If everything is in order, the scooter can be driven.
5.2.2
Getting on and off the scooter
(Seat may differ slightly from illustration)
Before geting on or off, the scooter
should be switched off by removing
the jack key. The free-wheel lever
must also be in the “Brake Engaged”
position.
•
Before getting on the scooter, the armrest can be
flipped up and the seat can be rotated.
A
Getting on the scooter:
•
•
•
•
Switch off the scooter.
Move the seat-lock handle (A) toward the front of the scooter and rotate the
seat 90 degrees to the left or to the right. When you release the seat-lock
handle, the seat will automatically lock: the handle will click into place.
Now you can seat yourself.
The seat can be rotated back as described above.
When the seat has been rotated to its original position, it will click back into
place. This way it cannot inadvertently turn while driving.
25
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
The seat is provided with armrests that can be flipped up so that you can get
on or off from the side. After getting on or off, always check whether the
armrests are in the proper position.
•
Getting off the scooter should be done in reverse order.
5.3 Operating controls
A
C
B
D
E
The scooter is equipped with the following operating controls:
A. Console with all of the control buttons and indicators
B. Forward / reverse levers
C. Fuse for the lighting
D. Charger connection port. See ‘Charging the batteries’.
E. Angle adjustment lever for tiller.
26
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.3.1
Console Panel
A
F
C
B
G
D
A
F
E
The console panel is provided with the latest technology and offers reliable
and useful functions for the operation of your scooter:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Left & right turn signals*
Battery-condition meter
Speed select knob
Lights
Jack key
Horn*
Hazard lights
*These buttons have been mounted on both the right and the left of the
console panel.
27
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
A
Turn Signals left / right
By pressing the button (on the left or on the right), the indicator
will start flashing to indicate that you intend to change your
driving direction:
- activate the button on the left if you wish to turn to the left
- activate the button on the right if you wish to turn to the right.
A beeping sound will be activated while the indicator is turned
on.
As soon as you have completed your left or right turn, activate
the same button again to turn off the indicator.
B
Battery-condition Meter
The battery-condition meter gives a general indication of the
condition of the batteries. Reading from left to right, the batterycondition meter has three red indicator lights, three orange
lights and four green lights. The batteries are completely
charged when all the lights are illuminated. As the battery level
decreases the lights will go off one by one, starting with the
green lights on the right. The indicator lights indicate the battery
voltage available for the controller. It is normal that the meter
goes down during conditions of initial acceleration as the extra
load will cause the voltage to drop momentarily. This
momentary drop is not a true reading of battery capacity. Also,
when the scooter is first powered up, the indicator may initially
show full charge even if the batteries are not fully charged.
This is a characteristic of the batteries. For this reason, the
most accurate battery reading is obtained when riding on a
flat surface.
If the battery indicator remains in the RED zone, it
is important to recharge your batteries as soon as
possible. Never fully discharge your batteries
by overuse as this will shorten battery life and
could cause battery damage.
C
28
Speed Select Knob
With this knob, the desired maximum speed is set. Turning
clockwise will increase the speed (the maximum has been set
by the manufacturer to 5.5 mph (1700 DT) or 6 mph (1700 TA).
Turning counter clockwise will reduce the maximum speed.
Select a speed position before driving in accordance with the
driving conditions, such as driving in cramped spaces or in a
room with many people.
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
D
Lights
Pressing this button once will turn on the front and rear driving
lights.
Pressing this button a second time will turn the lights off.
F
Horn
The horn buttons are used to give a warning sound in
dangerous situations.
The horn will sound for as long as you keep the button pressed.
E
Jack Key
To switch on the scooter, the jack key has to be inserted into
the jack key receptacle.
All of the Fortress 1700 DT & TA’s functions, with the exception
of the hazard lights, only operate if the jack key has been
inserted into the receptacle.
The hazard lights will always work, even if the jack key has not
been inserted into the jack key receptacle.
G
Hazard Lights
Pressing this button will turn on the hazard lights.
You should use the hazard lights if you fear you will not be seen
by other traffic, or if you are stopped because of a malfunction.
Pressing this button a second time will switch off the hazard
lights. A beeping sound will activate while the hazard lights are
turned on.
29
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.3.2
Switching on
The scooter should be switched on as follows:
•
Insert the jack key into the jack key
receptacle as far as it will go (A).
A
5.3.3
•
Charging connection
The charging connection (A) is located
on the steering tiller under the console.
This is the point to which the battery
charger cable can be connected.
All electronics should be switched off during
charging of the batteries. Remove the jack
key before charging.
30
A
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.4 Driving Procedures
Before driving the scooter, it should be adjusted optimally to your personal
needs.
After you have carried out all inspection points, you can seat yourself in the
scooter. See ‘Getting on or off the scooter’.
Now you may start to drive.
As a scooter driver, keep in mind that other people may not always notice you.
Always be aware of the people and traffic around you.
5.4.1
•
Driving forward and in reverse
Switch on the scooter.
See ‘Switching on’.
The forward/reverse levers are
coloured:
Green: forward driving (A)
Yellow: reverse driving (B)
B
A
Forward driving
•
Driving forward using finger control:
Slowly pull back on the forward/reverse lever (A) with your fingers. The
further you pull the lever towards you, the faster you will drive.
Reverse driving
Reverse driving:
Release the forward/reverse lever. The Fortress 1700 DT/TA will come to a
stop.
•
Driving in reverse using finger control:
Slowly pull back the forward/reverse lever (B) with your fingers. The further
you pull the lever towards you, the faster you will drive in reverse.
•
• Make sure there is nothing behind the scooter before you
travel in reverse.
• The maximum speed in reverse is equal to half the
maximum speed forward.
31
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Braking and stopping while driving forward or reversing
•
•
By slowly releasing the forward/reverse lever, the Fortress 1700 DT/TA will
brake and come to a stop. The brake lights will illuminate automatically.
If you need to make a sudden stop while driving, you must release the
forward/reverse lever immediately.
In normal circumstances, the forward/reverse lever can be released slowly if
you wish to stop.
As soon as the scooter is stopped, the automatic parking brake engages.
Remarks:
You can inspect the brakes by suddenly releasing the forward/reverse lever.
When driving at a high speed, you need to be extra careful,
especially on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas. In that case, it is
advisable to set a lower maximum speed using the speed select
knob.
Do not cross a street until you are able to handle the scooter and its
controls well.
5.4.2
Corners
Moving around corners in forward direction
Turning left or right:
•
By turning the handlebars to the left or to the right, the scooter will change
direction and start moving to the left or to the right accordingly.
You should always use your turn signals when making a turn.
Always take turns at a safe, often lower, speed.
Reversing while making a turn
Turning left or right:
•
32
By turning the handlebars to the left or to the right, the scooter will change
direction and start moving in the opposite direction of the direction you steer.
- Steering to the right: the scooter will reverse while making a left turn.
- Steering to the left: the scooter will reverse while making a right turn.
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.4.3
Slopes
•
It is important to note that although the Fortress 1700 DT and TA have
maximum weight capacities of 350 lbs and 300 lbs respectively, the
following safety guidelines must be adhered to when driving up slopes.
•
You must assume a body position for increased stability when driving
up a slope. This is done by leaning your upper body forward while you
are driving up the slope. This will increase the stability of the scooter.
The “Increased Stability Driving Position” is illustrated in figure 1
below. Additionally, the scooter’s backrest must never be positioned
in a severely reclined position and the scooter seat must be adjusted
into a forward position by using the sliding seat lever (see Section
4.1.2, “Adjusting the seat depth”, page 19).
Fig. 1
Increased Stability Driving Position
(Lean slightly forward with the upper body while driving up a slope)
33
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
•
Driving up slopes with gradients greater than those given in the
following table is not permitted.
.
WARNING! Do not exceed these guidelines under any
circumstances as your scooter may become unstable and
tip. This could result in personal injury and/or damage to
your scooter.
The above measurements were determined with the
scooter’s seat in the highest and most rearward position.
Your scooter’s ability to travel up slopes is affected by your
weight, your scooter’s speed, your angle of approach to the
slope and your scooter set up.
NEVER put the scooter in freewheel when parked on a
slope. The scooter will roll down the slope due to gravity.
34
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Instructions for Driving up a slope
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Adopt the position for “Increased Stability” shown in figure 1 (page 33)
by leaning your upper body slightly forward. This will increase the
stability of the scooter. Further adjust your body position by adjusting
the sliding seat into a forward position (see section 4.1.2, “Adjusting
the seat depth”, page 19)
Drive up the slope at half your normal speed.
Keep the speed constant as you drive up the slope.
Avoid sudden and jolting movements such as sudden braking or
acceleration.
Do not change direction or attempt to turn around while driving up a
slope.
The slope should be taken directly head on. You should not turn
and/or cut across the slope diagonally.
Never attempt to go up or down a slope that has potential hazard such
as a slope that is covered in snow, ice, grass clippings or wet leaves.
If you notice a strong decrease in speed when driving up a slope,
choose a less steep route to avoid the scooter from overheating.
If you drive on a slope too long it may result in overheating.
Whenever possible it is always recommended to choose a route that is
not as steep.
WARNING! Do not exceed these guidelines under any
circumstances as your scooter may become unstable and tip.
This could result in personal injury and/or damage to your
scooter.
Driving down a slope
•
If you need to drive down a slope, drive at the lowest possible speed and
with the utmost control.
Turn the speed select knob fully to the left (lowest speed) before
driving down a slope.
Move the upper part of your body slightly backward and always
brake slowly. If you brake too fast, you may cause the scooter to tip.
•
•
If the scooter is brought to a standstill on a slope, then
the automatic parking brake must be applied.
Never put the scooter in free-wheel when on a slope.
35
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.4.4
Obstacles
Driving over obstacles
•
•
•
Drive straight up to the curb or obstacle, almost touching it with your front
wheel.
Push the forward/reverse lever and drive onto the sidewalk without changing
direction.
As soon as the front wheel is on the sidewalk, you need to keep up your
speed for the back wheels to be able to move up onto the sidewalk as well.
-
If you cannot drive up onto the sidewalk, find a lower part that is less
steep where you can.
Any obstacle should be taken in forward direction.
It is always recommended to use properly-designed sidewalk
transitions instead of driving over curbs.
Do not drive over obstacles great than 3”.
Practice taking slightly elevated obstacles, and then
gradually increase the elevation of the obstacles, until you
can take the maximum height. Take your time for this.
36
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Driving off obstacles
•
•
•
Use extreme caution when driving off obstacles.
Drive straight up to the edge of the sidewalk until you reach the curb.
Carefully push the forward/reverse lever and allow the scooter to slowly
descend from the curb, without changing direction.
It is not permitted to go down stairways as it is extremely
dangerous.
The scooter is equipped with anti-tipping wheels for extra stability
and safety. Occasionally, these wheels may touch an obstacle when
descending from it.
Avoid leaving one of the rear wheels on the obstacle while the other
is still on the lower level. This will cause the scooter to become
unstable.
5.4.5
•
•
•
Automatic Overload Shutdown
If an overload occurs as a result of improper or long-term use in hot
conditions, the circuit breaker will be activated, causing the scooter to stop.
(See Section 7.2, ‘Automatic circuit breaker’, page 52).
Remove the ignition key from the receptacle and allow the motor to cool
down.
Incorrect use may also cause unnecessary malfunctions and damage to the
scooter.
5.4.6
Switching off
After each ride, the scooter should be switched off completely: This prevents
the batteries from unnecessarily discharging and having to be recharged too
soon.
Always remove the jack key from the jack key receptacle
when not driving the scooter, even if you plan to remain
seated on the scooter while it is parked. This will ensure that
there will be no accidental activation of the forward/reverse
lever resulting in unexpected movement of the scooter.
37
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.4.7
Parking
After parking, pull out the jack key from the jack key receptacle, so that it is not
possible for anyone else to use your Fortress 1700 DT/TA without permission.
After the scooter has been switched off (the jack key has been pulled out of
the receptacle), the automatic parking brake will remain activated even if the
batteries are removed. If the free-wheel position has been activated, the
automatic parking brake will NOT work!
•
•
If the scooter is brought to a standstill on a slope, then
the automatic parking brake must be engaged.
For this reason, never put the scooter in the free wheel
Position.
5.5 Pushing the scooter
In the case of a malfunction or if the batteries have insufficient capacity to
power the scooter, it may also be pushed manually.
Pushing the scooter may be useful for parking or storing the scooter in a
confined space.
•
•
Switch off the scooter by removing the jack key from the receptacle.
Put the free wheel lever into the ‘free wheel position of the scooter’ (see
5.5.1 below).
If the scooter is pushed too fast, a built in safey mechanism
will automatically activate the motor brake and cause the
scooter to slow down.
38
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.5.1
Free-wheel position of the scooter
To be able to push the Fortress 1700 DT/TA, the
automatic parking brake has to be de-activated as
follows:
•
B
Move the free-wheel lever (A), located under the
seat on the right-hand side of the cover, into the
FREE WHEEL position (C). This de-activates
the automatic parking brake.
The Fortress 1700 DT/TA automatic brake is
activated again by moving the free-wheel lever to
BRAKE ENGAGE position (B).
C
A
Safety precautions in the free wheel position
The scooter has been provided with a unique safety feature that prevents the
scooter from rolling too quickly while in the free-wheel position. If the scooter
begins to roll too quickly while in the free-wheel position, the motor brake will
automatically slow down the scooter to a stop.
Ensure that the free wheel lever is in the BRAKE ENGAGE
position when you seat yourself on the scooter.
NEVER touch the free wheel lever while driving.
Do not touch the forward/reverse lever when you operate the
free wheel lever.
The free wheel lever should only be used if the scooter needs
to be pushed. By putting the scooter in the free wheel position,
the motor is disconnected mechanically, causing the automatic
parking brake of the motor not to function. That is why, after
pushing the scooter, the lever should be immediately returned
to the ‘Brake Engage’ position, which will activate the automatic
parking brake.
Caution:
NEVER switch the scooter into free wheel when you are parked
on a slope: the scooter will start moving down the slope as a
result of gravity.
39
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
If the Fortress 1700 DT/TA is in the free wheel position:
It is not possible to drive the scooter.
The electronics can be switched on, but the motor cannot drive the scooter.
In this situation, the electronics should be switched off.
•
•
To be able to drive the Fortress 1700 DT/TA again, the following steps should
be carried out:
Switch the free wheel lever into the Brake Engage position.
Switch the scooter on by inserting the jack key into the jack key receptacle.
Now, you are able to drive the Fortress 1700 DT/TA again.
•
•
5.6
Disassembling the scooter for storage and/or transport
To be able to store the Fortress 1700 DT/TA in a small space or transport it in
a smaller vehicle suitable for this purpose, the scooter can be disassembled.
This way, it will take up less space. The steps to disassembling your Fortress
1700 DT/TA are as follows.
5.6.1
Removing the seat
(Seat may differ slightly from illustration)
The seat should be removed as follows:
•
Unlock the rotation mechanism of the seat by
pushing the seat lock lever toward the front of
the scooter.
•
Lift the seat straight up from the seat post.
•
Folding the backrest completely forward
reduces the size of the seat and can make
it easier to lift from its post.
5.6.2
A
Separating the scooter
The Fortress 1700 DT/TA scooter has been designed to be disassembled and
reassembled quickly, easily and without the use of tools. Should you have any
difficulty during either the assembly or disassembly, please re-check the
instructions and try again.
NOTE: Ensure the power is off before you disassemble or reassemble your
scooter.
40
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Disassembly Procedure:
•
Remove the battery cover by releasing the elastic strap on the front of
the cover and releasing the Velcro attachments on each side of the
battery cover.
•
•
Separate the rear cover from the
rear frame by turning the knob
counter-clockwise and releasing
the Velcro attachment points
under each side of the cover
shroud.
Carefully tip the rear cover shroud
toward the rear of the scooter to
expose its underside. Locate the
connector for the rear lighting and
disconnect it. The rear cover
shroud can now be completely
removed
41
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
•
Disconnect the red and black
battery cables
Disconnect the battery holddown straps
•
move the batteries by lifting
them up by their carrying
straps
CAUTION: The batteries are much
heavier than they appear!
42
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
•
Unplug the main cable
before disconnecting the
scooter.
•
To separate the front frame
from the rear frame, locate
the locking latch in the
centre of the battery
compartment area.
•
Push and hold the button on
the side of the latch then
pull up in order to release
the latch. Flip the latch off
the hook on the rear frame.
Grasp the seat post with one
hand and the front tiller with
the other hand. Gently tip the
rear frame of the scooter
backward using the seat post
until it rests on its rear
bumper.
Grasp the handlebar with one
hand and the centre part of
the front frame with the
other hand. Lift the front
frame upwards to separate it
from the rear frame. Roll the
front frame away from the rear
frame, while maintaining
balance on the front wheel.
43
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.6.3
Folding down the steering tiller
A
The steering tiller can be folded down as follows:
•
Pull handle (A) down, while, at the same time pulling down the steering tiller.
Use caution when folding down the steering tiller to avoid
getting your fingers jammed.
5.6.4
•
•
•
•
44
Handling and Loading
It is always recommended to have someone help you load your
disassembled scooter.
When placing the disassembled scooter in a vehicle, make sure that
the free-wheel lever on the rear section is in the “Brake Engaged”
position.
Once the front section is loaded, the batteries can be replaced back
into the battery compartment and buckled down.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all the components of the
disassembled scooter are properly secured in the vehicle so they do
not become a hazard in the event of a collision.
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5.6.5
Reassembling the scooter
To reassemble the scooter, reverse the steps outlined above making sure that:
• The rear frame is resting on the rear bumper when setting the front
frame onto the “J” hooks on the rear frame.
• The locking latch mechanism must be properly engaged when
re-connecting the front and rear sections of the scooter.
• The batteries are properly secured with the battery tie-down straps.
• All electrical connections are secured.
5.7 Transporting the scooter fully assembled
The following guidelines must be followed to transport the Fortress 1700 DT
or TA scooter fully assembled in a vehicle that is suitable for this purpose:
If the scooter must be lifted into the vehicle, never lift the scooter by
its plastic covers and do not attempt to lift it by yourself. If your
scooter can fit into a vehicle fully assembled, DO NOT use your
scooter as a passenger seat in the transporting vehicle. You must
transfer to a regular car seat, even if the vehicle concerned has been
adapted for the transport of scooters. The reason is that the
Fortress 1700 DT/TA cannot offer the safety that is offered by
standard car seats, no matter how well it is fixed to the vehicle
concerned.
After the scooter has been placed inside the vehicle, you must make
sure that the scooter is not in the free-wheel position.
The scooter should be secured with an approved securement
system. Handicare makes no representation of suitability for use
with specific securement systems. Handicare also cannot anticipate
the situations that may arise in use of public transportation
systems. For instructions on how to use a given securement
system, please consult its manufacturer and its operating
instructions. In the case of public transit please refer to the
municipal transit authority.
Note that any disassembled scooter components that are unsecured
in the vehicle can cause damage as a result of sudden vehicle
movements.
45
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
The scooter has attachment points located at the rear and under the front of
the floor pan. These attachment points are designed as a convenience
feature only.
46
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
6
6.1
Maintenance
Maintenance table
In order to optimize your scooter’s performance, durability and longevity, it
should be serviced regularly by your dealer.
Below, we have indicated what needs to be checked, how often this should be
done, and by whom.
Time
Daily
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Every three
months
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Description
Charging of the batteries after each full day of
use
Checking that the lights are working
Checking the tire pressure and tread condition
Checking for oil leakage underneath the scooter
Cleaning of the scooter (see cleaning procedure)
Cleaning of the upholstery (if necessary)
Lubricating the turning system of the seat: to do
this, the seat must be removed. See 'Removing
the seat'. Lithium grease is recommended.
User
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
It is strongly recommended that your scooter is serviced by your dealer at least
once a year, or, in case of intensive use, once every six months.
In principle, we recommend you that your dealer carries out all maintenance
work. The maintenance activities you can perform yourself are indicated in the
table above.
If you discover any oil leakage underneath the scooter,
contact your dealer immediately. Do not drive your scooter.
47
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
6.1.1
Batteries
For maintenance see the following documentation:
Regulations concerning the batteries
User manual for the battery charger, or the instructions on
the battery charger
The scooter must be equipped with gel batteries. These batteries are entirely
sealed and maintenance free.
A sticker shows the connection diagram of the batteries. This sticker is placed
on the inside of the cover of the battery compartment.
Make sure that the batteries are always well charged.
Do not use the scooter if the batteries are almost depleted. This
may damage the batteries and you run the risk of coming to an
unintended stop. The use of 'wet/lead acid' batteries is not
permitted. If the batteries need to be replaced, gel batteries must be
used.
6.1.2
Replacing the batteries
If the capacity of the batteries is reduced to the
extent that the scooter can only make very
short trips or even none at all, the batteries are
at the end of their life span. Replace them as
soon as possible.
Contact your dealer: he knows
exactly which batteries are most
suitable for your scooter.
We also recommend battery
replacement should be carried out
by your dealer.
Replace the batteries as follows:
•
Switch off the scooter (remove the jack key
from the jack key receptacle).
•
Remove the seat. See 'Removing the seat’.
•
Remove the lock (A) from the front of the
battery cover (in top diagram).
•
Disconnect the red and the black battery
connectors from the battery (A) (in lower
diagram).
•
Loosen the straps, which hold the batteries
by squeezing in the clasps (B).
48
A
D C B A C
B
C
C A D
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
•
•
Unscrew the battery clips (C) from the battery terminals using a wrench with
a key width of 13 mm.
Remove both batteries (D).
New batteries are placed in the reverse order, as follows:
•
Put the new batteries in place.
•
Fasten the batteries using the straps.
•
Connect the cables according to the table below:
No.
Cable colour
Text on label
B
Black
Battery 1
C
Red
Battery 1
D
Black
Battery 2
E
Red
Battery 2
•
•
•
Connect to
Minus terminal of battery 1
(left)
Plus terminal of battery 1 (left)
Minus terminal of battery 2
(right)
Plus terminal of battery 2
(right)
Tighten the battery clamps.
Grease the battery clamps to prevent oxidation, using acid-free Vaseline.
Replace the cover.
Note the correct connection of the cables to the batteries: these are
marked with labels.
The connections may NOT be swapped around.
Make sure that the battery terminals and battery clamps are quite clean.
As soon as the new batteries are installed, the batteries must be
charged. See ‘Charging the batteries’.
Do not allow other metal parts come in contact with two battery
terminals at once. This will lead to short circuiting and will have
very serious consequences.
6.1.3 Cleaning the batteries
Gel batteries are maintenance free. However, attention must be paid to the
following matters:
•
•
Keep the batteries clean and dry: dirt and water may cause a leak, causing
the capacity of the batteries to decrease.
Cleaning the terminals: and after cleaning, grease them with acid-free
Vaseline.
49
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Never completely deplete the batteries! This can seriously damage
the batteries and considerably shorten their life span.
6.2
Tires
For the proper functioning of the scooter it is very important that the tires are
kept at the correct pressure.
6.2.1.
Inflating the Tires
The tires are equipped with a car valve. You can have the tires inflated at your
dealer or local gas service station, or you can do it yourself using a foot or
hand pump. To inflate the tires, remove the cap from the valve. Under-inflated
tires can reduce the range of the scooter and increase the wear on the tire
treads. For the correct tire pressure, see ‘Product specifications’.
When inflating the tires, never exceed the maximum
recommended tire pressure. This value is indicated on the
tire itself. (Tires inflated to 50 psi.)
For inspection of the tires, see the 'maintenance table'.
After inflating the tires, always make sure to replace the cap
back on the valve, to avoid dirt and sand entering the valve.
6.3
Cleaning Procedures
Removing dry dirt
Upholstery, metal parts and frame parts can usually be cleaned easily with a
dry soft cloth.
Removing mud and/or other wet dirt
Parts that are soiled with wet dirt can best be cleaned by first wiping the dirty
parts with a damp cloth and then wiping them dry with a dry soft cloth.
Upholstery
Clean with a damp cloth. After removing the dirt, the cleaned parts should be
wiped dry with a soft dry cloth.
Never use abrasive or aggressive cleansers. They can damage the
scooter.
Also do not use organic solvents such as thinner, dry-cleaning
naphtha, or white spirit.
50
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Do not spray or pour water on scooter.
Be careful with water near the electronic system.
Upholstery: do not dry clean, iron or spin dry.
7
Troubleshooting
If your Fortress 1700 DT or TA will not function, even though the batteries are
fully charged, check the following points before getting in touch with your
dealer.
1.
2.
3.
Check that all battery clamps are securely in place.
Check the free wheel lever to ensure it is in the BRAKE ENGAGE position
(not in free wheel position).
Check if the automatic circuit breaker button has popped out. If it has,
reset the circuit breaker by pushing the button back in position. If it pops
out again, contact your dealer.
7.1 Troubleshooting table
If your scooter is not working, or is not working as it should, go through the
following list of possible problems before contacting your dealer. You may be
able to solve the problem yourself.
Possible cause
•
•
•
•
•
Action
Action to
be taken
by
The jack key is not properly
inserted into the jack key
receptacle.
The connectors in the motor
compartment are not plugged
into the controller properly, or
they are loose.
The battery clamps are not
fastened properly.
The scooter is in free-wheel
position.
•
Put the jack key into the
receptacle properly.
Yourself
•
Check the connectors and
make sure they are
plugged into the controller
properly.
Check the battery clamps.
Dealer
Yourself
The automatic circuit breaker
has popped out.
•
•
Move the free wheel lever
into the BRAKE ENGAGE
position, then remove and
re-insert the jack key to
reset the scooter.
See ‘Circuit breaker’
Push the automatic circuit
breaker back in and reset
scooter with jack key.
•
•
Yourself
Yourself
51
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Possible cause
Action
•
There is a loose connector.
•
•
The battery voltage is too low
•
•
•
•
The scooter drives too slowly
•
•
Overheated motor
•
Action to
be taken
by
Correct the connection if
Yourself
possible, otherwise contact
+
your dealer.
Dealer
Check the battery voltage. Yourself
See ‘Battery condition
meter’.
Charge the batteries for 8
hours.
Check operation of the
battery charger.
Turn the speed control
Yourself
knob to the right
Remove the jack key from Yourself
the receptacle and allow
the scooter to cool down.
Sometimes simply switching the scooter off and back on again will correct the
problem.
If you cannot solve the problem by using the list above, contact your dealer.
7.2
Automatic circuit breaker
The scooter has been equipped with an automatic
circuit breaker (A), located on the rear cover under
the seat
In normal circumstances, the automatic circuit
breaker will not pop out and the scooter will be ready
for use.
When the electric circuit is overloaded or shorted, the
automatic circuit breaker will switch off the electric
system to prevent damage.
A
Overload can be caused if the motor is overheated. If the automatic circuit
breaker switches off the electric circuit of the scooter, it will pop out.
By pressing the automatic circuit breaker button back in again, you can try to
restart the scooter. If the automatic circuit breaker button pops out again, wait
15 to 20 minutes to allow the motor to cool off, and then try resetting again.
52
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
If you are able to restart the scooter after this, you may drive on. Make sure,
however, to avoid obstacles and hills.
If the automatic circuit breaker pops out again after the
motor was allowed to cool off, there may be a short circuit.
In this case, do not attempt driving, but contact your dealer.
7.3
Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI) malfunction
Radio waves may negatively influence the drive of an electric scooter. The
scooter itself may disrupt the operation of electromagnetic fields, such as
those used in alarm systems and shop circuitry.
Sources of radio waves, such as radio and TV stations, amateur radio
transmitters, elevators, transmitters, stereo radios, and mobile telephones may
influence electric wheelchairs and scooters.
The warnings listed below are intended to prevent the scooter from driving
unintentionally which could lead to serious injury.
1. Do not switch on manual items for personal communication, such as
radios and mobile telephones, while the electric scooter is switched on.
2. Avoid transmitters, such as radio and TV stations, in the neighbourhood.
Do not get too close.
3. If any unintended movements should occur, or if the brake is moved to its
neutral position, switch off the electric wheelchair or scooter by pulling the
jack key from the jack key receptacle.
4. Be aware of the fact that any accessories or components that are installed,
or any alterations that are made to the scooter, may increase the influence
of radio waves.
Remarks:
There is no easy way to test the effects of radio waves on the general
immunity of the electric wheelchair or scooter.
5. Notify your dealer, or the manufacturer of the scooter, of all cases of
unintended movements or switching to neutral. Indicate whether there is
any source of radio waves in the neighbourhood.
Remarks:
The immunity level of the Fortress 1700 DT/TA is 21 Volts/meter.
53
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
8
Technical specifications
Handicare Inc:
355 Norfinch Dr.
Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M3N 1Y7
8.1 Product Specifications Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Model
Maximum user's weight
Description
Total length
Total width
Total weight excl. batteries: 1700 TA
Total weight excl. batteries: 1700 DT
Weight of heaviest part
Static stability downward
Static stability upward
Static stability sideways
Energy consumption: theoretic maximum
distance
Dynamic stability on slopes
Climbing capacity for obstacles
Maximal speed forward 1700 TA
Maximal speed forward 1700 DT
Backrest angle Captain Seat – adjustable
Seat depth, Captain Seat
Seat width, Captain Seat
Back height, Captain Seat (excl adj. Headrest)
Backrest angle, High Back Captain Seat –
adjustable
Seat depth, High Back Captain Seat
Seat width, High Back Captain Seat
Back height, High Back Captain Seat (excl.
adj. headrest)
Seat height (to floor pan) ***
Armrest height
Armrest width
54
Fortress 1700 DT/TA 3 Wheel
Fortress 1700 DT/TA 4 Wheel
DT-350 lbs; TA-300 lbs
1700 DT/TA
3W
47.5””
24.5”
155 lbs
160 lbs
65 lbs (*60 lbs TA)
15°
15°
15°
**Up to 30 miles
(50km)
1700 DT/TA
4W
47.5”
24.5”
166 lbs
171lbs
70 lbs
15°
15°
15°
**Up to 30 miles
(50 km)
See Section 5.4.3, Slopes, p. 33-35
3”
6 mph
5.5 mph
103-126 Deg
17.5”
18”
16”
3”
6 mph
5.5 mph
103-126 Deg.
17.5”
18”
16”
Not Available
100-145 Deg.
Not Available
Not Available
19.75”
19.75”
Not Available
19”
17”, 18”, 19”
9” – 10.75”
18” – 24”
17”, 18” 19”
9” – 10.75”
18” – 24”
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
Description
Minimum turning radius
Capacity to drive over obstacles
Ground clearance
1700 DT/TA
3W
42”
3”
4”
Operating force
Operating-handle power
Resetting automatic fuse (circuit breaker)
Electronic switches
Inserting charging plug
1700 DT/TA
4W
57.5”
3”
4”
< 60 N
< 60 N
< 15 N
< 60 N
Technical data
Diameter front wheel (3 wheel)
Diameter front wheel (4 wheel)
Diameter rear wheels
Tire pressure 4 wheels, front
Tire pressure 4 wheels, rear
Tire pressure 3 wheels, front
Tire pressure 3 wheels, rear
Batteries
Maximum dimensions batteries
Fits up to Grp 22
Battery capacity
Maximum permissible charging
voltage (per battery)
10 " x 3”
10 " x 3”
10” x 3”
50 psi
50 psi
50 psi
50 psi
1700 DT/TA
3W
7.75”x6.63”x6.88”
(L x w x h)
U-1, 40 A, Grp 22
1700 DT/TA
4W
7.75”x6.63”x6.88”
(L x w x h)
U-1, 40 A, Grp 22
5 Amp
5 Amp
* refers to TA model
** range varies with user weight, tire condition, terrain type, battery charge,
And battery condition.
*** 17” seat height achieved by removing seat slider
55
Fortress 1700 DT/TA
8.2
Authorized service and technical support
If you have any problems or questions concerning this product, please contact
your dealer.
For information about a dealer in your area, contact Handicare Canada:
Canadian Office:
56
Handicare Inc.
355 Norfinch Drive
Toronto, ON M3N 1Y7
Tel: 1-800-514-7061
FORTRESS 1700 SERIES
Serial #:
Model:
Colour:
Date:
Dealer stamp
Tel: 1-800-514-7061
Fax: 1-888-251-9187
[email protected]
www.handicare.ca
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