Recharging & Changing the Batteries

The Valiant Turtle will run continuously for up to 3 hours. Allowing programming time, one full charge should run the Turtle for a day.

The Turtle's eyes act as a battery charge indicator by flickering when the power is low. When flickering starts you may need to recharge the Turtle. Flickering eyes does not stop the Turtle being used and by studying your Turtle, you can establish its rundown time.

BASIC CHARGING "RULES"

1. If the Turtle is discharged (i.e. not enough power to move), then FAST CHARGE method is best:
(i) Move the control switch on the Turtle's left rear flipper to CHARGE. The small yellow light on the pentagonal control board inside the Turtle may illuminate.
(ii) Plug the power adaptor into the mains electricity supply and switch on the power.
(iii) Connect the hollow jack plug from the power adaptor to the socket above the Turtle's left driver wheel.

Notes :-
a) The Turtle's batteries are "fast charging" only if the yellow light is illuminated. You will probably notice this yellow light subtly brighten as you connect the jack plug from the power adaptor to the Turtle. If the yellow light goes out when you connect the jack plug to the Turtle, your Turtle has gone into "slow charge" instead. To remedy this turn the Turtle OFF and remove the jack plug. Turn the Turtle back to CHARGE, making sure the yellow light is on. Reconnect the jack plug.
b) The yellow light goes out after about 2 hours when the Turtle is nearly fully charged, however the Turtle may be run after a much shorter charge.

2. If a 'top-up' is required (e.g. if the Turtle's eyes are flickering but It is still moving satisfactorily), use the SLOW CHARGE method:

(i) Plug the power adaptor into the mains electricity supply and switch on the power.
(ii) Connect the hollow jack plug from the power adaptor to the socket above the Turtle's left driver wheel.
(iii) Move the control switch on the Turtle's left rear flipper to CHARGE. The small yellow light on the pentagonal control board should NOT illuminate.
(iv) The Turtle should be left on charge for at least 16 hours.

3. You may leave your Turtle charging overnight or for longer periods without fear of any damage occurring.

4. If the power is turned off at the mains supply while the Turtle is being charged, and remains off, any charge in the batteries will be drained and your Turtle will be fully discharged when you come to use it.

If the power is turned off momentarily during charging but then turned on again without the Turtle set-up being touched, the batteries will be automatically "slow charged" from the moment the electricity supply is restored.

5. There are three occasions when the Turtle will need a CONDITIONING CHARGE: when it is first delivered, when it has been fitted with a new battery pack, and when it has not been used for a while (e.g. during school holidays of, say, 4 weeks or more).

It will also be helpful to carry out this CONDITIONING CHARGE as a matter of course every 2 or 3 months. This will ensure the battery pack is maintained in optimum condition.

(i) Completely discharge your Turtle. To do this, run it until it is discharged (i.e. cannot move) and then leave it switched on for several hours (e.g. overnight).
(ii) Then recharge the Turtle using SLOW CHARGE (paragraph 2) but LEAVE THE TURTLE ON CHARGE FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS.

Note:- In isolated cases the battery pack may appear not to have charged even after this period. If this ever happens, charge the Turtle again using FAST CHARGE (see 1).

6. The battery packs in your Valiant Turtle will last for between 500 and 1000 full recharging cycles. Do NOT change them until they are at least one year old. They will probably not need changing within the first 2 or 3 years of the Turtle's delivery, even with constant use.

7. Eventually if it seems as though your battery packs may need changing (i.e. your Turtle's running time is lessening as if the batteries are not holding their charge), then FIRST carry out a CONDITIONING CHARGE (See 5.)

Having done so, if you still believe your battery packs need replacing, contact your dealer/supplier/Valiant QUOTING SERIAL NUMBER OF YOUR VALIANT TURTLE. Any order given for battery packs cannot be serviced without this information.

8. To replace the battery packs:

(i) Turn the Turtle upside down. Two black rectangular plates will be visible, each secured by two screws. Remove these plates.
(ii) Remove the old battery packs. Take great care NOT to tug the wires, nor to bend the metal contact strip attached to the wires.
(iii) Separate the connectors, again taking care not to tug on the wires.
(iv) Connect up each new battery pack.
(v) Fold the wires (concertina fashion). Fit the new battery packs into the Turtle, sliding the folded wires into the unoccupied space.
(vi)Replace the black plates. Ensure their pips fit the notches in the Turtle base before screwing down.
(vii) Charge the Turtle using CONDITIONING CHARGE (see 5).