Drive Viper User manual

www.drivemedical.co.uk
Viper Scooter
User Manual
Dealer Stamp
Drive Medical Limited
Ainleys Industrial Estate, Elland
West Yorkshire, HX5 9JP
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.drivemedical.co.uk
The Team at Drive Medical develops its
products to give our customers the freedom
to live independently. This encompasses their
daily home life and provides them with the
opportunity to enjoy an outing with family
and friends. Our goal is to develop a range
that will provide individuals with a chance
to enjoy every day life.

Viper Electric Scooter Page 1 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
In the event of a fault being detected, the 3 left most
LEDs on the battery gauge will flash green followed by
the 3 right most LEDs flashing red. This sequence will
continue for approximately 15 seconds until the fault is
displayed by one of the LEDs flashing.
The battery gauge will continue flashing until the fault is
rectified and the key switch has been cycled
1st LED solid RED
2nddLED flash RED
**-----
Low battery, battery voltage has dropped
below 23.3v. Recharge batteries as soon as
possible.
1st Led flash RED
*------
Battery voltage too low. Voltage has
dropped below 16.5v. Recharge batteries
then check the battery, connections and
wiring.
All LEDs Flash
*******
Battery voltage too high. Unplug charger
from scooter. Turn the scooter off and on.
Reduce speed down any gradients to
minimize regenerative charging.
2nddLED flash RED
-*-----
Current limit time-out/controller too hot.
The scooter may have stalled. Turn the
scooter of and leave for a few minutes
before turning back on. Check connections
3rd LED Flash RED
--*----
Brake fault. either a park brake release
switch or the park brake is faulty, check
brake and all connections, ensure the
freewheel lever is in DRIVE
4th LED Flash AMBER
---*---
Out of neutral at power up. Return wigwag
paddle to neutral then turn off and on
again.
5th LED Flash GREEN
----*--
Speed pot Error. Wigwag paddle or its
wiring is faulty. Check for open or short
circuits and wigwag paddle is calibrated
6th LED Flash GREEN
-----*-
Motor volts Error. Motor or its wiring is
faulty. Check paddle is calibrated and
check for open or short circuits.
7th LED Flash GREEN
------*
Internal controller fault. Check all
connections and wiring. If problem persists,
contact Drive Medical Ltd
CONTENTS
1. PREFACE 3
2. SAFETY NOTICE 4
2.1 Before Driving
2.2 Whilst Driving
2.3 Labelling
2.4 Electromagnetic Interference
3. PARTS INTRODUCTION 9
4. OPERATION
4.1 Control Panel
4.2 How to Operate Your Scooter
5. DRIVING ON THE ROAD 15
6. BATTERY CHARGING AND CARE 16
7. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE 19
7.1 Checks
7.2 Service Record
7.3 Battery Pack and Tyres
7.4 Cleaning
7.5 Storage
7.6 Moving About
8. TROUBLESHOOTING 24
9. SPECIFICATION 25
10. WARRANTY 26
11. APPENDIX: SERVICE RECORD

Viper Electric Scooter Page 2 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
1. PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION
Please carefully read this owner’s handbook before
using the scooter to ensure that you operate the
scooter safely. Improper use of the scooter could
result in damage, injury or traffic accidents.
This handbook also advises how to get the most out
of your scooter by giving comprehensive operating,
assembly and maintenance instructions for the
scooter.
A repair and maintenance record chart and
warranty information is included with this
handbook. Please keep it in a safe place or with the
scooter.
If someone else uses the scooter make sure that you
provide him or her with this handbook for their
consideration.
As designs change some of the illustrations and
pictures in the manual may not correspond to the
scooters that you purchased. We reserve the right
to make design modifications.
The Viper scooter has been designed and
manufactured to provide a comfortable and secure
yet affordable solution for some mobility
requirements. It is suitable for mainly road and
outdoor use and has a top speed of 8mph. It can be
used indoors and on the pavement where the
environment permits and when the scooter is set to
the indoor speed setting. It is a class 3 scooter as
defined by the Road Traffic Act 1988.
2. SAFETY
Before Driving
The user needs to be familiar with the use and
operation of this scooter before driving.
The scooter may only be driven on the pavement or
pedestrian areas at speeds up to 4mph (6.4kph). Use
the High / Low button on the lower setting to ensure
you do not exceed this speed. The scooter may be
driven on single carriage roads with the button set to
High. This will allow speeds up to 8mph (12.8kph).
Be aware of traffic and other road users when
crossing or using roads.
Never ride on motorways or dual carriageways.
Use extreme caution when driving your scooter in
busy areas such as shopping malls.
Do not drive the scooter under the influence of
drink or drugs, or when you are tired. Driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs may be an offence
under the Road Traffic Act.
Be careful when using the scooter in low light.
Before using the scooter in busy or hazardous
environments, familiarise yourself with the
operation of the scooter. Practice in an open and
safe area which is free from hazards and other
people. Reduce your speed to a minimum for your
initial practice.
Practice operating your vehicle
Before using the scooter in busy or potentially
dangerous areas, familiarize yourself with the
operation of your scooter. Please practice in a wide
and open area like a park. In order to avoid
accidents with your scooter whilst driving, bear in
mind driving motions such as accelerating, braking,
turning, reversing and gradients.
1. Reduce your speed to a minimum for your initial
practice
2. For safety, ensure somebody accompanies you
when driving on the road for the first time
3. Only use the higher speed setting when you are
confident that you can easily operate and
control your scooter

Viper Electric Scooter Page 3 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
The Viper scooter can only be used by one person
at a time. Do not carry passengers on your scooter
(including children)
Maximum user mass (weight capacity)
The maximum weight that can be carried is
160kg / 25 stone (including occupant and any
goods).
Do not use the scooter to carry or haul goods.
Whilst Driving
Do not move your body out of the vehicle whilst moving
Such action may cause you to lose your balance
and risk injury from falling
Pay attention that your clothing and other
garments do not get tangled or caught in the
wheels
Do not use your vehicle in the following environments
On roads with heavy traffic or roads that are
muddy, gravelly, bumpy, narrow, snowed over
or icy.
Places where you might get the wheels stuck.
On canal towpaths which are not guarded by
any fence or hedge.
Do not drive at night or if it is raining heavily,
snowing, misty or windy.
Do not drive your vehicle in an ‘S’ pattern or
make erratic turnings.
Do not take the scooter onto escalators.
Under no circumstances should the scooter be
used as a seat in a motor vehicle (e.g. cars,
buses, trains, etc)
Gradients and Drops
Do not drive on roads with large drops or
potholes. Such drops or potholes may cause
damage and/or injury.
Do not cross wide water gutters where there is
a risk of getting the wheels stuck.
Always use a low speed setting when ascending
or descending a gradient.
Do not drive on gradients steeper than those
stated on the diagram below:

Warning
Do not set in freewheel mode when driving on
a gradient.
Always re-engage the anti-freewheel device
before use. Failure to do so may result in
injury.
To protect your safety, the power will
automatically cut off and the electromagnetic
(EM) brake will activate while you are driving
down gradients over 15º. This will limit the
speed to a safe level. Switch the power off and
on again to restart your scooter.
Step and Obstacle Climbing
The scooter is capable of climbing an 80mm (3”)
obstacle from a stationary start or a 100mm (4”)
obstacle from a moving start.
The ground clearance of the scooter is 100mm
(4”).
To climb an obstacle when moving, start moving
at least 50cmm (20”) from the obstacle and
mount the obstacle head on (not at an angle).
However, this method is not recommended as
this may cause damage and/or injury.

Viper Electric Scooter Page 5 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
3. PARTS INTRODUCTION
4. OPERATION
4.1 Control Panel

Viper Electric Scooter Page 6 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
4.2 How To Operate Your Scooter
Key Ignition. The key ignition acts as the power
switch for the scooter. To switch the power on, turn
the key clockwise and control panel should
illuminate. To switch the power off, turn the key
anticlockwise, after which the control panel should
switch off and the key can be removed.
Do not turn the ignition off whilst driving
as this will lead to an emergency stop and
possible risk of damage or injury.
Wigwag Paddle. The scooter is propelled by the
user operating the wigwag paddle at the bottom of
the control panel. To move the scooter forward,
move the right hand side of the paddle towards the
user. To reverse the scooter, move the left hand
side of the lever. The further the paddle moves, the
faster the scooter will travel. To stop the scooter,
release the wigwag paddle and the
electromagnetic brake will apply automatically.
Warning
Do not push both left and right hand
sides of the wigwag simultaneously. You
will not be able to control the scooter.
Braking. The electromagnetic brake will stop the
scooter when the wigwag paddle is released. The
brake is also automatically applied when the
scooter is switched off. In the event of an
emergency, the user can stop the scooter by
operating the hand brake located on the left hand
side of the tiller handlebars.
When on a gradient, never set the vehicle
to freewheel mode. The brakes will not be
applied.
Top Speed Setting. The top speed of the scooter
can be increased by pressing the Hare button, or
reduced by pressing the Tortoise button. The top
speed is displayed on the control panel. The more
segments of the display that are lit, the faster the
scooter will go.
Do not adjust the speed setting whilst
driving as this could result in loss of
control. Do not set the highest speed
whilst driving indoors.
High / Low Speed Setting. When the scooter is
used indoors or in pedestrian environment (such as
on the pavement or in a shopping mall) the Low
speed setting should be engaged. When the scooter
is used on the road, the high speed setting may be
engaged.
To engage the Low Speed Setting, press the bottom
half of the button (marked ‘L’) and this will limit the
scooter’s top speed to 4mph.
To engage the High Speed Setting, press the top
half of the button (marked ‘H’) and this will allow the
scooter to have an 8mph top speed.
Warning
Always engage the Low Speed setting
when travelling indoors or the
pavement. This is a legal requirement.
Horn Button. Press the horn button to sound the
horn, Release the button to stop the horn.
Indicator Buttons. Use the relevant indicators when
making a turn to show your direction of travel. Press
the Right or Left Indicator button once to operate
the relevant indicators. Press the same button
again to stop the indicators.
Lights Button. Press the Lights button once to
switch on the lights. Press the button again to
switch off the lights.
Hazard Warning Button. Press the Hazard Warning
button once to switch on the warning function.
Press the button again to switch off the function.
When operating the Hazard Warning will flash all
of the indicators and sound the horn.
Battery Gauge. The amount of power remaining in
the battery is shown by this gauge. A fully charged
battery will show all the segments of the gauge lit,
and the number of segments lit will reduce as the
power decreases.
If the battery gauge flashes but the scooter will still
drive, then this indicates low battery power and the
batteries should be recharged immediately. If it is
not driving the check flash codes on page 1.

Viper Electric Scooter Page 7 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
Seat.
The seat can rotate 360° and locks in 45° settings. To
rotate, lift up the lever (A) located underneath the
left hand side of the seat and swivel seat. Release
the lever and carry on swiveling the seat until it locks
in position.
You can adjust the amount of legroom on the
scooter by sliding the seat back and forth. To slide
the seat, lift up the seat sliding handle (B). Located
on the right of the seat. Then adjust the seat to
correct position, release the handle and continue
sliding the seat until it locks in position.
To alter the backrest angle, pull up on the seat
recline lever, then adjust the backrest to the
required position and release the lever. Please note
if nobody is using the backrest when the lever is
operated, it will automatically spring the backrest
forward to fold the seat.
Attention.
Return the seat to the forward position
before driving.
Armrest Adjustment.
To adjust the height of the armrest, loosen the
adjustment knob on the side of the armrest by
Turning anticlockwise. Adjust the armrest to the
required height and tighten the adjustment knob by
turning clockwise.
To adjust the angle of the armrest, flip up the
armrest and reposition the jam nut with a spanner to
alter the angle of the armrest.
Tiller Adjustment
The tiller can be adjusted into several positions.
1. Push (or pull) the lever on the scooter tiller
(shown below) to adjust the tiller to the position
you require.
2. Release the lever to lock the tiller.
Circuit Breaker.
The circuit breaker may trip when the scooter is
under excessive load or when travelling on steep
inclines. It will be more prone to tripping when the
scooter is low on battery charge. Under normal
conditions the circuit breaker button will protrude
by 2mm –3mm. If the circuit breaker has tripped the
button will protrude by 7mm. To reset the circuit
breaker, push the button in and the scooter should
operate as normal.
The circuit breaker is located on the left hand side
of the rear of the frame, behind the back bumper.

Viper Electric Scooter Page 8 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
Freewheel Lever
The freewheel levers allows the automatic brake to be
disengaged so the scooter can be manually pushed
and/or manoeuvred. When in freewheel mode the
brakes are not applied so it should not be used when:
1. Somebody is sat on the scooter
2. If the scooter is left unattended
3. When the scooter is on a gradient
Engaged (Drive) Mode:
Pull the lever BACK completely and the scooter can be
driven by the motor.
Freewheel Mode:
Push the lever FORWARDS and switch the scooter off.
The scooter can now be pushed / moved manually.
Warning
The lever should only be set to
FREEWHEEL when on flat ground and
unoccupied by the user. Otherwise, there
is a risk of damage or injury.
.
Using the USB power socket
The scooter features a double USB power socket
which can be used to power or charge numerous
small devices such as satellite navigation systems,
tablet computers and MP3 players for example
The power socket is located in the front of the tiller.
To use facility, first rotate the cover as shown by the
arrow in the photo below. Then insert the USB cable
from the device in to the socket and switch on the
scooter.
Please note the USB sockets only operate when the
scooter is switched on.

Viper Electric Scooter Page 9 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
5. DRIVING ON THE ROAD
Starting and Driving
1. Ensure the seat is installed correctly and in the
forwards position.
2. Ensure the tiller and seat are adjusted for a
comfortable driving position.
3. Fold down the armrests so you can place your
arms on them.
4. Switch the ignition on. If necessary, switch on the
headlights.
5. Check the battery indicator to see if there is
enough power for your trip. If you have any doubt
about the remaining power, please recharge the
batteries before departure.
6. Set the speed dial to a setting you are safe and
comfortable with.
7. Check the wigwag paddle works correctly.
8. Check the electromagnetic brake works correctly.
9. Ensure it is safe around you before you drive on
the street or road. Engage the low speed setting if
you are driving on the pavement or indoors.
Attention
1. Do not push both sides of
the wigwag paddle
simultaneously. This may
leave you unable to control
your scooter, and could
cause damage or injury.
2. Do not switch the ignition
off while driving as this will
lead to an emergency stop
and possible risk of
damage or injury.
3. Do not set to the highest
speed setting whilst driving
indoors.
4. Do not adjust the speed
setting whilst driving. A
sudden change in speed
may cause danger to
yourself and others, and
may cause damage to your
scooter.
5. Do not place magnetic
devices near the scooters
electrical parts as this
could affect the safe
operation of the scooter.
6. Be careful while driving in
heavy traffic or in crowded
areas.
7. Whilst reversing the
vehicle, beware of people
or objects behind you.
When reversing, the
scooter will sound an
audible warning alarm.

Viper Electric Scooter Page 10 of 16 Owner’s Handbook (Code: Viper_IFU)
6. BATTERY CHARGING AND CARE
Follow the procedure below:
1. Switch the ignition off.
2. Connect the charger power cord in to the
mains socket.
3. Open the charging socket cap on the scooter
tiller. Then connect the charger round plug in to
the scooter charging socket located on the left
hand side of the tiller.
4. Switch the charger on at the mains.
5. Both the charger’s red and orange LEDs will be
lit when charging commences. The charging
duration will be around 12 hours. To ensure
optimum performance an 18 hour charge is
recommended. We do not recommend the
scooter be charged for longer than 24 hours.
6. Both the charger’s LEDs will be lit during the
charging process. The orange LED will turn
green when bulk charging is complete after
which the charger trickle charges the batteries.
Trickle charging optimises the batteries and is
necessary to maintain or improve battery
performance.
7. Switch off the charger, disconnect the power
cord and round plug from the charger socket on
the scooter.
ATTENTION
If only a red LED is lit on the charger,
then the scooter is not connected.
If no LEDs are lit on the charger, then
the charger is not connected to the
power or it is defective.
Please only use a charger supplied with
the scooter. You may damage the
battery and / or scooter if you use an
incorrect charger.
Always charge the battery to its full
capacity every time.
Do not charge in temperatures below
–10ºC or above +50ºC as the charger
may not work efficiently and the
batteries may become damaged.
WARNING
Keep away from flammable objects
while charging as it may lead to fire or
battery explosion.
Do not smoke while charging as the
battery may release hydrogen gas.
Always charge the batteries in a well
ventilated environment which is not in
direct sunlight. Do not charge in
surroundings where it is humid, wet or
damp.
Do not handle the charger, scooter or
mains socket with wet hands, as this
could lead to electric shock.
Battery Care
1. You should recharge the batteries after each
time the scooter is used to ensure maximum
battery range. The batteries should be charged
at least once a week even if the scooter is not
used.
2. After charging or replacing a new battery,
drive the scooter for a short period to ensure
battery capacity is sufficient.
3. In cold environments, the battery may respond
more slowly and range will be reduced.
4. When driving on gradients, the battery gauge
will fluctuate. This is a normal occurrence.
5. Battery range is reduced when driving up
gradients or on rough terrain, as the scooter
uses more power.
6. The batteries should not be charged for more
than 24 hours.
7. The batteries are sealed, and so do not need
topping up with water.
8. The batteries should be checked periodically
for cleanliness. Please refer to the section later
in the handbook.
Battery Replacement
It is natural for the battery capacity to reduce with
time, even if the battery is charged as directed above.
When the battery range is about half of its peak
performance we recommend that the batteries are
changed. Continuing to use an old battery will result in
a rapid reduction in the range of the scooter and can
cause excessive wear and tear on other parts of the
scooter. It is recommended that batteries are replaced
in pairs, and that these are fitted by your dealer.