HobbyZone Zig Zag Racer User manual

©2002 Horizon Hobby, Inc.
HobbyZone products are exclusively distributed by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, IL 61822 www.horizonhobby.com 4548
Zig Zag Racer manual 5/7/02 2:18 PM Page 24

Instruction
Manual
Zig Zag Racer manual 5/7/02 2:18 PM Page 1

2
—the high-performance,
highly maneuverable, self-righting speedboat from
HobbyZone. You'll have hours of fun zipping across
the water, racing with friends and playing Zig Zag
Water Soccer. But before the fun begins, it’s
very important that you read this
manual completely and follow the
directions carefully.That way
you'll be sure your Zig Zag
fun is safe and successful.
NOTE: Please read the "Warnings and Safety" on page 22
and Warranty on page 23 before proceeding to Step 1.
Get ready
to have a BLASTwith your
ZIG ZAG RACER™
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STEP 1. Battery Charging
3
NOTE: For best battery performance,
deplete each charge before recharging.To do
this, run your boat as indicated in Step 8, then
put the boat on the boat stand or hold it
carefully to keep your body and clothing clear
of the prop. Run the motor until the battery
is nearly depleted.Your battery is now ready
to be recharged.
• Plug charger into 110V AC wall outlet.
• Plug battery connector into charger connector.
• Push together completely.
• The battery comes partially charged, so
charge only 11⁄2hours the first time to prevent
overcharging. Subsequent charges should be
3 hours.
• When battery becomes warm, it is fully charged.
Stop charging immediately.
• Please check page 22 for other important
information about charging your battery pack.
Optional
Field
Charger
HobbyZone™offers an optional DC Field Charger
(HBZ1021) that allows you to charge your battery
from the cigarette lighter plug in your car. Charge time
is 45 minutes.
CAUTION: Do not start or run your vehicle
while using the Field Charger to charge batteries.
Additional battery packs are also available. See
page 23 for ordering these items.
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Needed for STEP 2
8 “AA” Alkaline Batteries (not included)
STEP 2. Transmitter
4
• Remove transmitter back cover by
pushing down with thumbs, as indicated
by the arrows.
• Install batteries. Use fresh 1.5V “AA”
alkalines only.
• Watch polarity. Replace cover.
• To test, switch on transmitter—LED should
glow brightly.
• Replace batteries when you hear
low-battery alarm (beeping sound).
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STEP 3. Install Battery
5
IMPORTANT – For the next 3 steps, the
transmitter must be turned on and your
Zig Zag boat placed on the included stand.
• Lift canopy slightly and turn sideways to uncover
battery compartment.
• Attach battery to connector in boat and place
battery in compartment.
• To secure battery, stretch rubber band over the top
of the battery and connect to hook.
• Make sure battery and connectors do not interfere
with movement of wire pushrod.
• Reposition canopy and secure it by fitting canopy
peg into the front alignment cavity in the hull and
inside the five hull alignment posts.
Hull Alignment Posts Rubber Band
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STEP 4. Rudder Test
6
• Move the rudder stick
(right stick on transmitter)
side to side. The rudder should
move as shown in the drawings.
• The small lever under the rudder
stick is called a trim lever and is
used to adjust the "neutral"
point of your control stick.To
do this, place the rudder stick
in neutral (center) position. If
rudder is not aligned straight
ahead, use the rudder trim
lever to center it.
Right Rudder Left Rudder
Bottom of Boat Bottom of Boat
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STEP 5. Motor Test
7
CAUTION: Keep everything
clear of the propeller. A moving
propeller can cause injury.
• The small lever next to the throttle
stick (left stick on transmitter) is called
a throttle trim lever. With your boat on
the stand, transmitter turned on, and
battery installed, make sure the throttle
trim lever is in the center position.
• If motor is running, gradually move the
trim lever down until the motor stops.
• Move throttle stick (left stick on
transmitter) up. Motor speed will
increase as this stick is moved up.
Throttle Stick
Throttle
Trim Lever
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STEP 6. Range Test
8
You'll need two people to do the range test: one to
hold the transmitter and the other to hold the boat.
Remember to keep your body and clothing clear of
the moving prop while holding the boat.
• As one person holds the transmitter, the other
walks 100 paces away with the boat.
• Extend transmitter antenna completely and turn
transmitter on.
• Plug in boat battery and close canopy.
• As the person with the transmitter moves both
control sticks, the person with the boat watches to
be sure the boat’s motor and rudder operate
properly.
If boat does not range test correctly, do not run it
in water. Call Horizon Hobby Product Support
staff toll-free at 1-877-504-0233 for directions on
how to proceed.
Zig Zag Racer manual 5/7/02 2:18 PM Page 8

STEP 7. Choosing your location
9
CAUTION: Parents, do not allow young
children to go the lake or pool unsuper-
vised. Be safe and stay away from steep
grades near shorelines where you or those
with you could slip and fall into the water.
• Choose a location that is not being used by
swimmers when you are running your boat.
• If you choose a lake, be sure there is no moss,
grass, weeds or debris present that could get
wrapped around the propeller or trap your boat
offshore.
• Make sure the shoreline is clear and relatively flat
so you can easily launch, operate and retrieve
your boat.
DO NOT mix radio control
boating and swimming.
DO NOT swim to retrieve
your boat.
Do not operate your boat near
moss, grass, weeds, brush, etc.
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