CHARGING THE BATTERIES
Before charging make sure the ignition switch is in the
“
OFF
”
position and the key is out of the ignition. It is best to charge the Xebra
overnight.
1. Plug the charger into a 110 volt wall outlet. Any outlet to be used for charging needs to be rated at a minimum of 20 amps and needts
to be a dedicated circuit to charging the Xebra.
2. It can take approximately an hour to refresh your Xebra to a point where you can drive it for another three to four miles. Optimal
charge is achieved after eight hours (longer for extended range batteries). The charging system will stop the flow of current when
charging is complete.
3. When unplugging the power cord from the Xebra, don't forcefully pull the cord from the charger jack. Use caution to keep the
contacts intact over time
4. Store and charge your Xebra at temperatures between 50 deg. F (10 deg. C) and 100 deg. F (38 deg. C). See CONDITIONING THE
BATTERIES for important information on freezing conditions.
5. Keep your batteries charged. Batteries stored for long periods of time will self-discharge. The higher the temperature, the greater
the rate of self-discharge.
6. Keep the terminals on the batteries, contactors, motor controller and motor CLEAN AND TIGHT! Loose or dirty wires and
connectors can lead to unnecessary battery drain or diminished performance from your vehicle.
7. Recharge your batteries when you have discharged a maximum of 50% as described in the CONDITIONING THE BATTERIES
section for optimal performance. Greater depth of discharge on a continual basis will diminish the overall life of the battery. Unlike
other rechargeable batteries, it is not possible to damage the batteries by charging them frequently.
8. Recharge your batteries at least once every 30 days.
Hint: Using a cord with a lighted plug end will let you see immediately if there is power to the outlet you are using. Make sure you have
the proper gauge cord for the distance from the outlet, as discussed above.
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Owner
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ZAP ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE OR LOSS OF RESOURCES IN CONJUNCTION WITH
IRRESPONSIBLE CHARGING PRACTICES.
As noted in the Instrument Panel section, periodic checks of the battery voltage with a digital meter are recommended. To manually
check voltage, first turn the heater on for 2 to 3 minutes (to remove surface charge). Leave heater on. Place a lead on each terminal of
the first battery. Record the reading. It should be 12.6V or higher. Repeat for all six batteries.
Avoid shorting terminals
together with tools or your body!! Add the six readings together and compare with analog meter reading. Alternately, make one reading
across the entire pack by placing one lead of your meter on the beginning and one lead on the end of the string. This requires long
leads for the sedan. The digital meter will give you a very accurate reading, whereas the dashboard meter is a relative measurement to
aid you while driving. Another, perhaps more accurate way to determine the state of the batteries and charger function is to buy a Kill-
A-Watt hour meter. It will record how much energy is going into the batteries during charging. A fully discharged pack should take
4.75kWh or higher.
The ZAP warehouse in Santa Rosa, California will accept old battery packs. Or you can drop them off at your local hazardous waste
disposal facility, most Interstate Battery distributors or any other battery recycler (see Recycling Batteries).
The main limitation of any electric vehicle (EV) is its limited range between charges. The duration of an average charge, at an even
speed of 30 mph on level terrain, will yield approximately 20 miles of travel on one charge. Lower speeds will yield more miles, higher
speeds less miles per charge. Factors such as prolonged high speed, excessive stop and go traffic, inclined or uneven roads and
weight will play a role in the distance you can drive. However, if you're like most Americans and your household owns more than one
car, then at least one of these cars probably doesn't go more than 30 miles in any given day, which is within the range of your Xebra.
Note: If you plug in twice a day you can double your daily range!
. If your level drops below 60V while
you are driving at a steady speed, you will not be able to operate the vehicle. If you find you are low on power, stop at a location where
you can plug in your Xebra. In the event of an outage, we ask that you are responsible with your charging methods. The use of
business power outlets without express permission is prohibited. Please be aware of your charging location. Look for public charging
locations. Allowing the batteries to rest for 30 minutes may give you a mile or two more.
CHECKING BATTERY VOLTAGE
EXTENDING THE RANGE
USE CAUTION!!
Stay aware of the voltage meter
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Owner
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