AC AIR Technology 95474 Remote Control Compact Aircraft Tugs Instruction Manual

AC AIR Technology 95474 Remote Control Compact Aircraft Tugs Instruction Manual

Components

Components in the Box

• Tug
  

• Radio Transmitter
  

• Battery Tray

• Radio Charger
  

• Tug Charger

• Owners Manual
  

• Spare Parts Bag

Tug Components

Spare Parts

• Spare Track Parts
  

• Track Install Tools

• Fuses

• 2 Amp Light Fuse

• 5 Amp Circuit Board Fuse

Track Tools

The track tools are used to assist in the installation of new tracks.

This section is intended to show how the tools are used only. A detailed instruction guide is provided when purchasing new tracks. Refer to that instruction guide when installing new tracks.

When the retainer clip is properly installed into the track pin groove is should rotate freely inside of the groove.

The Track Pin Tools are used to assist in the installation of new tracks when the they are too tight making it diffi cult to align the pin holes.

Insert the track pin tools on the inside and outside adjacent pins to the missing pin hole. You will need to hold these in place by hand.

On-Board Parts Box

The On-Board Parts Box contains spare track links, clips, and tools to quickly replace or repair tracks. These components are located on-board the tug, underneath the electronics cover

Start Up Guide

Remote Control Operation

Note:

The 3 Speed Toggle ranges from fast, to moderate, to slow. When operating the tug at slow speed it may be necessary to switch to the moderate or fast speed mode on the toggle when turning. Factors such as terrain and incline may aff ect the maneuverability of the tug. Adjust speed modes at your discretion.

1. Switch the remote control ON. The power indicator light turns on and the remote control beeps once. If this does not happen, check the remote control battery connection for proper installation. When the battery level is low, the remote control will begin to beep repeatedly, signaling to replace or recharge the batteries.
2. To drive the tug, move the control stick in the desired direction.
   
   

Warning: The control stick on the remote controller is very sensitive and will cause the tug to move if it is moved accidentally. Turn OFF the remote controller when not in use.

Note: If the remote controller is not used for a few minutes it will start beeping as a indicator that it is still in the ON position. This is not an indicator of a low battery.

Operating the Tug

1. Before turning on the tug, make sure the tracks and bottom of the tug are free from obstruction.

2. Turn the tug on using the ON/OFF switch. There will be a short series of beeps and then the ON/OFF switch will illuminate red to show the tug is on. The ON/OFF switch light will be on solid when the battery is fully charged. When the tug battery is low the ON/OFF switch light will blink and there will also be a beeping sound.
   

3. Turn on the power switch on the radio controller. The power indicator LED will illuminate green/blue in color. It is recommended you practice maneuvering the tug prior It is recommended you practice maneuvering the tug prior to loading the plane. o loading the plane.

4. It is recommended to use the radio in fast speed mode. Moderate and Slow speed mode should be used when maneuvering in tight quarters as it reduces the tugs power output.

5. When towing your airplane ALWAYS be cautious of the steering angle limitations of your aircraft. Do not over steer your aircraft with the tug. This can cause damage to your gear.

6. After lifting the tug off of the ground for any reason or taking it in and out of your aircraft, you must check the sprockets for proper seating along the tracks. If the sprocket is not properly seated it could result in damage to the track.
   

7. Visually check tracks for wear on the treads and wear on the inner plastic surfaces.
   Also inspect for damaged or missing retainer clips as a result of driving over small rocks. Damaged treads should be replaced before operating the tug.

Adjusting the Wheel Cradle

1. Use the cradle release lever to unlatch the cradle and position the wheel cradle in the (down) loading position.
   

2. Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires of the plane to ensure the plane does not roll back.

3. Drive the tug under the wheel of the plane until the wheel cradle locks in the upright position. Apply pressure to the back gate to ensure the the latch is fully engaged. IF YOUR TIRE DOES NOT FIT REMOVE THE “CRADLE ADJUSTER” SEE STEP 5 FOR REMOVAL

4. Once the cradle is in the up position, move the tug so that the wheel is just touching the front roller.
   

5. Remove the cradle adjuster by holding one end in place and turning the other end, removing one of the the adjuster knobs. Pull the adjuster rod out from the adjuster roller.
   

6. Move the cradle adjuster to an adjustment hole near the tire, taking up the space inside the cradle. You do not want the tire to be too tight in the cradle. Leave space between the tire and the cradle adjuster for tire size variations.
   

7. Release the latch using the remote controller and move the tug out from under the plane. Drive the tug back under the tire to check that the wheel cradle is set up correctly and to ensure the cradle is latching securely. When releasing the wheel cradle, the tire should be against the back gate (or cradle adjuster). If not, the latch may not release properly.
   
   

Adjusting the Tire Guide Spacers

1. If the tire guide spacers are in the widest position and your tire does not fi t or it is too close of a fi t remove the tire guide spacers and adjustment pins.
   

2. Adjust the tire guide spacers by removing the adjustment pin and sliding the spacers towards each other. Ideally the tire guide spacers should be moved the same distance on each side to keep your tire centered in the cradle. The distance between the tire guide spacers should equal the width of your tire plus one inch maximum.
   

3. Align each tire guide spacer to the nearest hole in the adjustment pin block. Insert the adjustment pin in the nearest hole position to secure in place. Adjusting the spacers correctly will prevent the tire from turning inside the cradle.

Adjusting Track Tension

Track tension may need to be adjusted after several hours of use. Follow the instructions below for each track.

1. Remove 4 track cover screws and remove the outside plastic track cover.
   

2. Loosen 4 front end retainer screws with anallen wrench. Insert a flathead screw driver into the access slot and push the screw driver towards the tug to leverage the front end of the rail, tightening the track. While holding the screw driver in the desired position tighten the front end retainer screws. IF THE FRONT END OF THE RAIL IS FULLY EXTENDED AND THE TRACKS ARE LOOSE SEE STEPS 2B BELOW. If track tension is successful move on to step 3.
   

2B. Adjusting Track Tension on a Fully Extended Front End

The tug spare parts kit provided with the tug will be required.

2B-1. Verify the front end is fully extended by inspecting the indicator line located next to the front end retainer screws. The indicator line will line up with the edge of the tug main plate once the front end is full extended.

2B-2. Remove 3 cover screws and remove the inside track cover.

2B-3. Loosen 4 front end retainer screws with an allen wrench and push the front end of the the track to relieve track tension. Temporarily re- tighten the front end retainer screws in the retracted state.

2B-4. Remove 2 adjacent Rotoclips from the front end of the tug. Remove 2 track pins with the Rotorclips on the opposite end intact and 2 track links.

Tip: Tap the end of the track pin using a hammer to drive the pin through the Rotoclip.
The Rotoclip will not be reusable after removal.

2B-5. Remove one  and align the ends of the track.

2B-6. Overlap the Track Links on each side of the track and insert the track pin and rotoclip as shown below.

2B-7. Inspect the track pin and Rototclips. The Rotoclips should rotate freely inside the pin groove. Reinstall the Inside Plastic Track Cover. Section 2B is complete, proceed to step 2 for adjusting track tension.

There should be about a 1/2” of play at the center of the track.

Reinstall the plastic track covers.

Repeat steps for the other track.

Loading the Aircraft Wheel

1. Turn the tug power ON and the radio power ON.

2. Use the latch release switch on the remote controller to lower the wheel cradle.

3. Drive the tug positioning it just in front of the wheel. Some tail draggers can be approached from the front or the back depending on the wheel confi guration

4. Drive the tug under the wheel at a moderate speed, no need to get a running start.

5. The wheel will roll up onto the tug and will push the back gate of the cradle to the latched position.
   Note: It may be necessary to apply a little pressure with your foot to the top of the electronics cover to get the wheel started onto the tug.

6. Drive the tug in the forward or backward direction to maneuver the airplane to its desired location. Be cautious of the steering angle limitations of your aircraft. Do not over steer your aircraft with the tug. This can cause damage to your gear.

7. The circuit breaker reset buttons will trip if the tug is overloaded. This will cause the tug to be unresponsive to the remote controller. To reset the circuit breaker open the electronics cover and locate a two white or black button on the circuit board. See image below. Press it down to reset the circuit breaker.

Critical Note:

If the circuit breaker buttons pop up after being reset, the tug is being overstressed and could cause damage to the circuit board. Address any mechanical issues such as a seized sprocket or missing track retainer clips or any driving conditions such as driving up a steep incline or towing above the tugs capacity that could be causing the tug to overstress. If the issue persists call or e-mail AC Air Technology tech support for further assistance.

Unloading the Aircraft Wheel

1. Turn the tug power ON and the remote control power ON if not already on.

2. Push the tug slightly forward so the airplane tire puts pressure on the back gate of the cradle.
   The back gate is the gate that is closest to the latch mechanism.

3. While holding a slight pressure on the back gate release the latch by holding the latch release button on the radio.

4. While still holding the latch release button move the tug away from the tire.

5. The front gate should go down and the airplane tire will roll out of the cradle.

Charging the Tug

1. Before charging your tug, the remote controller and tug should both be turned OFF.
   Normal charger indicator lights:

   • Red …………………Charging
   • Solid Green …………Fully Charged
   • Flashing Green ………No Longer Charging

2. Leave the tug charging when it is not in use. The charger is equipped with “smart” charging technology, preventing the battery from overcharging. Keeping the tug on its charger this will prolong the life of the battery.

Charging the Remote Control

WARNING: Only use the supplied charger to charge the controller when using the supplied batteries or the following:

– 1200mAh to 2200 mAh Ni-MH or Ni-Cd ‘AA’ Rechargeable Batteries

Using the remote control charger with alkaline batteries installed can damage the controller. Do not use the charger if alkaline batteries are installed in the controller.

1. Plug the transmitter charger into a 110v AC wall socket.
2. Plug the connector from the charger into the charging jack on the transmitter. The charging indicator LED, located on the side of the transmitter, will illuminate green indicating the charger is charging. Once the transmitter is fully charged the charging indicator LED will turn off .
3. The charging rate of the charger is 150mAh. When using the 1200mAh batteries that are supplied, the radio requires an 8 hour charge when fully discharged (1200/150=8). If using 2200mAh batteries, it will take approximately 15 hours to charge (2200/150=14.6).

It is recommended to leave the remote controller charging when not in use.

Replacing the Remote Control Batteries

1. Before changing the remote control batteries, the remote controller and tug should be turned OFF.
2. Remove 2 screws on the back cover of the remote controller then remove the back cover.
   

The transmitter batteries are set up like A or B shown bel ow:

A. A shrink wrapped battery pack

3A. Disconnect the shink wrapped battery pack and remove the battery.
4A. Replace the batteries by purchasing a new shrink wrapped battery pack from AC Air Technology or installing the supplied battery tray and purchasing 6 rechargable ‘AA’
Lithium Ion batteries. Refer to section 2-9 in the owners manual
5A. Reconnect the battery to the transmitter circuit board.
6A. Re-install back cover and screws.

B. A battery tray with 6 rechargable ‘AA’ Lithium Ion batteries

3B. Remove the 6 batteries and replace with new rechargble ‘AA’ Lithium Ion batteries. Refer to section 2-9 in the owners manual.

Note: A shrink wrapped battery pack can be purchused from AC Air Techology to replace the installed battery tray. To use a shrink wrapped battery pack:

1. Disconnect the battery tray from the transmitter circuit board.
2. Connect the new shrink wrapped battery pack to the circuit board.

4B. Re-install back cover and screws.

Battery Tray
Located inside remoted control box

Troubleshooting

The troubleshooting guide is divided into three sections: Tug, Remote Controller, Wheel Cradle. Refer to the images and descriptions below as they are mentioned throughout the text.

• Radio Receiver
  

• Servo

• Latch Mechanism
  

• Speed Control
  

Tug

Cause| Action| Detail
Tug is ON| No action requited| Tug wit beep when Mihaly turned on
Battery voltage is getting low| Charge tug battery| Tug charger indicator tight will diuminate red when charging and green when fully charged. Tug MI beep when the battery voltage below 28 volts (Power button lashing lea H es recommended to keep the tug and remote controller charging when not in use.
Tug is momentarily overloaded| Turne tug ewe’ button thOFF then ON again to| Sleep inctines. !timing the tug underneath the  wheel without any forward,backward motion. arid sudden slops can cause the tug to signal a momentary overload
reset the PC Board.
Battery voltage is below operable voltage| Charge tug batteryorReplace battery 4 e does not hold a chargeWIT a voltmeter. dwelt tug charger output voltage for 29a volts Replace charger it I does notoutput the coned voltage| Tug power button light will tank red.Tug charger indicator fight wil MultiMate red when charging and green when fully charged.It is recommended to keep the tug and remote controler charging when not in use
Charger has tailed| Replace tug charger| Tug charger indicator NM viii Muminate red when charging and green when fully charged
Battery is not plugged Into the PC Board| Turn aft the remote controller and tug Openthe magnetic tug cover and sag the mien/ In_wthe PC board. Ensure theconnection is fay engaged| shipping the battery connection can
become loose or disengage from the PC board
Battery voltage is below operable voltageor| Charge tug batteryReplace battery it it does no hold a chargeVOth a vottmeter. check tug charger output voltage for 29 4 volts Replace charger if 1 does notoutput the coned voltage| Tug Charger indicator light will illuminate red when charging and green when fully chargedIt is recommended to keep the tug and remote control& charging when not in use
Battery is low on remote controller or tug| Charge the battery on remote contract or lug| Tug charger indicator tight mil illuminate red when charging and green when tilt/ chargedRemote controller charging inchoate’ tight located on the side of Me remote, will inmate green when charging and fight will turn of then fully charged.It is recommended to keep the tug and remote controler charging when not in use
Tug is overloaded| Reset the circuitWeakens) Turn of the remote controler and toe| Steep inctines. towing above the tugs capacey. and sudden stops can cause the tug to activate the circuit treaker.
| Tug Is overloaded (continued)| Open the magnetic lug cover and locate thecircuit breaker(s) ori the PC board. Press the button(s) down to deactivate the circtit breaker (It it is active you will feel some resistance from the button) See the whoa note In the ‘Details” Section| CRITICAL NOTE If the circuit breaker continues to activate after berg reset the tug is being overstressed and could cause damage to the Cif OW board. Address any mechanical issues such as a seized sprocket or missing track retainer ups or any driving conditions such as driving up a sleep incline or towing above the tugs capacity that could cause the tug to overstress if the issue persists. call or email ACM Technology tech support for further assistance
Remote consoler and receiver are not bintino| Rebind remote controller and receiver.| Cat or emal tech support for further assistance
One track
turns but the
other track| does  not Speed controls are net plugged into radio receivercorrectly| Turn on Me radiocontroller and tug Open the magnetic tug cover Visually inspect the wire from the speed control to the receiver on the PC board for any damage if there is damage, replace the speed controlsVenty that the wires from the speed controls are connected to slot numbers I and 2 on the receiver Ensure the connections are flit engaged| If- there is damage to the speed controls, the PC board may need to be replaced. Cal tech support for further assistance
Gearbox failure| Open the tug cover and Sealy inspect the motors for any obstruction. With the radar on carefullyclear any obstruction.With the cover open. radioon, visually check tithe rackets) are turning. If the notate) are turning but the track is not. the gearbox needs repair| or email tech support for further assistance
Tug operating
sluggish/ ‘ow
power| Tug is being operated on
LOW or MEDIUM Speed| Smith Wee(‘ setbng en remote controkr to HIspeed (Rabbit Icon)| HI speed mode tanks the tug’s full power II is recommended to use the tug in HI speed mode when operating outside. in an open area. LOW and MEDIUM speed modes are helpful when operating in small quarters for precise posibonirg

Rads Calmar

Symptom| Cause| Action| Detail
Remote
controller is
teecm9| Battery is low| Charge remote contra ctorreplace remote ceetreler batteries| See owners manual season ‘Replacing Transmitter Batteries’ for detailIt is recommended to keep the tug and remote controler charging vMen not in use
Remote
controller
does not turn
ON| Battery voltage is below operable voltage| Charge remote contra ctorreplace remote el:mime& batteries| See owner’s manual section ‘ReplaCing Transmitter Batteries’ for detailsIto recommended to keep the tug and remote controller charging Moen not in use
Remote controller indicates a full charge soon after rt is plugged into the charger| Charger has failed| Replace remote controller charger| The remote controller LEO on the left side of the controller. just above the charging port. will illuminate green to indicated is chargng The green volt turn OFF once it is fully charged
Wheel Credo
Symptom| Cause| Action| Detail
Unable to
release the
cradle| Not enough erasure on
the wheel cradle back
gate| Apply pressure with the tug and remote controller onto the back gate to relieve pressure on thelatch mechanrun| If pressure is applied to the loading end of the
cradle away from the latch mechanism it will
cause the latCh to bind and not release
Servo es not reined In| Turn off the remote
controller and tug. Open
die magnetic tug cover.
The servo is located next
to latch mechanism, follow
the wire to the radio
receiver, located on the
PC Board, and verify d is
connected to slot number
6 on the radio receiver.
Ensure the connection is
fully enciacted|
Sena fain| Visually inspect the servo
located next to the latch
mechanism. Press the
release button on the
remote control, if no sound
or motion is coming from
the seivo the servo needs
to be replaced|
l a!Ch is oouna| Visually inspect the latch
mechanism. Press the
release button on the
remote controller. If the
cam. located on the servo
next to the latch
mechanism, turns but the
latch does not disengage.
sente or replace latch
assembly.|

Warranty

LIMITED WARRANTY
Your new AC Air Technology Tug is warranted to the original purchaser (only) for one full year from the date of purchase to be free from factory defects in material and workmanship. During this 12-month period, AC Air Technology will repair or replace, at our discretion, the defective component determined by AC Air Technology to be defective.

This warranty does not apply to damage or defect resulting from mis-use, improper application, commercial use, or attempted repair by “non-AC Air Technology” service staff . The warranty does not cover shipping or handling cost or any incidental or consequential damage. Batteries and tracks are not covered by warranty

DAMAGE LIMITS
AC Air Technology shall not be liable for any damage, indirect or consequential, loss of profi ts or commercial or production loss, or other special loss or damage in any way connected with this product regardless whether such claim is based on warranty, in contract, negligence, or strict liability. In no event shall the liability of AC Air Technology exceed the individual price of the product on which liability is asserted. AC Air Technology has no control of the set up, application, use, modifi cation, or misuse of this product, thus no liability shall be assumed or accepted for any resulting damage or injury. By the fi rst act of use, set up or assembly, the user in using the product accepts all resulting liability. Failure to operate this product in a safe and responsible manner can result in damage or injury, both to the user as well as to others, the product, or property. This product is not a toy and is NOT intended to be used by children with out adult supervision. It is essential to read the entire manual and warranty/liability information prior to fi rst use/application/installation of this product to operate correctly and avoid damage/ injury,

In cases where the purchaser or user are not prepared to accept liability associated with the use of this product, the user or purchaser is advised to return the unused product immediately in unused condition to the place of purchase.

RETURN PROCEDURE
When sending equipment in for requested warranty service, please include a note describing the problems/concerns with the equipment. You must include your name, address, telephone number and email for prompt service. To request warranty service, a copy of your original sales receipt must be included. Warranty is approved and preformed at the discretion of AC Air
Technology service department. You are required to pay all postage, shipping and insurance charges.

RETURN POLICY
Products can be returned within 10 days of delivery for a full refund if the product is in new condition and shipped with all the original packing and accessories. Any shipping cost associated with product delivery and/or return will not be refunded. A return authorization must be requested from AC Air Technology before any products can be returned.

For technical support call or email

AC Air Technology
855-884-7222
info@acairtechnology.com

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