The following Operational and Maintenance tips have been compiled from experience. Some are not covered in the Robot Operating Manual. It is advised that the Operations Manual and these additional tips be shared with all Operators and maintained by the individual on the Team who has agreed to take care of maintenance.

TURNING C0ASTIE ON:

To turn Coastie "on" always turn the remote on first then the main power switch inside the rear hatch.

Reverse the procedure for turning him "off", turn the boat off first and then the remote.

MAIN BATTERY POWER LEVEL:

You may check the battery power level by turning on the battery volt meter indicator switch. On some boats the volt meter is on all the time during operation. Do not use Coastie if the battery level indicator needle is not in the green or falls to 12 volts or below. The boat will start to operate erratically and many features will not function correctly.Coastie can be operated while he is plugged into a 12 volt 10 amp battery charger using his shore power recharging connection.Coastie can operate for 2-3 hours on a single charge and sometimes as long as 4 hours. Always have your back-up batteries charged for quick replacement.

COLD WEATHER OPERATION:

If your Coastie is equipped with a bilge pump please use the special measuring device when filling Coastie's bilge water reservoir. Do Not overfill! Always turn off the water valve after each operation. In cold climates the water will freeze, remember to remove all water before cold weather if your Coastie is stored in a trailer or garage.This also applies to the water squirter system. You may use antifreeze to protect the system. Use only RV antifreeze which is safer if you happen to come in contact with it. Do not use the system during an event or classroom presentation if it is winterized! Disable the system by disconnecting the power source or turning the pump switch to center off position. When placing the unit back in service for warmer weather make sure you flush the system well to remove all traces of RV potable anti freeze.

REMOTE CONTROL BATTERIES:

Batteries should always be recharged after each use. Be very careful when disconnecting batteries from the remote as wires are fragile and can easily break the lead contact at the battery solder point. These breaks can be re-soldered if required. It is better to use the charging unit that plugs into the rear of the remote unless rotating batteries and charging two at one time.The super battery is perfect for long periods of operational time although it is much heavier and adds significant weight to the remote. It can be attached with Velcro to the "bottom" of the remote and lasts up to seven hours. If you install it on the back door of the remote the weight of the battery will pull the door off, therefore use the bottom of the remote.If you have more than one standard battery (yellow) it is advisable to number them 001, 002, for better rotation during charging. These batteries are good for 2-3 hours of operation on a full charge. Charging can take 14-16 hours.

Low batteries cause erratic movement and response in the robot. Always start with fully charged batteries.REMOTE NECK SAFETY STRAP:

The neck strap metal retaining clip has come unsnapped on many occasions. It is advisable that this clip be changed to a type that is more secure. The remote can be severely damaged as the case is plastic and the internal electronics are very fragile if dropped on the floor.The strap connection hardware point on the remote is plastic and has broken on two occasions. It is advisable to be prepared for such an event and keep both hands on the remote. Have at least two replacements in stock. They can be purchased through the local hobby shop or Robotronics.The strap should always be used as it allows for free movement, control and comfort for the operator. It certainly will protect the remote from being damaged when properly upgraded.

RECEIVER HEADSET PHONO JACK:

The headset phono jacks internal connectors have broken on numerous occasions. This is noted by not hearing any voice transmission from the microphone on the bow or intermittent voice when the wires are moved. The wires take a great deal of abuse through movement during normal operation. They are very fragile and can be easily broken although they are easily repaired. This connection should be inspected before each use so the loss of hearing won’t occur during a presentation. Simply unscrew the Jack cover and check the wires for secure attachment at the solder points.

RECEIVER HEADSET AND VOICE TRANSMITTER CASES:

Both these units have weak tabs at the battery connector points and sometimes lose contact. This problem occurs when the batteries are installed and the metal tabs bend inwards creating bad contact with the battery positive and negative terminal points. To eliminate this problem take a small screwdriver and carefully bend the tab out to regain solid contact with the tab and battery.If you have electronic talent you can replace the metal tabs with the 9 volt snap on connectors and never experience this problem again.

BATTERIES FOR RECEIVER AND VOICE TRANSMITTER CASES:

These 9 volt batteries become very expensive if you purchase retail as their life span is short and it is not advisable to use for to long a period of time. You should locate a wholesale source and purchase these batteries in bulk. We purchase from a company called Batteries Plus, a whole sale retail battery chain that has very reasonable prices. The batteries are Duracell Procell, Professional Alkaline Batteries, 72 per case, P.N. PC1604. Their life span is hard to calculate and it is advisable that at any formal event or presentation you start with new batteries. You may want to purchase a Radio Shack Multimeter, Model 22-802 for checking battery power levels when required. This unit is good for all batteries that are used in support of Coastie operations.

ROBOT TOP CABIN SECTION RETAINING PINS:

The top section of the boat is retained by port and starboard, fore and aft retaining pins. These pins, especially in the front, are very difficult to remove and sometimes reinstall. This problem can be eliminated by drilling a small hole in the end of the pull pin and attaching a small nylon lanyard to assist with pulling the pins open, to release the top. When removing the starboard forward pin be very careful not to touch the voice modulator control knobs as this will change Coasties voice.

REMOTE ANTENNA EXTENSION:

The remote antenna does not need to be fully extended and will operate the boat almost fully retracted in close proximity. Remember that the antenna can easily injure someone’s eye and therefore it is much safer to leave retracted unless there is distance between the operator and the boat. It is suggested that you do not exceed 100 feet from the boat for safe operation.

INTERNAL ANTENNA RECEIVER:

The internal antenna "does" need to be fully extended and will cause voice loss and marginal operation. The antenna should be fully extended up between the eyes for better receiving. Take some plastic tubing split it down the length and place it around the metal rod supporting the eyes to eliminate interference. When removing the top always retract the antenna so it does not get damaged. It is suggested that you do not exceed 100 feet from the boat for safe operation.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER:

The Fire extinguisher serves two purpose. One it adds to Coastie’s on board boating safety equipment and it can also serve as a functional Fire Extinguisher if there is an on board electrical fire. The safety seal to denote that the extinguisher has been used should be changed from tape to a plastic type that is more difficult for a child to release, although not a problem for an adult. We have experienced dry chemical powder discharge loss do to child activation.The extinguisher we advise is the KIDDE, Model PKG 200, Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher, Classification 2-BC, Weight 1lb, 1 oz. These are not available any more although they can be found in some Home Depots and Lowes stores. If you can’t locate one you can contact the following company they may have some in stock. This unit is the perfect size for Coastie.

KIDDE Fire Extinguisher Co., 1394 South Third Street, MEBANE, NC 27302-9199(919)563-5911

READ THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL SUPPLIED BY ROBOTRONICS, AS THERE IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ABOUT OPERATION AND CARE.