FAQ's - Technical help

Please find below some items that may help you resolve some common issues you have with your Toylander; 

• Batteries - if your Toylander has been left in a shed over winter or unused for a long time and the batteries are low, especially if you have 2 batteries, then some things you can try to bring them back to life;  (take precautions when working on batteries, wear goggles and avoid metal tools bridging terminals);

• • Check batteries are healthy and holding charge (check with voltage meter and record voltage over a few days to see if they hold charge or drop voltage).
  • Separate two batteries from each other – disconnect the small joining cable which joins the 2 batteries. (just undo one of the bolts) then charge each battery individually on 12v setting until charged – use the crocodile clips supplied with the charger. Then reconnect and charge on 24v again. Do not leave batteries charging overnight or unattended for long periods, check regularly. If the battery gets hot or you can hear bubbling then stop charging and replace the battery(s) with new ones.
  • Make sure the charger is on 12v setting when you are charging one battery, and on 24v setting when they are joined together again. Please check the charger manual if you still have it. 
  • If this does not work, then the batteries are probably dead and you’ll need new ones. 
•  Speed controller issues - if your Toylander is driving slowly or only in one direction this could be due to low battery voltage OR it could be an issue with an older type speed controller (silver box 'Parkside' make). To check if it is the speed controller, try some tests first;
  • Raise the vehicle off the ground and wire a 12v battery directly to 12v motor terminals (keeping hands and tools well clear of motor shaft, chain and wheel) to see if the motors run smoothly independently of the speed controller.
  • check all wiring behind the dashboard and wiring to the throttle pedal for any loose connections.
  • Overheating of speed controller - if you have a 4QD controller it must be fixed to the vehicle so that airflow can get under the base of the controller to allow heat to escape. Screw the controller to wooden blocks then to the vehicle to create a gap, or mount on one of aluminium controller support brackets.  Please also see https://www.4qd.co.uk/docs/dno-fault-finding-guide/ 

• Tyre pressures - Toylander tyres can look inflated as they don't carry much weight, but they need to be inflated to around 30-40 p.s.i for better driving and less drain on batteries.
• Brakes - if you have manual brakes with rubber brake pads and the brakes are not affective any longer then;
  • loosen jubilee clips that hold the rubber brake materials onto the brake hanger bar, then using long nose pliers or monkey wrench, rotate the rubber on the tube so a new thicker part of the rubber presents itself to the inside of the wheel rim. This will provide better braking.
  • adjust the 10mm bolt under the vehicle to adjust the angle of the brake hanger and therefore how close the rubber pads are to the inside of the wheel rim. wind the bolt in to move the brake pads closer to the wheels rims and improve braking.