HobbyZone® products are distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 ©2007 Horizon Hobby, Inc.
I n struction Manual
Get ready to have a BLAST with your ZIG ZAG RACER 3™ —the high-performance, highly maneuverable, selfrighting 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.
Crash damage is not covered under the warranty. Be sure to read the warranty on page 26 and "Warnings and Safety" on page 24 before you proceed to Step 1.
Step 1 Transmitter Needed for Step 1 "AA" Heavy-Duty Batteries (x8 included) 1. Remove transmitter bottom cover by pushing down with thumbs, as indicated by the arrows. 2. Install batteries. Use fresh 1.5V “AA” batteries only. 3. Watch polarity. Replace cover. 4. To test, switch on transmitter—LED should glow brightly. 5. Replace batteries when you hear lowbattery alarm (beeping sound).
Step 2 Install Battery IMPORTANT – Prior to installing battery, the transmitter must be turned on and your Zig Zag boat placed on the included stand. 1. Lift canopy slightly and turn sideways to uncover battery compartment. 2. Attach battery to connector in boat and place battery in compartment. 3. To secure battery, stretch rubber band over the top of the battery and connect to hook. 4. Make sure battery and connectors do not interfere with movement of wire pushrod. 5.
Step 3 Motor Test and Battery Discharging CAUTION: Keep everything clear of the propeller. A moving propeller can cause injury. 1. The buttons below the power switch and labeled as "TH. Trim" are the digital throttle trim buttons. With your boat on the stand, turn on the transmitter and install the battery. 2. If motor is running, make sure the throttle trigger is centered at neutral and press the "-" throttle trim button until the motor stops. 3. Pull the throttle trigger back.
Note: Never charge a hot battery or a battery that is already charged. Always discharge before every charge. See Step 3 for instructions on discharging. Step 4 Charging the Zig Zag Battery See "Warnings and Safety" on page 24. The charger supplied with the Zig Zag Racer 3™, the HobbyZone® variable rate DC peak charger, uses unique peak detection circuitry that ensures an accurate charge every time and protects your Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries from the dangers of over-charging.
Step 5 Rudder Test Back of Boat Right Rudder Back of Boat Left Rudder Move the steering wheel side to side. The rudder should move as shown in the drawings. NOTE: The small buttons labelled as "ST. Trim" under the power switch are the digital steering buttons and are used to adjust the "neutral" point of your steering wheel. To do this, leave the steering wheel in the center position. If rudder is not aligned straight ahead, use the digital rudder trim buttons to center it.
CAUTION: Parents, do not allow young children to go the lake or pool unsupervised. Be safe and stay away from steep grades near shorelines where you or those with you could slip and fall into the water. Step 6 Choosing Your Location Do not operate your boat near moss, grass, weeds, brush, etc. 1. Choose a location that is not being used by swimmers when you are running your boat. 2.
Step 7 Choosing a Location You will need two people to do the range test: one to hold the transmitter and one to hold the Zig Zag Racer 3™. 1. One person holds the transmitter; the other person walks 100 paces away with the boat. 2. Extend the transmitter antenna completely and turn the transmitter on. 3. Plug in the battery and close the hatch cover. 4.
Before launching, make sure no one in the area is operating another radio control vehicle on the same frequency. Your frequency is marked on the back of your transmitter and under the boat canopy. Step 8 Launching and Running 1. To launch your Zig Zag Racer 3™, turn transmitter on, install charged battery and place and release the boat in the water. 2. Advance the throttle partially so boat moves slowly. Move the steering wheel to the right to turn the boat to the right.
Step 8 Launching and Running (continued) • Your Zig Zag Racer 3™ has no reverse. Be sure to plan ahead while driving so you don’t get your boat stuck in a dead end. • Running time with a fully charged battery will be approximately 10–15 minutes, depending on your driving speed. • If you choose to run your Zig Zag Racer 3 in a pool with a liner, we recommend placing waterproof tape on the nose of your Zig Zag Racer 3.
• After launching your boat, check to see that it is running straight. • If your Zig Zag Racer 3™ always turns to the right when the steering wheel is at neutral (centered), press the "L" digital trim button until it drives straight. See drawing #1. • If the boat always turns to the left when the steering wheel is at neutral, press the "R" digital trim button until it drives straight. See drawing #2.
Step 2 RACING AND GAMES WITH THE ZIG ZAG The Zig Zag Racer 3™ is available on six different frequencies (channels). This means that up to six people can race at the same time. Racecourse Setup You can use the orange buoys that come with your Zig Zag Racer 3 to set up a racecourse. 1. Attach butterfly-shaped steel anchor to orange ball by first removing the tape that holds the fishing line in place. 2. Push the white plastic plug firmly into the hole in the ball. 3.
1. After you've set up your course, drivers launch their boats and then stand in a line on the shore a minimum of 6 feet apart. Do not walk between a driver and his boat or you may cause radio interference. 2. To start, boats should be launched and lined up together near the racecourse (see drawing A), ready for the starter's "Go!" 1 2 3 4 5 6 3. Another way to start is for each driver to hold his or her boat at water’s edge. At "Go,” drivers release boats and head for the first buoy (see drawing B).
Step 2 Zig Zag Water Soccer Setup When you can consistently maneuver your Zig Zag Racer 3™ at both low and high speeds, you can add to your racing fun by playing Zig Zag Water Soccer. Here’s how you set up your boat and "playing field." 1. Attach bumper to front of boat using the three screws provided. Secure the screws but do not over-tighten. 2. To set up your playing field, place two buoys (with anchor attached) in water approximately 50 feet apart to mark the two goal lines.
Team #1 Drivers 4 5 6 Goal line marker buoy 2 3 50 feet Orange ball 1 • Game begins by tossing the third orange ball (w/o anchor) into the middle of the "playing field." • Each team tries to score by using their bumper to push the ball past the goal line. • To make the game more challenging, the bumpers have been designed so the ball pops loose when you exceed 4–5 mph.
Step 12 Retrieving Buoys The bumper provided for Water Soccer can also be used to retrieve the orange buoys. Remember—do not swim to retrieve the buoys. 1. Attach bumper to front of boat using the three screws provided. Secure the screws but do not over-tighten. 2. Re-launch your Zig Zag and steer it to catch a buoy in the bumper. 3. Carefully pull the buoy towards shore. The anchor will create some drag that will slow your speed and hamper maneuverability. CAUTION: Do not swim to retrieve the buoys.
Maintaining the Zig Zag Racer 3 • The Zig Zag Racer 3™ is designed to be self-righting if it is tipped over during racing or while playing water soccer, as long as the canopy is fitted properly to the hull. If the canopy is knocked out of place, immediately drive to shore, empty any water from the boat and put the canopy back into place. • Be careful not to hit other boats or objects broadside at full throttle with the nose of your Zig Zag or you can damage the canopy.
Propeller/Shaft Replacement If you damage the propeller, you may need to purchase a replacement propeller/propeller shaft. Follow these steps to replace the propeller. Adult supervision is recommended. 20 Note: The motor is secured to the hull with aggressive servo tape, so it may take a small amount of force, as well as prying with a screwdriver, to free the motor. 8. When the motor is free, pull the motor 1.
Propeller/Shaft Replacement (continued) Follow these steps to replace the prop/prop shaft: 1. Remove prop/prop shaft from cap by unscrewing it. 2. Slide propeller and shaft out of drive tube. 3. Locate the new prop/prop shaft. 4. Slide the new prop/prop shaft into the boat. 5. Thread the prop/prop shaft into the threaded cap. It may be necessary to use small pliers to hold cap while shaft is being tightened. 6. Slide rubber coupler back onto motor cap. 7.
Troubleshooting Guide PROBLEM 22 POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION Unit doesn’t operate. 1. Transmitter “AA” batteries are depleted or installed incorrectly. 2. The connector inside the boat may not be fully plugged in to the battery. 3. The battery is not charged. 4. The radio electronics are wet. 1. Check that the batteries are installed as per the illustration inside the transmitter bottom (see page 5). Replace the batteries with new fresh “AA”s.
Troubleshooting Guide (continued) PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION The boat goes much slower than normal 1. The battery isn’t charged. 2. Weeds, moss, or trash may be caught on the prop or rudder. 3. The motor or battery is old and wearing out. 4. Water has entered the hull. 1. Fully charge the battery per the instructions (see page 4). 2. Take the boat out of the water. Unplug the battery inside the boat to make sure the prop is not running. Remove the item from the prop or rudder. 3.
Warnings and Safety 24 1. Read and follow this manual completely, observing all instructions, Warnings, Notes, Cautions, and safety directions; otherwise serious injury and damage can occur. Think: Safety First. 2. Keep propeller away from body parts, even when it isn’t spinning, as you or someone else might turn the boat on by accident. Beware of hair becoming entangled in the propeller, especially when launching the Zig Zag Racer 3™, or injury may occur. 3. NEVER SWIM to retrieve your boat or buoys.
Replacement Parts and Optional Parts Item Description Suggested Retail HBZ1012 HBZ1026 HBZ3315 HBZ3317 HBZ3319 HBZ3323 HBZ3324 HBZ3325 HBZ3327 HBZ3728 HBZ3329 HBZ3712 HBZ3713 HBZ3718 HBZ3719 HBZ3714 HBZ3715 HBZ3716 HBZ3791 HBZ3792 HBZ3793 HBZ3794 HBZ3795 HBZ3796 HBZ1058 HBZ3757 HBZ3736 HBZ3737 HBZ3738 HBZ3739 7.2V 900mAh Battery DC Peak Charger (1.
Warranty and Follow-Up Procedures Warranty Period: Exclusive Warranty- Horizon Hobby, Inc., (Horizon) warranties that the Products purchased (the "Product") will be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the date of purchase by the Purchaser. Limited Warranty (a) This warranty is limited to the original Purchaser ("Purchaser") and is not transferable. REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE PURCHASER.
of or to any part of the Product. This warranty does not cover damage due to improper installation, operation, maintenance, or attempted repair by anyone other than Horizon. Return of any goods by Purchaser must be approved in writing by Horizon before shipment.
Questions, Assistance, and Repairs: Your local hobby store and/or place of purchase cannot provide warranty support or repair. Once assembly, setup or use of the Product has been started, you must contact Horizon directly. This will enable Horizon to better answer your questions and service you in the event that you may need any assistance. For questions or assistance, please direct your email to productsupport@ horizonhobby.com, or call 877.504.0233 toll free to speak to a service technician.
Non-Warranty Repairs Should your repair not be covered by warranty the repair will be completed and payment will be required without notification or estimate of the expense unless the expense exceeds 50% of the retail purchase cost. By submitting the item for repair you are agreeing to payment of the repair without notification. Repair estimates are available upon request. You must include this request with your repair. Non-warranty repair estimates will be billed a minimum of ½ hour of labor.
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