Long Live FUN!

Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013

Did your little one get a new Peg Perego ride-on this holiday? (If so, they must have been very, very good!) Be sure to read this post from guest blogger Jared Clark of the one-stop online parts warehouse eReplacementParts.com for tips on extending your toy’s battery.

Most ride-on toys, including those from Peg Perego, require little maintenance. But you’ll want to know how to properly maintain your battery to get the longest and best life out of your Polaris Outlaw, John Deere Farm Tractor or other Peg Perego toy.

The batteries found in your ride-on are just like the ones used in cars. This means they won’t build up a “memory,” so you should always charge the battery after use. As a general rule, charge the battery for 24 hours when you first get the toy, then for about 16 hours after every use, whether the toy was used for 20 minutes or three hours. And remember your ABCs: Always Be Charging. If you purchase a spare battery, you can charge one while using the other, guaranteeing countless days of Peg Perego fun!

Diagnosing the Issue

Not every issue requires a battery replacement. In some cases, you may only need to replace a fuse, a simple and inexpensive fix. So how can you diagnose the problem? Follow these steps:

1. If the vehicle doesn’t run, check the fuse in your battery. A broken fuse will prevent both vehicle operation and the battery’s ability to charge. For 2-speed vehicles, you’ll need a 25- or 30-amp fuse; for 2-speed vehicles, use a 40-amp fuse. The existing fuse should clearly identify the amperage, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding the right replacement.
2. If you have a 2-speed vehicle that only operates on high speed, lift the drive wheels off the ground and check to see if they both turn when the gas pedal is depressed. If only one wheel turns, you’ll want to check the motor (you can find it under the seat on most models). Two wires should connect to the motor opposite the main drive wheel. When you reconnect the wires, both wheels on the motor should turn in the same direction. If this isn’t the case, just reverse the wires on the motor.
3. If the vehicle only runs in reverse, or in the lower gear on 2-speed models, you may require a new switch. If so, contact your nearest Peg Perego service center and they will help you find the part you need.

Replacing the Battery

If these steps don’t get your ride-on running again, then you probably do need to replace the battery.

First, identify whether your model uses a 6-, 12-, or 24-volt battery. These are the main classes for batteries. (The amperage and style can be particular to each model of vehicle. For example, some use slim-fit designs. The battery should be clearly labeled, so you can read the information on it to find the voltage and amps you need in your replacement.)

You’ll usually find the battery in the engine bay, though on some models, such as ATVs, you may need to look under the seat. Grab a screwdriver and remove the tie-downs that secure the battery in place. Once you do that, you should be able to pop the battery out of its compartment and replace it. Then just re-secure it, and you’re all set.

Maintaining Your Battery

Lastly, here are a few tricks that can help keep your battery running and charging well for years to come:

• As mentioned above, charge all your new batteries for 24 hours the first time, then, after any amount of use, charge them again for about 16 hours.
• Never store your battery in extremely cold or hot environments. This can lead to swelling or shrinking and will end up requiring a replacement.
• Don’t charge or store your battery on concrete surfaces. Doing so will actually cause the battery to lose charge rather than gain it.
• The more you use the battery, the longer it will last. A battery used only once or twice a year will lose its ability to hold a charge faster than one that isn’t used at all.
• For this reason, you should try to charge your battery, even rarely used ones, monthly, at least.

Finally, never push the vehicle along the ground, as this can result in motor seizure and damage to the drive mechanism. Instead, you should lift the drive wheels off the ground and push the ride-on like a wheelbarrow to wherever you store it.

That’s all you need to know to repair, replace and maintain the batteries in your Peg Perego ride-on. Now enjoy those smiles as your children get the most out of their toys all year long!

blog_label_posted_in: Toy, Playing Favorites