Starting The Electric Vehicle - Blue Bird TC/2000 Owner's Manual

STARTING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE

The following steps must be followed to start the vehicle. For safety and performance considerations,
follow these steps in their listed order.
1. Ensure the charge cable is not connected to the vehicle and all access panels are closed and locked.
2. Ensure the parking brake is applied.
3. Fasten your seat belt.
4. On the dash, there are panels that look like the ones shown below. This device is used for selection of
vehicle operating modes. Ensure the selector button for Park (P) is pressed.
5. Turning the key to the first position engages power to the bus electronic systems. To start the electric
drive system turn the key to the start position. There is no need to hold the key. No ignition sounds
will be heard. Let the spring loaded key return to its normal position as it would with an internal
combustion engine.
All lights on the operating modes selector panel will come on, then go off. The Park (P) light will
illuminate and remain lit if all starting conditions are GO.
6. Check voltage and current readings on dash.
Voltage will read in a nominal range of approximately 350-360 for a full charge status and the amp
hours gauge will read accordingly.
If voltage reads less than 336 after start, do not drive. Charge the bus as soon as possible. The current
meter should read about -7 amps. The negative sign (-) means that current is being drawn from the
Traction Battery Packs. It will read positive (+) when current is going back into the battery pack which
occurs during regenerative braking.
7. Place your foot on the brake and press the Drive (D) on the operating mode selector panel. When D is
successfully engaged, the D selector will illuminate.
Or, you may press (R) Reverse. When reverse is successfully engaged, the R selector will illuminate.
To select Drive or Reverse, the bus must be at zero speed (not even the slightest roll) and the brake
pedal depressed. The driver cannot change from one selection (D), (R), if the vehicle is moving. You
cannot move the bus until the D or R selector is fully illuminated (not blinking) prior to disengaging
the parking brake or releasing the brake pedal to begin moving the bus.
A blinking light requires the following steps to restart the bus.
• Keep / return you foot to the brake (on a hill engage the parking brake)
• Return selector button to N and wait for the N selector to illuminate.
• If after a few trials the selector continues blinking turn the key to the off position.
• Wait a few seconds for the controller to reset and begin start-up procedures from the beginning.
• If a continued start-up failure occurs, turn on the emergency lights and call for assistance.
8. Upon a successful start, release the parking brake and begin to drive.
Remember, the vehicle will roll on a grade. If you are stopped on a grade
with your foot on the brake, the bus will roll backward when you release
the hydraulic brake pedal to move to the accelerator. To hold the bus on
a hill and to prevent "roll back" the accelerator and brake pedal may be
applied at the same time. When the vehicle
speed reaches 5 MPH or greater the brake
pedal will override the accelerator and no
more power will be applied to the drive
wheels.
WARNING: Ensure that the Operating Mode Se-
lector PARK button is depressed. Any other selec-
tion may allow movement of the vehicle upon ig-
nition switch on.
-6
Amperes
360
Voltage
Located Right Side
of Instrument Panel
101
P
Park
Reverse R
N
Neutral
D
Drive
Located to Right
of Instrument Panel