Ans. Under average conditions, using a combination of inclines, uneven ground and flat surfaces you should see a minimum of 2 hours battery life from a fully charged unit. The level of charge in the battery and its operating time may vary dependent on the weight of the case and the type of ground that is encountered! (Our tests resulted with an average distance of 1 3/4 miles with a 32 kg load)

Ans. Yes - We have integrated a design feature that allows the battery to have a level of re-charge when the case is moving without the power being required (i.e. downhill or on some flat surfaces. This is known as re-generation mode.

Ans. We have included a separate charger (and multi-adaptor) with every case. This charger must be used. Using other types of charger can seriously damage the power cells.

Ans. There is a small red LED light which is on continuously when the handle is in the "engaged" position. This light will go out when the battery needs re-charging.

Ans. Yes - there is no gearing mechanism or transmission. The case will act just as any normal case except with the anti gravity handle and the large wheels your luggage will be considerably easier to manoeuvre. We recommend that you fully charge the batteries when you reach your destination.

Ans. We have designed a switching device for when the handle is disengaged i.e. in lock mode, which completely isolates the battery unit from the control system making it 100% secure. The latch on the Anti Gravity handle also ensures that the handle does not open accidentally whilst in transport mode. Your PA Series can be checked in through normal airport controls.

Ans. When you engage the handle & position it to your ideal height & comfort, the red LED "Power Button" will be illuminated. This indicates that the system is active and that the battery has sufficient charge. This button is also the manual override that allows the user to turn the system off when the handle is engaged.

Ans. The weight of the Live Luggage™ PA Series is 10.9 Kg - that weight is on average 3Kg more than a similar volume hard case. The case is constructed from high tech materials - a combination of PC ABS plastic (similar to modern day car bumpers) and weighs like for like 20% less than an ordinary hard case *. The benefit with the PA Series is that in use, the perceived weight is a fraction of the fully loaded case.

* The power system, wheels and handle make up the difference.

Ans.The case has an internal capacity of approximately 94 litres, which is termed as a mid-range case. Any bigger and it would become a "trunk-case" and as such be less widely accepted by airlines.

Ans. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES do we recommend allowing a child of any age or size to ride or sit on the case or wishbone handle, as apart from the obvious dangers it will affect the torque control.

Ans. We have one power assisted case in production with two further variations of the PA Series being designed and we hope to launch these in winter 2009. However we have a full range of designer leather handbags & laptop cases all fully branded to match the PA Series.

Ans. Robust and intelligent electronics within the case monitor a number of parameters to allow the case to function without any need for the user to make any additional adjustments other than walking as normal. Within the handle, pressure sensors monitor how hard the user is pulling the case and provide a set amount of "torque" to the wheels to compensate. In reality this means that as the user walks and pulls the case, the case follows as though there is no weight! To help provide an extremely safe and robust system we have incorporated tilt sensing so that the power does not function when the case is stationary, upright, or if it falls to the floor (see tech notes for operating zones).

Ans. Yes, the wheels are designed to go over rough surfaces - pebbles, gravel, grass etc. which castors or small wheels cannot normally cope with.

Ans.There is no doubt that the large wheels will make it easier to get up stairs. We DO NOT RECOMMEND the handle system be "engaged" i.e. in "Go Mode" for going either up or down stairs. The handle should be in "Lock Mode" and pulled up like any other case. The "In-Line" sliders on the belly of the case have been designed so that it will easily slide up or down steps, making the task much, much easier.

Ans.

To open and close the latches, please observe the points below:
To open

1. Push in button and latch will open.

To close

1. Push down front of latch and engage hook end into recess.
2. Whilst holding front down, press rear of latch down.
3. Press in button, push latch down firmly then release button.

Ans.

To open the handle, please observe the points below:
To open

1. Slide handle lock to the unlock position.
2. Pull up handle latch to release the handle from the case body.
3. Continue to keep latch pulled up, then pull handle outwards and upwards to required height setting.

NB: The handle has a safety feature that stops it being pulled out fully if the latch is released before the handle reaches a distance of 6cm from the case body. This is to prevent the handle being fully opened accidentally. Should this happen, push the handle back into the body of the case and start again. (See points 1-3)

To close
Pull up handle latch to release locking mechanism. Keep pressure on the latch and push handle back into the case body. Handle will click into place.

Ans. When you receive your new NiMH rechargeable batteries or battery pack, you must charge them fully before the first use. They may show full voltage and power required to operate your device, but charging before you use them the first time is still very important. Please note that for new NiMH rechargeable batteries, it can take from three to five charge and discharge (use) cycles before they reach their peak performance. At normal room temperature, NiMH rechargeable batteries will generally lose about 1% of their charge per day. Higher temperatures will increase this loss, and lower temperatures (40-60F) will reduce this daily loss. This "shelf life" is less of a factor if you use them within the first five to ten days after they are charged. One of the best ways to ensure that your NiMH rechargeable batteries will last as long as possible is to use them often. The more they are charged and used, the longer NiMH rechargeable batteries will last. Whether discharged or not, NiMH rechargeable batteries should be charged at least every sixty days.