Understanding the Activity and Inactivity AlarmsUpdated an hour ago
Foil Drive systems have two motor activity features designed to help you confirm that your system is active and remind you when the battery has been left connected:
- Start-Up Activity Alarm
- Inactivity Alarm
Both features use a brief oscillation of the motor to create an audible sound.
These features are reminders and indicators only. Always remove the battery immediately after use.
Start-Up Activity Alarm
The Start-Up Activity Alarm confirms that your Foil Drive system is active when the battery is connected.
When the battery is connected, the motor will deliberately pulse back and forth, creating an audible sound.
This feature:
- Activates automatically when the system starts up.
- Is ON by default.
- Cannot be disabled.
The start-up activity confirms that the system has powered up and is active.
Important: Always make sure the propeller is clear and cannot cause injury before connecting the battery.
What if the Motor Does Something Different?
The start-up activity should consist of the motor briefly pulsing back and forth and producing an audible sound.
If your motor behaves differently from this, the behaviour is not typical and should be investigated.
See Motor System Troubleshooting and Repair for further assistance.
Inactivity Alarm
The Inactivity Alarm is a reminder that your Foil Drive system is still powered on with the battery connected.
If the controller has remained at 0% throttle for the programmed period, the motor will pulse back and forth to create an audible alarm.
The factory default timer is: 15 minutes
This timer can be adjusted or disabled through the Advanced Settings in the Foil Drive App.
How Does the Inactivity Alarm Work?
Once the Foil Drive system is powered on, the inactivity timer monitors throttle activity.
If there is no throttle activity for the programmed period, the motor will pulse back and forth and produce an audible sound.
The timer will restart when:
- The throttle is engaged and subsequently returned to 0%, or
- The controller is turned off.
This allows the alarm to act as a reminder if the system has been left powered on between rides.
Adjusting the Inactivity Alarm
The Inactivity Alarm can be adjusted through the Foil Drive App.
- Connect your Foil Drive system to the app.
- Enter the system programming/settings screen.
- Open Advanced Settings.
- Locate Inactivity Reminder.
- Select your desired timer.
- Save the settings.
Setting the timer to 0 disables the Inactivity Alarm.
We do not recommend disabling the Inactivity Alarm. It provides an additional reminder to disconnect the battery after use.
The Inactivity Alarm Is Not a Safety System
The Inactivity Alarm is simply a reminder.
It does not automatically disconnect or shut down the battery, and it should never be relied upon to prevent battery discharge or other risks associated with leaving a battery connected.
The rider is responsible for removing the battery after every use.
Always remove the battery immediately after riding and never store your battery inside the Foil Drive unit.
Quick Reference
| Feature | Start-Up Activity Alarm | Inactivity Alarm |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Confirms the system is active | Reminds you the battery is still connected |
| When it activates | When the battery is connected | After the programmed period without throttle activity |
| Factory setting | ON | 15 minutes |
| Can it be disabled? | No | Yes, but not recommended |
| Motor behaviour | Brief pulsing/oscillation | Pulsing/oscillation with audible alarm |
| Battery removal required? | Yes | Yes |
Important
Always follow these battery handling practices:
- Remove the battery immediately after use.
- Never store the battery inside the Foil Drive unit.
- Do not rely on the Inactivity Alarm as a substitute for disconnecting the battery.
- Always ensure the propeller is clear before connecting the battery.
If your motor shows behaviour other than the normal start-up activity described above, stop using the system and follow the Motor System Troubleshooting Guide or contact Foil Drive Support for further assistance.