User manual

Safety instructions and handling guidelines for nickel metal hydride rechargeable
batteries
As is the case with all high-quality products, the follow-
ing safety instructions and handling guidelines must be
observed to ensure long, trouble-free and safe use.
NOTE:
Batteries as well as individual cells are not
toys and must be kept from children. They
must therefore be stored out of the reach
of children.
Before each use, make sure that the batteries are in
a satisfactory condition. Defective or damaged cells
or batteries may not be used.
Cells and batteries may only be used in accordance
with the technical specifications for the specific cell
type.
Batteries and cells may not be heated, burned,
short-circuited or charged with excessive current
or with reversed polarity.
Batteries from parallel-connected cells, combi-
nations of old and new cells, cells of different
makes, sizes, capacities, manufacturers, brands
or type may not be used.
Batteries which have been installed in a device
should always be removed when the device is not
being used. Always switch off devices after you have
finished using them to prevent battery drainage. Be
sure to charge the batteries in a timely manner.
While they are being charged, the batteries must be
placed on a nonflammable, heat-resistant and non-
conductive surface. Combustible or highly flammable
objects are to be kept away from the charging area.
Batteries must be monitored while they are being
charged. The maximum charging current specified
for the respective cell type may not be exceeded.
If the battery heats up above 60°C while it is being
charged, stop charging and let the battery cool down
to approximately 30°C.
Do not charge batteries that have already been
charged, are hot, or have not discharged to the
specified level.
The batteries may not be modified. Do not directly
solder or weld the cells.
If handled improperly, there is a danger of fire,
explosion, irritation and burns. To extinguish a fire,
use a fire extinguishing blanket, CO2 extinguisher
or sand.
Leaked electrolyte is caustic and should not be
touched or come into contact with your eyes. In case
of emergency, rinse with a large quantity of water
and then consult a physician.
The valve openings for the cells should never be
blocked or sealed, for example with solder. When
soldering, the maximum soldering temperature of
220°C should not exceed 20 seconds.
To avoid deformation, avoid excessive mechanical
pressure.
If the batteries overheat, proceed as follows:
Disconnect the battery, and place it on a nonflamm-
able surface (such as cement) until it cools down.
Never hold the battery in your hand due to the risk of
explosion.
Make sure to observe the charging and discharging
instructions.
General instructions
The battery capacity decreases each time it is
charged and discharged. Storage can also
gradually reduce the battery's capacity.
Storage
Batteries may only be stored completely discharged
in dry rooms with an ambient temperature of +5°C to
+25°C.
NOTE:
The cell voltage should not fall below 1.2 V
when stored for a long time. Before being
stored, the battery may have to be charged.
Equalizing the individual battery cells
To adjust the cells of a new battery to each other,
charge them normally to the maximum charge. As a
rule of thumb, charge empty batteries for 12 hours
with a current which is 1/10 of the rated capacity
(the "1/10 C" method) The cells will then all have the
same charge. The cell charge should be equalized
about every 10th charge in order to extend the life of
the battery.
If you are able to discharge individual cells, do this
before each charging. Otherwise, the battery pack
should be discharged to 0.9 V per cell. With the four-
pack used in the transmitter, this corresponds for
example to a discharge voltage of 3.6 V.
Charging
While charging, the specified current, charging time and
temperature range should be observed under constant
monitoring. If you do not have a suitable fast charger
that allows the charging current to be precisely adjusted,
charge the battery the usual way using the 1/10 C
method (see the example above).
Given the different charges of the cell, transmitter
batteries should be charged using the 1/10 C
method whenever possible. The charging current
should never exceed the maximum permissible level
indicated in the transmitter instructions.
Fast charging
If your charger has this option, set the delta peak cutoff
voltage to 5 mV per cell. Most chargers are permanently
set to 15 … 20 mV per cell and can therefore be used
for both NiCd batteries as well as NiMH batteries. In
case of doubt, consult the operating instructions or the
dealer to determine whether your device can handle
NiMH batteries. In case of doubt, charge your batteries
with one-half the indicated maximum charging current.
Discharging
All of the batteries that are sold by Graupner and GM-
Racing can handle a maximum continuous charging
current of 6… 13 C depending on the battery type (refer
to the manufacturer's specifications). The battery life
decreases as the continuous current load increases.
Reflex charging as well as charging/discharging pro-
8
Safety instructions
S1006_mz-24.3.en.indd 8 17.12.2014 15:20:54