Operation Manual

18
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Introduction 18
2. Warnings and safety notes, please read and observe! 19
3. General notes on using the charger 20
4. Recommended charge leads, polarity 21
5. Controls, using the charger, starting the charge process 21
6. Charge and discharge programs 22
7. Program flowchart 22
8. Selecting the charge program group 22
9. Using the charger for the first time 23
10. Starting the charge / discharge process 23
11. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) charge programs 23
12. Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) charge programs 25
13. Lithium-Ion (Li-Io) / Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) charge programs 26
14. Lead-acid (Pb) charge programs 28
15. Screen displays, cycle data display 30
16. Monitor displays 30
17. Error messages, warnings 31
18. Cleaning and maintenance 32
19. Notes on handling rechargeable batteries 32
20. Specification 33
Guarantee certificate Back cover
1. Introduction
Please study these instructions, reading them completely and attentively, before using
the unit for the first time. This will guarantee that you will be able to exploit all the
facilities of your new battery charger. The warnings and safety notes are particularly
important. Please store these instructions in a safe place, and be sure to pass them on
to the new owner if you ever dispose of the charger.
In the ULTRAMAT 15 you have acquired a mature product with an excellent performance. It
incorporates the latest semi-conductor technology, controlled by a high-performance RISC
micro-processor, to provide superior charging characteristics combined with simple operation
and optimum reliability. These features can normally be expected only from much more expensi-
ve units. The ULTRAMAT 15 represents a reliable method of charging sintered Nickel-Cadmium
(NC, Ni-Cd) packs, Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po), Lithium-
Manganese (Li-Mn) and Lithium-Ion (Li-Io) batteries, and also lead-gel and lead-acid (Plumbum:
Pb) batteries These sealed, gas-tight batteries have proved excellent for our purposes in RC
models. They are mechanically robust, can be used in any attitude and are generally highly
reliable. They require no special measures for storage apart from protecting the cells from
becoming deep-discharged. The ULTRAMAT 15 can also be used to discharge your batteries
and balance the cells in a pack.
Note
It is important always to observe the charging instructions supplied by the battery manufacturer,
and to keep to the recommended charge currents and times Do not fast-charge batteries unless
the manufacturer states expressly that they are suitable for the high currents which flow during
these processes. Please bear in mind that new batteries do not reach their full capacity until they
have been charged and discharged several times. When charging new batteries you may also
encounter problems with premature charge termination. Whenever you wish to use a new
battery it therefore makes sense to carry out a series of monitored test charges, so that you
can check that the automatic charge termination circuit works correctly and reliably with your
packs, and charges them to full capacity.