Operation Manual
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Contents
Chapter Page
1. Introduction 24
2. Warnings and safety notes, please read and observe! 25
3. General notes on using the charger 26
4. Recommended charge leads, polarity 27
5. Controls, using the charger, starting the charge process 27
6. Charge and discharge programs 28
7. Program flowchart 28
8. Selecting the charge program group 29
9. Using the charger for the first time 29
10. Starting the charge / discharge process 30
11. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) charge programs 31
12. Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) charge programs 33
13. Lithium-Ion / Lithium-Polymer / Li-Mn / LiFePO
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- charge programs 36
14. Lead-acid (Pb) charge programs 38
15. Screen displays, cycle data display 40
16. Monitor displays 40
17. Error messages, warnings 42
18. PC interface 43
19. Cleaning and maintenance 44
20. Notes on handling rechargeable batteries 44
21. Specification, Environnemental Protection Notes 45
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 18 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 18 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), Lithium-Ion (Li-Io) and LiFePO
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(LiFe) 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 18 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. 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.