User Manual

Operation
Upon initial power application the firmware revision level is
displayed in the left most digits of the display. After
approximately one second all display segments are displayed
for approximately four seconds. The “null” icon will then be
shown for all channels until batteries are inserted. This
indicates that all internal self-tests passed and the charger is
ready for use.
Once a rechargeable battery is inserted, the battery
instantaneous voltage will be displayed for 3 seconds. Mode
CHARGE and current value 500 mA will be displayed for
another 3 seconds. If no button is pressed during these 6
seconds, the charging process will start at the default value of
500 mA. Any button press during this 6 second time will cause
the charger to wait for another 10 seconds before entering the
working mode.
If no particular slot is selected by pressing the SLOT button,
the MODE, DISPLAY and CURRENT buttons refers to all 4
slots simultaneously. Flashing channel display indicates
selection of that channel. All four channel displays flashing
indicates that MODE, DISPLAY and CURRENT buttons refer
to all four channels simultaneously. The charger display
backlight turns on after each key press and remains on for 30
seconds after the last key press.
MODE Selection
At least one rechargeable battery must be inserted in a
channel in order to program the charger.
Press and hold the “MODE” button for 2 seconds to start
working mode selection for selected slots. Press the MODE
button subsequently at least one time to toggle among the
working modes. Press the MODE button until the desired
working mode is shown in the selected channels.
The working mode may be changed any time while a battery
is in the charger by pressing and holding the MODE button for
2 seconds.
Working Modes:
CHARGE
DISCHARGE
DISCHARGE - REFRESH
CHARGE - TEST
QUICK TEST
CHARGE Mode:
In the CHARGE mode the rechargeable battery is charged
up to its maximum capacity at the selected current. Charge
termination or full charge is determined with a modified -dV
(minus delta voltage) algorithm for NiMH and NiCd cells.
Lithium ion cells are charged with a CC/CV (constant
current / constant voltage) algorithm to cell voltage of 4.2V.
The proprietary modified charge algorithm ensures that full
charge is reached by the charger. Once full charge is
detected the charger enters a maintenance charge process
for NiMH and NiCd cells supplying minimum charge to the
cell so that it remains at full capacity until ready to use.
Once full charge is detected for lithium ion cells charge is
terminated.
Note: When attempting to charge cells with high
impedance, the charger will not reject the cells as with
some other chargers. Instead the cell will be charged at
a reduced current from the programmed setting. This
will allow charging of high resistance cells so that they may
be cycled to improve their capacity and internal resistance.
Charge Example: Insert battery into a slot. CHARGE
will flash in that channel display. Press CURRENT
button to select 200, 300, 500, 700, 1000, (1500 or 2000)
mA for the charge rate. If CURRENT button is not
pressed the current will automatically default to 500
mA.
DISCHARGE Mode:
In the DISCHARGE mode the rechargeable battery is
discharged to a preset battery voltage (0.9V NiMH/NiCd or
3.1V Li-ion) then discharged is terminated. At discharge
termination 0 mA current is displayed in that channel
display. Press the DISPLAY button until the mAh label is
shown to view discharged capacity measurement.
Discharge Example: Insert battery into a slot. Press
MODE button until DISCHARGE is displayed in that
channel. Press CURRENT button to select 200, 300, 500,
or 700 for NiMH/NiCd (1000 for Li-ion) mA discharge
rate. If CURRENT button is not pressed the discharge
current will automatically default to 500 mA.
DISCHARGE - REFRESH Mode
:
In the DISCHARGE-REFRESH mode the rechargeable
battery is discharged then charged repeatedly to optimize
to its maximum capacity. Old rechargeable batteries or
rechargeable batteries that have not been used for a long
period of time can be restored with this mode. Depending
on the selected discharge and charge current, it can take
tens of hours for completion.
Discharge-Refresh mode will make 3 complete
discharge-charge working cycles. When the three
discharge-charge cycles are complete FULL will be
displayed in the channel display. The discharged capacity
is stored at the end of each discharge cycle and can be
displayed by pressing the display button until the mAh label
is displayed. At the completion of the 3 discharge-charge
cycles FULL will be shown in the display. Pressing the
display button until mAh label is show displays the last
value from the last discharged capacity measurement.
Discharge - Refresh Example: Insert battery into a slot.
Press the MODE button until DISCHARGE - REFRESH
is displayed in that channel. Press the current button
for 200, 300, 500, 700, (1000 Li-ion) mA discharge rate.
If the CURRENT button is not pressed the discharge
current will automatically default to 500 mA.