TrakPower Receiver Batteries - Manual

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LITHIUM-IRON-PHOSPHATE
BATTERY INSTRUCTIONS
LiFe batteries (LiFePO4 - Lithium Iron Phosphate) have several
advantages over LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries. Most
importantly, LiFe batteries are much safer. LiFe batteries also
have a much longer cycle and calendar life, and consist of iron and
phosphate which have a much lower environmental impact than
the cobalt used in LiPo batteries. It is important to have a good
understanding of the operating characteristics of LiFe batteries
- most importantly, how to charge and take care of them safely.
Always read the specifi cations printed on the battery’s label and
in this instruction sheet in their entirety prior to use. Failure to
follow these instructions can quickly result in severe, permanent
damage to the battery and its surroundings!
WARNING!
LiFe batteries are ENTIRELY DIFFERENT from NiCd,
NiMH, and LiPo batteries and must be handled
diff erently. TrakPower will not be held responsible for
any and all incidental damages and bodily harm that may result
from improper use of TrakPower brand LiFe batteries. In purchasing
these products, the buyer/user agrees to bear all responsibilities of
these risks and not hold TrakPower and/or its distributors (owners
and employees) responsible for any accidents, injury to persons, or
property damage. If you do not agree to these conditions, please
return the battery to the place of purchase.
Before and after every use of your LiFe battery, inspect the pack
carefully to ensure no physical damage is evident, such as swelling,
splitting or torn outer heat shrink wrapper, or loose plugs and
wires. Such signs can often indicate a problem exists with the
battery that could lead to failure.
LiFe BATTERY RATINGS
LiFe packs are made of individual cells that are connected together
in SERIES. Connecting cells in series adds the voltage of all cells to
result in a total pack voltage. A 6.6V 1600mAh pack is made up
of two 3.3V 1600mAh LiFe cells (2 x 3.3V = 6.6V). This is referred
to as a “2S” pack, meaning two cells in series. Each LiFe cell has a
NOMINAL voltage of 3.3V. A fully charged LiFe cell is 3.6V, and a
fully depleted LiFe cell is 2.5V. Most LiFe chargers and balancing
equipment are based using a battery’s nominal voltage rating
as a parameter.
Battery capacity is measured in mAh (milliamp-hours), being
the amount of current that the battery can deliver over a
certain time period. The larger the capacity, the longer the
run or operating time.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS !
Be sure to READ and FOLLOW these important warning
statements regarding the charging of LiFe batteries:
■ NEVER charge LiFe batteries with a charger not specifi cally
compatible with LiFe batteries! ONLY use a charger which can
apply the “constant current/constant voltage” (cc/cv) charge
technique with LiFe voltage settings.
■ ALWAYS charge LiFe batteries in an area with adequate
ventilation.
■ NEVER charge LiFe batteries at currents greater than the “1C”
rating of the battery.
■ NEVER allow the temperature of LiFe batteries to exceed
140°F (60°C) at any time. Overheating will cause permanent
damage. Do not reuse your LiFe battery if you suspect it has
been damaged in any way.
■ ALWAYS discontinue charging a LiFe battery immediately if
at any time you witness smoke or see the battery starting to
swell. This may cause the battery to rupture and/or leak, and the
reaction with air may cause the chemicals to ignite, resulting
in fi re. Disconnect the battery and leave it in a safe, fi reproof
location (ideally outside).
■ NEVER continue to charge LiFe batteries if the charger fails to
recognize full charge. Overheating or swelling of the LiFe cells
is an indication that a problem exists. The batteries should be
disconnected from the charger immediately and placed in a
fi reproof location!
CHARGING THE BATTERY
1. IMPORTANT! Choose an isolated, fi reproof area to charge
the battery. NEVER place the charger or battery on or near
fl ammable or combustible objects during the charge process.
Keep away from carpets, wood, paper, plastic, cluttered
workbenches, etc. Do NOT charge batteries in the model,
nor inside an automobile. Placing batteries inside an army
surplus ammunition can, ceramic fl ower pot, or on a large
concrete surface is recommended.
2. Use a a LiFe compatible charger that includes built-in balancing
capabilities such as the TrakPower VR-1 Dual Racing Charger
(TKPP5000), Onyx 235 (DTXP4235), Onyx 245 (DTXP4245) or the
LiFeSource AC/DC charger (HCAM6375).
3. Set the charger’s output voltage to EXACTLY match the nominal
rated voltage shown on the battery label. NEVER set the charger
to a voltage which is greater than the nominal voltage rating
of the LiFe pack or allow LiFe cells to charge to greater than
3.6V per cell at any time!! Overcharging usually will result in a
permanent, catastrophic failure in the LiFe cells. This can result
in permanent damage to the battery and its surroundings, and
cause personal injury!
4. Set the charger’s output current to NO GREATER than a “1C”
rating of the battery. See the section on page 1 for details.
Power wires
Balance Lead
5. Connect the battery’s main lead and balancing lead to the
charger as described in the charger’s instructions. ALWAYS connect
a charge adapter lead to the charger BEFORE connecting the
battery to the charger.
6. Start the charge process.