TrakPower VR-1 Dual Racing Charger - Manual (Page 21)

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C. Displays individual cell voltages by bar graph form
4. When the battery has fi nished charging, a chime will sound. Press the ESC button or unplug
the battery.
STARTING DISCHARGE – LITHIUM
1. To discharge a lithium type battery, ensure the correct model memory is selected that matches that
of your battery specifi cations or all programming has been completed (as listed on page 10, step 4).
2. Locate the DISCHARGE icon on the main menu and press the dial to select.
3. As with the charge process, a battery check confi rmation screen will appear asking you to
confi rm the amount of cells connected. If correct, press the dial to confi rm.
4. There are two options for discharging lithium type batteries:
A. Normal: The most common method for discharging lithium batteries. While discharging,
VR-1 stops the discharge process every one minute to measure the resistance of the
battery. This is to ensure the overall condition of the battery is good and the discharge
process is being performed accurately.
B. Linear: Discharges without stopping. Internal resistance is measured only one time every
three minutes after starting the discharge process. This is the quickest discharge method.
Pressing the < or > keys while discharge is taking place or after discharge has completed
displays various information about the discharge process. This information is the same as the
charge process.
Lead-Acid (Pb) Batteries
CARE AND HANDLING FOR LEAD-ACID (PB) BATTERIES
Never attempt to care for lead-acid (Pb) batteries in the same way as other battery types!
Lead-acid batteries commonly used in the R/C hobby fi eld boxes require unique care and handling
methods as they contain different characteristics than other battery types.
• Do not attempt to use the NiCd, NiMH, or lithium functions on Pb batteries.
• Do not exceed 14.7V maximum charge voltage for batteries rated at 12V.
• Pb batteries have a self-discharge rate of 5-10%, meaning they hold charge well. There is no
need to trickle charge Pb batteries. No cycling of Pb batteries is needed.
• Do not leave Pb batteries in the full discharge condition, which could cause the battery to lose
its ability to regain full charge.
CHARGING LEAD-ACID (PB) BATTERIES
1. Check to see if any of the preloaded memories match your battery specifi cations. If one does
match, skip to number 3. If none of the preloaded memories match that of your battery’s needs,
refer to page 7 to change the parameters.
2. Once the parameters have been made to match your battery, connect your battery to the charger.
3. Locate the CHARGE icon on the main menu and press the dial to begin charge.
4. When charging has fi nished, the charger will show completed on the screen and tones will sound.
NOTES ABOUT CHARGING Pb BATTERIES:
• Lead-acid (Pb) batteries are charged using the “constant current/constant voltage” process
(CC/CV) as explain in the section for lithium batteries. However, the charger will determine the
battery is full when output current drops to approximately 90mA and will automatically stop
charging at that time. The cutoff voltage for Pb batteries is also different from lithium batteries.
• Lead-acid batteries do not need trickle charge, and therefore no such feature exists.
• Lead-acid batteries have a nominal voltage of 2.0V per cell. For most fi eld batteries, even
though you cannot see any individual “cells”, there are 6 cells internally. At 2.0V per cell, this
makes a total fi eld battery voltage of 12.0V.
• For lead-acid batteries rated at 12V or greater, the actual amount of current delivered to the
battery might be limited due to the charger’s max. power rating. This is normal.