TrakPower VR-1 Dual Racing Charger - Manual (Page 9)

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G. Maximum Charge Capacity: This sets the maximum amount of capacity that the charger will
deliver to the battery during charge. This feature can be used for two different purposes:
i. If full charge has not been detected on the battery for some reason, fast charge will stop
completely when this maximum capacity value has been reached. This is a safety feature
designed to protect the battery pack and user from an overcharge condition.
ii. Cell manufacturers recommend to apply a partial charge to batteries before being put
away for long-term storage (over the winter, for example). For battery storage, please
refer to the battery storage section located on page 20 of this manual.
Press and then rotate the dial to fi nd the desired maximum capacity. For NiCd and NiMH
batteries the adjustable range is off-150%. This means, if peak voltage is not detected fi rst
VR-1 will automatically stop fast charge at the value equal to the battery capacity multiplied by
the percent entered in this maximum charge capacity setting. So, if the battery capacity entered
was “2400” and if the percentage entered here is “150%”, the charger will automatically stop
fast charge when (2400 x 150%) 3600mAh of energy is delivered to the battery.
For Li-Ion and LiPo batteries, the adjustable range is 10-120%. It is recommended not to allow
these battery types to charge more than 105% to 110% of their rated capacity. FOR SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS, IT’S RECOMMENDED TO KEEP THIS VALUE CLOSE TO 100%.
H. Safety Timer: If for some reason the charger does not recognize a battery has reached full
charge, this backup safety timer can automatically stop charge after a certain period of time.
This protects the battery from accidental overcharge. If fast charge IS shut down by this timer,
do NOT assume the battery has reached full charge (especially if the battery is not even slightly
warm to the touch). It is strongly recommended to use this function for ALL battery types.
To use this function, set a safety timer in minutes which ranges from 10 – 900 minutes. See
the “Safety Timer Calculations” section below for how to calculate a safety time limit. If the
battery repeatedly does not seem to reach full charge, it may be necessary to lengthen the
safety timer so the battery can reach full charge properly. Note: This function can be disabled
for slow charging of NiCd or NiMH batteries by selecting “OFF”.
Safety Timer Calculations: For NiCd and NiMH batteries, divide the battery’s rated capacity
(mAh) by the fast charge current setting (A). Take that result, and DIVIDE BY 11.1. Set this number
of minutes in the safety timer screen. If the charger stops charge at this time limit, approximately
150% of the battery’s rated capacity will have been delivered to the battery. For example:
1000mAh
1500mAh
3800mAh 0.9A
2.5A
2.3A ((1000ч0.9) ч11.1) = 100 minutes
((1500ч2.5) ч11.1) = 54 minutes
((3800ч2.3) ч11.1) = 149 minutes
NICD/NIMH BATTERY
RATED CAPACITY
FAST CHARGE
CURRENT SETTING
SAFETY TIMER
CALCULATED SETTING
For LiPo, Li-Ion, LiFe and Pb batteries, divide the battery’s rated capacity (mAh) by the fast charge
current setting (A). Take that result, and DIVIDE BY 15.1. Set this number of minutes in the safety
timer screen. If the charger stops charge at this time limit, approximately 110% of the battery’s
rated capacity will have been delivered to the battery. For example:
900mAh
2100mAh
3200mAh 0.6A
1.8A
3.0A ((900ч0.6) ч15.1) = 99 minutes
((2100ч1.8) ч15.1) = 77 minutes
((3200ч3.0) ч15.1) = 70 minutes
LIPO BATTERY
RATED CAPACITY
FAST CHARGE
CURRENT SETTING
SAFETY TIMER
CALCULATED SETTING
I. Flat Check: If during peak charge the NiCd or NiMH battery’s voltage stops rising, but also does
not fall (as most NiCd or NiMH will do), “FLAT CHECK” indicates that the battery’s peak voltage
is fl at and unchanged and will automatically stop charging the battery as a safety precaution.
You may turn on or off this FLAT CHECK function.
J. Re-peak Charge: In re-peak charge mode, VR-1 can peak charge the NiCd or NiMH battery up
to 5 times in a row automatically. This is good for making certain the battery is fully charged,
and for checking how well the battery receives fast chargers. And, VR-1 will track how much
capacity was added during each re-peak. A good battery will have low charge capacity values for
the 2
nd and 3 rd re-peak cycles. Batteries having higher capacity values for the 2 nd and 3 rd re-peak
charges are not likely receiving peak charge as well. To change the number of re-peak cycles
to perform, press and rotate the jog dial to the desired number of cycles and press to confi rm.