Great Planes Triton2 EQ Charger - GPMM3156 - Manual (Page 8)

8
Notes for charging NiCd and NiMH batteries:
•
Lower current means it takes longer to charge but it’s less stressful on the batteries, tends to result in more fully charged batteries, and helps
to maximize the battery’s lifespan.
• Larger “sub-C” size cells can handle peak charge currents up to 5.0 amps with little heat generation. Smaller “A” and “AA” cells overheat more
easily and should be charged at much lower currents. Even smaller “AAA” and “N” cells should be charged at lower rates. Refer to the Triton2
EQ CURRENT CHART for recommended charge currents.
• To keep NiCd batteries in good operating condition, it’s a good idea to properly discharge them before charging on a regular basis.
• NiMH batteries have a high self-discharge rate. Always recharge NiMH batteries just prior to use.
• The peak detection method is used to charge NiCd and NiMH batteries up to 95-98% full charge. A trickle charge current will automatically be
delivered after peak charge ends to help the battery safely reach 100% full charge. Trickle charge is applied only after an individual peak charge
(not after discharge or cycle), and will remain on until the pack is disconnected. Trickle current is automatically set, based on the fast charge
current setting as listed below:
Fast charge current Trickle current
0.0-0.9A 0mA
1.0-1.9A 50mA
2.0-2.9A 100mA
3.0-3.9A 150mA
4.0-4.9A 200mA
5.0-5.9A 250mA
6.0-7.0A 300mA
•
Peak charge can be stopped manually by pressing the dial, or disconnecting the pack.
• In the “auto” current setting, the charger will automatically set the appropriate charge current based on the condition of the battery. It is NOT
recommended to use the “auto” function if charging smaller electric fl ight type NiCd / NiMH batteries (smaller than “AA” cells).
• A backup safety timer can be set to automatically stop charge if peak has not been detected in a certain period of time. See page 14.
DISCHARGING NiCd AND NiMH BATTERIES
1. To discharge a NiCd battery, press BATT TYPE to fi nd the “NiCd CHARGE” screen. Turn the dial to fi nd the “NiCd
DISCHARGE” screen, and skip to step 3.
2. To discharge a NiMH battery, press BATT TYPE to fi nd the “NiMH CHARGE” screen. Turn the dial to fi nd the “NiMH
DISCHARGE” screen.
3. Discharge current and cutoff voltage can be adjusted in the discharge screens.
a. Press the dial, then turn to adjust the discharge
current value. See the included CURRENT
CHART for recommended discharge current
settings. Note: Rotating the dial fully to either
direction will cause “auto” to show. See the
“Notes” section below for details on the auto
function.
b. Press the dial again to cause the cutoff voltage
to fl ash. This is the voltage of the entire pack
(not per cell) where discharge will end. See the
DISCHARGE CUTOFF VOLTAGES chart here
for recommended settings.
To measure how much TIME a battery can
realistically, safely power a transmitter or
receiver, it’s recommended to use the “1.1V per
cell” settings.
Otherwise, to measure a battery’s ability to hold
its manufacturer’s rated capacity, or to measure
how much time a battery can realistically
power an electric motor, use the “0.9V per cell”
settings.
4. To START DISCHARGE, press and hold the dial
for 2 seconds. “BATTERY CHECK” will show briefl y
as the charger checks the condition of the battery.
Discharge will start automatically if the battery is in
suitable condition, at which time you’ll see a screen
like shown on the next page.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1.2V
2.4V
3.6V
4.8V
6.0V
7.2V
8.4V
9.6V
10.8V
12.0V
13.2V
14.4V
15.6V
16.8V
18.0V
19.2V
20.4V
21.6V
22.8V
24.0V
25.2V
26.4V
27.6V
28.8V
-
-
-
4.4V
5.5V
-
-
8.8V
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.9V
1.8V
2.7V
3.6V
4.5V
5.4V
6.3V
7.2V
8.1V
9.0V
9.9V
10.8V
11.7V
12.6V
13.5V
14.4V
15.3V
16.2V
17.1V
18.0V
18.9V
19.8V
20.7V
21.6V
# cells
in the
pack
Rated
pack
voltage
Normal Cutoff
Voltage
(0.9V per cell)
Cutoff Voltage
Tx and Rx batts
(1.1V per cell)
DISCHARGE CUTOFF SETTINGS - NiCd & NiMH