Vectronics VEC-412K - Manual (Page 22)

VEC-412K Owner's Manual Rapid Battery Charger/Conditioner Kit
20
condition is shown, verify that the settings for range switches SW3 and SW1
correspond correctly with the number of cells in the battery pack. Refer to Table
4 for charge status.
A Fast Charging indication shows that the battery cells are each above 1-volt
per cell, and fast charging has commenced. Pressing the momentary action
Discharge switch SW4 should cause the charger to switch from fast charge to a
discharging condition. This will drain the battery until each cell reaches the 1-
volt discharge cut-off point. Fast charging will then resume automatically.
Status LED CR1 failing to light (or flash) indicates that the battery is:
1. Absent or open.
2. SW3 and SW1 range switches set for wrong number of cells.
You may place a milliamp meter in series with the battery to verify proper
charge and discharge currents.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
External power requirements: The operating voltage and current requirements
are determined by the battery being charged. Determine the number of cells in
the battery pack (see Table 1). The supply voltage should be equal to or slightly
greater than 2-volts per cell, plus another volt or two for headroom to
compensate for the charger circuitry. For example, a 6-volt battery pack
contains 5 cells. For this battery pack, the minimum external power supply
voltage should be 11 or 12 volts. The supply voltage limits are 7 Vdc minimum
and 21 Vdc maximum. Using voltages that greatly exceed the 2-volt-per-cell
recommendation may result in saturation of the switching inductor L1 and
improper charger operation. For packs with 10 or more cells, use a supply
voltage of 21Vdc. For single cells, or battery packs with 3 or less cells, use a
power supply voltage of about 8 Vdc.
The power supply should be capable of handling slightly more current than the
Fast Charge current setting set by the jumpers in Table 2. A 1-amp, or greater,
supply will meet all requirements. Power is supplied to the 2.1mm coaxial
power jack J1. Center pin is positive. Push-action switch SW2 removes or
applies power to the charger (OFF/ON switch).
Setting the Range Switches: Range switches SW3 and SW1 are set according
to the cell count of the battery pack. This is determined by dividing the battery
pack’s rated voltage by 1.2. For example, an 8.4-volt battery pack contains 7
cells. Refer to Table 1.
Push-action switch SW3 determines if the battery pack contains between 1 to 6
cells (off) or 7 to 12 cells (on). The six-position rotary switch SW1 is set for 1