Vectronics VEC-412K - Manual (Page 26)

VEC-412K Owner's Manual Rapid Battery Charger/Conditioner Kit
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HD6 must be OFF when fast charging NiMH battery packs! NiMH batteries
do not exhibit a voltage drop at full charge. NiMH battery temperatures can
rapidly soar to dangerous levels if overcharged.
Discharge-Before-Charge: NiCad batteries can develop a so-called “memory”
when seldom used and left charging for long periods of time. Activating
momentary action switch SW4 will fully discharge the attached battery pack to
the 1-volt-per-cell fully-discharged condition. NiCad battery packs should never
be allowed to discharge below one-volt-per-cell or damage to the cells may
occur. Allowing the pack to fully charge, and then performing a full discharge
cycle by activating SW4 will exercise the cells, and help correct memory
conditions. Several full charge/discharge cycles may be needed to fully erase a
memory condition in troublesome battery packs. Note that once a discharge
cycle has completed, the charger will automatically recharge the battery pack.
Continued high charge and discharge rates will cause cell heating. Allow the
battery time to cool between repeated memory cleansing cycles.
Setting the Discharge Current: Two discharge current rates are available:
120mA or 240mA. The jumper position on HD3 sets the discharge rate. Check
the battery specifications for the maximum recommended discharge rate. A
discharge rate equal to or less than the battery Capacity (C) is generally
acceptable. Using the lowest discharge setting is advisable. The longer
discharge time allows the cells to equalize their voltages, and gives the pack time
to cool off after completion of a rapid charge.
Starting the Discharge Cycle: Providing the battery pack is above 1 volt-per-
cell, depressing momentary-action switch SW4 will initiate a controlled
discharge cycle until the 1 volt-per-cell discharge point is reached.
STATUS Indicator LED CR1: Observing the condition of Status LED CR1
will show the charger’s current activity. See Table 4.
Charger Status Red status LED CR1 indication
Battery absent or
wrong number of cells set-up OFF