GREAT PLANES ElectriFly TRITON2 Manual Download Page 8

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Battery “cycling” is the process of fully charging and then discharging a battery to a pre-determined cutoff point (or vice-versa).
Cycling is recommended only for NiCd and NiMH batteries (never for lithium or lead-acid batteries). Triton2 can perform
anywhere from one to ten cycles consecutively, as follows:

1. Decide if you want the battery to be discharged first (preferred if the battery is used often), or charged first (sometimes preferred if
the battery is new or has not been used for some time). Refer to the main menu flowchart and proceed.

2. To cycle a NiCd battery, press BATT TYPE to find the “NiCd CHARGE” screen. Rotate the dial to find either the “NiCd CHG TO
DSCH” or “NiCd DSCH TO CHG” screen (depending if you want to charge or discharge first) and skip to step 4.

3. To cycle a NiMH battery, press BATT TYPE to find the “NiMH CHARGE” screen. Rotate the dial to find the “NiMH CHG TO
DSCH” or “NiMH DSCH TO CHG” screen (depending if you want to charge or discharge first).

4. Two current values will show – one for
charge (Chg), and one for discharge
(Dsch). Press the dial to cause the first
current value to flash. It’s very important
to note whether this is the charge (Chg)
or discharge (Dsch) current! Rotate the
dial to find the current you want. Press,
then rotate the dial to select the other
current value, and press the dial again to
confirm both settings. See the NiCd AND
NiMH CHARGE AND DISCHARGE
CURRENT CHART for recommended
charge and discharge currents.

5. To set the number of times the battery will be
cycled, press the dial until “1X” starts to flash.
Rotate the dial to adjust the cycle count as desired
(“1X” to cycle one time, “10X” to cycle ten times,
etc.). Press the dial to confirm the cycle count.

6. To START CYCLING, press and hold the dial for 2
seconds. “BATTERY CHECK” will show briefly, and
cycling will start if the battery is in suitable condition, at
which time you’ll see a screen like shown at right.

7. When all cycling is finished, “END” will show on-
screen. To see details about input, output, peak
charge, average discharge voltages, and capacity
values for all cycles performed, press BATT TYPE
and MENU CHANGE buttons simultaneously to
see the DATA VIEW screens (see page 12).

WARNING!! NEVER ATTEMPT TO CARE FOR LITHIUM-POLYMER (LiPo) OR LITHIUM-ION (Li-Ion) CELLS IN THE
SAME WAY AS OTHER BATTERY TYPES! LiPo and Li-Ion cells are much more sensitive and volatile than NiCd, NiMH or
lead-acid batteries. Misuse and overcharge can quickly result in LiPo/Ion cells getting hot and/or swelling, which could lead to
VIOLENT EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE and serious personal injury and property damage. Do not mistake LiPo cells for other
lithium-based cell types (such as lithium-metal), as different lithium hybrids have different care and handling characteristics as
well. All “lithium” based batteries types are NOT exactly the same.

• NEVER leave lithium batteries unattended during charge.
• NEVER place lithium batteries on combustible surfaces during charge, such as wooden or plastic workbenches, paper,

carpet, cluttered areas, etc.

• NEVER attempt to use the NiCd, NiMH, or Pb functions with lithium batteries.
• NEVER continue to charge or use LiPo/Ion cells if they start to swell, become overly warm to the touch, or if they do not charge

within the specified charging time. Failure to follow this guideline could cause the battery to become hot, and explode or ignite!!

• NEVER discharge Li-Ion cells lower than 2.5V per cell.
• LiPo/Ion cells have an 8% self discharge rate, meaning they can hold charge very well. Thus, there is no need to trickle

charge LiPo/Ion cells. No cycling of lithium batteries is needed.

• LiPo/Ion cells should be charged about once per year at a minimum to prevent over-discharge.
• LiPo/Ion batteries should be stored with about 30%-50% of capacity.
• If LiPo/Ion cells leak fluid, rinse the affected area well with water and seek immediate medical care.

IMPORTANT CARE & HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS FOR LITHIUM-POLYMER BATTERIES

CYCLING NiCd OR NiMH BATTERIES

Notes for cycling NiCd and NiMH batteries:

• Periodic cycling of NiCd batteries (once every month or two) can be beneficial in keeping them in

good operating condition. Excessive cycling (more than once monthly) will unnecessarily shorten
the lifespan of the battery.

• A short time delay can be set to occur in-between the charge/discharge functions to allow the battery to

cool. This delay period can be adjusted from 1-60 minutes in the Setup Menu (see page 12).

• During cycle mode, the discharge cutoff voltage for NiCd and NiMH batteries is FIXED (not

adjustable) at 0.9V per cell.

• See the notes sections for NiCd/NiMH charge and NiCd/NiMH discharge for detailed information

regarding charges and discharges.

• Cell manufacturers note three main benefits of cycling NiCd and NiMH batteries:

1. Battery maintenance: NiCd batteries benefit the most from regular cycling to help keep them

in good operating condition, and is recommended once monthly. NiMH batteries do not
require as much cycling.

2. Determining battery condition: NiCd and NiMH batteries are rated by how much charge

energy or “capacity” they can store compared to their rated capacity. A battery that can
supply only a small fraction of its rated capacity is likely reaching the end of its useful life and
may need to be replaced.

3. Breaking-in batteries: new NiCd and NiMH batteries may need to be broken-in before they

will perform to their specifications. Older batteries which have been unused for an extended
length of time may require to be broken-in again to regain their usefulness. Repeated cycling
is the best way to revive such batteries.

CHARGE PORTION OF CYCLE

Charge

Capacity

Minutes

on charge

Charge

indication

Output

Voltage

Cycle

Number

Charge
Current