that port’s red current adjustment dial to the appropriate charge current
setting to match the battery (consult your battery supplier if there is any
question as to what is the appropriate setting). If charging a battery
inside a Tx, or one which is inside a model connected to a switch
harness, make sure the power switch is in the “off” position. The LED
will NOT do anything at this time – this is normal.
Push this port’s yellow pushbutton in the sequence listed below to
initiate the quick charge process:
NiCd BATTERIES:
Press the yellow pushbutton ONCE to charge
NiCd batteries. The LED above the charge jacks will flash RED 3
times, then change to a constant red glow to indicate the peak
detection quick charge of NiCd batteries is in progress.
NiMH BATTERIES:
Press the yellow pushbutton TWICE to charge
NiMH batteries. The LED above the charge jacks will flash AMBER
3 times, then change to a constant AMBER glow to indicate the
peak detection quick charge of NiMH batteries is in progress.
LiPo/Li-Ion BATTERIES:
Press the yellow pushbutton THREE
TIMES to charge LiPo/Li-Ion batteries. The LED above the charge
jacks will flash GREEN 3 times, then change to a constant green
glow to indicate the “cc/cv” quick charge of LiPo/Li-Ion batteries is in
progress.
Note:
The maximum charge current for LiPo/Li-Ion
batteries on each port is 1 amp. When charging LiPo/Li-Ion cells,
turning the current adjustment past “1.0” will NOT increase the
charge current more than 1.0 amp.
If it is necessary or desirable to stop the charge process after it has
already begun, simply re-press the respective yellow button which
will cause the LED to completely dim indicating the quick charge
process has been halted.
WARNING!
It is normal for batteries to become warm during
charge. Disconnect batteries
IMMEDIATELY if they become hot
at any time! Extra caution must be observed with NiMH and
LiPo/Li-Ion batteries as any heating will reduce the lifespan of
the battery. In such case, it may be necessary to reduce the fast
charge current to lower the possibility of heating. Never
attempt to charge batteries at excessive rates, as permanent
damage could result.
To charge another battery on Quick Field Charger MkII’s second
charge circuit while another is being charged on the first circuit,
simply follow the above directions for the second circuit. In effect,
Quick Field Charger MkII is two completely independent chargers in
one. It is not necessary to start both charge circuits simultaneously.
One charge circuit does not effect the other charge circuit in any way.
Quick Field Charger MkII will automatically supply trickle charge
current to NiCd and NiMH batteries immediately after quick charge
has ended. No trickle charge feature exists for LiPo/Li-Ion batteries.
The trickle charge current is determined by the setting of the fast
charge current dial. The trickle charge rates are as follows:
Fast Charge Setting
Trickle Charge Rate
Less than 500mA
0mA (no trickle)
500mA - 1.0A
50mA
1.0A - 1.5A
85mA
1.5 - 2.0A
100mA
Quick Field Charger MkII will indicate that fast charge has ended
and trickle charge has begun by emitting an audible tone seven
times and the LED will flash four times. The charger will remain in
the trickle charge state until the battery is removed from the charger,
or another input command is given to the charger.
It may be desirable to monitor a battery’s voltage with a voltmeter
while it is being charged. Quick Field Charger MkII offers one set of
voltmeter jacks for each charge port. To monitor a battery with a
voltmeter during charge:
1. Select a voltmeter which has a selectable load, such as the Hobbico
Digital Voltmeter MkIII (HCAP0356) or a standard digital voltmeter.
2. Set the voltmeter to the proper scale, making sure the meter’s internal
load is turned off (if possible). Do NOT use an expanded scale
voltmeter (ESV) because it’s on-board load will steal current from
the battery being charged.
3. Connect the voltmeter to the appropriate METER jacks, following
proper polarity.
Do NOT attempt to charge batteries through Quick Field
Charger MkII’s METER jacks.
Quick Field Charger MkII utilizes a unique and handy safety feature
to warn if problems exist when attempting to quick charge a battery.
If a charge port’s LED alternately flashes red and green and is
accompanied by an audible warning tone, it is an indication that one
of three potential problems exists, as follows:
A. The battery was not properly connected to the output before
the charge button was pressed.
B. The battery somehow becomes disconnected from the charger
while it was in the charge process.
C. If the battery was accidentally connected to the output jacks in
reverse polarity.
In any case, re-check to make sure the battery is connected to the output
jacks properly as explained above. Check to make sure the charge lead
is making good contact with the charger’s output jacks and with the
battery to be charged and that proper polarity is being observed.
SAFETY FEATURES
CONNECTING A VOLTMETER
TRICKLE CHARGE
WARNING!
Lithium-polymer and Lithium-ion cells are
VERY sensitive and volatile. Do NOT attempt to charge
LiPo/Li-Ion cells at excessive currents or temperatures.
Failure to do so could result in bodily harm and/or
permanent damage to the cells as the LiPo/Li-Ion chemistry
can be very explosive. Make sure the GREEN LED is lit when
charging LiPo/Li-Ion batteries. Disconnect LiPo/Li-Ion
batteries from the charger
IMMEDIATELY if they begin to
swell or become very warm to the touch. It is strongly
recommended to
ONLY use packs consisting of LiPo/Li-Ion
cells which also contain a built-in protective circuitry which
will protect the pack in the event of excessive conditions. Do
Not charge LiPo/Li-Ion cells at greater than their 1C rating.
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