See the following examples for an idea of how one might set current and capacity settings for a 4200mAh battery and 1200mAh
NiMH battery. It may take some practice and careful attention to customize the settings in this function to match your battery.
Battery size
Setting
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
4200mAh
capacity
1200mAh (29%)
2900mAh (69%)
3500mAh (83%)
4400mAh (105%)
current
2.9A (0.7C)
8.4A (2C)
6.3A (1.5C)
5.0A (1.2C)
1200mAh
capacity
500mAh (36%)
800mAh (67%)
1000mAh (83%)
1300mAh (108%)
current
0.7A (0.6C)
2.2A (1.8C)
1.8A (1.5C)
1.4A (1.2C)
“Expect” and “reserve” times: these two lines work together to provide the “Reserve Time Function” as described earlier in
this manual. Again, think of this as a way to schedule when the charger should start charging the battery immediately before
a race.
When the capacity and charge current values are entered in the Four-Step charge screens, the charger will calculate how
much time will be “expected” to reach maximum capacity in step 4 - based on the charge current settings. This time will be
shown on the “expect time” line.
The “reserv time” should be set to take into account the displayed “expect time”, plus how many minutes you want the battery
to cool immediately just before the start of a race. If set properly, the cool-down time will end only minutes before the race
starts, so that your pack is at peak race readiness. You cannot set a “reserve time” which is shorter than the “expect time”.
The reserve time will not include the time needed for “discharge-before-charge” as explained below.
Trickle charge: This sets the trickle charge current that will be applied to the battery only after the fourth charge step ends.
Discharge > charge: This “discharge-before-charge” feature automatically discharges the battery before charge begins. This feature
is simply turned on, or off. It might be best to set this to “on” to empty the battery before starting the four-step charge mode.
Re-flex charge: Re-flex charge can also be applied at ANY of the first 3 steps, but not step 4. In addition, re-flex and impulse
charge can be applied to the battery at the same time. See the diagram below for how to set this function.
time
5A
0.5 sec
7.5A
0A
Impulse charge:
This charge method can be thought of as the
opposite of the re-flex charge method. Instead of applying very
short, high level discharge pulses, impulse charge applies short,
high level charge pulses, equal to the charge current setting x 1.5,
for 0.5 seconds, every 3 seconds. Charge current at all other
times is as set in the Four-Step Charge screen. This method is
also thought to help clear oxidizing gas bubbles from a cell's
internal plates, allowing it to perform better. Impulse charge can
be applied during ANY of the first 3 steps in the charge process,
but not step 4. See the diagram below for how to set this function.
impulse current
pulse
normal charge
current level
[ STEP CHARGE SETUP ]
4cell 5mV/C 116°F
i
c
600 1000 1100 1300
1.5A 3.0A 2.5A 2.0A
[ STEP CHARGE SETUP ]
expect time: 51min
reserv time: off
trickle chg: off
dchg > chg : on
IMPULSE chg: 1 2 3
REFLEX chg : 1 2 3
temp check : 1 2 3
current
step3
step2
step1
capacity
step4
calculated time needed to fully charge the battery
minutes until next race battery cool-off time
trickle current applied only after step-charge
set all steps where impulse charge should be applied
discharge before every charge, or turn off
set all steps where temp. monitoring should be active
set all steps where re-flex charge should be applied
Four-Step Charge Screen
Four-Step charge includes a modified version of the
"reserve time" function described earlier in this
manual, plus the ability to add impulse or re-flex
charge methods during certain steps, and the option
to custom-set at which steps a temperature sensor
can be active. Rotate the dial to move cursor as far
down screen as possible to see all additional features
for this function, as shown here:
19
Summary of Contents for TC-1030
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