• Ensure that the mains cable is not squeezed, bent, damaged by sharp edges
or subjected to mechanical stress. Avoid excessive thermal stress on the mains
cable from extreme heat or cold. Do not modify the mains cable. Failure to adhere
to these instructions may lead to damage to the mains cable. A damaged mains
cable can cause a fatal electric shock.
• Do not touch the mains cable if there are any signs of damage. Power down
the respective mains socket (e.g. via the respective circuit breaker), and then
carefully unplug the mains plug from the mains socket. Never use the product if
the mains cable is damaged.
• Damaged mains cables must be replaced by the manufacturer, an authorised
repair centre or a qualified electrician.
• Never plug in or unplug the mains plug when your hands are wet.
e) Operation
• Never use the charger to charge unsupported batteries or non-rechargeable
batteries. This may cause a fire or explosion!
• Always set the correct charging voltage. Otherwise, there is a risk of fire or
explosion.
• Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation during use; never cover the charger.
Leave sufficient distance (at least 20 cm) between the charger and other objects.
The charger may cause a fire if it overheats!
• The charger may be operated via a mains voltage or DC voltage. The device can
be operated at 100 - 240 V/AC and 11 - 18 V/DC. Ensure the correct setting of
the mains voltage and set the correct input voltage on the charger. Always ensure
the correct polarity.
• Never leave the product unattended during use. Although there is a wide range of
comprehensive safety mechanisms on the device, it is impossible to exclude the
possibility of malfunctions or problems occurring while charging.
• When connecting the battery packs, ensure that the input and output are
connected with the correct polarity.
• Never wear metal or conductive objects (e.g. jewellery such as necklaces,
bracelets or rings) when handling the charger. This may result in a short-circuit,
which can cause a fire or explosion.
• Only use the product in temperate climates. It is not suitable for use in tropical
climates.
• Do not use the product in the immediate vicinity of strong magnetic or
electromagnetic fields, transmitter aerials or HF generators. These may affect
the electronic control system.
• Do not place the product directly next to devices with strong electrical or magnetic
fields (e.g. transformers, motors, cordless telephones, wireless devices and
radios), as these can prevent the product from working properly.
• Trained personnel must supervise the use of electrical appliances in schools,
training facilities and DIY workshops.
• For installations in industrial facilities, follow the accident prevention regulations
for electrical systems and equipment issued by the government safety
organisation or the corresponding authority for your country.
Battery information
There are numerous hazards associated with the use of batteries. Compared to conventional
NiCd or NiMH batteries, LiPo/Li-ion/LiFe batteries have a high energy content. For this reason,
it is essential to comply with safety regulations to prevent the risk of a fire or explosion.
Always observe the following safety information when handling batteries.
In addition, ensure that you observe any additional safety information provided by
the battery manufacturer.
a) General information
• Batteries are not toys. Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
• Do not leave batteries lying around as they constitute a choking hazard for children and
pets. Seek immediate medical advice if a battery is swallowed.
• Batteries must never be short-circuited, dismantled or thrown into fire. This may cause
a fire or explosion!
• When handling leaking or damaged batteries, always use suitable protective gloves to
avoid burning your skin.
• Do not attempt to recharge disposable, non-rechargeable batteries. This may cause a fire
or explosion!
• Non-rechargeable batteries are only designed to be used once and must be disposed of
properly when they are depleted.
• Batteries must not become damp or wet.
• Place the charger and battery on a non-flammable, heat-resistant surface (e.g. stone tiles).
Keep the charger and battery away from flammable objects. Maintain a sufficient distance
between the charger and the battery. Never place the battery on top of the charger.
• The charger and battery may heat up during the charging/discharging process. Always
ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. Never cover the charger or the battery.
• Never use battery packs with different types of cell or cells from different manufacturers.
• Never charge/discharge batteries unsupervised.
• Never charge/discharge a battery directly in the model. Remove the battery from the model
first.
• Never charge batteries that are connected to other devices (e.g. a speed controller).
• Always ensure that the battery is connected with the correct polarity (observe the plus/+ and
minus/- symbols). Connecting the battery incorrectly will damage both the model and the
battery. This may cause a fire or explosion!
• The charger features a safety mechanism to prevent the battery from being connected with
the wrong polarity. However, connecting the battery with the wrong polarity may still cause
damage in certain scenarios.
• If you do not plan to use the charger for an extended period, disconnect any connected
batteries from the charger, and then disconnect the charger from the power supply.
• The charger does not come with a power switch.
• To disconnect the charger from the mains, unplug the mains plug from the mains socket.
• Do not charge/discharge batteries when they are still hot (e.g. due to a high discharging
current in the model). Allow the battery to cool down to room temperature before charging
or discharging it.
• Never damage the casing of a battery. This may cause a fire or explosion!
• Never charge or discharge damaged, leaking or deformed batteries. This may cause a fire
or explosion! Discontinue use immediately and dispose of the battery in an environmentally
friendly manner.
• Disconnect the battery from the charger when the battery is fully charged.
• Batteries should be charged at least once every three months to prevent damage due to
deep discharge.
• Store batteries in a suitable location. Install a smoke detector in the room. Batteries present
a fire hazard and may generate toxic fumes. This applies in particular to model batteries,
which are subjected to high charging/discharging currents and vibrations.
b) Additional information about lithium rechargeable batteries
Modern lithium batteries have a significantly higher capacity than NiMH and NiCd batteries
and are more lightweight. This makes lithium batteries (especially lithium polymer batteries)
particularly suitable for use in model making.
However, lithium batteries require particular care to ensure safe charging/discharging,
operation and handling.
The following section provides an overview of the potential hazards associated with lithium
batteries and explains how these hazards can be avoided to ensure a long service life.
• The casing of many lithium batteries is made of a thick film, which is very sensitive.
Do not dismantle, drop or insert any objects into lithium batteries. Do not apply mechanical
loads or pull on the battery’s connection cables. This may cause a fire or explosion!
Pay attention to this when the battery is attached to or removed from the model.
• Ensure that the battery does not overheat during use, recharging, discharging, transport or
storage. Do not place the battery next to sources of heat (e.g. a speed controller or motor)
or expose it to direct sunlight. This may cause the battery to overheat, which can cause a
fire or explosion!
The temperature of the battery must not exceed 60°C (or the maximum temperature stated
in the manufacturer’s instructions).
• If there are any signs of damage to the battery (e.g. if your aeroplane/helicopter model
sustains an impact), or if the battery casing is swollen, discontinue use immediately. Do not
continue to charge it. This may cause a fire or explosion!
Exercise caution when handling the damaged battery and use suitable protective gloves.
Dispose of the battery in an environmentally friendly manner.
Never store damaged batteries in an apartment or in a house/garage. Damaged or
swollen lithium batteries may catch fire.
• Always use a compatible charger to charge lithium batteries and ensure that the charging
specifications are correct. Do not use NiCd, NiMH or lead battery chargers, as these may
cause a fire or explosion!
Always select the correct charging specifications for your battery.
• When charging a lithium battery with more than one cell, always use a ‘balancer’ (one is
already integrated into the charger).
• The charging current for LiPo batteries must not exceed 1C (or the value stated in the
battery instructions). This means that the charging current must not exceed the stated
battery capacity (e.g. battery capacity = 1000 mAh, max. charging current = 1000 mA = 1 A).
For LiFe and Li-ion batteries, always observe the instructions of the battery manufacturer.
• The discharging current must not exceed the value stated on the battery.
For example, if ‘20C’ is printed on the LiPo battery, the maximum discharging current is 20
times the battery’s capacity (e.g. battery capacity = 1000 mAh, max. discharging current =
20C = 20x 1000 mA = 20 A).
Exceeding the maximum current may cause the battery to overheat or become deformed/
swollen, which can lead to a fire or explosion!
The printed value (e.g. 20C) indicates the maximum current that the battery can deliver for
a short period. The continuous current should not be higher than one half of the stated
value.
