HITEC X2 AC Plus Operation Manual page 4

Warning and Safety Notes
Standard Battery Parameters
LiPo LiPo HV LiIon
Nominal 3.7V/cell 3.7V/cell 3.6V/cell
Voltage
4.2V/cell 4.35V/cell 4.1V/cell
Max. Charge
Voltage
Storage 3.8V/cell 3.85V/cell 3.7V/cell
Voltage
Allowable Fast ≤ 1C ≤ 1C ≤ 1C
Charge
Min. Discharge 3.0-3.3V/cell 3.1-3.4V/cell 2.9-3.2V/cell 2.6-2.9V/cell 0.1-1.1V/cell
Voltage
WHEN ADJUSTING YOUR X2 AC PLUS CHARGING PARAMETERS, BE SURE
YOU SELECT THE PROPER BATTERY TYPE AND CELL VOLTAGE FOR THE TYPE
Warning
OF CELL YOU ARE CHARGING. CHARGING BATTERIES WITH THE WRONG
SETTINGS MAY CAUSE THE CELLS TO BURST, CATCH FIRE OR EXPLODE.
Charging
Before charging your batteries, it is critical that you determine the maximum
allowable charge rate for your batteries. The X2 AC Plus is capable of charging
at high rates that may not be suitable or safe for your particular batteries. For
example, Lithium cells are typically safe to charge at 1C, or the total mAh÷1000.
A 1200mAh battery would have a 1C charge rate of 1.2 amps. A 4200mAh
battery would have a 1C charge rate of 4.2 amps. Some manufacturers are
offering Lithium cells that can be charged at greater than 1C but this should
ALWAYS be verified before charging a Lithium battery at rates higher than 1C.
Voltage is just as critical as the charging amperage rate and this is determined
by the number of cells in series, or "S". For example, a 3S LiPo is rated at 11.1 volts
("S" multiplied by a single LiPo cell with a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts DC. 3 cells
x 3.7 volts each equals 11.1 volts DC).
Connect the battery's main leads to the charger output: red is positive and
black is negative. Keep in mind that the gauge or thickness of your charging
leads from the X2 AC Plus to your battery must be of an acceptable current
rating to handle the applied charge current. For maximum safety and charging
effectiveness, always match or exceed the main battery lead rating when
assembling or selecting your charging leads. If you charge a battery at a high
current rate (amperage) with a charging lead not rated for the chosen amperage,
the wire could get hot, catch fire, short out and/or potentially destroy your
battery and the charger.
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[cont.]
LiFe NiCd NiMH Pb
3.3V/cell 1.2V/cell 1.2V/cell 2.0V/cell
3.6V/cell 1.5V/cell 1.5V/cell 2.46V/cell
3.3V/cell n/a n/a n/a
≤ 4C ≤ 1-2C ≤ 1-2C ≤ .04C
0.1-1.1V/cell 1.8V/cell
Warning and Safety Notes
When in doubt, always use a higher gauge wire (lower AWG number). It is
common to see charging leads constructed of 14AWG, 16AWG or 18AWG wire.
Always refer to recommendations from your battery manufacturer for your
specific battery type and size before initiating a charge or discharge process.
Do not attempt to disassemble or modify Lithium or Lead-Acid battery packs.
Discharging
The X2 AC Plus discharging functions are for two specific purposes:
•
Refreshing the capacity of a Nickel-based battery that has lost capacity over
time (NiMH or NiCd).
•
Reducing the voltage of a Lithium battery for safe storage.
LITHIUM CHEMISTRY BATTERY PACKS SHOULD ONLY BE DISCHARGED
TO THEIR MINIMUM SAFE VOLTAGE, NO LOWER. DEEP DISCHARGING
Note
A LITHIUM CELL WILL DO PERMANENT DAMAGE. REFER TO THE
STANDARD BATTERY PARAMETERS TABLE ON PAGE 6 OF THIS MANUAL
FOR MINIMUM DISCHARGE VOLTAGES.
LiPo & LiHV Charge/Discharge Cycling
Lithium batteries are known to reach full capacity after a break-in period of
about 10 charge/discharge cycles. We do not recommend you use the X2 AC
Plus charger to do this; normal use and recharging will achieve the same results.
If you wish to perform a Lithium break-in on the bench with the X2 AC Plus,
discharging to minimum acceptable voltages and performing a balance charge
at 1C maximum rate is recommended. If you choose to break in your Lithium
batteries under normal use, charging at only 1C for the first ten cycles will help
ensure full performance and service life from your Lithium cells.
[cont.]
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