General Notes On Using The Charger; Recommended Charge Leads, Polarity - GRAUPNER ULTRA DUO PLUS 30 Operating Manual

3. General notes on using the charger

Charging batteries
When a battery is charged, a particular quantity of electrical energy is fed into it. The charge quantity is
calculated by multiplying charge current by charge time. The maximum permissible charge current
varies according to the battery type, and can be found in the information provided by the battery manu-
facturer.
It is only permissible to charge batteries at rates higher than the standard (slow) current if they are
expressly stated to be rapid-charge capable. The STANDARD CHARGE CURRENT is 1/10 (one tenth)
of the cells' nominal capacity (e.g. for a 1.7 Ah pack the standard charge current is 170 mA).
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Connect the battery to be charged to the charger output sockets using a suitable charge lead (red =
positive terminal, black = negative terminal).
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Be sure to read the information provided by the battery manufacturer regarding charging methods,
and observe the recommended charge currents and charge times. Do not attempt to fast-charge
batteries unless they are expressly stated to be suitable for the high currents which this charger
delivers.
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Please bear in mind that new batteries do not reach their full capacity until they have undergone
several charge / discharge cycles. You should also be aware that the charger may terminate the
charge process prematurely when connected to new packs, and batteries which have been deep-
discharged.
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An NC pack will normally be warm at the end of a rapid-charge process, but if you notice that one cell
of the pack is much hotter than the others, this may well indicate a fault in that cell. Such packs could
fail completely without warning, and should not be used again. Dispose of the battery safely, prefe-
rably taking it to a toxic waste disposal centre.
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Ensure that all connectors and terminal clamps make good, sound contact. For example, if there is a
brief interruption due to an intermittent contact, the result is inevitably a malfunction such as a restart
of the charge process, which would result in the pack being massively overcharged.
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A common cause of malfunctions is the use of unsuitable charge leads. Since the charger is incapa-
ble of detecting the difference between a pack's internal resistance, cable resistance and connector
transfer resistance, the first requirement if the charger is to work perfectly is that the charge lead
should be of adequate conductor cross-section and should be no longer than 30 cm. Good-quality
connectors (gold-contact types) must be fitted to both ends.
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Charging transmitter batteries
A battery installed in a radio control transmitter can usually be recharged via the integral charge
socket which is fitted to the transmitter itself.
Transmitter charge sockets generally include a diode which prevents reverse current flow. This pre-
vents damage to the transmitter electronics should the charger be connected with reverse polarity, or
if a short-circuit occurs between the bare ends of the charge lead connectors. However, a transmitter
battery protected in this way can only be charged by the ULTRAMAT 25 if the diode is by-passed.
Please read your transmitter operating instructions for information on how to do this.
The stated maximum charge current for the transmitter battery must never be exceeded.
To avoid possible damage to the internal transmitter components due to overheating and heat build-
up, we recommend that the transmitter battery should be removed from the transmitter's battery
compartment prior to charging.
The transmitter must be set to "OFF" and left in that state for the whole period of the charge process.
Never switch a radio control transmitter on when it is still connected to the battery charger.
Any interruption in the charge process may allow the charge voltage to rise to the point where it
immediately ruins the transmitter.
Never attempt to carry out any battery discharge or battery maintenance programs via the transmitter's
integral charge socket. The charge socket is not suitable for this purpose.
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When you set a particular current for charging or discharging, the charger only supplies that current
if the value does not exceed the unit's technical capacity. If you set a charge / discharge current which
the ULTRAMAT 25 cannot deliver because it falls outside its technical limits, the unit automatically
reduces the current to the maximum possible value. In this case the screen displays the charge /
discharge current which is actually flowing, alternating with the warning message "MAX".
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Liability exclusion
As manufacturers, we at GRAUPNER are not in a position to ensure that you observe the correct
methods of operation when installing, using and maintaining this charger. For this reason we are obli-
ged to deny all liability for loss, damage or costs which are incurred due to the incompetent or incorrect
use and operation of our products, or which are connected with such operation in any way.
4. Recommended charge leads / polarity
The requirements made on rechargeable batteries vary greatly according to their particular application,
and this in turn calls for different types of battery connector. Please note that connectors, connector
names and polarities may vary from one manufacturer to another. For this reason we recommend that
you always use genuine matching connectors of identical construction.
The following charge leads are suitable for battery charging with this unit:
Japan G2 (AMP/G2,5)
Order No. 3371 Order No. 3011 Order No. 3037
Use only genuine charge leads fitted with cable of adequate conductor cross-section.
All charge leads should be cut down to a length of no more than 30 cm.
5. Controls / handling / charging start
Coolin fins
Fan
Charge sockets Operating
„Akku 1" buttons
All the charger's functions are controlled by means of just four buttons.
The -/DEC and +/INC buttons are used to change the current and voltage values. The function of the
other two buttons varies according to the presence or otherwise of a battery at the charge sockets:
Button Function
No battery PROGRAM/MODE Selects charge programs and sub-groups
connected: ENTER/START Selects the (charge) program group
Battery PROGRAM/MODE Ends the charge process, stops the buzzer
connected: ENTER/START Starts the charge process, changes within sub-groups
BEC JR JR-transmitter
Order No. 3021 Order No. 3022
connectors
for mains PSU
Screen
Charge sockets Car battery
„Akku 2" terminal clips
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