Carson HT Charger User manual

Operating Manual
Item No. 605012
www.carson-modelsport.com
Dickie-TAMIYA Modellsport GmbH & Co KG
Mittlere Motschstraße 9
96515 Sonneberg
Service-Hotline:
(8.00 Uhr -17.00 Uhr)
(01805) 73 33 00
12 ct/min

HT CHARGER
Microprocessor controlled high-performance rapid charger/discharger
For NiCd/NiMH/Li-poly/Pb batteries with cell voltage balancer.
Charge current up to 5A, 1 to 5 series of Li-ion/poly,
1~14 cells of NiCd/NiMH, 6 or 12V lead acid (Pb)
Thank you for purchasing the HT Charger. This is a rapid, computerised charger with a high
performance microprocessor, including specialised operating software. This allows your battery to be
maintained in optimum and safe condition. Please familiarise yourself with the entire contents of the
Operating Manual which contains important programming and safety Information.
This manual needs to be kept in a safe place and be passed on to a new owner in the event of resale.
-Voltage balancer for Li-polymer battery
The HT Charger has an individual-cell-voltage balancer inside. It does not need a separate balancer
when charging Li-poly battery.
-Maximum safety
Delta-Peak sensitivity: The automatic charge termination program works on the principle of the Delta-
Peak voltage detection.
Capacity limit: The charging capacity is calculated by a multiple of the charging current and time. If the
charging capacity exceeds the limit, the process will be terminated automatically when you set the
maximum value.
Temperature limit: The temperature of the battery on charging will rise by its internal chemical reaction.
If you set a temperature limit the process will be terminated when the limit is reached.
Processing time: You can also restrict the maximum process time to prevent any possible damage.
Input power monitor: To protect the car battery from being damaged (when used as power input) the
voltage is always monitored. If it drops below the lower limit the process will automatically be ended.
-High-power and high-performance circuit
The HT Charger employs the circuit that has maximum output power of 50W. As a result it can charge
or discharge up to 14 cells of NiCd/NiMH and 5 series of Li-poly batteries with maximum current of
5.0A.
Special features
Input power cable
(DC11-18V) AC-DC
function cable)
USB port
Start/Enter
to resume or start
the operation
LCD screen
(16chr. x2lines)
Balance charger socket
Charging lead
connector
(4mm banana female)
Batt type/stop to select main
program to stop the
operation
Dec/lnc
To select sub program
to alter the value
Warnings and safety notes
- Never leave the charge unsupervised when it is connected to its power supply. If any malfunction is
observed immediately terminate the process and refer to the operation manual.
- Keep away the unit from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunshine and vibration. Do not drop it.
- This unit and the battery to charge or discharge should be set up on a heat-resistant, non-
inflammable and non-conductive surface. Never place them on a car seat, carpet or similar
combustible surface.
- Keep all the inflammable volatile materials well away from operating area.
- Be sure to understand the technical information of the battery to be charged or discharged
accurately. If the program is set up incorrectly the battery could be severely damaged.
- Lithium battery in particular can cause fire or explosion by over-charging.
- To avoid short-circuits between the charge lead, always connect the charge cable to the unit first
and only then to the battery to be charged or discharged. Reverse the sequence when
disconnecting.
- Do not connect more than one battery pack to the charge lead at any time.
Do not attempt to charge or discharge the following types of batteries:
- Battery pack, which consists of different types of cell (including different manufacturers).
- Battery, which is already fully charged or just slightly discharged.
- Non-rechargeable batteries (Explosion hazard).
- Batteries that require a different charge technique from NiCd, NiMH, Li-Poly or Pb.
- Faulty or damaged batteries.
- Battery fitted with an integral charge circuit or a protection circuit.
- Batteries installed in a device, or which are electrically linked to other components.
- Batteries that are not expressly stated by the manufacture to be suitable for the currents the
charger delivers during the charge process.
Please check the following points before charge operation:
- Did you select the appropriate program, which is suitable for the type of battery?
- Did you set up adequate current for charging or discharging?
- Lithium battery packs can be composed of mixed parallel and series. The composition of the
battery pack must be carefully checked before charging.
- Ensure that all connections are firm and safe, and that there are no intermittent contacts at any
point in the circuit?
Those warnings and safety notes are particularly important. Please follow the instructions for maximum
safety; otherwise the charger and the battery can be severely damaged. Failure to follow these
instructions could result in fire, injury or damage to property.
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temperature indicator
cable connector

Menu Operation
The charger is operated by consecutive screen menus which are accessed by four push-buttons. You
can scroll forwards or backwards from one menu point to the other. After connecting the charger to the
power source the menu which was executed as last appears at the screen. By pressing the
button you reach the „program select menu“ from where the desired submenus can be attained by
pressing the button.
Adjusting the characteristic user set values
Charging / discharging Li-Ion/Poly batteries
Charging / discharging NiMH batteries
Charging / discharging NiCd batteries
Charging Lead-Acid batteries
Saving the input values of a battery pack
Loading the input values of a battery pack
The HT charger will be operated with the default value of the essential user settings when it is started.
The screen displays the following information in sequence and the user can change the value of
parameter on each screen. When you wish to alter the parameter value in the program, press the
button to make it flash then change the value with <DEC or INC> key. The value will be stored by
pressing the button once.
Type of the Lithium-Ionen /-Polymer-Battery.
To determine the full charge of any Lithium-Battery a
very precise value of their voltage is necessary. This
can be adjusted here between 3.6V and 3.7V. The
value is then used in all subsequent operations.
Initial parameter set up
Sensitivity of Delta-Peak recognition for NiMH.
This value is factory set (Default). After pressing the
key the value for Delta-Peak cut-off can be set
between 5 and 20 mV per cell. By doing so you may
prevent a premature cut-off before full charge is
reached. This operation must be handled with care and
it is suggested to set an additional limit fort the charging
capacity (maximum 1.4 x nominal value).
Sensitivity of Delta-Peak recognition for NiCd.
Operating instructions are the same as NiMH.
High temperature cut-off.
An upper limit for the temperature of the battery can be
entered here. Charging is finished if this limit is
exceeded.
To use this function a separately available temperature
indicator cable item No. 605015 is required.
The function can be switched ON or OFF.
Waiting time for cyclical charging/discharging.
During discharge a battery gets hot according to the
value of the discharging current. If charged immediately
after discharging the battery does not reach its full
capacity. It is possible here to enter a waiting time (time
to cool) in case of cyclical battery regeneration with
several charge and discharge cycles.
Charging maintenance at low current for
NiMH/NiCd/Pb.
This function is not used for LiPo. To maintain a high
charging level of a battery (i.e. to counteract self-
discharging) a NiMH/NiCd/Pb-battery can remain
connected to the charger whilst accepting a low current.
It should be specifically noted that this is not valid for
LiPo batteries, which have a very low self discharging
characteristic. The current value for maintenance
should be about 0,05C. Damage to the battery pack
(overheating, shortening of lifetime, memory effect etc.)
should not occur.
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When you start a charge process, the integral safety
timer automatically starts running at the same time. This
is programmed to prevent overcharging of the battery if
it proves to be faulty, or if the termination circuit can not
detect that the battery is full. The value for the safety
timer should be generous enough to allow a full charge
of the battery.
This program sets the maximum charge capacity that
will be supplied to the battery during charge. If the
Delta-Peak voltage is not detected nor the safety timer
expired by any reason, this feature will automatically
stop the process at the selected capacity value.
A beep sounds at every time pressing the buttons to
confirm your action. The beeps or melodies sound at
various times during operation as reference to different
mode changes. These audible sounds can be switched
on or off.
This program monitors the voltage of input battery. If the
voltage drops below the value you set the operation is
forcibly terminated to protect the input battery.
You can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen at the
charger.
Charging / Discharging of Lithium polymer batteries
These programs are only suitable for charging and discharging Lithium-polymer batteries with a
nominal voltage of 3.7V/cell only. These batteries need to adopt a different charge technique which is
referred to as a constant voltage and constant current method. The charge current varies according to
the battery capacity, and is usually C/2 rate (half capacity of the charge current). The final voltage of
charge process is also very important, which should be 4.2 V/cell for the nominal voltage of 3.7V/cell. If
the final voltage is exceeded by more than 1% during charge for any reason the battery will explode.
The charge current and nominal voltage per cell count, set on the charge program, must always be
correct for the battery to be charged.
If you wish to alter the parameter value in the program, press the key to make it flash then
change the value with <DEC or INC> key. The value will be stored by pressing the key once.
The value on the bottom left hand side sets the charge
current and the value on the bottom right hand side
sets the voltage of the battery pack. After setting the
current and voltage press the key for more than 3
seconds to start the process (charge current: 0.1-5.0A
voltage: 1-5 series).
Automatic voltage detector.
Instead of voltage and number of series the display
can show om the lower right hand side: “AUTO”. If you
switch on this mode the charger automatically detects
the voltage of the LiPo battery pack and the number of
the cells. You only have to adjust the charging current.
This is also valid in balancing mode.
This shows the number of cells you set up and the
processor detects, 'R:' which shows the number of
cells found by the charger and 'S:' which is the number
of cells selected by you at the previous screen. If both
numbers are identical you can start charging by
pressing the button. If not, press the
button to go back to previous screen. Then carefully
check the number of cells of the battery pack to charge
again. This screen does not appear if you choose
“AUTO” in the previous screen.
The screen shows the current status of the charging
process.
To stop charging press the key once.
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Ni-MH/NiCd battery charging program
Discharging NiMH/ NiCd batteries
Regeneration cycle for NiMH and NiCd batteries
These programs are for charging NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) or NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium) battery
packs, which are commonly used for R/C models. For quick-charge batteries the chosen current should
be as high as possible; this has a positive effect on the available power. Pay attention to the
Manufacturer’s instructions. Charging and discharging operations for NiMH or NiCd batteries are
basically similar. Different Delta-Peak characteristics mean that adjusting the battery type correctly is
critical.
To change the value of the charging current push the
button to make the number flash and then change
the value with the <DEC or INC> button. The value is
saved by pressing the button once more.
This program charges the battery with the current that
you have adjusted until the Delta-Peak function detects
that the battery is full. The charge current reaches from
0,1A to 5,0A but is also dependant on the number of
cells.
To start charging push the button for more than 3
seconds. A battery check notice appears momentarily
on the screen.
The screen displays the current state of charging. To
stop the process, press the key once.
An audible sound indicates the end of process.
Under certain circumstances NiMH and NiCd batteries
can develop a so called „lazy battery effect“ if they are
charged frequently without being discharged
completely. This causes a partial loss of capacity. It is
therefore necessary to discharge this type of battery
from time to time, to a voltage of 1 Volt per cell (for a
battery pack with 6 cells 6 Volt) because it is not totally
discharged under regular running or flying. The
following charging cycle will provide a true indication of
the battery’s capacity.
NiMH and NiCd batteries which have not been used for
a longer time cannot yield full power after a single
charge. Power can be increased by repeated charging
/ discharging.
With a charge/discharge or discharge/charge cycle this
procedure can be repeated automatically up to 5 times.
The number of cycles (1-5) and starting with charging
or discharging can be chosen.
The screen information is very similar to charging.
Discharging Li-Po Batteries
Charging Li-Poly battery in balancing mode
Lithium batteries do not have the so called „lazy
battery effect“ which appears exclusively with NiCd or
NiMH batteries when they are charged in only partially
discharged condition. Lithium batteries should be
discharged only in exceptional cases for instance if
they have to be disposed or if after a long period of
use, the capacity of a full charge needs to be be
determined. The current must be chosen according to
the battery, the final discharge voltage is 3V/cell. The
discharge is automatically terminated and is indicated
visually and acoustically.
This is for balancing the voltage of lithium batteries of the battery pack to be charged. To do this, the
battery pack being charged should have an individual cell connector, which should be connected to the
individual port at the right side of charger. You do not need to connect the battery output jack to the
output of charger on this setting.
In this mode the charging process will be different from ordinary charging mode. The internal processor
of the charger will monitor the voltage of each cell of the battery pack and control the charging current
feeding each cell to balance the voltage.
The value on the bottom left hand side sets a charge
current and the value on the bottom right hand side
sets the voltage of the battery pack.
After setting the current and voltage press the
key for more than 3 seconds to start the process.
(Charge current: 0.1-5.0A voltage: 1-5 series)
This shows the number of cells you set up and the
processor detects. 'R:' which shows the number of the
cells found by the charger and 'S ' which is the number
of cells selected by you at the previous screen; if both
numbers are identical you can start charging by
pressing the key. If not, press button to
go back to previous screen. Then carefully check the
number of cell of the battery pack to charge again.
The screen shows the present situation during the
charging process. To stop charging press the
key once.
Determining the voltage of individual cells.
You can monitor the present voltage of individual cell
by pressing <DEC or INC> button during the process.
The first line of display shows the voltage of no.1 cell,
no.2 cell and no.3 cell from the left. The bottom left
hand side shows the charging current. The next two
figures denote the voltage of no.4 and no.5 cell.
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Pb (lead-sulphuric acid) battery charging program
Saving and loading data of up to 10 different battery types
This programm is for charging Pb (lead-acid) battery with a nominal voltage of 6 or 12V. Pb batteries
are totally different from NiCd or NiMH batteries. They can only deliver relatively low current compared
to their capacity, and similar restrictions apply to their charging abilities. So the optimum charge current
will be 1/10 of the capacity. Pb batteries must not be fast charged. Always follow the battery
Manufacturer’s instructions.
Set up the charge current on the left and the nominal
voltage of the battery on the right. The charge current
ranges from 0.1 to 5.0A and the voltage should match
with the battery being charged. Start the charge
process by pressing the key for more than 3
seconds.
The screen displays the state of the charging process.
To stop charging forcibly, press key once.
The audible sound indicates the end of process.
The essential data of up to 10 different batteries can be stored in the memory.
Saving battery charge details
Memory number identity, the type of the battery, the
voltage, and the capacity are all adjustable. When all
values are adjusted according to the battery, press the
button for more than 3 seconds but release it
instantly when the audible signal sounds. On the
following screen you have the possibility to adjust the
charging current; which is marked by a flashing star.
The next screen shows the display on the left together
with an acoustic signal and the values are saved.
Loading a saved battery configuration
After choosing the memory number the battery
charging data is shown in the display. Now press the
button for more than 3 seconds; a short notice
appears together with an acoustic signal. The the
automatically set value of the charging current is
displayed (which can be adjusted) and charging can
be started.
Warning and error messages
The HT Charger incorporates a various functions of protective and monitoring to verify functions with its
state of the art electronics. Should an error occur, the screen displays a self-explanatory error
message with an audible sound.
The output is connected to a battery with incorrect
polarity.
This will be displayed in case of detecting an
interruption between battery and output or voluntarily
disconnecting the charge lead during the operation of
charge or discharge on output.
There was a short-circuit at output.
The voltage input is too low.
The Lithium battery pack voltage was selected
incorrectly.
Verify the voltage of the battery pack carefully.
The unit has malfunctioned.
The processor has detected a low voltage irregularity
during charging.
The processor has detected a high voltage irregularity
during charging.
The voltage of one cell in the Li-poly battery pack has
exceeded the limit.
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Specifications
Connection to a computer via USB cable
Operating voltage range: 11.0 - 18.0 Volt max.
Circuit power: 50W
Charge current range: 0.1 - 5.0A
Current drain for balancing Li-po: 200 mAh/cell
NiCd/NiMH battery cell count: 1 ~ 14 cell
Li-lon/Polymer cell count: 1-5 series
Pb battery voltage: 2 to 12V
Weight: 350g
Dimensions: 130X90X28mm
The charger features a USB connector where it can be connected to a computer. Use the approved
software to create charging and discharging graphics, offering more extensive information than is
available with the standard display.
This accessory is suitable for expert modellers who participate at competitions and therefore need very
precise information of their battery's power. The software available in English.
USB cable with battery check software Item No. 605013.
Declaration of conformity
Disposal
In accordance with guidelines 1999/5/EG (R&TTE)
Dickie-Tamiya GmbH&Co KG hereby declares that this charger is in accordance with
the basic requirements and other relevant regulations of guideline 1999/5/EG.
The original declaration of conformity can be obtained from the following address:
Dickie-Tamiya GmbH&Co. KG • Werkstraße l • D-90765 Fürth • Tel.: [phone]
Please note and understand the symbols on this product, packaging or instructions.
Electronic components are valuable materials and at the end of their useful life should not
be disposed with household waste! Help us to protect the environment and safeguard our
resources by discarding this equipment at a dedicated recycling point. The authority
responsible for waste disposal or your retailer will be able to answer any questions you
may have in this respect.
Limited Warranty
This product is warranted by CARSON against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship
under normal use for 24 months from the date of purchase from authorized franchisees and dealers.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the CARSON sales
receipt as proof of purchase date to any CARSON store. CARSON will, at its option, unless otherwise
provided by law:
(a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor;
(b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or
(c) refund the purchase price.
All replaced parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, become the property of
CARSON. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the performance of warranty
service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the
remainder of the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product
made after the expiration of the warranty period.
This warranty does not cover:
(a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or
abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation or maintenance, alteration,
lightning or other incidence of excess voltage or current;
(b) any repairs other than those provided by a CARSON Authorized Service Facility;
(c) consumables such as fuses or batteries;
(d) cosmetic damage;
(e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or
(f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state
to state.
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