GREAT PLANES ElectriFly PEAK 400 User manual

PEAK 400 BATTERY CHARGER INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the Electrifly™Peak 400 Battery
Charger. Capable of charging nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and
nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, the Peak 400
Battery Charger is specifically designed for charging
power batteries for Speed 400 size electric airplanes at the
flight line. Capable of charging up to 8, even 10 cell
batteries, with three charge current rates of 0.5A, 1.2A and
2.5A, this charger is great for quick charging “A”, “AA”, or
“2/3 sub-C”size power packs.Three LEDs aid in setting up
and monitoring charge progress.
Read this entire instruction manual to learn about
specific functions and features, and safety information.
Damage resulting from misuse or modification of this
charger will void your warranty.
™

SPECIFICATIONS
Input voltage: 11-15V DC
Battery types: nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)
Number cells: 1-10 NiCd or NiMH
Fast charge current: 0.5A, 1.2A, 2.5A linear
Fast charge termination: peak detection
Trickle charge current: 40, 60mA and 100mA
Output connectors: Standard
Fuse: 7.5A spade (auto)
Case size: 6.25 x 4.0 x 1.5 in
(92 x 57 x 22mm)
Weight: 5.0 oz. (140g)
·Handles 1- 10 NiCd and NiMH cells
·Offers three peak charge rates : 0.5A, 1.2A and 2.5A of
linear charge current
·Offers 40, 60mA and 100mA trickle charge currents
·Includes LEDs for ease of setup and operation
·Equipped with the standard battery connector for
charging batteries
·Visual error messages reverse polarity on input or
output, and poor output connections
·Other safety features include time-out trickle charge
(3 hours) and peak charge (2 hours) termination,
fused current overload and reverse polarity protection.
SPECIAL FEA
SPECIAL FEATURES TURES
SPECIFICA
SPECIFICATIONS TIONS

·Charge only nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride
rechargeable batteries. Do NOT attempt to charge other
types of rechargeable batteries as permanent damage
to the battery and charger could result.
·Do not use automotive type battery chargers to power
the charger.
·Do not allow water, moisture or foreign objects into
the charger.
·Do not attempt to use batteries with more cells or total
voltage than listed in the specifications.
·Do not leave the charger unattended while charging.
Disconnect the battery and remove input power from
charger immediately if the charger becomes hot!!
Allow the charger or battery to cool down
before reconnecting.
·Do not place the charger or battery on a flammable
surface or near a flammable object while in use. Keep
away from carpets, cluttered workbenches, etc.
·Always disconnect from input power when not in use.
·Do not overcharge batteries as permanent damage
could result. Do not use a charge or discharge current
rate which exceeds the safe level of the battery. Do not
attempt to charge or discharge a battery if it is hot.
·Keep out of reach of children.
IMPOR
IMPORT TANT PRECA ANT PRECAUTIONS UTIONS

While similar in appearance to NiCd batteries and having
the same 1.2V rating per cell, NiMH cells contain a
different chemical makeup which requires different care
and handling.
·Do not to allow NiMH batteries to overheat at any
time. Heat can adversely affect the performance of
NiMH batteries.If overheating is observed, disconnect
the battery from the charger immediately and allow to
cool! Reduce charge current rate for future charges.
·Store NiMH packs with some voltage remaining on the cells.
·Use a NiMH battery pack no more than three cycles per day,
with a two to three hour break in-between for cooling.
More frequent use is likely to overheat the pack.
·NiMH cells have a self-discharge rage of approximately
20-25% (compared to 15% for NiCd batteries).Thus, if NiMH
batteries have been inactive for more than a few days it is
important to recharge them immediately prior to use.
The Peak 400 only accepts DC input power which could
come from a power supply or 12V automotive battery. Do
not attempt to apply more than 15V to the input, as
permanent damage to the charger could result and void
the warranty. Applying less than 11V to the inputs will not
be sufficient power to allow the charger to work properly.
Securely connect the charger’s red alligator clip to the
positive (+) terminal on the power source, and the black
alligator clip to the negative (-) terminal. It’s best to use a
INPUT PO
INPUT POWER WER
CARE & HANDLING FOR N
CARE & HANDLING FOR Ni iMH B MH BA ATTERIES TTERIES

clean DC power source whose output is filtered to remove
unwanted electrical noise. To achieve maximum potential,
the power source must be capable of delivering at least
3 amps of current while maintaining 12 volts DC.
Disconnect the charger when not in use.
WARNING! Make sure the charger’s positive (+) and
negative (-) input connections are never accidentally
shorted together when connected to 12V DC power.
Failure to do so could result in permanent damage to
the power source and the charger.
Power: Connect the charger to the desired power source,
using the appropriate alligator clip lead. The yellow
“POWER” LED will illuminate when power is applied.
Charge Connector: The Peak 400 battery charger is
equipped with a standard battery connector. A “standard” to
“2-pin” adapter is also included.Securely connect the battery
B
BA ATTER TTERY CONNECTION & CONTR Y CONNECTION & CONTROLS OLS

to be charged to the output connector.Pay special attention to
ensure that the desired battery polarities are the same as the
charger’s. The positive (+) battery lead (red) should be
connected to the Peak 400’s square, positive (+) charge lead
(red), and the negative (-) battery lead (black) should be
connected to the Peak 400’s rounded, negative (-) charge
lead (black). It is highly recommended to use pre-assembled
battery leads to avoid possible erroneous operation as a
result of using poor quality connections.
WARNING! Do not short the battery connections, as
permanent damage to the battery and/or the charger
could result and void your warranty.
Controls: The Peak 400 charger includes one current
adjustment switch, and one black pushbutton. The switch
adjusts the charge current for the desired battery. The
pushbutton is used to initiate the charge process, and can
be used to manually halt a charge process that is currently
under way (if desired).
This charger is capable of charging batteries containing
from 1 to 10 NiCd or NiMH cells in series. Three charge
current rates are available; 0.5A or 500mA (great for
charging smaller electric flight packs), 1.2 amps (for
medium sized electric Speed 400 aircraft packs) and up to
2.5 amps (for charging larger electric Speed 400 size
packs). Low charge currents are more gentle on batteries
and tend to result in more accurate, full charges but take
CHARGING B
CHARGING BA ATTERIES TTERIES

longer to fully charge batteries. Smaller cells, such as
“AAA” size cells and smaller can easily overheat when
charged with excessive charge currents, and therefore
should only be charged at low rates. High charge currents
result in much quicker charge times, but are more stressful
on batteries which can shorten their overall life span.
Larger cells, such as “AA”, “A”, and “2/3 sub-C” size can
handle higher charge currents, but battery temperature
should be monitored during the charge process to make
sure the battery does not overheat.The charger will remain
in the “Peak” charge state until the battery is removed from
the charger, the 2 hour time limit has been reached, peak
has been detected and charger “switches” to trickle
charge or another input command is given to the charger.
NiCd and NiMH Batteries: nickel-cadmium and nickel-
metal hydride batteries are charged using the peak
detection method. This method can result in a battery
safely receiving approximately 95-98% full charge, after
which time the charger will automatically switch to a gentle
trickle charge current. Trickle charge will help the battery
safely reach its 100% full charge potential.
To charge a battery:
1. Set the charger’s current adjustment switch to the
appropriate charge current setting to match the battery
(consult your battery supplier if there is any question as to what
is the appropriate setting). “AAA” sized cells, and/or batteries
rated at 600mAh capacity and above should be charged at the
1.2A setting. “AA” and larger sized cells should be charged at
the 2.5A setting.Cells rated below 500mAh capacity should be

charged at the 500mA setting. This charger is not
recommended for cells smaller than “AAA”. Connect the
battery to the charger’s “OUTPUT” connector as explained
above. The yellow “Power” LED will be lit indicating power is
supplied to the charger, and the red/green LEDs will
alternately blink - this is normal. Push the charger’s “START”
pushbutton in the sequence listed below to initiate the quick
charge process:
a. NiCd BATTERIES: press the “START” pushbutton ONCE
to charge NiCd batteries. The green LED below the NiCd
label will be on solid, thus indicating that the peak detection
quick charge of NiCd batteries is in progress.
b. NiMH BATTERIES: press the “START” pushbutton and hold
for approx.3 seconds to charge NiMH batteries.The red LED
below the NiMH label will be on solid, thus indicating that the
peak detection quick charge of NiMH batteries is in progress.
If it is necessary or desirable to stop the charge process after
it has already begun, simply re-press the “START” button
which will cause the LEDs (red and green) to resume blinking
alternately as mentioned above, indicating the quick charge
process has been halted.
WARNING! It is normal for batteries to become warm
during charge. Disconnect batteries IMMEDIATELY if they
become hot at any time! Extra caution must be observed
with NiMH batteries as any heating will reduce the
lifespan of the battery. In such case, it may be necessary
to reduce the fast charge current to lower the possibility
of heating. Never attempt to charge batteries at excessive
rates, as permanent damage could result.

The Peak 400 will automatically supply trickle charge current
to NiCd and NiMH batteries immediately after quick charge
has ended.
The trickle charge current level is determined by the setting of
the fast charge current switch.The approximate trickle charge
rates are as follows:
Fast charge setting Trickle charge rate
500mA 40mA
1.2A 60mA
2.5A 100mA
The Peak 400 charger will indicate that fast charge has ended
and trickle charge has begun by the LED flashing only under
the selected battery type (i.e.NiCd or NiMH).The charger will
remain in the trickle charge state until the battery is removed
from the charger, the 3 hour time limit has been reached,or
another input command is given to the charger.
The Peak 400 charger utilizes a unique and handy safety
feature to warn if problems exist when attempting to quick
charge a battery. If a charge’s LEDs flash red and green
simultaneously, it is an indication that one of 3 potential
problems exists, as follows:
a. The battery was not properly connected to the output
before the charge button was pressed.
SAFETY FEA
SAFETY FEATURES TURES
TRICKLE CHARGE
TRICKLE CHARGE

b. The battery somehow has becomes disconnected from
the charger while it was in the charge process.
c. If the battery was accidentally connected to the output
connector in reverse polarity.
In any case, recheck to make sure the battery is connected to
the output connector properly as explained above. Check to
make sure the charge lead is making good contact with the
charger’s output connector, and with the battery to be
charged, and that proper polarity is being observed.
The Peak 400 charger uses solid-state and fused
circuitries to protect against potential damage which could
be caused by short-circuit or reverse polarity conditions.
Reverse Input Polarity: If input power to the charger is
connected in reverse polarity, the charger will be protected from
damage by blowing the external 7.5A fuse, but will be protected
from damage. Re-check all input connections and the power
source to ensure the proper power and polarities are observed.
Battery Condition Pre-Check: Any time a command is given
to begin charging a battery, the charger will check the condition
of the battery and determine if it is suitable for charging. If an
error exists on the output, the LEDs will flash red and green
simultaneously to note the error.This can occur when a battery
is connected to the output in reverse polarity, or if the charger
does not recognize a solid electrical connection to the battery
on the output. The charger will be protected from damage in
either case. Make sure the battery is solidly connected to the
output in proper polarity.
PR
PRO OTECTION FEA TECTION FEATURES TURES

Current Overload: if for some reason a short circuit condition
exists on the input or output, the 7.5A spade (auto) fuse
located on the left side of the charger might blow. In this case,
make sure the charger is disconnected from the power supply.
Remove and inspect the fuse. If the fuse is blow, replace with
another fuse of the exact same rating.
PROBLEM: Charger doesn’t recognize battery.
CAUSES AND CURES: 1) Battery may be connected
backwards. Connect battery leads properly. 2) Defective
cell in the pack. Replace battery pack or cell.
PROBLEM: Does not automatically terminate trickle
charge of NiCd or NiMH batteries after 3 hours.
CAUSE AND CURE: Internal problem with charger.
Disconnect battery immediately and contact Hobby
Services for further details.
PROBLEM: Battery voltage low after charge (below 1.2V
per cell for NiCd and NiMH batteries,).
CAUSES AND CURES:1) Charge rate setting too low.See
“Charging Batteries”. 2) Battery connected in reverse.
Connect battery leads properly. 3) Defective battery needs
to be replaced.
PROBLEM: LEDs and controls do not function properly.
CAUSES AND CURES: Battery possibly connected
backwards. Connect battery leads properly, or contact
Hobby Services for further details.
TR
TROUBLESHOO OUBLESHOOTING GUIDE TING GUIDE

Great Planes warrants this product to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from
the date of purchase.During that period, Great Planes will, at
its option, repair or replace without service charge any product
deemed defective due to those causes.You will be required to
provide proof of purchase (invoice or receipt). This warranty
does not cover damage caused by abuse, misuse, alteration
or accident. If there is damage stemming from these causes
within the stated warranty period, Great Planes will, at its
option, repair or replace it for a service charge not greater than
50% of its then current retail list price. Be sure to include your
daytime telephone number in case we need to contact you
about your repair.This warranty gives you specific rights.You
may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
For service on your Great Planes product, warranty or non-
warranty, send it post-paid and insured to:
HOBBY SERVICES
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign, IL 61822
[phone]
*For warranty and service information if purchased outside
the USA or Canada, see the additional warranty
information insert (if applicable) or ask your retailer for
more information.www.greatplanes.com
www.electrifly.com
1-YEAR LIMITED
1-YEAR LIMITED W WARRANTY ARRANTY
Made in Korea
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