Hobby People activator 50 User manual

1
ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
The Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger is a high-performance, micro
processor controlled charger with built-in Lithium cell balancer. The Activator 50 is
suitable for charging Li-Io, Li-Po, Li-Fe, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH and Pb (Lead Acid) batteries from
an 11 to 18V DC or 100 to 240V AC power source. With a maximum internal circuit
output power of 50W and a variable charge current of up to 6.0A, the Activator 50
is a versatile and easy-to-use charger that works with most batteries used in the
hobby today. The Activator 50 also has cycling capability and can also discharge.
XH balance ports are built-in, so balancing Lithium packs is easy. And of course,
other balance adapters are available if needed. Also available separately is a
temperature sensor for added security, giving you the ability to monitor your
battery’s temperature during the charging or discharging process.
USER’S GUIDE

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
TAblE Of COnTEnTS
Service and Support ..................................................2
Package Contents .......................................................3
Detailed Features.....................................................3-5
Overview ......................................................................5-7
Warnings and Safety Notes ...............................7-9
Connections ............................................................9-10
Pro Tips .......................................................................... 10
Programming Flow Chart ..................................... 11
Navigating Programming Menus ..................... 12
Initial User Parameter Setup .........................12-17
If you should have trouble with any of the information listed in this User's Guide,
or if you require additional information or help with this product, please contact
Customer Service at the address below:
Global Services
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
SERVICE AnD SUppORT
Lithium Internal Resistance Testing ..........17-18
Lithium Battery Programming ......................18-26
Ni-Cd/Ni-MH Battery Programming..........26-31
Pb (Lead Acid) Battery Programming ......31-33
Save/Load Programming Data ...................33-35
Process Information ..........................................35-36
Error Messages ....................................................36-37
Blank Programming Data Sheets.....................38
Warranty and Liability Information ...................39
Warranty Service Information............................. 39
WARNING! PLEASE READ BEFORE USE!
Please read this entire User’s Guide prior to operating your new charger. It
contains all the information pertaining to your charger’s correct and safe use.
Using your charger as intended and in a safe manner will ensure your safety
and help prevent possible damage to your charger or batteries. Selecting the
correct parameters for your specific battery is the sole responsibility of the user.
Incorrect parameter selections or incorrect use can result in damage to your
batteries or to your charger.
The Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger is not intended for use by
persons under 14 years of age, unless closely supervised by an adult. Before
using your new charger, read and understand the
Warnings and Safety Notes
section on pages 7 through 9. You should also read and understand any warning
information provided with your batteries.
Keep this User’s Guide in a safe place for future reference.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
pACKAGE COnTEnTS
Before using your Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger, make sure that
all the required accessories are included. This is also a good time to become
acquainted with these various accessories.
• 1 PC. Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger
• 1 PC. AC Input Power Cord
• 1 PC. DC Input Power Cord w/Two Plug-In Alligator Clips
• 1 PC. Output Power Adapter Cord (4mm Banana to Male T-Connector)
• 1 PC. Adapter Cord for Pb (Lead Acid) (T-Connector to Alligator Clips)
• 1 PC. Adapter Cord for Ni-Cd/Ni-MH (T-Connector to Male Tamiya Connector)
• 1 PC. Adapter Cord for Receiver (T-Connector to Female Receiver Connector)
• 1 PC. Adapter Cord for Receiver Alternate (T-Connector to Female JST Connector)
• 1 PC. Adapter Cord for Ni-Starter (T-Connector to Male Glow Plug Connector)
DETAIlED fEATURES
The Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger is a high-performance, micro
processor controlled charger with built-in Lithium cell balancer. It’s a versatile
and easy-to-use charger that works with most batteries used in the hobby today.
Optimized Operating Software:
When charging or discharging batteries, an AUTO function sets the feed current
automatically. For Lithium batteries especially, this can help prevent over-charging
that can potentially lead to an explosion. Every program in the charger is controlled
with specialized software to detect almost any error, providing maximum safety.
If desired, charging and discharging parameters can be manually programmed,
giving the user more control over the process.
High-Power and High Performance Circuit:
The charger features a maximum output power of 50 watts. As a result, it can
charge or discharge up to 15 cell Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries and up to 6 cell (in
series) Lithium batteries with a maximum current of 6.0 amps. In addition, an
efficient auto-on cooling fan allows the charger to hold that power without any
trouble running the CPU or operating programs.
Accepts Various Types of Lithium Battery:
The charger can accept three different types of Lithium battery: Li-Io (Lithium
Ion), Li-Po (Lithium Polymer) and Li-Fe (Lithium Phosphate). They have different
characteristics according to their chemistry and require different parameters for
charging and discharging. You can select any one of them and the associated
parameters as required.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
Integrated Cell Voltage Balancer for Lithium Batteries:
The charger features an integrated cell voltage balancer. This allows you to charge
Lithium batteries without a separate cell balancer. The charger will automatically
balance the individual cell voltages when charging Li-Io, Li-Po and Li-Fe batteries.
Ability to Check Lithium Battery Internal Resistance:
The internal resistance of a Lithium battery can indicate the battery’s condition
and efficiency. The charger can measure the internal resistance of each cell in the
Lithium battery when connected to the balance port of the charger. The relative
internal resistance of each cell can indicate the condition of the cells, and over
time, indicate deterioration.
Individual Cell Balancing During Discharge:
The charger can monitor and balance individual cells of a Lithium battery during
the discharge process. If the voltage of any one cell varies abnormally, the process
will be stopped with an error message.
Lithium Battery ‘Fast’ and ‘Storage’ Modes:
You can choose two special Lithium battery charge modes for special purposes.
‘Fast’ charge reduces the charging time of a Lithium battery and ‘Storage’ mode
controls the final voltage of the battery destined for long term storage.
Data Store/Load:
Data storage and loading programs allow you to save up to 5 different battery data
programming presets. Once saved, these presets can be loaded at a later time
when needed. This allows you charge, discharge or cycle your batteries without
the need to enter the programming values each time.
Cyclic Charging and Discharging:
The charger is capable of performing 1 to 5 cycles of charge-discharge or
discharge-charge continually for battery refreshing.
Maximum Safety:
Delta-Peak Sensitivity - This automatic charge termination program works on
the principle of the Delta-peak voltage detection when charging Ni-Cd or
Ni-MH batteries.
Auto-Charge Current Limit - When charging Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries using
‘AUTO’ current mode, you can program the upper limit of the change current to
avoid over-current charging. This is very useful when charging low impedance
and small capacity batteries in ‘AUTO’ mode.
Capacity Limit - The charging capacity is always calculated by multiplying the
DETAIlED fEATURES

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
DETAIlED fEATURES
charge current by time. If the charging capacity exceeds the programmed
limit, the process will be terminated automatically. This limit can be changed
if required.
Temperature Limit - The temperature of the battery during charging will rise
due to its internal chemical reaction. If you program a temperature limit, the
charging process will be terminated when the limit has been reached. The optional
temperature sensor (available separately) is required to use this function.
Processing Time Limit - You can limit the maximum process time (total charge
time) to prevent any possible defect in the battery confusing your programming
values.
Input Power Monitor - To protect the source battery from being damaged, the
input voltage is always monitored. If it drops below the lower limit, the process
will be terminated automatically.
Auto-On Cooling Fan - The cooling fan activates automatically when the internal
temperature of the unit is raised.
• DC Input Voltage: 11 ~ 18V
• AC Input Voltage: 100 ~ 240V
• Charge Power Output: 50W
• Discharge Power: 5.0W
• Charge Current: 0.1 ~ 6.0A
OVERVIEw
• AC/DC Power Input In a Compact and Lightweight Design
• Charges Most Popular Hobby Batteries
• Built-In XH Balance Ports
• Temperature Sensor Capable (Available Separately)
• Built-In Auto-On Cooling Fan
• High-Performance, Digital, Intelligent Charging
• Charges, Discharges and Cycles
• Charges 1 to 6 Li-Io, Li-Po or Li-Fe Cells or 1 to 15 Ni-Cd or Ni-MH Cells
• Charges Pb (Lead Acid) Batteries from 2 to 20 Volts
fEATURES
SpECIfICATIOnS
Use the information in this section to familiarize yourself with your Activator 50
Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger.
• Discharge Current: 0.1 ~ 1.0A
• Li-Po Balancing Current: 300mA/Cell
• Ni-Cd/Ni-MH Cell Count: 1 ~ 15C
• Lithium Cell Count: 1 ~ 6C (Series)
• Pb (Lead Acid) Battery Voltage: 2 ~ 20V

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
OVERVIEw
AC Input Power Socket:
Used to power the charger from a 100 to 240V AC power source, using the supplied
AC input power cord.
Batt Type/Stop Button:
Press to select upper level programming options or to stop the process.
Cooling Fan:
Helps keep the charger cool during the charging and discharging processes. The
cooling fan features an auto-on function, so it turns on only when required. It will
not run all the time.
DC Input Power Socket:
Used to power the charger from an 11 to 18V DC power source, using the supplied
DC Input power cord and plug-in alligator clips.
LCD Screen:
Displays programming and process information on an easy-to-read 16 character,
2 line screen.
Output Power Sockets:
Used to charge Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Lithium and Pb (Lead Acid) batteries, using the
supplied output power adapter cord. The power output sockets accept 4mm
banana connectors. Red is positive and black is negative.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
OVERVIEw
Start/Enter Button:
Press to start or resume the process.
Status/Dec/Inc Buttons:
Press to select lower level programming options or to increase or decrease
programming values.
Temperature Sensor Port:
Allows you to monitor battery temperature during the charging or discharging
process. The temperature sensor is available separately. For more information,
see the
Connections section on pages 9 and 10.
XH Balance Ports:
Used to balance charge 2 to 6 cell Lithium batteries that feature an XH balance
connector. Balance adapter boards with different balance ports can be used and are
available separately. For more information, see the Optional Parts section on page 9.
wARnInGS AnD SAfETy nOTES
These warnings and safety notes are important and must be followed closely.
Please abide by this information, and follow the instructions in this User’s Guide
closely for maximum safety, otherwise the charger and your battery may be severely
damaged. Failure to follow these instructions can also result in fire, injury to your
person or others, or loss of property.
• Only use the charger with the intended battery types. Do not attempt to charge
or discharge any other type of battery.
• Observe any cautions and warnings included with your battery. This is especially
true with Lithium batteries.
• Never leave the charger unsupervised when it’s connected to its power source.
If any malfunction is observed, immediately terminate the process.
• Keep the charger away from moisture, dust, dirt, heat, direct sunlight and
vibration. Do not drop it.
• The charger is designed to be powered by an 11 ~ 18V DC or 100 ~ 240V AC
power source only. DO NOT CONNECT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME!
• Double-check all connections prior to starting the charge or discharge process.
• The charger and the battery to be charged (or discharged) should be placed
on a heat-resistant, non-flammable and non-conductive surface. Never place
them on a car seat, carpet or similar. Keep flammable and volatile materials
well away from the operating area. When charging Lithium batteries, we suggest
using a charging safety bag, available from most hobby retailers.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
wARnInGS AnD SAfETy nOTES
• Be sure to fully understand the information for the battery to be charged or
discharged. If the programming values are incorrect, the battery can be severely
damaged. Incorrect charging of Lithium batteries can cause a fire or explosion.
• Never charge a Lithium battery that is swollen in any way.
• To avoid short-circuits between the output power adapter cord connectors,
always connect the adapter cord to the charger first and only then to the battery to
be charged or discharged. Reverse the sequence when disconnecting.
• Carefully verify the capacity and voltage of your Lithium battery before charging
or discharging it. It may be composed of mixed parallel and series connected
cells. In parallel, the capacity of the battery is multiplied by the number of cells
in parallel (2P means x2), but the voltage remains the same. The voltage
imbalance possible in parallel packs can cause a fire or explosion during the
charging process. We recommend using Lithium batteries in series cell
format only.
RECOmmEnDED SAfE CHARGInG-DISCHARGInG VAlUES
Ni-Cd/Ni-MH
Nominal Voltage Level - 1.2V/Cell
Recommended Fast Charge Current - 1C~2C, depending on the
performance of the cell. Higher discharge batteries can charge at 2C.
Slow discharge batteries (TX/RX, etc.) should be no more than 0.2C.
Discharge Voltage Cut-Off Level - 0.85V/Cell (Ni-Cd), 1.0V/Cell (Ni-MH)
Nominal Voltage Level - 3.6V/Cell
Maximum Charge Voltage - 4.1V/Cell
Recommended Fast Charge Current - 1C or Less (0.5C recommended)
Discharge Voltage Cut-Off Level - 3V/Cell or Higher
Nominal Voltage Level - 3.7V/Cell
Maximum Charge Voltage - 4.1V/Cell
Recommended Fast Charge Current - 1C or Less (0.5C recommended)
Discharge Voltage Cut-Off Level - 3V/Cell or Higher
Nominal Voltage Level - 3.3V/Cell
Maximum Charge Voltage - 3.6V/Cell
Recommended Fast Charge Current - 3C or Less (0.5C recommended)
Discharge Voltage Cut-Off Level - 2.5V/Cell or Higher
Nominal Voltage Level - 2.0V/Cell
Maximum Charge Voltage - 2.46V/Cell
Recommended Fast Charge Current - 0.4C or Less
Discharge Voltage Cut-Off Level - 1.5V/Cell or Higher
C = X ÷ 1000 (Where X = Battery Capacity eg: 2200mAh)
Li-Io
(Lithium Ion)
Li-Po
(Lithium Polymer)
Li-Fe
(Lithium Phosphate)
Pb
(Lead Acid)

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
wARnInGS AnD SAfETy nOTES
Discharging is typically used to determine the residual capacity of the battery or to
lower the voltage of the battery to a defined level. When you discharge the battery
you should take as much care as when you charge it. To avoid the battery becoming
deep-discharged, program the final discharge voltage correctly as described in
the Recommended Safe Charging-Discharging Values chart on page 8.
Lithium batteries should never be deep-discharged to lower than the
minimum voltage, as this leads to a rapid loss of capacity or total failure.
• Some rechargeable batteries are said to have a memory effect. If they are
partly used and recharged before the whole charge is used, they ‘remember’
this and next time will only use that part of their capacity. This is referred to as
‘memory effect’. Ni-Cd batteries are said to suffer from memory effect. They
prefer complete cycles. Fully charge them, then use them until empty. Do not
fully recharge before storage. Allow them to self-discharge during storage and
give them an occasional short charge to keep them above the 0.85V per cell
minimum.
• Lithium batteries prefer a partial, rather than a full discharge. Frequent full
discharges should be avoided if possible. Instead, charge the battery more
often or use a larger battery. When storing a Lithium battery, we recommend
using the charger’s Lithium Storage program.
• A brand-new Ni-Cd battery will not yield its full capacity until it has been subjected
to 10 or more charge cycles. The cyclic process of charge and discharge will
lead to optimized capacity.
DISCHARGInG
COnnECTIOnS
Use the information in this section to connect your Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry
Intelligent Charger and battery. Failure to make the connections correctly can result
in damage to the charger and/or your battery.
• 118520 Temperature Sensor
• 118521 TP/FP Adapter Board
• 118525 XH Wire Lead for Adaptor Boards
• 118526 Output Adapter Cord Set
• 118523 PQ-02 Adapter Board
• 118522 EH-02 Adapter Board
OpTIOnAl pARTS
The following parts can be purchased separately and used with your charger. For
example, a temperature sensor is available that will display the current temperature of
your battery during the charging process, and adapter boards are available for use
with LiPo batteries that don’t feature XH balance connectors. For more information
visit your local Hobby People retail store or our website at www.hobbypeople.net.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
1) Connect the charger to its power source, using either the AC input power cord
or the DC input power cord and plug-in alligator clips.
When connecting to a DC power source, verify the polarity of the connectors
carefully (red to positive, black to negative) before plugging the DC input
power cord into the charger.
COnnECTIOnS
COnnECTInG THE bATTERy
2) Plug the output power adapter cord into the power outputs of the charger, then
plug your battery into the output power adapter cord. Depending on the connector
on your battery, you may need to use one of the supplied adapter cords. If your
Lithium battery features a balance connector, plug it into the correct balance
port on the charger. If your battery does not feature an XH balance connector,
an adaptor board can be used.
To avoid short-circuits between the output power adapter cord connectors,
always connect the adapter cord to the charger first and only then to the
battery to be charged or discharged. Reverse the sequence when disconnecting.
If you plug the battery into the output power adapter cord first and the output
power adapter connectors touch each other, power from the battery will cause
a short circuit if the output power adapter cord connectors touch.
• The charger will automatically stop the charging, discharging or cycling process
when it detects the battery is fully charged or when it detects the battery is
discharged to the programmed voltage. If you want to stop the charging,
discharging or cycling process before its completed, press the STOP button.
• At any time during the charging or discharging process you can alter the charge
or discharge current values. To do this, press the ENTER button. The current
value will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to change the current value, then
press the ENTER button again to store that new value.
• At any time during the charging or discharging process, more detailed information
can be displayed by pressing the DEC or INC buttons.
pRO TIpS

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
pROGRAmmInG flOw CHART
Use this programming flow chart to familiarize yourself with the Activator 50 charger’s
setup, charge, discharge and cycle programming menus.
When the charger is connected to a power source, the last active programming
menu will be displayed.
TEST LIXX
INTERNAL
RESISTANCE
*Press the STOP/DEC button at any time to return the current upper
level programming menu.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
nAVIGATInG pROGRAmmInG mEnUS
When the Activator 50 Multi-Chemistry Intelligent Charger is plugged in, the last
active programing menu you were in will be displayed. To navigate through the
various screens and make programming selections, use the four buttons on the
charger’s front panel as described below.
Press to scroll forward through upper level programming
menus. Press to return to the upper level programming menu
after programming the lower level programming menu.
Press to scroll backward through upper level programming
menus. Press to scroll backward through lower level programming
menus. Press the to decrease programming values.
Press to scroll backward through upper level programming
menus. Press to scroll forward through lower level programming
menus. Press the to increase programming values.
Press to enter the selected upper level programming menu
and display its lower level programming menus. Once in a
lower level programming menu, press to select and store
programming values.
fUnCTIOnbUTTOn nAmE
InITIAl USER pARAmETER SETUp
Prior to using your charger, you should program and verify the user parameters
described in this section. For example, if you’re charging a Li-Po battery, you’ll need
to program the battery type to Li-Po using the LIXX V.TYPE menu. In addition, there
are a number of other parameters than can be user-defined, such as Ni-Cd and
Ni-MH delta peak cut-off sensitivity, safety timers, audible key beeps and more.
1) Press the STOP or DEC buttons to scroll to the
USER SET PROGRAM menu.
This menu controls the type of Lithium battery you’re going to charge. The nominal
voltage of a Lithium battery varies based on the battery type.
There are three kinds of Lithium battery that can be charged: Li-Fe (3.3V), Li-Io
(3.6V) or Li-Po (3.7V). Choose the type that matches the type of Lithium battery
you’re going to charge.
lIXX V.TypE mEnU

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
2) Press the ENTER button. The voltage value will flash. Press the DEC or INC
buttons to select the desired Lithium battery type, then press the ENTER button
again to store that value. Choose 3.3V for Li-Fe, 3.6V for Li-Io or 3.7V for Li-Po.
This setting is very important, so make sure you check your battery type
carefully and select the correct program option. If you select the incorrect
program option, the battery can explode during the charging process!
lIXX V.TypE mEnU, COnTInUED....
InITIAl USER pARAmETER SETUp
1) Press the ENTER button to open the V.TYPE
menu.
This menu controls the time limit the charger has to auto-detect the number of cells
in your Lithium battery when it’s connected to the charger. The charger recognizes
the cell count of a Lithium battery automatically at the beginning of the charge or
discharge process to avoid incorrect settings by the user. Deeply discharged
batteries can be perceived incorrectly. To prevent this kind of error, you can
program the time interval to verify the cell count by the charger. Normally, 10
minutes is enough to perceive the cell count correctly. For batteries of larger capacity,
you may extend the time interval, but if you program the time interval too long for
small capacity batteries, the charge or discharge process can be finished within
the time interval with an erroneous cell count. If the processor recognizes the cell
count incorrectly at the beginning of the charge or discharge process, you may
extend the time. Otherwise, you are advised to use the default value.
lI-pO, lI-IO, lI-fE CHK TImE mEnU
2) Press the ENTER button. The minutes value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired minutes value, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from 5 to 60 minutes.
• The default value is 10 minutes.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
LI-PO/LI-IO/LI-FE CHK TIME menu.
This menu controls the trigger voltage for automatic charge termination of a
Ni-MH battery. The effective value ranges from 5 to 20mV per cell. If the trigger
voltage is programmed higher, there is a danger of overcharging the battery.
If it is programmed lower, there is a possibility of premature termination. Please
refer to the technical specification for your battery to determine the setting to use.
nI-mH SEnSITVITy D.pEAK mEnU

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
NIMH SENSITIVITY D.PEAK menu.
2) Press the ENTER button. The voltage value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired voltage value, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from Default or 5mV/Cell
to 20mV/Cell.
• The default value is Default (7mV/Cell).
nI-mH SEnSITVITy D.pEAK mEnU, COnTInUED....
This menu controls the trigger voltage for automatic charge termination of a Ni-Cd
battery. The effective value ranges from 5 to 20mV per cell. If the trigger voltage
is programmed higher, there is a danger of overcharging the battery. If it is
programmed lower, there is a possibility of premature termination. Please refer to
the technical specification for your battery to determine the setting to use.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
NICD SENSITIVITY D.PEAK menu.
2) Press the ENTER button. The voltage value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired voltage value, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from Default or 5mV/Cell
to 20mV/Cell.
• The default value is Default (12mV/Cell).
nI-CD SEnSITVITy D.pEAK mEnU
SAfETy TEmp CUT-Off mEnU
This menu controls the safe battery temperature cut-off function when used with
the optional temperature sensor (available separately).
When the temperature sensor is plugged into the charger and the temperature
probe is attached to the surface of your battery, the battery’s temperature will be
monitored during the charging process. Once the battery’s temperature reaches
the programmed temperature, the charging process will stop.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
SAFETY TEMP CUT-OFF menu.
InITIAl USER pARAmETER SETUp

15
ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
InITIAl USER pARAmETER SETUp
2) Press the ENTER button. The temperature
value will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons
to select the desired temperature value, then
press the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from 20ºC to 80ºC.
• The default value is 80ºC.
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, use this equation: C=(F-32) x 5/9. To
convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, use this equation: F=(C x 9/5) + 32.
SAfETy TEmp CUT-Off mEnU, COnTInUED....
This menu controls the time delay in minutes between charge-discharge cycles.
A battery on the cyclic process of charge and discharge can often become warm
after a charge or discharge period. The program can insert a time delay to occur
after each charge-discharge cycle to allow the battery adequate time to cool down
before being subjected to the next charge-discharge cycle. This helps to prevent
your battery from overheating and being damaged.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
WASTE TIME menu.
2) Press the ENTER button. The minutes value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired minutes value, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from 0 to 60 minutes.
• The default value is 5 minutes.
wASTE TImE mEnU
This menu controls the charger’s safety timer. When you start the charging process,
the safety timer automatically starts running at the same time. The safety timer is
programmed to prevent overcharging the battery if the battery proves to be faulty, or
if the termination circuit cannot detect the battery as being fully charged. The value
for the safety timer should be generous enough to allow a full charge of the battery.
The value you program will differ based on the capacity of the battery you’re
charging and how many amps you’re charging it at. For example, if you’re
charging a 3000mAh Ni-MH battery at 3.0 amps, it will take approximately 1 hour
to charge, therefore, program the safety timer value to approximately 90 minutes.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
SAFETY TIMER menu.
SAfETy TImER mEnU

16
ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
2) Press the ENTER button. The ON/OFF value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired value, either ON or OFF, then
press the ENTER button again to store that value. The minutes value will flash.
3) Press the DEC or INC buttons to select the desired minutes value, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from 10 to 720 minutes.
• The default values are ON and 120 minutes.
SAfETy TImER mEnU, COnTInUED....
InITIAl USER pARAmETER SETUp
This menu controls the charger’s capacity safety cut-off value. This feature sets the
maximum charge capacity that will be supplied to the battery during charge. As
an extra measure of safety, if the delta-peak voltage is not detected or if the safety
timer fails for any reason, this feature will automatically stop the charging process
at the selected capacity value.
CApACITy CUT-Off mEnU
2) Press the ENTER button. The ON/OFF value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired value, either ON or OFF, then
press the ENTER button again to store that value. The mAh value will flash.
3) Press the DEC or INC buttons to select the desired mAh value, then press the
ENTER button again to store that value. The minimum value is 10mAh.
• The default values are ON and 5000mAh.
We don’t recommend using a value that adds any more than 10% of your
battery’s capacity.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
CAPACITY CUT-OFF menu.
This menu controls the charger’s audio functions. A key beep sounds each time
you press one of the buttons to confirm your action. There is also an audible beep
and/or melody sound at various times during operation to alert you to different
mode changes, charging process completion, etc. These audible sounds can be
turned ON or OFF.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
KEY BEEP - BUZZER menu.
KEy bEEp - bUzzER mEnU

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
2) Press the ENTER button. The key beep value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired key beep value, then press
the ENTER again to store that value. Choose from ON or OFF.
3) Press the ENTER button. The buzzer value will
flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to select
the desired buzzer value, then press the ENTER
button again to store that value. Choose from ON or OFF.
We recommend keeping the buzzer option ON to hear alerts during use.
• Key Beep and Buzzer default values are ON.
InITIAl USER pARAmETER SETUp
KEy bEEp - bUzzER mEnU, COnTInUED....
This menu controls the charger’s automatic input battery voltage cut-off limit.
When charging from a DC power source, the charger monitors the voltage of the
input battery (your DC power source). If the input battery’s voltage drops below
the programmed value, the operation will be terminated to protect the integrity
of the input battery. Please refer to the technical specification for your battery to
determine the setting to use.
1) From within the USER SET PROGRAM menu,
press the DEC or INC buttons to display the
INPUT POWER LOW CUT-OFF menu.
2) Press the ENTER button. The voltage value
will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons to
select the desired voltage value, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value. Choose from 10.0 to 11.0 volts.
• The default value is 10.0 volts.
InpUT pOwER lOw CUT-Off mEnU
lITHIUm InTERnAl RESISTAnCE TESTInG
The Lithium Internal Resistance Testing option allows you to check the internal
resistance of a 2S to 6S Li-Po, Li-Io or Li-Fe battery. The internal resistance of a
battery can indicate the battery’s condition and efficiency. The charger can measure
the internal resistance of each cell in the Lithium battery when connected to the
balance port of the charger. The relative internal resistance of each cell can indicate
the condition of the cells, and over time, indicate deterioration.
The internal resistance measurement is only accurate if the Lithium battery
has been used at least once AND has been balance charged.

18
ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
lITHIUm bATTERy pROGRAmmInG
The Lithium Battery Programming menu is suitable for charging and discharging
Lithium batteries with a nominal voltage of 3.3V (Li-Fe), 3.6V (Li-Io) and 3.7V (Li-Po)
per cell. The charge technique, constant voltage (CV) and constant current (CC)
methods, will differ based on the type of Lithium battery you’re charging. The charge
current varies according to the battery capacity and performance. The final voltage
of the charging process is also very important; it should be precisely matched with
the specific maximum voltage of the battery type being charged. They are 4.2V
for Li-Po, 4.1V for Li-Io, and 3.6V for Li-Fe. The charge current and nominal voltage
programmed must always be correct for the battery to be charged.
lITHIUm InTERnAl RESISTAnCE TESTInG
1) Balance charge your Lithium battery following the steps in the Lithium Battery
Balance Mode Charging section on pages 20 through 21. After balance charging,
leave the battery connected to the charger.
4) When the test is complete, the current internal
resistance of each cell in the Lithium battery
will be displayed in milli-ohms. The values
displayed for each cell will not be exactly the same, but they should be close.
The following can be determined by the test results:
Individual Cell Deterioration - If the value of one cell is more than 15% or more
greater than the average of the other cells, then that one cell is probably starting
to fail. If you see this, cycle the battery one to two times at 0.5C or lower, then
balance charge the battery at 0.5C and re-test.
Overall Battery Deterioration - When the Lithium battery is new, run the test
after the battery has been cycled 5 times (and balance charged). Record that
data. After many uses, re-test and see how much the number has increased.
When it increases significantly, the battery is probably starting to deteriorate.
You can cycle the battery at 0.5C (or less) and test to see if capacity is starting
to deteriorate too. In this case, the battery may need to be replaced.
Because this test is comparative and not absolute, it may vary from battery
to battery and charge to charge, and it will be different when compared to
other charger brands. These variations are not an indication of a faulty battery
or charger.
If desired, press the INC button to switch between viewing the current
internal resistance of the individual cells and a total of all cells.
2) Press the STOP or DEC buttons to scroll to the
TEST LIXX INTERNAL RESISTANCE menu.
3) Press the START/ENTER button to begin the internal resistance test.

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ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
Prior to plugging in your Lithium battery you MUST first select the type of
Lithium battery you’re going to be charging - either Li-Po, Li-Io or Li-Fe in the
USER SET PROGRAM / V.TYPE menu. For example, if you’re going to charge a Li-Po
battery, choose V.Type 3.7V LiPo. This setting is very important, so make sure you
check your battery type carefully and select the correct program option. If you select
the incorrect program option, the battery can explode during the charging process!
The procedure descriptions and menu screens shown in this section show charging
a Li-Po battery. These descriptions and actual menu screens will vary depending
on what type of battery you choose in the USER SET PROGRAM / V.TYPE menu.
lITHIUm bATTERy pROGRAmmInG
This mode is used for charging 1 to 6 cell Lithium batteries without a balance
connector. If your Lithium battery features a balance connector, skip to the Lithium
Battery Balance Mode Charging section on pages 20 and 21.
1) Connect the charger to its power source, plug the output power adapter cord
into the power outputs of the charger, then plug your Lithium battery into the
output power adapter cord.
3) Press the ENTER button. The charge current
value will flash. Press the DEC or INC buttons
to select the desired charge current, then press
the ENTER button again to store that value.
• Charge current values range from 0.1 to 6.0 amps. We recommend 0.5C to 1.0C.
2) Press the STOP or DEC buttons to scroll to the
PROGRAM SELECT LI-PO menu (or the LI-IO
or LI-FE menu depending on the battery type
you selected in the USER SET PROGRAM / V.TYPE menu), then press the ENTER
button to open the menu.
The first line shows the type of battery you selected in the USER SET
PROGRAM / V.TYPE menu. Make sure this matches the type of battery
you’ll be charging. If it doesn’t, return to the USER SET PROGRAM / V.TYPE
menu and select the correct battery type. An incorrect setting can result in
damage to your battery.
lITHIUm bATTERy STAnDARD mODE CHARGInG
4) The input voltage value will be flashing. Press
the DEC or INC buttons to select the desired
input voltage of your battery, then press the
ENTER button to store that value.
• Input voltage values range from 1S to 6S in series. It should match the input
voltage of your battery.

20
ACTIVATOR 50 CHARGER USER’S GUIDE
lITHIUm bATTERy pROGRAmmInG
5) Press and hold the START button for more than
3 seconds to begin the charging process. An
automatic battery check will be performed and
the confirmation screen will be displayed. ‘R:’ shows the number of cells found
by the charger and ‘S:’ shows the number of cells selected by you previously.
If both numbers are identical, you can begin charging by pressing the ENTER
button. If the numbers don’t match, press the STOP button to go back to the
previous screen, then carefully check the number of cells and voltage of the
battery to be charged.
When the charging process begins, the status
screen will be displayed. This screen shows
various data about the current charging
process, including the elapsed charge time,
the current voltage of the battery and the
current charged capacity in mAh.
lITHIUm bATTERy STAnDARD mODE CHARGInG, COnTInUED....
lITHIUm bATTERy bAlAnCE mODE CHARGInG
This mode is used for balance charging 2 to 6 cell Lithium batteries. If your Lithium
battery features a balance plug, we recommend using this charge mode. If your
Lithium battery doesn’t feature a balance connector, see the Lithium Battery Standard
Mode Charging section on the previous page.
Balance charging balances the individual voltages of Lithium cells in the battery to
be charged. In this mode, the charging process will be different from the standard
mode charging process. The charger will monitor the voltage of each cell in the
battery and control the charge current fed to each cell. This will normalize the
voltage of all cells in the battery and it will help to prevent over-charging of one
or more cells.
1) Connect the charger to its power source, plug the output power adapter cord
into the power outputs of the charger, then plug your Lithium battery into the
output power adapter cord. Plug the balance connector into the correct balance
port on the charger. If your battery does not feature an XH balance connector,
an adaptor board can be used.
2) Press the STOP or DEC buttons to scroll to
the PROGRAM SELECT LI-PO menu (or the
LI-IO or LI-FE menu depending on the battery
type you selected in the USER SET PROGRAM / V.TYPE menu), then press the
ENTER button to open the menu. Press the DEC or INC buttons to scroll to the
BALANCE menu.