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FMA Cellpro Multi4 - User Manual

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090126
FMA limited warranty
FMA, Inc. warrants this product to be free of manufacturing defects for the term of one year from the date of pur-
chase. Should any defects covered by this warranty occur, the product shall be repaired or replaced with a unit of
equal performance by FMA or an authorized FMA service station.
Limits and exclusions
This warranty may be enforced only by the original purchaser, who uses this product in its original condition as
purchased, in strict accordance with the product’s instructions. Units returned for warranty service to an FMA
service center will be accepted for service when shipped postpaid, with a copy of the original sales receipt or war-
ranty registration form, to the service station designated by FMA.
This warranty does not apply to:
Consequential or incidental losses resulting from the use of this product.
Damage resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, electrical surges, reversed polarity on connectors,
lightning or other acts of God.
Damage from failure to follow instructions supplied with the product.
Damage occurring during shipment of the product either to the customer or from the customer for service
(claims must be presented to the carrier).
Damage resulting from repair, adjustment, or any alteration of the product by anyone other than an authorized
FMA technician.
Installation or removal charges, or damage caused by improper installation or removal.
Call (301) 668-4280 for more information about service and warranty repairs.
Quick start for the Cellpro Multi4 Charger
Refer to manual for complete operating details.
A. Connect charger to a 12V to 16V (maximum), 5A power source.
B. At Welcome screen, press Mode button to display Preset Menu.
C. In Preset Menu, press Mode button to display User Preset for pack you want to charge.
D. Connect pack to charger.
E. Press and hold Mode button. When you see START CHARGE, release Mode button. Display
brie y shows CHECKING PACK.
F. Next screen displays preset’s chemistry and prompts you to verify it is same as pack’s chem-
istry. This is a safety check.
If displayed chemistry matches pack chemistry, press Mode button to start charging. Go
to step G.
or
If displayed chemistry does not match pack chemistry, do nothing. Screen will time out
and Preset Menu will be displayed. Go to step C.
G. During charging:
Press Mode button to view charging data screens.
To stop charging:
a. Press and hold Mode button to see STOP CHARGE? >No.
b. Press Mode button to see STOP CHARGE? >Yes. Press and hold Mode button.
c. When you see CHARGER STOPPED, press Mode button to see Preset Menu (step C).
H. When charging is complete, charger beeps three times repeatedly and displays ELAPSED
[time] / [chemistry] DONE. Press Mode button to review charging data screens.
I. Disconnect pack from charger. Display shows PACK REMOVED.
J. Press Mode button to return to Preset Menu.
Cellpro Multi4 Charger
Model LC04S04A-MC, for use with LiPo, Li-Ion, A123,
NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid battery packs
Automatic and manual charge rates at up to 4A with
overcharge protection and cell balancing (for packs with
node connectors)
FMA, Inc.
5713 Industry Lane, Suite 50
Frederick, MD 21704
Sales: (800) 343-2934
Technical: (301) 668-4280
www.fmadirect.com
Features
Simple to operate: just connect the Cellpro Multi4 Charger between a power source and
a pack, select a pack-speci c preset and start charging. No jumpers, plugs or dials to set!
Charger automatically determines pack capacity and sets optimal current, then dynamically
adjusts charge rate as needed. Manual charge rates up to 4.0A allow for special situations.
Charges LiPo, Li-Ion, LiFePO4, A123©, LiMn, NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid chemistries
(adapters for many node connector types are available from FMA Direct). Supports both bal-
anced (depending on chemistry) and non-balanced charging (with certain safety limitations).
Charger holds up to 25 user con gurable presets (User Presets), optimized for the different
chemistries, providing charging strategies for most common RC charging needs. Charger also
holds up to 50 Library Presets. When using the free Charge Control Software, the number of
custom presets is virtually unlimited and will grow over time to meet industry needs. Replace
and customize presets to match your battery inventory.
Charges Lithium (2s to 4s balanced charge, 1s to 2s unbalanced charge) and A123 packs (2s
to 4s balanced, 1s to 5s unbalanced) in any capacity up to 32Ah. During balanced charging,
each cell is charged independently, providing exceptional charging safety and elevating RC
packs to the safety level of cellphones. Typical packs of up to 4Ah capacity charge in 50
minutes or less using charger’s 2C Auto Current Mode.
Latest technology provides the ultimate in safety—even charges packs having hidden physical
damage without danger of re. A pack will not charge if individual cell voltages don’t equal
total pack voltage.
Cell balancing to 5mV and automatic overcharge protection assure longest pack life. Auto-
matic temperature monitoring prevents pack overcharging at low ambient temperatures and
charger damage at high ambient temperatures.
Multifunction backlit display lets you select presets, replace default presets from a library
and shows charging data such as individual cell voltages, charge current, supply voltage, and
amount of charge (mAh) put into pack. Plus, the unique Fuel display shows percent capacity
in a pack.
Charge Control Software (CCS, a free download) allows you to customize, save and load pre-
sets (including charger data displays), and view real-time charging data and graphs. CCS also
manages rmware updates to keep your charger operating smoothly.
Operates from any 10–16V DC power source. Inputs and outputs are protected against re-
verse polarity.
Precautions
Follow all instructions in this manual to assure safe operation.
Always watch LiPo packs while they are charging. Never leave LiPo packs unsupervised
during charging.
See additional warning sheets provided with this charger and FMA LiPo packs.
Follow all guidelines for charging, discharging, handling and storing packs of all kinds.
Question and Answer IconNeed help?

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Overview

The Cellpro Multi4 Charger, model LC04S04A-MC, is a versatile battery charger designed for use with various battery chemistries including LiPo, Li-Ion, A123, NiCd, NiMH, and Lead Acid battery packs. It offers automatic and manual charge rates up to 4A, with integrated overcharge protection and cell balancing capabilities for packs with node connectors.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Cellpro Multi4 Charger is to safely and efficiently charge a wide range of battery packs. It simplifies the charging process by automatically determining pack capacity and setting optimal current, dynamically adjusting the charge rate as needed. Users can also manually set charge rates up to 4.0A for specific situations. The charger supports both balanced (depending on chemistry) and non-balanced charging (with certain safety limitations). It features a comprehensive safety system, including the ability to detect and prevent charging of packs with hidden physical damage without the danger of fire. It will not charge if individual cell voltages do not equal the total pack voltage. Cell balancing to 5mV and automatic overcharge protection ensure the longest possible pack life. Automatic temperature monitoring prevents pack overcharging at low ambient temperatures and charger damage at high ambient temperatures. The charger also includes a unique Fuel display that shows the percent capacity in a pack.

Important Technical Specifications:

  • Battery Types Supported: Lithium Polymer (1s to 4s balanced, 1s to 2s unbalanced), Lithium Ion (1s to 4s balanced, 1s to 2s unbalanced), Lithium Manganese (1s to 4s balanced, 1s to 2s unbalanced), A123 (2s to 4s balanced, 1s to 5s unbalanced), NiCd (1s to 12s), NiMH (1s to 12s), 6V and 12V Lead Acid batteries.
  • Pack Capacity: 5mAh to 32Ah (charge time limited to a maximum of 8 hours).
  • Input Voltage: 10 to 16VDC, with reverse polarity protection.
  • Input Current: 5A maximum.
  • Power Conversion: 125kHz switcher operating at 90% efficiency.
  • Output Current: Up to 4A.
  • Cell Balancing: To within 5mV for 2s to 4s LiPo, Li-Ion, Li-Mn or A123 packs.
  • Voltage Calibration: Cell voltage measurements are factory calibrated to a standard traceable to NIST; calibration is to ±6mV.
  • Current Calibration: Charge current is factory calibrated on a 4A standard; calibration is to ±1mA.
  • Measurement Accuracy: Voltage: ±6mV, Charge current: ±1%, Capacity added to pack: ±1%, Percent capacity ("Fuel"): ±5%.
  • Serial Data Output: 19.2kbps, 8 bits, 1 start bit, 1 stop bit, no parity.
  • Presets: Holds up to 25 user configurable presets and up to 50 Library Presets. When using the free Charge Control Software, the number of custom presets is virtually unlimited.
  • Charging Performance: Charges Lithium (2s to 4s balanced charge, 1s to 2s unbalanced charge) and A123 packs (2s to 4s balanced, 1s to 5s unbalanced) in any capacity up to 32Ah. Typical packs of up to 4Ah capacity charge in 50 minutes or less using charger's 2C Auto Current Mode.

Usage Features:

The Cellpro Multi4 Charger is designed for simple operation. Users connect the charger to a 12V to 16V DC power source, select a pack-specific preset from the Preset Menu, and connect the battery pack to begin charging. The charger's multifunction backlit display allows users to select presets, replace default presets from a library, and view charging data such as individual cell voltages, charge current, supply voltage, and amount of charge (mAh) put into the pack. The unique Fuel display shows the percent capacity in a pack.

The device includes 20 factory-installed User Presets optimized for common battery types and five Empty Presets. These presets cover various chemistries and charging strategies. Users can also load Library Presets, which are stored in a larger library, into the User Preset bank. The charger's "Auto Current Mode" precisely monitors individual cell fuel levels and adjusts the charge current at one-minute intervals to optimize charging. It is designed to be slightly conservative in its charging calculations.

The Charge Control Software (CCS), a free download, enhances usability by allowing users to customize, save, and load presets, view real-time charging data and graphs, and manage firmware updates. With CCS, users can show, hide, reorder, save, load, and share User Presets, modify up to 80 parameters for each User Preset, customize the content and order of screens displayed on the charger's LCD, monitor individual cells and power supply during charging, and follow charging progress in real-time graphs.

The charger provides practical information for users, such as the ability to charge packs immediately after discharge without waiting for cooling, balancing cell voltages during charging, and attempting to repair overdischarged LiPo or A123 cells. It also advises on optimal storage conditions for LiPo and A123 packs (50% capacity) and provides guidelines for estimating aircraft performance based on average current and watts per pound.

Maintenance Features:

The Cellpro Multi4 Charger supports firmware updates via the Charge Control Software. When connected to a computer with internet access, the CCS automatically checks for new firmware versions. Users can download and install these updates to keep the charger operating smoothly and benefit from the latest features and improvements. The CCS also allows for backing up and restoring User and Library Presets, which is useful for managing battery inventories and configurations.

The product comes with a one-year limited warranty from FMA, Inc., covering manufacturing defects. Warranty service requires the original sales receipt or warranty registration form. The warranty does not cover consequential or incidental losses, damage from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, electrical surges, reversed polarity, lightning, acts of God, failure to follow instructions, damage during shipment, or unauthorized repairs/alterations.

FMA Cellpro Multi4 Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandFMA
ModelCellpro Multi4
CategoryBattery Charger
LanguageEnglish

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