8
Factory-installed User Presets
1 LiPo Generic Accurate Charge. Basic LiPo preset can be used for any LiPo battery. Fuel
Table is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C.
Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual.
Optimization is for the most accurate charging with termination settings of C/20 and
max of 30 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset requires that every cell in the
battery is charged to exactly 100%. If using high C rate discharge batteries (25C
and higher), Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may
be higher or lower than expected. Default charge rate setting is 1C AUTO.
2 LiPo Generic Faster Charge. Basic LiPo preset can be used for any LiPo battery. Fuel
Table is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C.
Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual.
Optimization is for faster charging with termination settings of C/10 and max of
5 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset does not require that every cell in the
battery is charged to exactly 100%. If using high C rate discharge batteries (25C
and higher), Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may
be higher or lower than expected. Default charge rate setting is 2C AUTO.
3 LiPo Generic Long Life (4.1v). Basic LiPo preset copied from Preset 1 above but with end-
charge voltage reduced to 4.1v. Use this preset if you wish to have the longest life
from your LiPo batteries, but be aware, your fl ight times will be reduced slightly.
Fuel Table is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to
20C, but table is revised to correlate to lower end charge voltage.
4 LiPo Generic Small Balanced. Special LiPo preset designed for charging small batteries
but still using balance connector. This preset is recommended for battery sizes as
small as 5 mAh and up to 500 mAh. Preset requires manual charge rate settings
of between 5 and 500 mA in 5 mA increments. Fuel Table is optimized for generic
LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C.
5 LiPo 1s/2s Small Non Balanced. Special LiPo preset designed for charging small Park Flier
type batteries that are not equipped with balance connectors. Be cautious when
charging any LiPo battery non-balanced. The charger is not capable of detecting
imbalance between cells. Never charge unattended using this preset. Fuel Table
is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C. This
preset has termination characteristics similar to Preset 2 above for faster top off.
6 LiPo All Brands Storage Charge. Special LiPo preset designed to storage charge a
discharged battery up to 3.86v per cell. This preset will only work if the battery is
below the storage charge voltage when connected. Manual charge rate setting is
required when using this preset and ranges from 0.25A to 4.00A. Default setting is
2.0A.
7 LiPo REVO Black Accurate Charge. Brand Specifi c LiPo preset similar in all regards to
Preset 1 above, but with Fuel Table optimized for REVOLECTRIX “Black Label”
batteries. If used with other brands, the Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate
and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than expected. Default charge rate
setting is 1C AUTO.
8 LiPo REVO Black Faster Charge. Brand Specifi c LiPo preset similar in all regards to Preset
2 above, but with Fuel Table optimized for REVOLECTRIX “Black Label” batteries.
If used with other brands, the Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO
charge rate may be higher or lower than expected. Default charge rate setting is
2C AUTO.
9 LiPo REVO Black Long Life (4.1v). Brand Specifi c LiPo preset similar in all regards to Preset
3 above, but with Fuel Table optimized for REVOLECTRIX “Black Label” batteries.
If used with other brands, the Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO
charge rate may be higher or lower than expected. Default charge rate setting is
2C AUTO.
13
Storing packs
For best results, LiPo and A123 packs should be stored at 50% of capacity. Use the charger’s
LiPo All Brands Storage Charge preset to prepare LiPo packs for storage, and the
A123 All Cpcty Storage Charge to prepare A123 packs for storage.
CAUTION: Be sure the storage preset matches the battery chemistry. Using the incor-
rect preset will damage cells.
LiPo packs charged to 100% should not be cooled below room temperature. Cells at 90% or
less capacity can be cooled below 32ºF (0ºC).
How Auto Current Mode works
The Multi4 Charger’s Auto Current Mode (indicated by the charge rate Ax.0C) precisely moni-
tors individual cell fuel levels (cell voltages) in a LiPo, Li-Ion or A123 pack. If the charger de-
termines it is charging too fast, it slows down. Likewise, if it is charging too slow, it speeds up.
The charger adjusts charge current at one minute intervals throughout the charge cycle.
When charging starts, it takes a short time for the charger to determine the correct parameters, so
it may “hunt” for up to 30 minutes before it settles on the optimum current. This is normal, and
doesn’t harm the pack. The longer the charge, the more accurate the calculation.
The plot below shows how Auto Current Mode adjusts the charger’s current when charging a
2.1Ah pack at 1.0C Auto. Initially, charge current is 500mA (this starting current is defi ned in
the User Preset and is adjustable). Within a few minutes, the charger increases the current, and
it eventually reaches 1.0C (1.9A in this example). This is slightly under the ideal 1.0C charge
rate of 2.1A for this pack. Fuel rate Auto charging is intentionally calculated to be slightly
conservative. Current drops as the pack reaches full charge (the charger changes to constant
voltage mode). When charge current drops to about 0.05C, the pack is fully charged. If the cells
are balanced, charging terminates. Termination settings are also controlled by the User Preset
parameters.
With the 1.0C Auto Current Mode, a fully discharged pack is charged to its nominal capacity in
about 60 to 80 minutes, depending on the state of imbalance. Auto Current Mode takes into ac-
count a pack’s starting charge level, so topping off a 50% discharged pack takes only about 30
minutes.
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