The G.T. Power V5 is a versatile balance charger designed for various battery types, including NiCd, NiMH, Lithium (LiPo/Li-Ion), and Pb (lead-acid) batteries. It features a built-in balancer for lithium batteries, eliminating the need for a separate balancing unit during charging. The charger is microprocessor-controlled and utilizes specialized operating software for precise and safe charging.
Function Description:
The G.T. Power V5 is primarily a rapid charger with an integrated individual-cell-voltage balancer for lithium batteries. It supports charging of NiCd/NiMH batteries (1-14 cells), Li-Ion/Polymer batteries (1-5 series), and Pb batteries (2-12V). The device incorporates several safety features to protect both the battery and the charger itself.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Operating voltage range: 10.0~18.0 V
- Circuit power: max. 50W
- Charge current range: 0.1~5.0A
- Current drain for balancing LiPo: 200mAh/cell
- NiCd/NiMH battery cell count: 1~14 cells
- Li-Ion/Polymer cell count: 1~5 Series
- Pb battery voltage: 2 to 12V
- Weight: 360g
- Dimensions: 130×98×30 mm
Usage Features:
- Individual Cell Voltage Balancer: Built-in balancer for LiPo batteries ensures balanced charging without external equipment.
- Delta-Peak Sensitivity: Automatic charge termination based on Delta-peak voltage detection for NiCd/NiMH batteries, ensuring safe charging.
- Capacity Limit: Allows users to set a maximum charging capacity. If this limit is exceeded, the charging process terminates automatically.
- Temperature Limit (with optional thermal probe): Users can set a maximum temperature for the battery. If the battery reaches this temperature during charging, the process is forcibly terminated to prevent damage.
- Processing Time Limit: A configurable maximum process time helps prevent defects by stopping the charge if it runs too long.
- Input Power Monitor: Monitors the input voltage from the power source (e.g., car battery) and automatically terminates the process if the voltage drops below a set limit, protecting the input battery.
- High Power and Performance Circuit: Capable of charging up to 14 NiCd/NiMH cells and 5 series of LiPo batteries with a maximum current of 5.0A.
- LCD Screen: A 16-character, 2-line LCD screen displays program settings and real-time charging information.
- User Interface: Features "Start/Enter," "Stop/Batt type," "DEC," and "INC" buttons for navigation, setting parameters, and controlling charge processes.
- Adjustable Backlight: The brightness of the LCD screen can be adjusted.
- Beep/Buzzer Sound: Audible alerts for button presses and mode changes, which can be turned on or off.
- Multifunctional Connectors: Includes crocodile clips for direct DC battery connection and an 11-18V socket for a mains power adapter.
- Balance Lead Sockets: Dedicated ports for connecting individual cell connectors of LiPo batteries for balancing.
- Program Flow Chart: A clear flow chart guides users through different charging programs (LiPoly, LiPoly Balance, NiMH, NiCd, Pb) and user settings (Temperature cut-off, Safety timer limit, Capacity cut-off, Back-light, Input voltage Low cut-off, Beep/Buzzer sound).
- LiPoly Charging Modes: Supports standard Li-Ion/Poly charging and LiPoly balancing charging, where the charger monitors and normalizes individual cell voltages.
- Individual Cell Voltage Inquiry: During balancing mode, users can monitor the voltage of individual cells by pressing the DEC or INC buttons.
- NiMH/NiCd Charging: Simple current-based charging for NiMH/NiCd batteries, with a current range of 0.1A to 5A.
- Pb (Lead-Sulphuric Acid) Charging: Designed for 2V-12V Pb batteries, with charge current recommendations (1/10 of capacity) and voltage matching.
Maintenance Features:
- Protective and Monitoring System: The charger incorporates various functions to verify its electronics and display error messages with audible sounds in case of malfunction.
- Error Messages: Provides clear on-screen messages for issues such as:
- Reversed polarity: Incorrect battery connection.
- Connection break: Interruption in battery connection.
- SHOT ERR: Short-circuit at output.
- IN Voltage ERR: Input power voltage below limit.
- VOL SELECT ERR: Incorrect Lithium battery pack voltage selection.
- BREAK DOWN: Malfunction in the unit.
- BATTERY CHECK LOW VOLTAGE / OVER VOLTAGE: Voltage difference detected during charging.
- BATTERY VOL ERR: One cell in LiPoly pack over voltage limit.
Warnings and Safety Notes:
The manual emphasizes critical safety precautions:
- Never leave the charger unsupervised while connected to power.
- Keep the unit away from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunshine, and vibration.
- The unit is designed for 12V DC power only.
- Always place the unit and battery on a heat-resistant, non-inflammable, and non-conductive surface.
- Understand battery information accurately to avoid damage, fire, or explosion, especially with Lithium batteries.
- Connect charge cable to the unit first, then to the battery; reverse the sequence when disconnecting to avoid short-circuits.
- Do not connect more than one battery pack at a time.
- Do not charge specific battery types: mixed cell types, fully charged/slightly discharged, non-rechargeable, those requiring different charge techniques, faulty/damaged, those with integral charge/protection circuits, or those installed in devices.
- Always check program selection, current settings, battery pack composition (for Lithium), and connection firmness before charging.
- Failure to follow instructions can lead to severe damage to the charger and battery, fire, injury, or property loss.
Warranty and Service:
The product comes with a one-year (12 months) warranty from the purchase date, covering material or operational defects present at the time of purchase. Proof of purchase (invoice or receipt) is required for service. The warranty does not cover damage due to wear, overloading, incompetent handling, or use of incorrect accessories.