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LiFePO4 (LIFE) CHG CURRENT (A) setting: The EOS NET/DUO does NOT limit max charge rate for LiFePO4 based on capacity.
It is our position that ~4C rate is the target MAX for Hyperion or A123 LiFe, as of this writing. Consult battery maker
documentation for other LiFePO4 types.
NiCd and NiMH: Set BATT TYPE from MEMORY MODE screen as we did before in the LiPo example. Consult the battery
manufacturer’s documentation to determine the proper settings for VOLTAGE, CAPACITY, and CHG CURRENT.
In addition to the charge settings we have already seen in LiPo Mode, three additional settings exist for NiCd and NiMH battery
types. These are essentially “expert” settings, and should be left at defaults unless you know why you want to change them:
PEAK SENS (peak sensitivity – delta V) – default for NiCd is 7mV/C and NiMH is 5mV/C
TRICKLE – sets a low current at which the charger will continue to charge the pack AFTER normal charge is ended
PEAK DELAY – Short interval after peak is detected during which the charger will continue to charge before terminating
STARTING CHARGE / SELECTING CHARGE TYPE: After setting MEMORY MODE charge parameters, holding down ENTER
takes you to a Sub-Menu with three options for NiCd/NiMH charge type. Press ENTER once to start the current setting flashing,
and use DOWN key to scroll through the three choices. Hold down the START button after your selection to start charging.
AUTOMATIC – Essentially ignores your setting for CURRENT, but charges at rate determined by the internal resistance of the
battery pack. Especially useful when you don’t know what settings you should make due to lack of documentation.
LINEAR – Charges at whatever rate you have selected from start to finish (if the charger detects no problem with settings).
NORMAL – Charges according to your RATE setting but uses an intelligent algorithm to alter current as needed during charge.
Lead Acid Batteries: Set Pb for BATT TYPE, correct voltage at the BATT VOLTS screen and the Ah at the BATT CAPACITY
screen, and amperage at the CHG CURRENT screen. Change CHARGE VOLTS if required for your battery type. Consult the
battery manufacturer’s documentation to determine these settings. FLOAT VOLTAGE maintains the battery at the pre-set
voltage after normal charge is finished. FLOAT VOLTAGE will be applied only until the SAFETY TIMER setting has elapsed. If you
want to maintain your PB battery at FLOAT VOLTAGE setting indefinitely, turn SAFETY TIMER to OFF.
TCS Feature (Terminal Capacity Selection % for Lithium battery types)
TCS has two settings: TCS CAPACITY %, and TCS END ACTION.
* The TCS CAPACITY Setting is selected from the MEMORY screen by pressing UP button four times (or DOWN seven times).
TCS Capacity can be set from 50% to 100% in 5% increments (default is 100%, a full charge). The charger uses your setting
for Battery Capacity in addition to sophisticated measurements and calculations to make a close estimate for the currently
charged capacity in the pack during charging.
* TCS END ACTION can be set to CONTINUE (default) and STOP. If CONTINUE, when TCS% is reached for settings 50% to
95%, the charger will “beep” 10 times, but continue charging to 100% until stopped. If TCS ACTION is set to STOP, the charger
will stop charging at that TCS setting and - if balancing is complete – then give COMPLETE (END) Buzzer according to your
buzzer settings.
(or continue till balanced, then give End buzzer)
There are three good reasons why you might want to charge a Lithium Battery to something less than full capacity:
* The first is for long-term storage. Lithium batteries are best stored after charging to 50%~60% of nominal capacity. However,
rather than using TCS for this goal, it is easier and better to always use the STORE MODE function. STORE MODE automatically
charges or discharges as needed to reach 60% TCS, then stops.
* The second aim is to get more flight time in during a typical day at the field, by stopping the charge when the battery is 90%
to 95% full, for example. Due to the CC/CV method by which LiPo are charged, charging the last few mAh back into the pack
takes a LOT more time than the first few mAh did… So if you want to get in the air ASAP, and don’t mind a shorter flight then set
TCS at 90%~95% could save you a good bit of charge time. In this case we suggest END ACTION setting of CONTINUE, that
way the charger will sound 10 beeps when TCS is reached, so you can stop charging and fly. If you don’t catch the warning, the
charger will continue to charge to full capacity, as a safety measure in case you have forgotten that TCS is set below 100%.
* The third possibility is that evidence suggests that charging to 90%~95% can increase battery cycle life, compared to 100%
charges. So in this case set TCS ACTION to STOP.
TVC Function (Terminal Voltage Control per each memory slot, LIPO and LIFE)
The TVC function allows adjustment of final CHARGE voltage for LIPO and LIFE battery types for each memory position:
+0mV (default, therefore no change. Lipo=4.200V terminal, LIFE=3.600V terminal)
+5mV to +80mV (5mV steps, so LIPO for example terminates at 4.205V~4.280V)
-5mV to -20mV (5mV steps, so LIPO for example terminates at 4.195V~4.180V)
The TVC Function is found in every memory slot for Lipo and Life, below TCS ACTION setting screen. Note that the TCV settings
are RETAINED, like other Memory settings, when the charger is powered off. Be SURE that this setting is correct before using
any LIPO or LIFE memory slot (Default TVC=0mV strongly recommended).
Note: After confirming CELL COUNT and START for LIPO/LIFE charging, if TVC setting is not default, current TVC setting will be
shown for a few seconds before the charger begins the charge. Be sure to note the displayed TVC setting at this time, and STOP
the charge to reset TVC to default whenever so desired.
Uses for TVC FUNCTION:
-5mV to -20mV: Reducing Terminal Voltage should only be done in case MEASURED cell voltage at your battery pack (with
quality digital voltmeter) shows Terminal voltage exceeding 4.2V for Lipo (or default 3.6V for LIFE/A123 types). This essentially
acts as a calibration function, and should normally be unneeded when using EOS standard, supplied output leads and balance
harnesses. However, if you have made your own longer harnesses, the additional length in leads creates the possibility of extra
induced resistance, and therefore a reading at the charger lower than is actually found at the battery. This could cause an over-
voltage charge. If you find terminal voltage over 4.2V/cell for any LIPO cell, reduce TVC setting on each memory position until
your MEASURED max cell voltage (at battery) is at 4.2V or lower if LIPO, or 3.6V or lower if LIFE.
+5mV to +80mV: Ability to set terminal voltage above defaults is only at the request of competition car, boat, and aircraft
users, and only if the race sanctioning body allows terminal voltage for Lipo above 4.2V, or LIFE(A123) above 3.6V.
No LIPO battery maker or seller recommends or allows Terminal Voltage to be set higher than 4.200V, to our knowledge.
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