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After setting the correct cell count in the Charge Mode, wait until none of the adjustable values are
flashing, then press the + button once to enter the Discharge Mode.
Discharge Current Rate
In general most supported battery chemistries/types can be discharged safely and successfully at a
1C to 4C rate so we suggest discharging at no higher than these rates especially if you are not aware
of the max discharge rate capability of the battery you’ll be discharging. That said, because the
TP820CD is capable of discharging at rates up to 10A/50W, in many cases it will not be possible to
discharge batteries, especially those above approximately 3S 11.1V 5000mAh, at even a 1C rate.
However, especially in the case of lower capacity batteries for which you can exceed a 4C
discharge rate, it is important to note that if you discharge at a current rate that is too high it
can result in damage to the battery or even fire causing damage and/or personal injury. If you
are unsure of the maximum safe discharge rate of the battery DO NOT discharge at a rate
higher than 1C to 4C or please contact the manufacturer of the battery for more information.
And to set the discharge current rate, while on the Discharge Mode screen simply press the ENTER
button once. The discharge current rate will begin to flash and you can use the +/– buttons to
increase/decrease the current rate accordingly. After setting the discharge current rate per your
preference you can press the ENTER button to select the other adjustable values, or wait
approximately 5 seconds until the current rate stops flashing to begin the discharge process or to
scroll through the other modes.
Also, before starting the discharge process the maximum discharge current that can be set (if
it is less than 10.0A, which is the max discharge current rate for each port) is automatically
calculated by the charger based on the estimated voltage of the battery being discharged and
the cell count you have selected (~3.6V per cell for LiPo batteries). So in most cases it is not
possible to set the discharge current rate to the 10.0A max for cell counts more than 1S 3.7V for
LiPo/LiIon/LiFe, and even if you do set the rate to 10.0A for higher cell batteries, it will exceed the
maximum discharge power level (wattage) capabilities of each port and the charger will reduce the
rate accordingly after the discharge process has started.
And after the discharge process has started you can actually increase the discharge current
rate by up to 25% (i.e. – from 5.00A to 6.25A) or the maximum discharge current rate possible
based on the actual voltage of the battery and power level of each port; whichever comes first.
To do this, simply press the ENTER button once immediately (or any time) after the discharge
process has been started (and the ‘Battery Check Please Wait…’ check is complete) and the current
rate will begin to flash. You can then use the + button to increase (or the – button to decrease) the
current rate accordingly.
And in the event that the discharge current rate and voltage of the battery being discharged,
as well as the ambient temperature and internal temperature of charger, result in over-heating
the charger (above ~130° F) during the discharge process, you will see the ‘Over Temperature
Please Wait…000°’ warning including the current internal temperature of the charger. The
charger will automatically pause the discharge until it cools to approximately 100° F, then it
will resume the discharge automatically. And although the discharge current rate and voltage
of the battery may not exceed the maximum discharge power rating of the port, especially in
the case of higher capacity batteries that take longer to discharge and create more heat in the
charger for a longer period of time, you may indeed need to reduce the discharge current rate
in order to prevent the over temperature and pause.
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