ELPROG PULSAR-EQmini Quick Start Manual

PULSAR-EQmini v 1.03

10.12.2011

Pulsar-EQmini is a professional, CPU controlled equalizer-balancer and cell tester for all Li-xxx cells.
Pulsar-EQmini is capable of highly accurate and extremely fast extremely fast equalization of individual cells

within the battery packs which may contain between 2 to 6 cells. The cells are protected against overcharging or
excessive discharging. The high, constant power (up to 15W) and precise algorithms of equalizing current
control allows this device to work with battery packs with capacity of 0.1Ah to over 10Ah (even during fast
charging). During the design process of the device, we focused o n the ability of the full output of information
about equalizing and the state of battery pack. Built in d isplay shows charging/discharging process graph, bar
graphs of balancing process, actual voltage of each cell, min-max values etc. In add ition, PC software included
with Pulsar-EQmini allows you to analyze and check your packs in detail.

When connected to some chargers like Pulsar 1, Pulsar 2, Pulsar 2+ or Akumatik, Pulsar-EQmini can
force charger to reduce charging/discharging current if the voltage on any of the cells reach dangerous value (too
low or too high). This feature requires a special cable to connect Pulsar-EQmini to the charger.

Technical data

Cell types Li-Ion, Li-Pol, Li-Ph (Li-Ion FePO4)
Number of cells 2-6 cell (6 Channels)
Working voltage 6 – 30 V
Max. balancing power 15 W
Max. equalizing current (per cell) 0,25 A ; 0,5 A ; 0,75 A (continuous current)
Min. equalizing current (per cell) 25 mA ; 50 mA ; 75 mA (continuous current)
Quiescent current 6 mA for 2 cells ; 8 mA for 6 cells
Work modes Test, Equal, Fast
Memory cells 3 independent
Timer (sleep) 2 h; 4 h; and no limit
Display LCD 133x64
Sound alerts Yes
Dimensions 60 x 108 x 15 mm (W x L x H)
Weight 120 g

Precautions

- Read the manual thoroughly before usage of the Pulsar-EQmini

- Under any circumstances, do not modify the device

- Check the connections every time you use Pulsar-EQmini

- Protect against dust and humidity

- Don’t insert any things into the ventilating holes

- Contact an authorized service if any improper behavior is observed

- Don’t leave working device unattended

EU – Certificate of conformity

Pulsar-EQmini is made according to the common safety rules. Also it meet a conditions of the home
appliances rules like: EN 60335-1; EN 50081-1, EN 50082-1 and EN 50082- 2

Device is signed with CE mark: Dispose electronic devices according

ELPROG to your country regulations!
ul. Przemysłowa 1/611
PL 35-105 Rzeszów

General Distribution:

pp-rc Modellbau Piechowski
Weidenstieg2
25337 Kölln-Reisiek
GERMANY
Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.pp-rc.de WEEE-Reg.-Nr DE77074747

Introduction

Lithium cells can be charged up to the voltage particular for th e specific cell type. For example: Li-Po v oltage is

4.20V per single cell. Overcharging can lead to cell damage or even self ignition. When using Li-Po-accupacks,
the voltage of the cells in an accupack tend to drift. Th is can lead to dangerous voltage differences between the
cells in an accupack. Each charging process increases this difference. It can lead to the battery pack damage. The
more cells, the more caution is required.

Example: If you want to charge a 5S-Li-Po-Accupack, the charger will charge the pack to the cut-off Voltage,
which is 21V in this case. (5 x 4.2 V). Assume 4 of the cells have a voltage of 4,1 V then the charger would end
the charging process when the fifth cell has a voltage of 4.6 V. Overcharging this cell is dangero us and may
cause a fire. Balancer will avoid this and protect your accupack.

Balancer and Equalizer differ in the way they operate. A balancer can only equalize the cells during charging.
Once a cell reaches the charge cut-off voltage, charging of this cells is terminated by diverting the charge current
into resistors, converting the energy into heat.(like a Voltage Limiter) An equalizer is able to equalize the voltage
of cells in an accupack without the charging process. Today’s equalizers transfer the energy of the cells with the
highest voltage to the cells with the lowest voltage in the accupack. Equalization of the accupacks is quite
difficult if no cooling fan is used. It requires a smart control of the lost energy, especially in such small device
like Pulsar-EQmini.

Pulsar-EQmini was developed as a pocket size device, which (beside of its main purpose, which is accupacks
equalization) can be used as a fast Li-Xxx packs tester.

In addition, Pulsar-EQmini can be connected to the Pulsar chargers (made by ELPROG) in Fast mode.

It hast to be mentioned, that equalizing of the cells in accupack is not required every time you charge them. You
will learn from experience, how your accupacks perform in the term of voltage drifting, thus you will know,
when to equalize the accupack.
However, we suggest to use the Pulsar-EQmini every time, to play it safe side and always have full control over
your expensive lithium packs.

Connectors and controls

1. LCD display

2. Control but t on

3. Accupack socket

4. USB (cable inc l uded)

5. Pulsar communication socket

Sockets

Accupack

The accupack (2 to 6 cells) can be connected to the Pulsar-EQmini’s 7-pin socket (nr 3 above). Please, pay
attention when connecting the accupack. Carefully check polarity of th e pack to avoid short circuit or da mage of
the pack or device.

Description of the accupack socket:

PC

Pulsar-EQmini can be connected to the PC computer using USB cable. Included software let’s you control,
analyze and save the processes.

0 - cell 1 (minus)
1 + cell 1 (plus)
2 + cell 2 (plus)
3 + cell 3 (plus)
4 + cell 4 (plus)
5 + cell 5 (plus)
6 + cell 6 (plus)

Settings and operation

Pulsar-EQmini can be operated using only one button. There are two different modes of the control button:

Long press (over 1s) and brief press (under 1s)
Short press is used to change screen and confirm of the settings or changes.
Long press is used to enter settings mode.

Connection of the accupack to the Pulsar-EQmini is acknowledged by short “beep”. Push the button briefly to
start device with previously adjusted parameters. Further button’s pressing will switch display modes. If you
want to change parameters – press the button longer than 1s.

ATTENTION: If the process doesn’t start within 15 seconds, there will appear the information „PUSH
BUTTON“ and an acoustic signal.