ETRONIX PowerPal4 User Manual

TABLE Of CONTfNTS

Introduction .

...01
Special features 03
Warning and safety notes 05
Program flowchart. 10
Lithium polymer balance charge program connection diagram 11
Initial parameter setup (users set up) 12
Charging oflithium battery 14
Balance charging of lithium battery 15
Fast charging of lithium battery 16
Storage control of lithium battery 16
Discharging of lithium battery 17
Charging of NiCd/NiMH battery 17
Discharge of NiCd/NiMH battery 18

Charge/discharge and discharge/charge cycle of NiCd/NiMH battery 18
Charging of the Pb battery 19
Discharging of the Pb battery 19
Storage data program 20
Load data program 20
Various information in the program 21
Warning and error message 22
Specification 23
The set contains 23
Recommended accessories 24
Conformity declaration 25
Warrant y and service 25

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your choice of the Etronix PowerPal4 digital intelligent charger from
Etronix Model Electronics. You are now the owner of a compact charger with battery
management and integral balancer.

The unit is simple to use, but the operation of a sophisticated automatic charger such as
the Elronix PowerPal 4 does require some knowledge on the part of the user. These
operating instructions are designed to ensure that you quickly become familiar with its
functions.

Il is therefore important that you read right through the Operating Instructions, Warning
and Safety Notes before you attempt to use your new automatic chargerfor the firsttime.
We hope you have manyyears of pleasure and success with your new batterycharger.

Etronix PowerPal 4 employs the circuit that features four totally independent but identical
power outputs which are powered 50 watts each. Total powers are 200 watts. As a result ,
it can charge or discharge up to 4 x 15 cells of NiCd/NiMH or 4 x 6 series of Lithium
batteries sirnultaneously. ·PowerPal 4 has four individual cell voltage balancer at each
outputs, so itdoes not requiredany balancer separatelywhen charging Lithiumbatteries
(LiPo/Lilon/LiFe) for voltage balancing.

The twin-fan cooling system is so smart and efficiently. The fan speed is controlled by
internai temperature sensor.

Following instructions only apply to one of the four chargers, as ail of them operate
according to sameprinciple.

Please BE SURE to read these instructions and Warning and Safety Notes before you
use the chargerfor the firsttime.

It can be dangerous to mis-handle batteries and battery chargers, as there is always a
risk of batteriescatching fire andexploding.

Liability Exclusion
This charger is designed and approved exclusively for use with the types of battery

stated in this Instruction Manual. Etronix accepts no liablility of any kind if the charger
is used forany purpose otherthan that stated.

We are unable to ensure that you follow the instructions supplied with the charger, and
we have no control over the methods you employ for using, operating and maintaining
the device. For this reason we are obliged to deny ail liability for loss, damage or costs
which are incurred due to the incompetent or incorrect use and operation of our products,
or which are connected with such operation in anyway.

Unless otherwise prescribed by law, our obligation to pay compensation, regardless of
the legal argument employed, is limited to the invoice value of those Etronix products
which were immediately and directly involved in the event in which the da mage occurred.

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INTRODUCTION

Please read this entire operating manual completely and attentively before
using this product, as it covers a wide range of information on operating and
safety. Or please douse this productin company with a specialist!

LCD Screen

Battery Sockets

Universal
Balancing Port
Pitch=2.54mm

INPUT
DC11-15V

Twin Ventilation Fan
with Temperature Sensor Control

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SPECIAl FEATURES

Etronix PowerPal 4 allows you to plug 4 batteries into one chargersimultaneously, and it
will intelligently and automatically charge all4 of them at once totheir maximum capacity.
Totop of it, the batteries beingcharged do noteven need tohave the sameconfiguration.
Youcan connect different chemistry CNi-MH/Ni-CD/LiPo/LiFe) batteries into anyof the
charging ports. No more staying up late for charging batteries.

Optimized operating software
Etronix PowerPal 4 features the so-called AUTO function that set the feeding current

during the process of charging or discharging. Especially for Lithium batteries, it can
prevent the overcharging which may lead to an explosion due to the user's fault. It can
disconnect the circuit automatically and alarm once detecting any malfunction. Ali the
programs of this product were controlled through two way linkage and communication,
to achieve the maximum safety and minimize the trouble. Ail the settings can be
configured by users!

Internai independent lithium battery balancer
Etronix PowerPal 4 employs an individual-cell-voltage balancer. It isn't necessary to

connect an external balancer for balance charging.

Balancing individual cells battery discharging
During the process of discharging, Etronix PowerPal 4 can monitor and balance each cell

of the battery individually. Error message will be indicated and the process will be ended
automatically if the voltage of any single one cell is abnormal.

Adaptable to various type of lithium battery
Etronix PowerPal 4 is adaptable to various types of Lithium batteries, such as Li-ion, LiPo

and the newLiFe series of batteries.

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SPfCIAI ffATURfS

Fast and storage mode of lithium battery
Purposes to charge Lithium battery varies, 'fast' charge reduce the duration of charging,

whereas 'store' state can control the final voltage of your battery, so as to store for a
long time and protect useful time of the battery.

Maximum safety
Delta-peak sensitivity: The automatic charge termination program based on the

principle of the Delta-peak voltage detection. When the battery's voltage exceeds the
threshold, the process will be terminated automatically.

Automatic charging current limit
You can set upthe upper limitof the charging current when charging your NiCd orNiMH

battery; it is useful for the NiMH battery of low impedance and capacity in the 'AUTO'
charging mode.

Capacity limit
The charging capacity is always calculated as the charging current multiplied by time. If

the charging capacity exceeds the limit, the process will be terminated automatically

when you set the maximum value.

Temperature threshold*
The battery's internai chemical reaction will cause the temperature of the battery to rise.

If the temperature limit is reached, the process will be terminated.
* This function is available by connecting optional temperature probe, which is not

included in the package.

Processing time limit:
You can also limitthe maximum process time to avoid any possible defec!.

Data store/load
The maximum five batteries'data can be stored for users'convenience. You can keep the

data pertaining to program setting of the battery of continuous charging or discharging.
Users can cali out these data at any timewithout any special program setting.

Cyclic charging/discharging

1

to 5 cyclic and continuous process of charge>discharge or discharge>charge is

operable for battery refreshing and balancing to stimulate the battery's activity.

PC based analysis uing USB Communication
Etronix PowerPal4 offer PC based program cananalysis the characteristicof the battery
via USB por!.lt shows a graph of voltage, current, capacity curves. It also shows the
individual voltage ofeach cell inthe Lithium battery pack.
PC-LiNK USB adaptorcan be purchased separately

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WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

These warnings and safety notes are particularly important.Please followthe
instructions for maximum safety; otherwise the charger and the battery can be
damaged or atworst it cancause a fire.

o

Never leave the charger unattended when it is connected to its power supply. If
any malfunction isfound, TERMINATE THE PROCESS AT ONCE and refer tothe
operation manual.

o

Keep the charger weil away from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunshine and
vibration. Never drop

it.

OThe allowable input voltage is

11-15V

DC

o

This charger and the battery should be put on a heat-resistant, noninflammable
and nonconductive surface. Never place them on a car seat, carpet or similar.
Keep ail the inflammable volatile materials away from operating area.

o

Make sure you know the specifications of the battery to be charged or
discharged to ensure it meets the requirements of this charger. If the program is
set up incorrectly, the battery and charger may be damaged .It can cause fire or
explosion due to overcharging. This warrant y is not valid for any damage or
subsequent da mage arising as a result of a misuse or failure to observe the
procedures outlined in this manual.

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WARNING AND SAnTY NOTES

NiCd/NiMH

Voltage level: 1.2V/cell
Allowable fast charge current: 1C-2C (depends on the

Performance of cell)
Discharge voltage cutoff level: O.85V/cell (NiCd),

1.0V/cell(NiMH)

Li-ion Voltage level: 3.6V/cell

Max. charge voltage:4.1V/cell
Allowable fast charge current: 1C or less
Min. discharge vollagecut offlevel: 2.5V/cell orhigher

LiPo Vollagelevel: 3.7V/cell

Max. charge vollage:4.2V/celi
Allowable faslcharge current: 1Cor less
Discharge voltage cutoff level: 3.0V/cell or higher

LiFe Voltage level: 3.3V/cell

Max. charge voltage: 3.6V/cell
Allowable fastcharge current: 4Cor less
Discharge voltage culoff level: 2.0V/cell or higher

Pb Voltagelevel: 2.0V/cell

(Lead-acid) Max. charge voltage: 2.46V/cell
Allowable fast charge current: O.4C or less
Discharge voltage cutoff level: 1.75V/cell or higher

•• To avoid short circuit between the charge lead always connect the
charge cable to the charger first, then connect the battery. Reverse the
sequence wh en disconnecting.

•• Never attempt to charge or discharge the following types of batteries.

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WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

A battery pack which consists of different types of cells
(including different manufacturers)

A batterythat is alreadyfully charged orjust slightly discharged.
Non-rechargeable batteries (Explosion hazard).
Batteries that require a different charge technique from NiCd,

NiMh, LiPo orGel cell (Pb, Lead acid).
A faultyor damaged battery.
A battery fitted with an integral charge circuit or a protection

circuit.
Batteries installed in a device or which are electrically linked to

other components.
Batteries that are not expressly stated by the manufacturer to be

suitable for the currenis the charger delivers during the charge
process.

•• Please bear in mind the following points before commencing
charging:

Did you select the appropriate program suitable for the type of
battery you are charging?

Did you setup adequate currentfor charging ordischarging?

Have you checked the battery voltage? Lithium battery packs
can be wired in parallel and in series, i.e. a 2 cell pack can be

3.7V (in parallel)or 7.4V (inseries).
Have you checked that ail connections are firm and secure?

Make sure there are no intermittent contacts at any point in the
circuit.

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WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

o Charging

During charge process, a specifie quantity of electrical energy is fed into
the battery. The charge quantity is calculated by multiplying charge current
by charge time. The maximum permissible charge current varies depending
on the battery type or its performance, and can be found in the information
by the battery manufacturer. Only batteries that are expressly stated to be
capable of quick-charge are allowed to be charged at rates higher than the
standard charge current.

Connect the battery to the terminal of the charger: red is positive and black
is negative. Due to the difference between resistance of cable and
connector, the charger can not detect resistance of the battery pack, the
essential requirement for the charger to work properly is that the charge
lead should be of adequate conductor cross-section, and high quality
connectors which arenormally gold-plated shouldbe fitted toboth ends.·

Always refer to the manual by the battery manufacturer pertaining to

charging methods, recommended charging current and charging time.
Especially, the Lithium battery should be charged according the charging
instruction provided bythe manufacturer strictly.

Attention should be pa id to the connection of Lithium battery especially.

Do not attemptto disassemble the battery pack arbitrarily.

Please get highlighted that Lithium battery packs can be wired in parallel
and in series. ln the parallel connection, the battery's capacity is calculated
by multiplying single battery's capacity by the number of cells with total
voltage stay the same. The voltage's imbalance may cause fire or explosion
.Lithium battery is recommended to charge in series.

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WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

o Discharging

The main purpose of discharging is to clean residual capacity of the battery,
or to reduce the battery' voltage to a defined level. The same attention should
be pa id to the discharging process as charging. The final discharge voltage
should be set up correctly to avoid deep-discharging. Lithium battery can not
be discharged to lower than the minimum voltage, or it will cause a rapid loss
of capacity or a total failure. Generally, Lithium battery doesn't need to be
discharged. Please pay attention to the minimum voltage of Lithium battery
to protect the battery.

Some rechargeable batteries have a memoryeffect. If they are partly used
and recharged before the who le charge is accomplished, they remember this
and will only use that partof their capacity next time. This is a 'memory effect'

It is said that NiCd and NiMH batteries are suffering from memory effect.
NiCd has morememory effectthan NiMH.

Lithium batteries are recommended to be discharged partially rather than
fully discharged. Frequent full discharging should be avoided if possible.

Instead, charge the battery more often or use a battery of largercapacity.Full
capacity cannot be reached until it has been subjected to 10 or more charge
cycles. The cyclic process of charge and discharge will optimize the capacity
of battery pack.

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