Futaba CR-2500 User Manual

Notes: Always read this manual before using the charger.

Store this manual where it can be used at any time.

1M23N15202

Usage precautions

Do not use RX/GLOW terminal to charge batteries other than nickel cadmium and nickel
hydride batteries.

•Charginganoncompliancebatterywillcausethebatterytooverheatorgiveoffsparks.

Do not use the charger near materials that may ignite.

•There is a danger of ignition by sparking when the battery is connected or disconnected.

•Copying of part or all of the contents of this manual

Multi Charger

CR-2500

Instruction Manual

without prior permission is prohibited.

•The contents of this manual are subject to change without
prior notice.

•The contents of this manual should be complete, but if you
find any errors or omission, please contact us.

•Futaba is not responsible for the results of use of this
product by the customer.

Thank you for purchasing a CR-2500.　The CR-2500 is a DC charger for the lithium ion battery
LT 2F2200 used in Futaba radio control transmitters, and for the nickel cadmium and nickel metal
hydride batteries used in receivers and glow boosters. This battery charger has a function of
discharging the battery for the receivers, and can find the most suitable condition to charge
batteries. But there are things that you must be aware of.
To fully enjoy the performance of the charger and to use the charger safely, please read this
instruction manual thoroughly before use.

Do not leave the side while charging. If you notice any abnormality of the charger or battery
during charging, immediately stop charging. If the battery temperature rises to 60°C or higher,
it is extremely dangerous. If the battery suddenly becomes hot, immediately stop charging.

•

Due to the characteristics of NiCd battery and nickel metal hydride battery, some of them are very hard to
detect their delta-peak. If the charger cannot detect the delta-peak and continues charging, the battery
would be overcharged and become abnormally hot and extremely dangero

us.

Features of CR-2500

•CR-2500 can charge the lithium ion battery LT2F2200 used in Futaba radio control transmitters, and
the nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride battery used in receivers and glow boosters.

•CR-2500 is employing the so-called AUTO-CUT by constant current and constant voltage to manage
charging batteries of the transmitter. It is also employing the so-called AUTO-CUT by the delta
voltage peak detection to manage charging batteries of the receivers and glow boosters.

•CR-2500 can charge simultaneously two batteries, such as a battery for the transmitter and a battery
for receiver or a battery for the transmitter and a battery for the glow lamp booster.

•Charging current for receiver and glow booster is adjustable.
Transmitter: AUTO, Receiver: 0.05A - 2.0A (0.05A step), Glow lamp booster: 1A - 2.5A (0.5A step)

•The input voltage, output voltage, charging current, peak voltage, charging time and charging amount
can be monitored on the LCD screen.

*Each battery voltage shown on the screen is the voltage that is measured at its corresponding output

connector.

*The capacity to be charged varies depending on the environmental temperature and the condition of

the battery itself. Please use the capacity shown on the screen only as a rough idea.

Input power supply (12VDC power supply)

Use a 12V car battery or a power supply having an output capacity of 6A or more at
DC11~15V as the input power supply.

CR-2500 Ratings

•Input voltage:
DC11V~15V (Error will be displayed when the
battery voltage is 10.5V or less.)

•Corresponding batteries:
TX: 2,000mAh (LT2F2200)
RX: 50~2,000mAh (4~6 cells)
GLOW: 1,000~2,500mAh (1 cell)
(Specifications and ratings are subject to change without notice accompanying technical developments.)

•Charging current range:
TX: 0.1~1.5A AUTO
RX: 0.05~2A, GLOW: 1.0~2.5A

•Case size: 151x85x35mm
(Excluding projecting parts and cord compartment.)

•Weight: 365g

Description of CR-2500 Parts

SELECT dial

Turn the dial to set the charging current on the
current setting screen (except TX).
Push the SELECT button to change the mode. Every
time you push the SELECT button, the mode
changes to TX->RX-CHG->RX-DISCHG->RX­CYCLECHG->GLOW->TX.

LCD display

This display shows various information such as
charging current setting, data of each mode, input
voltage and error messages.

CURRENT button

Calls the charging current setting screen.

Never connect the battery in reverse.

•Reverse connection will cause the battery to overheat or will damage the inside of the charger.

Do not add an additional charge after charging.

•AUTO-CUT will not function and the battery will be overcharged, overheated and become extremely
dangerous.

Never get the charger wet.

•The interior of the charger is a precision electronic circuit and entry of water will cause erroneous operation.
If the charger gets wet, always have it repaired.

Do not charge a warm battery.

•Otherwise, the specified charging amount cannot be obtained and the battery performance will not be fully
achieved. Be sure to charge the battery after it has cooled.

Never charge with a current exceeding the nominal capacity (lC) of the rechargeable battery.

•If a battery is charged with a current exceeding 1C, the battery will overheat and deteriorate.

Do not connect two battery packs or more to one output terminal.

•It is extremely dangerous because the batteries will short circuit and AUTO-CUT will not function normally.

When taking power from a car, do not operate the ignition key during charging. Also, do not
charge while the car is in motion.

•Otherwise, it may cause input voltage fluctuations and malfunctions due to vibration, etc. If an abnormality
occurs while the car is running, it won't be coped with and would cause serious accidents.

Do not perform charging with the charger on vinyl, plastic or other materials that melt easily,
on a car seat, or other flammable articles.

•arger itself builds up heat during charging. Also, batteries could also overheat for some reason.

Avoid extremely cold and hot places and the direct sunlight when you charge batteries.
It is recommended to perform charging within the 10 ~ 30°C range.

•Otherwise, it may cause abnormal charging and overheat.

When charging a new battery or a battery that has not been used for a long time, AUTO-CUT
may not function. If the battery becomes abnormally hot, stop charging.

•When a nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride battery is new or has not been used for a long time, the
delta peak, which is the criterion for the end of charging, will be difficult to obtain and may not be detected.
If charging is continued, the battery will be overcharged and become abnormally hot and is extremely
dangerous. When the delta peek is not detected and AUTO-CUT does not function, it may be possible to
detect the delta peak by discharging and charging the battery 2〜3 times using a standard charging current
charger.

Charge a battery that has been appropriately discharged. (Except Lithium-ion LT2F2200)

•If the batteries such as nickel cadmium battery for RX/GLOW and nickel metal hydride battery are
repeatedly charged with a charge remaining, they may not return to their original performances. On the
contrary, if the batteries are completely discharged, they may also not return to their original performances.
The criterion for the charge remaining is 0.9V/cell.

Be careful that the cable is not pinched or shorted.

•If the cable is shorted, the battery may heat up and give off sparks.

During charging, check the charging amount on the data screen. When the charging amount
becomes extremely large, stop charging.

•AUTO-CUT may not function for some reason.

Do not let the metal parts of a glow booster touch other conductive parts during charging.

•Shorting is extremely dangerous.

After the end of charging, disconnect the battery from the charger.

Meaning of Special Markings

Pay special attention to safety where indicated by the following marks:

Procedures which may lead to dangerous conditions and cause death/serious injury
if not carried out properly.

Procedures which may lead to a dangerous condition or cause death or serious
injury to the user if not carried out properly, or procedures where the probability of
superficial injury or physical damage is high.

Procedures where the possibility of serious injury to the user is small, but there is a
danger of injury, or physical damage, if not carried out properly.

: Prohibited : Mandatory

Input cable (cigarette socket/clip)

Use the cigarette socket or clip appropriately.
CR-2500 does not have a power switch.
When the power cable is connected, CR-2500
automatically turns on.
Connect the red clip to the positive side of the input
power supply and the black clip to the negative side.

Input clip (red)

Input clip (black)

CHG LED display

It turns on while charging.
(It blinks on and off while
discharging.)

TX/RX/GLOW LED display

The output data corresponding to the lit LED is
displayed on the LCD display.
(TX: Red, RX: Red/Blue/Red-Blue, GLOW: Orange)

TX output connector

Output connector to charge a transmitter battery

*TX and RX or TX and GLOW can be charged simultaneously.
*RX output and GLOW output cannot be used simultaneously. Only the
GLOW side is effective even if a battery is connected to both outputs.

START button

Charging start/stop button

RX output connector

Output connector to charge a receiver

GLOW output connector

Output connector to charge a glow booster battery

Cigarette socket

(While pressing the side wall)

[Cord storage]

The photograph shows an example of storing cable. To
open and close the cover, push the arrow part in the
photograph. If the cover is forced open, the lock claw
could break off.

[Accessories]

The following charging cables (2 types) are supplied with the CR-2500 set.
Use these cables when charging a battery mounted in the fuselage and when charging the battery by connecting
the charger to the charging jack of a transmitter.

TX charging adapter (70cm)

Use this adapter to charge the battery of the transmitter.
You can use either end of the TX Charge Adapter to
connect to the transmitter or the charger.

Make sure that the direction of the
connecter is correct.

Charging adapter (200cm)

Use when connecting the charger to a battery, etc. mounted
in the fuselage.

(+) side (red)

(-) side (black)

This extension cable is designed
only for the use of Futaba
transmitters embedded with Li­ion LT2F2200. Do not use this
extension cable for other
purposes.

Keep the power of the
transmitter turned off while you
are charging.
(Emitting radio may cause
malfunctions.)

Do not modify the charging
adapter (extension cable)

•If shorted or connected in reverse, CR­2500 or the battery will be abnormally
heated and damaged.

.

Charging method

Avoid extremely cold and hot places and the direct sunlight when you charge
batteries. It is recommended to perform charging within the 10 ~ 30°C range.

•Otherwise, it may cause abnormal charging and overheat.

RX DISCHARGE MODE

1 Power supply connection

When the input cable is connected to the 12VDC power supply and the
power is turned on, the CR-2500 automatically starts and the opening
screen will pop up.

(For about 2 seconds indication)

*After the opening screen being displayed, the TX data screen will appear.

Connect to the + output of
the parent power supply.

Red

Black

Connect to the - output of
the parent power supply.

(or)

Plug into a car cigarette
lighter socket.

While RX LED lit blue, the charger is in RX discharge mode. The charging current is fixed to 0.5A, and it cannot be
changed. Push the START button, then the "CHG" LED blinks and starts discharging. You can monitor the discharging
status on the data screen after about 5 seconds of START screen. When discharging is completed, the end screen appears
with the alarm sound (beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep). Then, the end screen switches
to the data screen 5 seconds later. The "CHG" LED is off.

2 Battery connection (TX/RX/GLOW)

Steady light : charging
Blinking light : discharging

Transmitter battery Receiver battery Glow booster

"TX" LED "RX" LED "GLOW" LED"CHG" LED

Choose the adequate type of connecter and connect the battery, then the corresponding LED in the ''TX'', ''RX'', and
''GLOW'' LEDs will turn on constantly after blinking as the battery check goes on. The charging current setting screen will
automatically pop up when you connect the battery to RX or GLOW.

When an over-discharged battery was connected, the charger may not be able to detect the battery and the LED lamp
will not light. Wait 2 ~ 3 minutes in the connected state. If the LED lamp lights, charging is possible. If the LED lamp
does not light, charge the battery with the standard charging current (0.1 C).

3 Changing operational mode and its data screen (TX/RX/GLOW)

When a battery is connected to any one of the TX, RX and GLOW terminals, the CR-2500 charger automatically detects
its mode and displays the data of the battery. And each button will become operational. But if you want to change the mode
while one or two outputs are connected, you can change the mode manually by pushing SELECT button. Every time you
push the SELECT button, the mode changes to TX->RX-CHG->RX-DISCHG->RX-CYCLECHG->GLOW->TX.

DISPLAY TX DATA

SELECT button

Push the
SELECT button
to change

DISPLAY GlowDATA

Prior to the operation, you will find a data screen
like this in each mode immediately after you have
turned on the power of the CR-2500.

12 . 00V

12 . 00V

(For about 2 seconds indication)

Steady light:

This means that it is ready to display data of
each mode and to start/end each mode.
The RX is in the DISCHARGE mode when
the RX LED lights blue constantly, while it is
in the CYCLE mode when the RX LED lights
red and blue alternatively.

Blinking light:

This means that the CR-2500 charger is in the
battery-check mode or in the charging current
setting mode.

DISPLAY
CHARGE

DISPLAY
DISCHARGE

DISPLAY
CYCLE

. V . A

h : m h

RX DATA

RX DATA

RX DATA

P.

(Data display screen)

A

12 . 00V

12 . 00V

12 . 00V

RX CYCLE MODE (RX Discharge-to-Charge mode)

When the RX LED is showing blue and red alternatively, the charger is in the Discharge-to-Charge mode. The charging
current is fixed to 0.5A, and it cannot be changed. Push START button, then the "CHG" LED blinks and starts discharging.
You can monitor the discharging status on the data screen after about 5 seconds of START screen. The discharging ends
with the alarm sound (beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep). Immediately after discharging
is completed, charging starts with the charging current set by this mode. Setting of the charging current is the same as RX
CHARG MODE. The "CHG" LED is on during the charging. When charging is completed, the end screen appears with the
alarm sound (beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep). Then, the end screen switches to the
data screen 5 seconds later. The "CHG" LED is off.

GLOW CHARGE MODE

When GLOW LED is lit orange, the charger is in the GLOW charge mode. Check the charging current on the current
setting screen, then push START button to start charging. The "CHG" LED turns on and the charging starts. You can
monitor the charging status on the data screen after about 5 seconds of START screen. When charging is completed, the
end screen appears with the alarm sound (beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep). Then, the
end screen switches to the data screen 5 seconds later. The "CHG" LED is off.

FORCED END

When you want to forcibly end charging or discharging midway, push the START button, then charging will stop. At this
time, the display switches to the data screen about 5 seconds after an audible alarm sounds (beep-beep-beep-beep, beep­beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep) and the FORCED END screen appears. "CHG" LED is off.

4 Charging Current Setting (RX/GLOW)

Check the charging current on the current setting screen first. If necessary to change the charging current, turn the
SELECT dial while this screen is being displayed. Even if the current setting screen is closed, you can recall it by pushing
the CURRENT button.

"TX", "RX", or "GLOW" is displayed according to the connected
connector position.

SET RX CURREN

0.50A for　500mAh

Current charging current set value

CURRENT button

T

(For about 5 seconds indication)

SELECT
(Charging current setting range)
RX : 0.05A - 2.0A (0.05A step) Discharge
current : fixed to 0.5A.
GLOW : 1.00A - 2.5A (0.5A step)

Never charge with a current exceeding the nominal capacity (lC) of the rechargeable
battery.

•If a battery is charged with a current exceeding 1C, the battery will overheat and deteriorate.

The current setting screen closes and the data screen opens. Each data is displayed during charging.

Battery voltage

Charging time

5

Start and end each mode (TX/RX/GLOW)

Charging current

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

Peak voltage

P

Charging amount

Switch the output to
be operated by pressing
the SELECT button.

dial

LED indications for the simultaneous 2 modes

When charging 2 modes simultaneously, the LED indications are not completely as same as those shown in the "Battery
connection (TX/RX/GLOW)". Perform charging by referring to the examples shown below.

[Connection examples]

When a receiver battery is connected while a transmitter battery is being charged, the LEDs will light as shown below and
the charger enters the charging current setting mode for the receiver battery.

After the charging current setting screen being closed, the LEDs will light as bellow. Then you will see the transmitter
battery data on the screen and will become able to start or end charging operation.

START button

START button

START button

START button

START button

START
RX CHARG I NG

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

START
RX DISCHARG I NG

. V . A D-CH

h : mAh

START
RX CYCLE

. V . A

h : m h

START
Glow CHARGING

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

STOP
＊＊ ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

(For about 5 seconds indication)

P

Battery voltage

Discharging

G

. V0.5A D-CH

h : 　 mA h

P.

A

(For about 5 seconds indication)

P

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

FINISH
RX CHARGI NG

(For about 5 seconds indication)

Discharging

. V0.5A D-CH

h : 　 mA h

time

FINISH
RX D I SCHARG I NG

(For about 5 seconds indication)

G

FINISH
RX CYCLE

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

FINISH
Glow CHARGING

(For about 5 seconds indication)

(Data display screen)

P

current

Discharging mode

G

Discharging

CHARGE MODE

P

amount

[Before you start charging]

When a battery is connected, the charger automatically checks the battery. When the START button is pushed
immediately after the connection, an error may be displayed, depending on the state of the battery. In such a case,
reset the error by pushing the CURRENT button. Wait until the output voltage on the screen has stabilized and then
start charging or discharging by pushing the START button. Always check the charging current on the current
setting screen before starting charging. Set the charging current to the nominal capacity (1C) or less of the battery.
For example, for a 600mAH battery set the charging current to 0.6A or less.

[Data screen]

Every data except battery data will remain on the screen until you connect the next battery even if you disconnect
the battery after charging.

Off

(Displays the RX

side state.)

Rapid blink

(Under charging

operation)

Blink

Off

(Charging current setting mode)

Do not leave the side while charging. If you notice any abnormality of the charger or battery
during charging, immediately stop charging.

•

If the battery temperature rises to 60°C or higher, it is extremely dangerous. If the battery suddenly becomes

hot, immediately stop charging.

When taking power from a car, do not operate the ignition key during charging. Also, do not
charge while the car is in motion.

•

Otherwise, it may cause input voltage fluctuations and malfunctions due to vibration, etc. If an abnormality

occurs while the car is running, it won't be coped with and would cause serious accidents.

When you push the SELECT button four times to switch the screen display mode to the "TX" side, you will see the LEDs
being displayed as shown below. Then you will see the transmitter battery data on the screen and will become able to start
or end charging operation.

When charging has been completed, disconnect the battery from the CR-2500 after confirming
that the battery has been properly charged. In order to do so, check data such as peak voltage
and charged capacity and whether the battery has become as warm as human body.

The followings are descriptions about how to start or end each mode. RX has three modes, which are Charging,
Discharging and Cycle modes. In order to change from the mode currently under operation to another mode, stop the
current mode by pushing the START button and then change the mode.

TX CHARGE MODE

While TX LED is lit red, the charger is in TX charge mode. Charging current is automatically set and cannot be changed.
When you push the START button, the "CHG" LED turns on and the charging starts automatically. You can monitor the
charging status on the data screen after about 5 seconds of START screen. The charging current will gradually decrease as
the charging progresses. When the charging reaches 90% of the capacity, the end-alarm beeps and one-hour charging timer
starts. Then, LCD display starts showing "TIMER CHARGING" screen and normal data screen alternatively. (The display
shows the remaining time and the accumulated time alternatively during the timer charging.)
As the timer-charging is a sort of very tiny current charging, and more than 90% of the battery capacity has been charged,
the battery can be said to be ready for use. CHG LED is off during timer charging.

START button

Charging time

START
TX CHARG I NG

Battery voltage

Peak voltage

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

P

Charging amount

Battery voltage

Charging time

Charging current

.V.A　 .

h: mAh

FINISH
TX CHARGI NG

(For about 5 seconds indication)

Peak voltage

P

Charging amount

Error messages, etc

If you disconnect the battery during charging;

If the battery is disconnected while charging, the alarm will beep and the error message on the
right will appear. The "CHG" LED goes off.

If input voltage drops;

If the input voltage drops, the error message on the right will appear.
Check the 12VDC power supply.

If outputs are shorted;

If the outputs of the charger are shorted, the error message on the right will appear. Remove
the short circuit.

If output voltage rises abnormally;

If the output voltage of the charger rises abnormally, the error message on the right will be
displayed and the charger will automatically stop charging. Check the battery.

RX CHARGE MODE

While RX LED is lit red, the charger is in RX charge mode. After confirming the charging current on the current setting
screen, push the START button, then the "CHG" LED turns on and the charging starts. You can monitor the charging status
on the data screen after about 5 seconds of START screen. When charging is completed, the end screen appears with the
alarm sound (beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep-beep). Then, the end screen switches to the
data screen 5 seconds later. The "CHG" LED is off.

Off

(Displays the RX

side state.)

Steady light

(Displays the TX

side state.)

*Means that data screen is active and charging start/end operations are possible.

When RX LED is lit blue, the charger is in DISCHARGE mode.
When the RX LED is showing the mixed color of blue and red, the transmitter is in CYCLE mode.

Rapid blink

(Under charging

operation)

Steady light

Steady light

Off
(Shows that data display and charging operation
and end operations are possible.)

Off
(Shows that data display and charging operation
and end operations are possible.)

Off

NO　CONNEC T
＊＊ BAT TERY

Er ro r : INPUT
LOW BAT TERY

Er ro r :OUTPUT

SHORT OR RE V ER SE

Er ro r :OUTPUT

　 HIGH PEAK

<When requesting repair>

Before requesting repair, read this instruction manual again and check the charger. When there is an
abnormality, request repair to your local Futaba dealer.

<Recycling nickel batteries>

Used nickel batteries are a valuable resource. Tape or other wise process the terminals so that are not shorted
and take the used battery to your local recycling center.

©FUTABA CORPORATION 2005,03 (1)