Great Planes GPMM3160 User Manual

INSTRUCTIONS

The Equinox™LiPo Cell Balancer is designed to regulate the
voltages of all cells in a lithium-polymer (LiPo) pack to very tight
tolerances during charge and discharge functions. As opposed
to non-balanced packs, balanced LiPo’s typically provide higher
total voltage, which means more power to the motor system.In
addition, balanced LiPo packs generally last longer as no
individual cell ever becomes o ver-charged, which is a big reason
why some LiPo’s perform inadequately. A good balancing
system also provides a very safe charging and discharging
platform, which is critical when handling LiPo batteries.

Equinox is designed to balance LiPo packs containing
anywhere from 2 to 5 cells which are assembled in series.
Equinox will keep the voltages of all cells in the pack within
5mV (0.005V) to 30mV (0.030V) of each other at all times.It’s

very important to understand that the LiPo battery MUST
be wired for balancing in order to function with Equinox!

Contact your LiPo supplier if you are unsure if your battery is
configured for balancing.

Unlike some balancers, Equinox has two separate functions:
QUICK-BALANCE MODE: By itself, Equinox can apply a small

discharge current to gently balance the voltages of all cells in a
LiPo pack.This function is called “Quick-Balance Mode.”

INTERFACE MODE: Equinox can also be used as an
“interface”– connected between the LiPo pack and a separate
charger or discharger.In Interface Mode, Equinox will monitor
and control how each cell in the pack is charged or discharged
by the separate charger or discharger. Equinox is compatible
with all ElectriFly™brand LiPo chargers (Triton™,
PolyCharge4

™

, etc.).

For a good overall understanding, it’s strongly recommended
to read through this entire manual once before attempting to
use the Equinox Balancer.

Compatible Input Devices: LiPo chargers and dischargers ONLY

(operation based on nominal cell voltage
of 3.7V per cell)

Cell Balancing Range: 2-series to 5-series LiPo packs

(7.4 – 18.5V)

Max. Current (chg or dsch): 3 amps (3 – 6A requires special harness –

see rear of manual)

Discharge Termination: auto-cut based on individual cell voltages

2.75V per cell in Quick-Balance Mode

3.0V per cell in Interface Mode with

separate discharger
Discharge Current: 120mA per cell (Quick-Balance Mode)
Overload Protection: 7.5 amp auto (spade) fuse
Physical Dimensions: 3.23 x 1.57 x 0.59 oz. [82 x 40 x 15 mm]
Weight: 1.55 oz. [43.8 g]

• For LiPo packs with 2 to 5 cells assembled

in series

(not parallel)

.

• Designed only for LiPo batteries which are wired for

balancing. NOT compatible with existing ElectriFly

brand or other brand packs which have a 2-pin charge
lead (and SafeCharge™circuit).

• Balances individual cell voltages during charge

or discharge.

• Functioning alone it can quickly balance the voltage of all

cells in the pack (Quick-Balance Mode).

• Used in conjunction with a separate charger or discharger it

controls exactly how cells are charged or discharged so
they are balanced at all times (Interface Mode).

• Includes 2S and 3S battery adapters. Adapters available

separately for 4S and 5S packs (GPMM3162).

• Can handle 3 amps in Interface Mode (with separate

charger or discharger). Can handle currents of 3 – 6A max.
but requires optional high current adapters (GPMM3163).

• Automatically checks for poor quality cells.

• Banana plugs on input for easy connection to

charger/discharger.

• NEVER allow the input banana plugs to touch while a

battery is connected to Equinox’s output, as it could cause
a short circuit and damage Equinox and the LiPo battery!

• NEVER attempt to use Equinox with batteries that are NOT

lithium-polymer.

• NEVER allow water, moisture or foreign objects into

Equinox’s case.

• NEVER leave Equinox unattended while in use at ANY time.

• NEVER place Equinox, the charger/discharger, or battery

on a flammable surface or near a combustible material
while in use. Do not lay on a carpet, cluttered workbench,
paper, plastic, vinyl, leather, wood, inside an R/C model or
full sized automobile!

• Do not block the air intake holes, which could cause

Equinox to overheat.

• Do not attempt to use batteries with more cells or total

voltage than listed in the specifications.

• Do not attempt to charge or discharge a battery through

Equinox at a current exceeding 6 amps, as permanent
damage could result.

• IMMEDIATELY disconnect Equinox from the

charger/discharger and battery if Equinox or the battery
becomes hot!! Allow Equinox and battery to cool down

before reconnecting.

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

SPECIAL FEATURES

SPECIFICATIONS

™

™

2

• ALWAYS disconnect Equinox from the charger/discharger
and battery when not in use.

• ALWAYS keep out of reach of children.

Never attempt to care for LiPo cells in the same way as
other battery types! LiPo characteristics differ greatly from

NiCd and NiMH batteries and therefore require different care
and handling. Always read the instructions that are included
with your lithium batteries carefully before use.Failure to f ollow
these care and handling instructions can quickly result in
severe, permanent damage to the batteries and its
surroundings and even start a FIRE!

• ALWAYS charge lithium batteries in a fireproof location, which
could be a container made of metal or ceramic tile.Monitor the
area with a smoke or fire alarm, and have a lithium approved
“ABC type” fire extinguisher available at all times.

• AL W AYS provide adequate ventilation around LiPo batteries
during charge, discharge, while in use, and during storage.

• NEVER allow LiPo cells to o v erheat at any time , as the y can
and usually will become physically damaged and could
possibly EXPLODE or catch FIRE!! If a battery becomes
overheated, disconnect it from the charger IMMEDIATELY!

• NEVER continue to charge LiPo batteries if the charger f ails
to recognize full charge. Swelling of LiPo cells is an
indication that they are in an overcharge condition and they
should be disconnected from the charger immediately.

• NEVER set the separate charger’s LiPo battery voltage to
greater than the nominal rating of the LiPo battery, as such
cells cannot handle overcharging in any way.

• NEVER charge LiPo batteries at currents greater than the
“1C” rating of the batter y (“C” equals the rated capacity of
the battery).

• NEVER discharge LiPo batteries at currents which exceed
the discharge current rating of the battery, as this can often
cause a cell to overheat.

* NEVER allow LiPo cells to come in contact with moisture or

water at any time.

* NEVER allow the internal electrolyte from LiPo batteries to

get in the eyes or on skin – wash affected areas
immediately if they come in contact with the electrolyte and
contact your physician!

* ALWAYS store LiPo cells/packs in a secure location away

from children.

Equinox contains one pushbutton to control certain
operations, and eight (8) LEDs which indicate the status of
certain functions.

“LiPo Charger / Discharger” Input: Used for Interface Mode
only.Connect this input lead to a separate charger or discharger.
Can be disconnected for use in Quick-Balance Mode.

“To Battery” connection: The LiPo battery is connected here.
“Mode” Button: Sets Equinox into Quick-Balance Mode,

Interface Mode, or stops any function.
“Quick-Balance” LED: Green in color. Identifies when

Equinox is in Quick-Balance Mode.
“Interface Mode” LED: Red in color.Identifies when Equinox

is in Interface Mode.
“Error” LED: Control/operational errors are indicated on this

green LED.
Individual cell LEDs: Five (5) amber colored LEDs. Each

LED is tied to one respective cell on the output, noted as “Cell
1” to “Cell 5”. These LEDs have two functions.One function is
to identify how many cells are in the LiPo pack. This “cell
count” always shows before and after balancing is complete.
The second function is for the LEDs to light individually while
the respective cells are being balanced.

In Quick-Balance Mode, Equinox functions with the LiPo
battery by itself.It doesn’t matter if Equinox’s input lead is – or
is not connected to a separate charger or discharger.Equinox
will act as though its input lead is physically disconnected
from the separate charger or discharger.Here, Equinox will be
powered entirely by the LiPo battery connected on its output.

In Quick-Balance Mode, Equinox can only discharge cells – it
cannot charge cells. Equinox will apply a gentle discharge
current of up to 120mA (0.12A) to unbalanced cells. Because
of this low current, it may require an extended period of time
in order for cells to balance (depending how far out of balance
cells were beforehand). For packs having cells which are
relatively well balanced, this mode typically takes very little
time to complete.

To use Quick-Balance Mode, refer to the included flowchart
and step-by-step instructions below:

1. Connect the LiPo to the “To
Battery” connection using the
appropriate adapter harness.

2. Equinox will immediately show
how many cells are detected in the
pack by lighting the respective cell
LEDs for 2 seconds. Make sure the
number of LEDs which are lit
matches the number of cells in the
pack. Read note at right.

3. All LEDs will tur n off after the cell
count is shown. No functions should
be operating at this time. Equinox will
be in “Idle Mode”, awaiting an
input command.

QUICK-BALANCE MODE

CONTROLS & STATUS INDICATORS

CARE & HANDLING OF LiPo BATTERIES

Note: If the pack

contains 3 cells, “CELL
1”, “CELL 2”, and
“CELL 3” LEDs should
light for 2 seconds, etc.
If the number of LEDs
lit does NOT match the
number of cells in the
pack, DO NOT
PROCEED.
Disconnect the pack
and refer to the
Troubleshooting Guide
in the rear of this manual.