Saitek SmartCharger Instruction Manual

QUICK START

To try out your SmartCharger right away without reading the entire manual first, follow
these simple steps to recharge a single battery. For more detailed information and
instructions on how to charge up to four batteries at one time, see Section One.

Warning: Read IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

overleaf

before you start!

1

Make sure there are no batteries installed in the
compartment.

Plug the jack of the AC-DC adapter into the socket of
the SmartCharger. Then plug the AC-DC adapter into a
wall socket (see KEYS AND FEATURES).

Open the lid by pressing the button that is in front of the

lid.

Pull back one of the metal contact plates and insert your

1.2V

Ni-Cd or Ni-MH (AAA, AA, C or D size) battery into
a slot, making sure that the battery is placed so that the

"+"

symbol on the battery is in the same position as the

"+"

symbol inside the compartment. If you wish to

recharge a 1.2V prismatic battery

instead,

first insert the

prismatic adapter into the slot (see section

1.2).

Then
insert the 1.2V prismatic battery. Again, make sure that
the position of

the"+"

symbol on the battery matches

with that of

the"+"

symbol inside the compartment.

Close the lid and watch the LCD as the SmartCharger
evaluates your battery to test its recharging needs.
Charging will then begin automatically. If the battery is
not suitable for recharging, the Bad Battery symbol $
will appear on the LCD. Open the lid, remove the bad
battery and then try another battery!

If you are in a hurry to use the battery you are charging,
you may remove and use it as soon as you see the

Top-

Off/Trickle

Charge icons on the LCD even though,

during

Top-Off

Charge mode, the battery may only be

80%-90%

recharged.

Otherwise,

you can wait until the
battery is fully recharged by looking out for the Charged
Battery symbol

^.

Either way, your battery will be ready

to use, with a new lease on life!

To learn how to charge up to four batteries at one

time,

see Section One!

The SmartCharger

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

KEYS AND FEATURES
INTRODUCTION
SECTION ONE: BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 Batteries

Out,

Power On

1.2 Inserting the Batteries

1.3 Charging Begins

1.4 Checking 1.2V

Ni-Cd/Ni-MH

Batteries

1.5 Revitalising 1.2V Ni-Cd/Ni-MH Batteries

1.6 9V Battery Charging

1.7 Bad Battery Symbol Appears?

Here's

Why!

1.8 Recharging is Complete!

1.9 Batteries

Out,

Power Down

SECTION TWO: SPECIAL FEATURES ON RECHARGING 1.2V

Ni-Cd/Ni-MH

BATTERIES

2.1

Built-in

Microprocessor

2.2 1.2V

Ni-Cd/Ni-MH

Battery Checking

2.3

High-tech,

Super-fast Charging Capabilities on 1.2V Ni-Cd
or Ni-MH Batteries
Negative Pulse
Soft-Start
Intelligent Discharge System (IDS)
Negative Delta V and Delta V Square over Delta t Square
Technologies

2.4 Advanced Features on Charging 1.2V Ni-Cd/Ni-MH Batteries
Super-fast Charging Capabilities
User-friendly Operation
Negative Delta V and Delta V Square over Delta t Square
Memory Effect Suppressor
Triple Overcharge Guard

SECTION THREE: TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 Care and Maintenance

3.2 Technical Specifications

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

2
3

4

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

READ BEFORE USE

The following precautions must be observed when operating the
SmartCharger. To reduce the risk of electric shock, fire or

injury,

pleas*

read the points below before using the unit, and follow the rules during
use. Failure to observe these safety rules will render the warranty void

USING THE SMARTCHARGER

• Place the SmartCharger on a dry, stable surface when in use. Do not position

th<

unit above a heater or a heating vent. Do not place the unit where it can fall into
or come into contact with water. Do not place the unit on a vibrating surface such
as a washing machine.

• If the unit comes into contact with water or any other

liquids,

immediately unplug

your SmartCharger. Do not remove the unit from the liquid until you have done

so.

• Do not place anything over the SmartCharger during use. Never drop anything
onto the unit.

• Do not use any adapter other than the one supplied by the manufacturer.
The use of any other adapter renders the warranty void.

• Do not use extension cords or plug adapters with this unit.

• The use of any attachments not intended for this battery charger may
involve the risk of

fire,

electric shock or other personal injury.

• Do not disassemble the charger. It should be serviced or repaired by
qualified service personnel only. Incorrect assembly may result in an
electric shock or fire.

• Do not alter the provided AC-DC adapter in any way. If it does not fit
into an AC outlet, have a qualified technician install the proper outlet.
An improper connection may result in an electric shock.

• Never use the charger as a DC power source for any electrical equipment.

• The SmartCharger is for indoor use only. Do not expose it to rain or
excessive moisture.

• Do not use chemical agents to clean the SmartCharger or adapter. Before
cleaning the charger, disconnect the charger from the AC-DC outlet. Clean the
metal contact with a soft cloth only.

• Check the SmartCharger and the AC-DC adapter regularly. Do not use the
unit if there is any sign of damage.

• The SmartCharger will not recharge dead or almost-dead batteries.

BATTERY SAFETY RULES

• Only recharge AAA,

AA,

C,

D, Prismatic size 1.2V and 9V

(6F22/1604)

Ni-Cd/Ni-MH batteries. Do not attempt to recharge Lithium batteries or any
other type of battery.

• Do not try to recharge batteries that are

rusty,

corroded, damaged or leaking.

• Remove rechargeable batteries from electrical equipment before charging
them.

• Make sure the polarity marked on the rechargeable battery matches the
polarity marked in the SmartCharger compartment.

STORING THE SMARTCHARGER

• Remove all the batteries before disconnecting the adapter from the unit.

• Check the AC-DC adapter regularly. Replace the adapter if damaged.

• Always unplug the SmartCharger after use and store the unit in a dry place.

• Disconnect the charger by pulling the plug rather than the cord to reduce
the risk of damage to the AC-DC adapter.

SAVE

THIS INFORMATION FOR FUTURE

REFERENCE

NOTE: PLEASE CHECK ALL PACKAGING BEFORE
THROWING AWAY

ENCLOSED YOU SHOULD FIND:
1 main unit
2 prismatic battery adapters
1 AC-DC adapter
1 instruction manual

KEYS AND FEATURES

1. AC-DC ADAPTER SOCKET

2. 1.2V Ni-Cd/Ni-MH BATTERY RECHARGING SLOTS (4) Insert from
one to four AAA, AA, C, D batteries or up to two prismatic batteries.

3. 9V BATTERY RECHARGING SLOT Insert a 9V Ni-Cd/Ni-MH battery
(6F22/1604). Note that C and D size batteries may not be placed into
slots 2 and 3 while you are recharging a 9V battery.

4. DISCHARGE KEY Skip the Intelligent Discharge System (IDS) by
pressing this key. Conversely, to force the SmartCharger to switch to
IDS mode while in Soft-Start mode, press and hold the DISCHARGE key
for around three seconds

5. ANALYZE KEY Press to activate the Battery Checking function on a

1.2V rechargeable battery. Insert a single battery into a 1.2V slot,
leaving the lid open as you do so. Press the ANALYZE key. The
SmartCharger will take approximately ten seconds to evaluate the
condition of the battery.
The estimated level of energy left along with the battery voltage
(Voltage indicator) will appear on the LCD. The estimated level of

energy left will be indicated by the number of bars illuminated on the
Energy symbol display. The greater the number of energy bars

displayed,

the higher the level of energy left. If the battery is not

suitable for recharging, the Bad Battery symbol

(Jg>

will

appear. Do not

attempt to recharge the battery in this case.

Note: It is recommended that you test only one battery at a time in
order to gain an accurate representation of each individual battery's
voltage and level of energy left as displayed by the Energy bars.

6. LID BUTTON Press to release the lid so that you can then open it.
The charging process is conducted only when the lid is firmly closed.

7. LCD DISPLAY

a. Soft-Start symbol: The Soft-Start symbol

will

light

up and the
inner segment of the symbol will flash during Soft-Start mode.
The bars of the Energy symbol will light up in a sequence that
converges in the middle.

b. Fast Charge symbol: The Fast Charge symbol will light up and

the inner FAST icon of the symbol will flash during Fast Charge
mode. The bars of the Energy symbol will light up in a sequence
that cycles from bottom to top.

c.

Top-Off/Trickle

Charge symbol: During Top-Off Charge

mode,

the

Top-Off/Trickle

Charge symbol Q will light up and the

Top-Off / Trickle Charge icons

v.

^4

°f

the

symbol

will

flash.
The bottom four energy bars of the Energy symbol will also light
up, while the top bar will flash. When the 1.2V Ni-Cd/Ni-MH
battery is fully recharged, the SmartCharger will enter Trickle
Charge mode. During

this

time, all of the energy bars will light

up, the Charged Battery symbol ^ will appear and the

Top-Off/

Trickle Charge icons of the symbol will flash. The unit will stay in
Trickle Charge mode until you open the lid.

d. Intelligent Discharge System (IDS) symbol: The IDS symbol

will light up and the upper triangle of the symbol will flash
during discharging. The bars of the Energy symbol will light up in
a sequence that cycles from top to bottom.

e. Battery Analyzer symbol: Cycles when a

1.2V

Ni-Cd/Ni-MH
battery is being analyzed. The outline of the Energy symbol will
also light up during this time.

f. Voltage indicator: Shows the battery's voltage during Battery

Analyzer mode. It is recommended that you test only one battery
at a time in order to gain an accurate representation of each
individual battery's voltage and level of energy left as
indicated by the number of energy bars.

g. Loading symbol: Flashes to remind you to insert the batteries.
h. Bad Battery symbol: Appears if the

1.2V

Ni-Cd/Ni-MH battery

is bad and cannot be recharged.

i. Charged Battery symbol: This is the same symbol as the Bad

Battery symbol, but without a circle around the flash. The
Charged Battery symbol appears when the SmartCharger has