A Brief Guide To Battery Types; 13.1 Nickel-Cadmium (Nc) Batteries - ROBBE POWER PEAK ULTIMATE 2 Manual De Uso

• Do not leave the charger operating unsupervised. It is normal for the charger to beco-
me quite hot when operating.
• Ensure that there is an unrestricted airflow to the charger's cooling slots.
• If you will not be using the charger for a protracted period, disconnect it from the
power source and any batteries connected to it.
• Never charge any battery a second time immediately after its initial charge.
• Do not charge a battery which is already warm or hot to the touch. Allow packs to cool
down to ambient temperature before continuing.
• Packs to be charged as a unit must consist of cells of the same make, the same type
and the same capacity.
• Do not charge two batteries connected in parallel to one output; connect only one bat-
tery at a time.
• Take great care to maintain correct battery polarity, and avoid short-circuits.
• Read the battery manufacturer's instructions and adhere to them strictly.
• Always check the settings on the Power Peak ULTIMATE 2 very carefully. Incorrect
charger settings can destroy batteries.
• Check the charger case and cables for damage at regular intervals.
• Please take particular care when handling packs containing large numbers of cells.
Ensure that the cells are thoroughly insulated, otherwise there is a danger of electric
shock.
13.

A BRIEF GUIDE TO BATTERY TYPES

13.1 NICKEL-CADMIUM (NC) BATTERIES

In the world of modelling, nickel-cadmium batteries - generally called "NC cells" or "ni-
cads" by modellers - have carved out a secure niche both as power supplies for radio
control systems and also as drive / flight batteries. These power sources offer high per-
formance, are easy to maintain and are reliable. Nevertheless, there are some basic points
to observe when handling them. They will repay you by lasting a long time, all the while
providing a high proportion of their nominal capacity.
CHARGE RATES
When speaking of charge and discharge currents we have all become familiar with the
concept of the charge rate (C), which represents the relationship between the charge cur-
rent and the battery capacity. For example, if a battery has a capacity of 600 mAh and is
to be charged at a rate of '1C', then a current of 600 mA has to flow.
BALANCING
A new battery, or one which has not been used for a long period, must be 'balanced'
before use. The same applies to a pack which has been deep-discharged, as this can
reverse the polarity of individual cells. A balancing charge takes around 20 to 24 hours at
a charge rate of 0.1C.
CHARGING
Charge rates of 0.1 to 0.2C are considered to constitute a normal charge. It is always
necessary to charge slightly more energy into a battery than can be removed (discharged)
Operating instructions
POWER PEAK ULTIMATE 2
22
No.
8470