User manual NOVAK DIGI-PEAK

[. . . ] OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS INTRODUCING THE DIGI-PEAK The DIGI-PEAK and DIGI-PEAK PLUS chargers are constant-current chargers designed to charge 4 to 8 cell nickel-cadmium battery packs from a 10 to 18 volt DC power source. The DIGI-PEAK chargers feature 10-bit Digital Peak-Detection CircuitryTM with automatic shut-off. Three different charging modes allow you to fine-tune the charging. PULSE Mode with 0 to 10 amps, LINEAR Mode with 0 to 5. 0 amps, and TRICKLE Mode with 0 to 300 milliamps linear trickle charge. [. . . ] Proper care is a must for your battery packs. REPEAK FOR MAXIMUM CAPACITY When the battery pack voltage peaks at the end of the charge and begins to drop, one or more cells are fully charged and start to 'self discharge'. The excess energy that is put into the cell after it has peaked results in the dissipation of heat. You may notice when the battery pack peaks, some of the cells get warmer than others. This is because charge times differ slightly from cell to cell. A good way to reduce the problem of some cells having a more complete charge then others, is to repeak the battery pack after about 30 minutes. This allows the cells that have over-charged to discharge down to the level of the remaining cells in the pack. Repeaking after the cells have equalized with each other brings all the cells in the pack up together for maximum capacity. It is best to time this process so that you are able to run immediately after repeaking, this will minimize the 'self-discharging' of the batteries. DISCHARGE FOR EXTENDED RUN TIME AND LONG LIFE TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE This section describes typical charger problems, causes, and solutions. If you are unable to solve the problem, call our Customer Service Department for assistance. Charger Stops Before Battery Pack Is Fully Charged · Input power supply is unstable. Connect the charger input to a 12 volt DC automobile battery to check. · The battery pack has one or more bad cells in it. Monitor battery pack voltage while charging. If voltage starts to drop before the charger shuts off, charger is operating normally. If charge current is too high for the battery pack, it will heat up prematurely and cause the voltage to drop, shutting off the charger. · Try charging using the LINEAR mode. Some battery packs will not accept PULSE charging at higher charge rates and will peak before the battery is fully charged. · The charging current was lowered while charging after the lockout time expired. Press the START button to restart the charge cycle. · Poor connection to the input power source or battery pack. Check, clean, and tighten all connections. [. . . ] WHAT TO SEND: Fill out all of the information requested on the enclosed CHARGER SERVICE CARD and return it with your charger. WARRANTY WORK: For warranty work, customer MUST CLAIM WARRANTY on the CHARGER SERVICE CARD and include a valid cash register receipt with purchase date on it, or an invoice from previous service work for the charger. If any warranty provisions have been voided there will be a service charge. SERVICE COSTS: Customer is responsible for all service costs (Parts, labor, and shipping/handling charges). [. . . ]