J. Perkins LIPRO DUAL 6 Instruction Manual - Charging
6
www.jperkinsdistribution.co.uk
ChargIng
A specific quantity of electrical energy is fed into the battery during the charge process. The charge
quantity is calculated by multiplying charge current by charge time. The maximum permissible
charge current varies according to the battery type and performance and can be found in the
information supplied by the battery manufacturer. Only charge batteries at a higher rate than the
standard charge rate if the battery is specifically stated to be capable of quick charge.
Only connect the battery to the output terminal of the charger using a suitable charge lead. They are
red, positive (+) and black, negative (-). Since the charger cannot detect the difference between the
internal resistances of the battery pack, cable resistance and connector transfer resistance, the first
requirement if the charger is to work properly, is that the charge lead should be made of adequate
conductor cross-section. The charge lead must also have high-quality connectors at both ends (gold
connector type).
Refer to the information provided by the battery manufacturer regarding charging methods and verify
the recommended charge current and charge time. Lithium battery packs require the specifications
to be followed strictly.
Do not attempt to disassemble the battery pack.
Lithium battery packs can be wired in parallel or series circuits. Make sure you know which way
your battery pack is wired and be aware of it’s capacity. In a parallel circuit the capacity of the pack
is multiplied by the number of cells but the voltage stays the same. This kind of voltage imbalance
can cause fire or explosion during the charge process, therefore we recommend you only use Lithium
battery packs in series only.
DISChargIng
The typical purpose of discharge is to determine the residual capacity of the battery or to lower the
voltage to a defined level. When you discharge a battery as much attention should be applied to the
process as if you were charging the battery. To avoid the battery becoming over discharged set the
final discharge voltage correctly. Lithium batteries should not be over discharged lower than the
minimum voltage as this leads to rapid loss of capacity or total failure. Generally you do not need to
discharge lithium battery packs voluntarily.
NiCd and NiMH rechargeable batteries are said to have a “memory effect”. If they are partially used
and recharged before the whole charge is drawn out, they “remember” this and next time will only
use that part of their capacity. For this reason they prefer complete cycles, fully charge then use until
they are empty.
Lithium batteries prefer a partial recharge, frequent discharges should be avoided if possible, instead
charge the battery more often.
Brand new NiCd packs do not perform to full capacity until they have been subjected to 10 or more
charge cycles. The cyclic process of charge-discharge will be useful in this case.