Great Planes Equinox - GPMM3160 - Manual (Page 2)

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• 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 follow
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.
• ALWAYS provide adequate ventilation around LiPo batteries
during charge, discharge, while in use, and during storage.
• NEVER allow LiPo cells to overheat at any time, as they 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 fails
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 battery (“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 turn 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
P R O C E E D .
Disconnect the pack
and refer to the
Troubleshooting Guide
in the rear of this manual.