Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ???

Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ???
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Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/2/2006 4:28:49 PM

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From: Ida Grove, IA, USA
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I have been using this and it appears to work nice. But when I try to do a conditioning cycles, 0.1C, for 3 cycles it comes up with over time limit all the time. Which is 999 minutes. I have tried different packe sizes. Nicads and Nm both. I just did a new 1700 NiM and it shut down durring the first charge of a 3 cycle sesion. Capacity was 2530? That's 1.48 capacity. I used all the default settings except for peak charge was set to 0.15A (150mah) and trickle was set to 10 mah and cycles set to 3. I now have it doing the same thing except I eliminated the trickle charge. Set it to 0.
What am I doing wrong?
Also the book says, (if I understand it correctly) in order to do 2 different packs at the same time I have to change the settings on the second pack as it will otherwise use the same memory settings, is that correct? Why can't I just select the memory setting I want after the other port is working?
Thanks for any help

RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/2/2006 6:59:51 PM

guver

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You can use any other memory setting, the book is wrong. I was aware of a max capacity of 150%, but not a max timer of 999. If the max is being reached then a slight increase in rate will be necessary, right? Hope this helps you out.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/2/2006 7:19:58 PM

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it misses the peak at such slow rates... most chargers do....

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/12/2006 5:14:41 PM

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Yes there are two hard timed cutoffs.
I intentionally set my charger so that it will shut off at 150% capacity when doing an initial charge of a new pack or to deep cycle an existing pack. It is a safe way to keep from blowing up your packs.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/12/2006 6:15:47 PM

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How do you do that?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Geistware

Yes there are two hard timed cutoffs.
I intentionally set my charger so that it will shut off at 150% capacity when doing an initial charge of a new pack or to deep cycle an existing pack. It is a safe way to keep from blowing up your packs.

(in reply to Geistware)

RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/12/2006 6:45:03 PM

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I use 1800maH NiCad packs.
I want to charge it at C/10 for 12 hours.
C/10 is 180ma times 12 hours or 2160ma
I then multiply this times 2/3 and get 1440maH.
I set it for 1500maH and know the pack will only run for 12.5 hours before it shuts off for over charge. I don't have to worry about the pack getting too hot due to a charger failure.

I do the same thing for a quick charge. If I think half the pack is gone, I set it to charge a C or 1.8 amps but say the capacity is 2/3 of half or 1800/2*0.67 or 600maH. The charger will not put more than 900maH into the pack.
If the pack is completely down to 1.1 volt per cell. I just say it is a 1200maH pack and charge it at 1.8 amps. Since doing this, I have NEVER damaged a pack.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Eagle Flyer

How do you do that?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Geistware

Yes there are two hard timed cutoffs.
I intentionally set my charger so that it will shut off at 150% capacity when doing an initial charge of a new pack or to deep cycle an existing pack. It is a safe way to keep from blowing up your packs.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/12/2006 6:48:55 PM

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To add to my earlier post, I would have prefered that Hobbico would have allowed the over charge limit be set manually. I would have set it to 110%. This is where I would prefer it.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/14/2006 5:37:10 PM

guver

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quote:

ORIGINAL: U-dUd

You can use any other memory setting, the book is wrong. I was aware of a max capacity of 150%, but not a max timer of 999. If the max is being reached then a slight increase in rate will be necessary, right? Hope this helps you out.

Here's what happened. The timer shut off and the rate will need to be increased. The battery was nearly full anyways.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 7/29/2006 7:21:35 AM

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Also, according to the instructions, the over time limit is not necessarily 999 minutes... it says the Elite calculates the over time limit number based on battery capacity and charge rate, IIRC. I was just looking at this the other day because I got the same warning when doing a .1C charge on some new 1100mAh NiCad transmitter packs... they timed out at something like 932 minutes.

I bumped up the charge rate by 50mAh, and had no more problems with the timeout on subsequent packs.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 10/13/2006 2:01:59 PM

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The battery manufacture states that the batteries to be charged at 150mah for 16-20 hours-and not to exceed charge rate-should we just forget what hydamax states on the battery and do what this Elite battery charger tells us to do-I am not comfortable with this charger and this why I ask the questions for help.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 10/13/2006 2:15:25 PM

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No go to the cell manufacturer.
It will be Sanyo or Panasonic.
The one Hydramax pack I purchased was made from Panasonic sells or at least that is what I figured from the physical description.
Both give you the charge recommendation for the cells they make.
That would be my recommendation.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PLANE JIM

The battery manufacture states that the batteries to be charged at 150mah for 16-20 hours-and not to exceed charge rate-should we just forget what hydamax states on the battery and do what this Elite battery charger tells us to do-I am not comfortable with this charger and this why I ask the questions for help.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 11/22/2006 11:25:25 PM

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I still can't get this thing to work for me. I tried a new 2700 mah nimh pack with 250 MAH charge rate and it came up over time limit. I couldn't go in and see how many mah it had charged and I didn't keep track of the time. So I tried it set at 300 mah. Same result. So I tried it with 300 mah and lowered the peak sensitivity from 5 to 3, same result. Why does this have to be so dificult to make it work. I am starting to think maybe the charger doesn't work. I haven't been able to completely cycle a single pack 3 times yet. And have tried several diferent size packs. Nicad and nimh both. Giestware, where or how did you come up with the 2/3 rds # thing?

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 11/23/2006 1:51:26 AM

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If a person believes the sales hype about this product it sounds like Ron Popiel invented it. Set it and forget it. But it doesn't work that way. A person shouldn't have to figure in so many different things. Let's see, is it new ok I have to change this seting, oh but it's not new so now I have to change this setting. Will take 1.4 or 1.6 times the charge? Is it completely dead or did I leave it completely charged? But it came from this manufaturer and not that one so now I have to change that other setting. Or I haven't cycled it according to my ex wive's third cousin so now I have to cycle it a different way. It hasn't been charged in the last 3 weeks and 2 1/2 days, schucks I missed it by a half day, so now I have to change a setting. Oh drat, I can't remember what size pack I wrapped up in all that foam. So now I can't even charge it at all. Oh well needed a reason to sell that plane any way.
A product shouldn't be so particuliar to use. especially when it's advertised as so easy to do so.
All I want to do is enter the pack size and push a SINGLE button!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cycle Charge or Discharge
Is that too much to ask for?

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 11/23/2006 2:00:48 AM

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Geist's calcs worked for me perfectly...For a 2700 mah pack it should be

charge it at C/10 for 12 hours.
C/10 is 270ma times 12 hours or 3240ma
then multiply this times 2/3 and get 2200maH.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 11/23/2006 2:27:40 AM

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OK;
So how does my Accucycle Elite adjust itself for 2/3 or for 12 hours? My point is I shouldn't have to be a math wizzard or electronics guenius just to charge a %*@!$^ battery.
No offense but I think you missed my point. It doesn't work with the settings the manual tells you to use. But then it also says ya might have to change this or that. And that is exactly what I want to get away from. I don't have the time to mess around with something this picky. All I want to do is enter the pack size, and perhaps type, then push ONE button (Cycle or charge or discharge) and forget it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I want to do is turn it on and let it cycle, discharge or charge up to full (peak) and then let it kick in to trickle automaticly like it's supposed to be able to do all by itself. But has failed on every ocasion.
I am not home so much that I need a charger that will take care of itself if I come home at the end of the day or not.
Now all I have is one that has shut down and is beeping every time I walk in the door and has some kind of message that I really didn't want to see.
Perhaps I am expecting to much for the price.

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RE: Accu-Cycle Elite, Over time limit ??? - 11/23/2006 2:33:02 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Eagle Flyer

Perhaps I am expecting to much for the price.

well I wouldnt go that far but almost all the peak detection chargers are not good for c/10 charging..Im not as versed as others but Ive done a lot of reading and it seems they all have the same issues..I know you shouldn't have to try and figure out how to trick it into doing what you want but thats just the reality of it..If you dont want to have to calculate then you need a dedicated c/10 charger

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