accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

I got this for Christmas and geeze--I don't think I am too stupid BUT, can I charge my tx while the battery is in the tx. I have Futaba. Not sure how to set the charge rate. Instructions keep saying simple to use. YEA!!! for a 5 year old. I wanted something that would cycle the batteries and I guess I got it. OH!!! maybe I should go back to the rubber band models.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Which Futaba transmitter? Some have a poly switch where you can cycle them, some have a diode where you can't, though the ones with a diode can be converted fairly easily and the poly switch is a better way to go.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Yes , you can charge the pack while it's in the radio.

No, you can't discharge the pack while it's in the radio. You have to remove it.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Hey BarracudaHockey good to see you. How is the team doing? I have a Futaba 6exap and a 7CAP- then I have a DX-7

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

WOW!!! did I spell Having wrong on the subject line. Man, I mean I am a fast learner, why I learned to read before I was 10

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

goirish
Gee man this a great charger:D now if I could slip back 60 yrs I might learn how to use it. its memory is better than mine. Practice is what people say we need to opperate this contraption;) The best thing . is I have not lost a plane because of BATTERIES since I got it a year ago.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Just seems like the instructions are many--all I want to do is charge and cycle my batteries.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Thats not correct.

Peak detection chargers like the accucyle need feedback from the battery to peak charge, so if the battery will charge in the transmitter it will usually discharge. Wall warts only charge and don't take voltage information from the battery so they work regardless of short protection.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Barracuda,

All the Futaba's I've ever owned have the diode which prevents discharging while the battery is in the radio.

I guess I can't speak for any other radio's. I was'nt aware of any Futaba's you could do that to.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Gorish,
I would recommend removing your transmitter batteries to cycle them. The transmitter pack has the same connection as a standard flight-pack. I've got both the accu-cycle and a Futaba 6EXAS, I use the wall charger for a slow over-night charge. However I remove the pack and connect it directly to the accu-cycle when I want to actually cycle the pack.

Cheers!

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

The poly-switch may prevent you from charging above a certain rate. But only if it is between the charge jack and the battery and not between the radio circuitry and the battery.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Just reviewed the manual online-looks fairly simple. I did notice this in the troubleshooting area:
PROBLEM: Will not lock into discharge mode.
SOLUTION:
1) Battery’s rated voltage set improperly. Set battery voltage to exactly match that of
the battery.
2) Tx has diode in charge circuit. Remove battery and connect directly to charger, or
contact your radio manufacturer for details.
3) Battery is already discharged.
4) Defective cell in pack. Replace battery.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

This site may help answer your question

http://members.aol.com/davthacker/radicalfaq.htm

http://www.siriuselectronics.com/ind...ge=diode_sheet

(+)

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

I myself just got the accu cycle about two months ago, It is a litlle complicated at first. I'm still learning!

As for the transmitter. All current futaba radios have a diode. So the only charger you can use is the wall wart. Unless you bypass the diode. The only problem I see if you do it yourself is that it might void the warranty.

Good luck,
Austin

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Thanks acarter--it is a little confusing. I guess it will be by trial and error.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Irish.. RadicalRC web site ( www.radicalrc.com) has a section on the diode issue on many transmitters. You can short it out, directions are provided. This allows use of the fast field chargers as well as cycling it in the TX. This also means you have removed reverse polarity protection from your TX and will void the warranty. It's your call if you want to chance it or not.

The diode prevents this reverse battery connection (well, protects it, not prevents it.. that's up to the user to prevent that sort of thing.. [:o] ) It gets shorted out by putting a small piece of wire across the diode, effectively taking it out of the circuit. Again, you take a chance with this, because if you ever put the battery in backwards, well, smoke time. The short side of it is you DON"T have to remove the battery to service it..

CGr.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Thanks CGRetired. I already have one 6exap that isn't working so I don't think I will fool around with another one. Just use the charger that came with it. I put new sanyo 2500 batteries in my TX. I guess I don't have to worry about them retaining memory. I really wanted the accu-cycle for my RX batteries. I don't want to lose a plane because the RX battery has a bad or weak cell.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

The Accu-Cycle Elite WILL charge a futaba Radio with the battery in the radio.. It will not however discharge or cycle your battery. I'm not sure if this is true for every futaba radio ever made, but both of mine (9C and a cheap 4 channel) both have the diode.. My cynical side thinks maybe they do this to keep you from cycling the battery thus forking over another 35 dollars for a new battery after a few years? Who knows, but I have been using my Accucycle for going on 3 years now to charge these radios..

If ya'll need help with the charger let me know what radio/pack you have and I will post settings that will work for the battery.. It's really very simple..

GD

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Thanks Gearsdaddy--Please don't say it is simple. It's like someone giving you directions and the last thing they say is "ya can't miss it" My RX batteries are 6v-2600 and my TX batteries are 9.6v 2500. Futaba radios are 5exap and 7cap. I really appreciate the help. I have read the instructions a couple of times and it is still Greek (no offense) to me.

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Gorish, do you want to slow charge these, or do a 1C type fast charge. Also, they are Nicad's I presume? All contain AA Cells?

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

The diode is in there for reverse polatity protection. There is no devious attempt to get you to buy something from them. It's a protection in the circuit.. protects their warranty program. If you put the battery in wrong, and there wasn't this diode in there, well, they would be replacing a lot of transmitters.

Irish.. jeez.. you got enough capacity there? ha.. My friend, long time pattern type (over 35 years in the hobby) scoffs at my 1200 mah RX batts.. says 900 is plenty. Like you, I just like that comfort zone of having lots of available charge left after I fly. I don't like looking down at my Voltwatch after two flights and seeing it flicker in the yellow zone (caution zone on the Voltwatch). I have 1650's in my TX's, and that seems to work out fine... again, I like that extra capacity just for the comfort zone... :D

CGr

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

Actually the accu cycle won't charge the through the transmitter. It's a peak charger so it still needs input from the battery, which means it will do a little discharge to see how the battery is doing. As for the polarity correction. The accu cycle knows when the polarity is backwards and won't charge. So there in no risk of reversing polarity.

Austin

RE: accu cycle elite--haveing problems.
 

No they are not NiCad they are NiMH. All AA cells

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

You are missing the point here. The issue with the diode is this: With it IN the circuit, as designed, you cannot use the peak detecting chargers unless you disable the diode (by shorting it out). The diode prevents reverse current (which is exactly what is happening when the peak detector trys to sample the battery, the current goes in the direction it was not intended to go.. IN THE CHARGING PATH. There are several diagrams and descriptions available to do just that. The only problem is that if it is done, the warranty is usually void because of unauthorized modifications. By shorting the diode out, you can then use the peak detection chargers with the battery in the radio.

The 'reversing polarity' point is if someone accidentally puts a battery in backwards, the diode protects the radio.

The radio people (Futaba, Airtronics, JR, and so on) couldn't care less what kind of charger you are going to use as long as it's theirs, the one they supply with the radio.. and they don't particularly want you removing the battery just for charging. Think about it. They are protecting themselves with this diode. You can 'remove' it (not take it out, but short it out) or you can leave it alone. Shorting it out gives you the capbility to charge with peak detecting chargers. Leaving it in.. well, no peak detecting chargers, but you have accidental battery reverse connection protection.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

Well!! I am not going to try and charge the TX battery while it is in the TX. Like I said I don't want to lose another TX.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

Irish.. I simply remove my batteries, easy enough to do, and charge them outside the radio. I guess my LiPo fears seem to equate with other types of batteries, so I remove them and charge them outside.

My aircraft RX batteries are mostly secured by velcro and are easy to remove.. but I often just disconnect them from the switch and charge them that way. With 1200mah NiMH's, RX and 1650 TX, I get plenty of flying time on one charge, so I usually don't charge them in the field.

CGr.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

Yea I think that will be the way I am going to do mine. I also have the velcro on my rx batteries. Lots of talk about the Toledo Weak Signals show, are you going?

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

I wish I could. I would love to meet all the good RCU people. I will be going to the WRAM show, though.

I am going to leave here shortly (work). We are on a shortened work day.

Have a Happy, Safe, and Prosperous New Year!!

Dick (CGr)

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

CGRetired,

I'm not an electrical engineer by any means, but are you saying that you "CANNOT" charge a Futaba Radio with diode in place using an accu-cycle Elite? I must not be understanding what you are saying because I've been doing this for three years with that charger. I don't remove the battery from the radio.. I know that you cannon discharge via the charger but I know for a fact that you can charge your batteries just fine with this setup. I would think that when you hit the "charge" button on the charger and it does it's little self test on the battery circuit, that it would generate an error if it couldn't charge it.. Mine completes the test and begins the charge..

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

If I said that, well, I may have been mistaken. I may have inentionally said something to that effect. I was just saying that if the diode is in the circuit, then the reverse protection is no longer there. You may not.. may not.. be able to charge it via the accu cycle. I never tried it myself, but would say, reasonably, that this may be the reason you cannot charge that way.

Unless I am using the wall wart charger, I remove the batts and charge them outside the circuit.

Now, with that said, I DO have a Sirius field charger that I believe has peak detect, that will only work with the dioded shorted out. I definitely will not charge with the battery in the TX.

Time out.. while I think a moment.. (smell the smoke?)

Now that you mention it, and I think about it, I did charge using the older Accu Cycle with the battery in the TX.. it was only the Sirius that would not work without shorting the diode... I stand corrected.

Thanks for making me think about it a minute..

CGr.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

I have several Futaba transmitters, which all have the dreaded diode, and an Accucycle Elite. I can verify that you can indeed charge with the battery still in the transmitter. Everything I've read about peak chargers says they continue to charge until they detect the peak. The sampling, AFAIK, is of the voltage while charging. However, since the diode does add a bit or resistance, it may mess with the peak detection a bit. I have noticed that if I remove the charger immediately after the charge cycle that the battery voltage is not quite as high as if I left it on trickle for a while, or if I charged over night with a wall wart.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

Yeah.. the Sirius charger won't even try to charge it with the diode in place.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

I charge my TX all the time and have had no problems. It just will not discharge them with out taking them out of the TX. NO PROBLEMS

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

I'm sorry but thats 100 percent incorrect.

The 9C transmitters have a poly switch, you can discharge and cycle them through the charge jack. If you do it at too high of a current the poly switch will over heat and open, when it cools off it will close again.

RE: accu cycle elite--having problems.
 

Thanks Barracuda.. I'll have to try to cycle my tx battery.. I think that I didn't even try it because it didn't work in my other Futaba..