I just opened the box on a new Hitec servo programmer and connected my trusty Thunder Power Peak charger to top up the onboard NiCd pack. (using the charge jack/port on the programmer) The charger thinks the voltage is virtually zero and won't charge. So does my volt meter.

So I opened it up to check the pack voltage directly - it's 4.9 v! So now I'm wondering if I have a defective unit OR it's designed that way with some kind of diode in the charge circuit. Anyone know?

I don't know what the deal is my peak quad charger won't charge mine either but my ACE/DigiPuls multi charger will go figure []

does it come with a charger? If so, did you try to charge it? Can you program the servo?

No it won't drive a servo either. I'm gonna return it as defective.

It is a 4.8 V pack. Directions say to use a slow charge on it. I got mine and plugged it into wall charger over night, and no problems.

It seems the charge jack is diode protected, just like many older Tx's, so the charger cannot detect any voltage at the terminals, but it can be charged by a "dumb" charger like a trickle wall charger. I just need to disable/override the charger low voltage detection to make it work.

As for the servo driving not working - Oops - It works fine when the servo is plugged into the correct port! DOH!

I use my accucycle to charge mine without problems. I have never tried to discharge it with the cycler though.

It will not charge with a peak-detecting charger since the HFP-10 is unfortunately diode protected, just like the Hitec transmitters. In my opinion, this is a dumb, antiquated design, but I deal with it by charging it with a "dumb" charger like an Accucycle or similar which charge at C/10 rates.

If I am in a hurry, I unscrew the end panel and remove the battery to fast charge the battery removed from the programmer. I replaced the 600 mah battery with a 2000mah NiMH to improve my run time with it.