Turbo35-GFX/LiPo - co DO NOT leave the T35-GFX unattended. The remote possibility of an electronic failure

Competition Electronics, Inc

3469 Precision Dr.

Rockford, IL 61109

Competition Electronics, Inc

Turbo35-GFX/LiPo User’s Manual

and Guide to

Electric R/C Racing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE T35-GFX: A TOOL TO MEASURE AND CONDITION YOUR CELLS ..................... 7

WARNING ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR LIPO MODE USE ............................................................................................... 7

WARNING: PLEASE READ BEFORE USING YOUR TURBO35-GFX LIPO CHARGER/DISCHARGER: ......... 7

CARING FOR BATTERY .............................................................................................................................................................9 OPERATING TEMPERATURE .......................................................................................................................................................9

CONNECTING THE TURBO35-GFX LIPO TO A LIPO PACK .................................................................................. 9

SENSE LEADS...........................................................................................................................................................................9 MAKING THE PROPER CONNECTIONS WHEN CHARGING OR DISCHARGING A LIPO PACK.......................................................................10 IMPORTANT: USING AN EXTERNAL BALANCER WITH THE T35-GFX LIPO.......................................................................................11 FINAL NOTES ABOUT BALANCERS..............................................................................................................................................13 BALANCING WITH THE TURBO35-GFX ALONE............................................................................................................................13

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL ...................................................................................................................................... 13

QUICK START: A STARTING LINE VIEW OF THE T35-GFX ............................................................................... 13

PREPPING THE T35-GFX FOR USE.............................................................................................................................................13 POWERING UP THE T35-GFX...................................................................................................................................................14 GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE T35-GFX MENU SYSTEM..............................................................................................................14 THE MODE INDICATOR LINE.....................................................................................................................................................16 LOADING FACTORY SETUPS.......................................................................................................................................................16 CONNECTING YOUR PACK AND MOTOR..........................................................................................................................................17 QUICK START: NIXX OR LIPO SELECT.....................................................................................................................................18 QUICK START: CHARGE..........................................................................................................................................................18 QUICK START: DISCHARGE.....................................................................................................................................................18 QUICK START: CYCLE............................................................................................................................................................18 QUICK START: MOTOR RUN...................................................................................................................................................18

LEARNING ABOUT CELLS AND PACKS FOR R/C RACING ................................................................................. 19

TYPES OF CELLS USED IN R/C RACING...................................................................................................................................19 RC RACING IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BATTERY APPLICATIONS..................................................................................................19 HOW CAN CELL AND PACK CAPACITY BE MEASURED AND COMPARED?.......................................................................................20 SETTING UP TESTS AND COMPARING DATA..................................................................................................................................20 BALANCING............................................................................................................................................................................20 Single Cell Testing..............................................................................................................................................................21

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TO RECAP… ........................................................................................................................................................................22 USEFUL PARAMETERS FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE..................................................................................................................22 Actual Internal Resistance...................................................................................................................................................22 Peak Charge Volts...............................................................................................................................................................22 Discharge Average Volts.....................................................................................................................................................22 Discharge Average Volts at 1V...........................................................................................................................................22 Run Time.............................................................................................................................................................................23 mAHr..................................................................................................................................................................................23 mWHr..................................................................................................................................................................................23 Relative Internal Resistance................................................................................................................................................23 MAXIMIZING PERFORMANCE: WHAT HELPS, WHAT DOESN’T.......................................................................................................23 UNDERSTANDING CELL RATING AND MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS..........................................................................................23 Charge and Discharge Rates and the “C” Rating.................................................................................................................24 HOW TO DETERMINE STARTING POINTS FOR CHARGE RATES, DISCHARGE RATES, AND PEAK DETECT SETTINGS FOR NIMH/NICD CELLS AND PACKS...................................................................................................................................................................................24 Charging..............................................................................................................................................................................24 Peak Detect..........................................................................................................................................................................25 False Peaking.......................................................................................................................................................................25 Cell Heating........................................................................................................................................................................25 Cell “Venting”.....................................................................................................................................................................26 TurboFlex: What is it and what does it do?.........................................................................................................................26 Discharging................................................................................................................