Radient RC Ascend User manual

Brand: Radient RC

Model: Ascend

Category: Battery chargers

Type: User manual

WWW.RADIENTRC.COM

Simple

•

Capable

•

Safe

Peak

Safe

Start

• Before using your product, review all documentation and

inspect the products carefully. If for some reason you decide it

is not what you wanted, then do not continue with unpacking,

setup or operation of your product. Your local hobby dealer

cannot accept a product for return or exchange after partaking

in actions that produce wear and tear.

• Product speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice.

Due to ongoing development, the actual product may vary from

images shown.

• This product contains chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproduc-

tive harm.

• This product is not a toy! (14+) Recommended for ages 14

and up. Adult supervision required for ages under 18 years old.

Contains small parts, keep out of reach of children 3 years of

age and younger.

Input power

AC 100-240V @50-60Hz

DC 12-15V

Internal DC switching power supply 50W with cooling fan

Charge current rate

LiFe/Ion/Po

(6.6/7.2/7.4V)

0.1-6A

(9.9/10.8/11.1V)

NiCd/MH 1-8 cell

Current drain for balance port 300mAh

Output connector HCT-Plug to JST-Mini adapter

Integrated balance plug JST-XH (2s-3s)

Weight 350g

Dimensions 161x105x60mm

PACKAGE CONTENTS

COMPATIBLE BATTERY TYPES FOR USE WITH YOUR CHARGER

UNBOXING

INTRODUCING THE ASCEND CHARGER

THE CONTROL PANEL

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

1. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe/LiFePO

/A123)

a. 2 (6.6V) - 3 (9.9V) cells

2. Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)

a. 2( 7.2V) - 3 (10.8V) cells

3. Lithium Polymer (LiPo)

a. 2 (7.4V) - 3 (11.1V) cells

1. Remove the charger from the box

2. Ensure the plug is compatible with your battery.

a. NOTE: There are many different types of battery plugs on the market. If yours does not ﬁt the standard supplied plugs, please visit

your local hobby dealer to purchase the correct adapter.

3. Read charging instructions and understand all warnings and cautions before proceeding.

a. This product is not a toy and should not be charged, operated, or maintained without supervision of an adult.

b. Note: It is necessary to follow all manufacturer’s charging instructions per each battery type.

1. [1] Ascend Charger

2. [1] HCT-Plug to JST-Mini/Micro plug adapter

4. Nickle Cadmium (NiCd)

a. 1 (1.2V) - 8 (9.6V) cells

5. Nickle Metal-Hydride (NiMH)

a. 1 (1.2V) - 8 (9.6V) cells

3. [1] Documentation

BACKLIT LCD DISPLAY

LiPo/Fe JST-XH 2s

Balance Port

LiPo/Fe JST-XH 3s

Balance Port

COOLING FAN

(KEEP CLEAR)

AIR VENT (KEEP

CLEAR)

MAIN CHARGE LEADS

Back / Cancel

Scroll Down

Scroll Up

Enter / OK

PHYSICAL FEATURES

Simple • Capable • Safe

1. Backlit LCD 16x2 display

a. Displays Safe Start menu system, charge status and charge summary.

2. Main charging lead

a. Connect to the main charge leads of your battery using the appropriate connector type. Visit your local hobby dealer for assistance if

the plug on your battery and charger do not match.

i. WARNING: Never try to force connectors together.

3. 2s-3s JST-XH Balance ports

a. Connected your LiPo balance plug to the appropriate port to enable LiPo balance charging.

i. If your battery has a different connector, do not try to modify your connector or the charger. Visit your local hobby dealer and

purchase a Radient Primal/Ascend Universal Balance Adapter (RDNA0003) for use with your balance plug.

4. Back/Cancel Button

a. Use to ‘go back’ while navigating the Safe Start menu system.

b. Used to cancel or stop a charge cycle.

5. Scroll Down

a. Press to scroll down both adjustable values or screens in the Safe Start menu system.

b. Press while charge summary screen is displayed to scroll through the available results.

6. Scroll Up

a. Press to scroll up both adjustable values and screens in the Safe Start menu system.

b. Press while charge summary screen is displayed to scroll through the available results.

7. Enter/OK

a. Use to enter into a menu screen or conﬁrm an action.

b. Hold for 3 seconds to conﬁrm the charging parameters and start the charge cycle.

c. Press during charge to display advanced charge data.

8. AC input plug.

a. For use with 2 prong grounded receptacles (plugs) supplying 100-240V @50-60Hz AC power.

9. DC input wires

a. Comes with banana style connectors installed for connection to popular 12V-15V power supplies.

b. Alligator clips for connection to 12V deep cycle batteries are available and sold separately (RDNA0007).

10. Cooling fan and vents

a. Always keep clear and never stick anything into the charger through these or any other holes in the case.

b. Note: The cooling fan turns on automatically when needed.

GENERAL CHARGING PRECAUTIONS

TIPS FOR SAFELY OPERATING YOUR CHARGER

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

Although great for ﬁrst time users, Radient RC products are indeed advanced and sensitive electronics that could result in injury if used improperly.

Always use caution and common sense as failure to operate your Radient RC product in a safe and responsible manner can result in damage to the

product or other properties. Therefore this product is not intended for use or maintenance by children without direct adult supervision. Radient RC

and your local hobby dealer shall not be liable for any loss or damages, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential, arising from

the use, misuse, or abuse of this product or any product required to operate or maintain it. Following are some general tips that will help increase

the safe operation and enjoyment of using your charger.

• Do not operate your charger in direct sun light, rain, electrical, or thunder storms

• The charger should never be connected to a battery without being connected to an input power source

• Never operate your charger where input power is highly unstable

• Never attempt to charge a non-rechargable battery or battery type that is not compatible wit this charger

• Operate in a dry, open environment away from property, and cars (never run into the street for any reason)

• Always disconnect the battery from the charger after charge is complete

• Never connect the battery to the charger when the charger is powered off. The charger should always be powered on before connecting the

battery

• Never stick anything into the charger case due to risk of electrical shock or interference with the cooling fan

• Always allow batteries to completely cool before charging

› NOTE: Only use genuine replacement or aftermarket parts available from your local hobby dealer to ensure proper operation of your

Radient RC product

• Avoid charging on or around ﬂammable items

• Never attempt to charge a swollen or damaged battery

• Never leave the battery unattended while charging

• Never operate the charger without adult supervision

• Never charge a warm battery, always allow the battery to cool to room temperature before charging

• Never drop the charger or battery

• Inspect the battery and charger before use. Never charge a battery or operate a charger if the wire or connector has been damaged or if the

battery has experienced a short circuit

• Incorrect use of the battery, connections, or charging equipment can cause personal injury or property damage

• Never allow batteries or charger to come in contact with moisture at any time; avoid environments with high humidity

• Disconnect input power and battery immediately if the battery, connector, or charger becomes hot or changes form (swells, bulges, indents,

etc.) during use

SAFE START MENU SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE FEATURES

Simple • Capable • Safe

Although different from the original implementation of Safe Start technology ﬁrst seen in the Primal charger, the Ascend features the same logic.

The Safe Start menu system is different from any charger you may have used before and thus designed to help you, the user consciously select the

correct charging mode for your batteries to protect both yourself and your equipment, while remaining easy to operate and understand what you are

doing with the charger.

Safe Start Logic:

When the charger is powered on you will be greeted and automatically routed to the area of the software where you can select your desired func-

tion. The default start screen is always the LiFe charge mode. This default provides the simplest menu system that also incorporates the highest

level of safety seen in today’s chargers. Here’s why:

• Due to the charging algorithm used, charging in LiFe charge mode is the safest option of those offered by the Ascend charger as it charges

to the lowest termination voltage. Many batteries will fall out of the voltage limits of that mode if you accidentally try to charge a battery not

designed for it.

• The LiFe mode is a balance only charging mode that requires you to insert a balance plug into one of the ports (or aftermarket universal

adapter board). Since NiXX type batteries do not have a balance plug and thus cannot be connected, as part of the Safe Start system the

charger will not charge these batteries in LiFe mode. If a LiPo battery is by chance at a low enough voltage to be accepted by the charge

mode, it will only receive a partial charge, still a safe result from the opposite alternative

Charge Mode (Charge Rate Calculation Mode):

The Ascend is equipped with two charging modes relative to each battery primary chemistry which allows setting of the charge rate based on either

the capacity of the battery being charged or a user input value (the last value used is remembered for each charge mode for your convenience). We

recommend charging by capacity charge mode as it offers the safest operating conditions. Here’s a description of both options that are available

under the “Options” menu of your charger. This option can be set independently of chemistry (LiXX/NiXX).

• Capacity Mode:

› After selecting a charge mode (LiFe, Li-Ion, LiPo, NiMH/NiCd) from the main menu, you are presented with the screen to set the

battery capacity.

› Enter the “mAh” value printed on your battery pack.

» Minimum value: 100mAh

» Maximum value: 9900mAh

› After entering the battery capacity the charger will calculate the maximum allowable charge current as 1C but. The following conﬁr-

mation screen will display the calculated maximum allowable charge rate. Using common sense calculation (like having an idea of

how much change you should get back from a teller after a cash transaction) make sure this value is not higher than expected. If it

is, go back and double check the entered value for mAh.

› When the charger measures the capacity increase in the battery at the entered value, the charge cycle will automatically stop to

prevent over charging.

• Current Mode:

› After selecting a charge mode (LiFe, Li-Ion, LiPo, NiMH/NiCd) from the main menu, you are presented with the screen to set the

charge current.

› NOTE: See the index in this Owner’s guide for a guide to calculate the charge current based on a battery’s charge C rating

» Minimum value: 0.1A

» Maximum value: 6.0A

» Note: The charger will always try to achieve the desired paremeters that you have entered for charging while taking into

account the attached battery and input power source. However to keep the charger in safe operating limits the maximum

charge current may be reduced as needed.

» A standard 120min safety time is used in current mode. Some high capacity batteries or batteries charged at less than 1C

may take longer than this to complete the charge. Use your discretion to determine if the battery needs to be charged again

before use.

» WARNING: Always allow batteries to cool completely before re/charging.

CAUTION: It should always be noted that safety timers of any type do not alone prevent over charging, they

are meant to be useful in the most typical charging conditions however they can all be circumvented. For this

reason its is always recommended to never leave your batteries unattended while charging and to monitor their

condition periodically. Disconnect input power and battery immediately if the battery, connector, or charger

becomes hot or changes form (swells, bulges, indents, etc.) during use.

SAFE START MENU SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE FEATURES CONTINUED

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

Conﬁrm the Settings:

After deciding and setting either the charge current or battery capacity and pressing enter, you are asked to conﬁrm the settings that you have just

entered. It is most important to conﬁrm the following items:

• Battery Type/Chemistry is accurate

• Charge rate does not exceed 1C (unless done intentionally, see Index at the back of this manual for charge rate calculations)

Starting a Charge:

Once you have visually conﬁrmed the settings for charging your battery, press and hold the Enter button for 3 seconds. The charger will display

a message as it checks for any errors in the connections, battery voltage etc., you may then release the button and the charge will start if all the

checks are succesful and determined OK.

Charge Data:

Your charger will now display the charge status and current charge data including the Time, Voltage, Charge Current, and mAh (in). You will also no-

tice a very unique feature displayed in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Here are the letters you will see and their corresponding deﬁnitions.

• CC: Constant Current mode used for the initial charge phase when charging LiPo/Fe batteries and the entire charge cycle for NiXX batteries

• CV: Constant Voltage mode used for the ﬁnal charge phase when charging LiPo/Fe batteries. You will see this displayed for approximately

the last 20% of the charge cycle indicating the battery is approximately 80% charged

• DV: Delta-Peak mode is used to detect the voltage drop during the charge cycle for NiXX type batteries. This setting is used to monitor the

voltage drop of the battery pack and it is what determines when the battery is fully charged. The D-Peak setting is adjustable for both NiMH

and NiCD separately from 5-20mV in the Options menu. We recommend only changing these values if your an advanced user; otherwise

leaving the default settings for each battery type as they come from the factory will give you good and consistent power form your batteries

Advanced Charge Data:

During any charge cycle, you can press the Enter button to view more information about the current charge. For Li/XX batteries, you will be shown a

table of the individual cell voltages. For NiXX batteries, you will be shown the current Peak Voltage and DV value as it is monitored in real time.

Charge Summary:

Upon charge completion the charger will sound an audible alert indicating the charge cycle is done. Pressing the Enter button will silence the alert.

At this time you can disconnect the battery from the charger, but do not press the Back/Cancel button yet! There’s more information waiting for you.

By pressing the Up/Down buttons you can scroll through the charge summary screens displaying more vital information about your battery’s charge

cycle. Here you will ﬁnd:

• Done T: Shows the amount of time since the battery charge has been completed

• Final V: Shows the ﬁnal voltage that the battery peaked at. It is common for the battery voltage to ﬂuctuate after a charge is complete, this

just shows what the charger read as the charge completed

• Peak V: Shows the highest voltage of the battery that was read during the charge cycle

• mAh (in): Shows the approximate capacity that was charged back into the battery

• Charge T: Shows the length of time the battery was charging

Pressing the Back/Cancel button at anytime will return you to the beginning of the Menu system at LiFe Charge mode for safety reasons described

earlier in this manual. Note this will STOP the charge cycle if one is in process.

Believe it or not, your Ascend charger does more than just charge batteries. If you continue past the charge functions in the beginning of the menu

you will see a Tools and Options menu that provide some advanced features never before seen in a product like this.

Tools:

There are times when knowing the voltage of your battery is handy, either when checking the charge state or just to see if there is a bad connection

somewhere. For this reason we have included two different Volt meters for you to use. They are described below.

• Volt Meter: Displays both the charger input voltage (DC only) and the output voltage. This feature is helpful if you are using your real car 12V

battery as a power source so that you can monitor the input voltage and not accidentally drain your real car battery. While the most useful

case for monitoring the input voltage, it is not the only since you can also use it to adjust the output of your power supply and know where to

stop so that you don’t exceed the input voltage limit of 15V. This is also useful for checking the voltage of a standard NiXX battery pack.

• Balance Meter: Displays the overall voltage and the individual cell voltages for a LiXX battery so that you can see the state of the balance

of your battery. Given that the Ascend is a balance charger, if the cells are a little off you shouldn’t need to worry as they will be balanced

within close tolerance on their next charge.

› NOTE: the voltages displayed here are more accurate than those displayed on the Volt Meter menu so you will notice a slight discrep-

ancy if you are comparing numbers

SAFE START MENU SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE FEATURES CONTINUED...

THIS PART IS REALLY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND IT...

Simple • Capable • Safe

Options:

The Options menu contain various settings for your charger and one very useful feature for maintaining the health of your LiPo batteries, a LiPo Stor-

age charge mode. Here’s a list of what you’ll ﬁnd under the Options menu

• LiPo Storage: This mode is very similar to the standard LiPo storage charge mode however you can only charge using the capacity mode to

determine the charge rate, regardless of the default setting for the normal LiPo charge mode. This is done for more accurate calculations

and to help get your battery in the optimal state for long term storage (max 6 months)

› LiPo storage mode will charge your batteries to approximately 3.85V per cell (approx 80% of full charge)

› You must start this storage charge cycle with a battery that is under 7.6V for the battery to charge properly since the Ascend is not

equipped with a high current discharger capable of reducing the voltage of a fully charged battery pack

• LiXX Charge Mode: Gives you the option of calculating the charge rate based on either capacity or current for LiXX based batteries. See the

Index of this manual for more details on charge rate calculation

• NiMH/Cd Charge Mode: Gives you the option of calculating the charge rate based on either capacity or current for NiXX based batteries. See

the Index of this manual for more details on charge rate calculation

• Default Values: Here you are able to select the delta peak voltage value for NiMH and NiCd batteries. This value is set to 8mV by defaul but it

is adjustable between 1-20mV to suit your needs.

• Audio Tones: This setting allows you to be able to turn the audio alarms for button presses or charge complete alerts on or off

Input Power:

Your charger is equipped to accept input power from either a 100-240V AC wall plug or from a 12-15V DC power supply. A common 12V power

supply used is a typical full size lead acid battery from an automobile. Do not connect both power inputs at the same time.

Reminder:

We want to remind you that just because the Ascend charger has advanced features it doesn’t mean you have to use them. We set out with the

intent of making this charger easy to use and understand so that you are not kept in the dark or forced to decode cryptic words on a tiny screen.

We also wanted to improve on the safety of using a charger with any of today’s most common battery types, this seems to be something that

many people have forgotten about. When technology changes, it is critical to update the users with the information and tools required to gain the

maximum enjoyment out of using the product. We feel we have raised the bar in this area and we hope you do to. If you still feel that you want to

stick to the basics, we happily encourage you to do so and learn at your own pace when the time is right. Never hesitate to ask questions and seek

advice where you ﬁnd there is need.

Lets get charging:

Now that you are familiar with the charger, its features, and general precautions of what not to do and some of what to do, we should get started

charging your ﬁrst battery. Just a reminder...set some time aside so you DON’T have to walk away and STOP THE CHARGER, MID

CHARGE since you should NEVER LEAVE THE CHARGER UNATTENDED WHILE CHARGING. Finally, conﬁrm the battery

chemistry type, capacity, voltage and cell count of the battery you will charge and ensure all connector plugs are compatible.

1. Plug the charger into a properly grounded AC wall plug or DC power source.

2. Plug the battery into the charger and place the battery on/in a non-ﬂammable surface/container and away from any ﬂammable objects.

3. Read and follow the following charge instructions for your battery chemistry type (from battery manufacturer too).

4. Unplug the battery from the charger when the charge is complete.

5. Remove charger from wall plug when not in use

a. NOTE: Only use batteries with labels that are legible and clearly state the capacity, cell count (or voltage), and chemistry type as

either NiCd, NiMH, LiPo, Li-Ion, or LiFe (A123).

WARNING: The Radient Ascend charger has the capability of charging both LiFe/Li-Ion/LiPo (LiXX) and NiCd/NiMH (NiXX) batteries which require

signiﬁcantly different charging modes. It is extremely important to choose the correct charging mode when charging your batteries. Choosing the

wrong charging mode can cause ﬁre or explosion. Be sure to properly identify the battery chemistry, voltage and capacity of every pack before

attempting to charge it to ensure the correct settings. Some LiPo battery packs are designed to look like NiXX battery packs. One indication of a LiPo

battery is the presence of a balance plug either exiting the battery with small wires and small plug on the end or a small female plug embedded into

the end of the battery pack. If you are unsure of the battery type you are attempting to charge; please consult your local hobby dealer for assistance.

To help ensure the correct charging mode is used when charging your batteries, the charger is equipped with Safe Start technology. Safe Start is

a start sequence technology used to deter the use of the incorrect charging mode for batteries of different chemistry. When battery packs are con-

nected properly per chemistry the system is very robust; however if some batteries are improperly connected it is possible to charge LiPo batteries

in NiXX mode, exactly what you should NEVER do, so caution is always required when operating the charger. Safe Start is used by requiring the

simultaneous pressing of both the Safe Start button and the appropriate charge mode button for 3 seconds to begin the charge cycle.

CHARGING A LiPo/Li-Ion/LiFe BATTERY

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

The Radient Ascend charger supports charging of LiFe, Li-Ion and LiPo batteries, however since the process of charging these batteries is very

similar, we will walk through the steps of charging a common LiPo battery which can then be applied to the charging of a LiFe or Li-Ion with the

substitution of functions (and voltages displayed below) being used on the charger. Both of these batteries charge using Constant-Current Constant-

Voltage (CC-CV) charge mode for 2s-3s cell conﬁgurations with available charge current range from 0.1-6 Amps.

› NOTE: Your charger is equipped with both a capacity based and time based safety shut-off timer set to 120min. Charging of batteries

with capacity higher than 5000mAh, or charging batteries at less than 1C may require a greater charge time and thus require more

than one charge cycle to achieve full charge. It is always recommended to allow your battery to cool to room temperature before

charging either the ﬁrst or second time.

To charge a LiPo battery in CC-CV charge mode, perform the following steps:

1. Connect your LiPo battery’s balance plug connector to either the JST-XH (2s or 3s) balance port built into the charger or into a connected

external balance adapter board (RDNA0003 for example).

a. NOTE: Charging of LiPo batteries in LiPo mode without connecting the balance connector is not supported As an added feature to our

Safe Start technology, if a balance plug is detected by the charger, use of the NiMH or NiCd charge modes are disabled and cannot

be circumvented.

2. Connect the main charging leads to your battery.

a. NOTE: it is critical that the battery always be connected with the correct polarity, Negative (-) = Black, and Positive (+) = Red. Only

connect Like color and symbol together.

3. Use the Up/Down scroll buttons to select the “LiPo Charge” function form the LCD menu and press “Enter”.

a. WARNING: Selecting the appropriate charge mode is critical to the safe charging of your batteries.

Using a charge mode other for a battery type other than speciﬁed may lead to ﬁre or explosion. Always

read your labels carefully to ensure you have the correct information about your battery for setting your

charger.

i. Note: Although you may select charge currents up to 6A, the maximum ﬁnal charge current may be reduced as needed to

keep the charger operating within safe limits. Typically this occurs when charging a 3s LiPo at 6A.

01). Example: A 3s LiPo may start to charge at 6A but as the voltage of the battery increases the charge current will

reduce to approximately 4A.

ii. Utilizing this method of charge current control enables the charger to always try to charge your battery as close as possible

to the setting you specify, while keeping the system within safe operating limits.

4. By default your charger comes in Capacity mode for setting the charge rate.

a. Locate the capacity rating on your battery pack and use the Up/Down scroll buttons to select the capacity value closest to (but not

greater than) the number listed on your battery pack and press “Enter”.

i. To achieve the safest operating conditions and longest life from your batteries it is recommended

to charge your batteries at no more than 1C. See the Index at the back of this manual for charge

rate calculations.

5. The charger will now calculate the maximum appropriate charge rate for the information you have entered and ask you to conﬁrm the

calculation of charge rate and battery type is as you expect.

a. NOTE: The charger will calculate the maximum based on the battery voltage, input power source and number of cells detected.

b. If you notice an error on the conﬁrmation screen, you can press the Back/Cancel button to go back and correct the problem.

6. When the settings have been veriﬁed as correct, press and hold the “Enter” button for 3 seconds to begin the charge cycle.

a. The charger will perform an error checking process and once all is conﬁrmed OK, the charge will begin. You can now monitor the

charge status on the LCD screen and notice CC in the upper left hand corner of the screen indicating the charger is in Constant

Current mode. Press “Enter” for more charge information.

7. Near the end of charge completion the LCD screen will display CV indicating it has switched to Constant Voltage mode, the battery is typi-

cally 80% charged at this point.

8. When the charge is complete, the audio alarm will sound (Press “Enter” to silence the alarm) and the LCD screen will display “Charge

Complete” and present you with the charge summary data. Use the Up/Down scroll buttons to view the charge summary.

9. Press the Back/Cancel button to return to the beginning of the menu or STOP the charge at any time.

CHARGING A NiCD OR NiMH (NiXX) BATTERY

Simple • Capable • Safe

The Radient Ascend charger supports charging of NiMH and NiCd batteries, however since the process of charging these batteries is very similar,

we will walk through the steps of charging a common NiMH battery which can then be applied to the charging of a NiCd with the substitution of

functions being used on the charger. Both of these batteries are charged using a Constant Current Delta Peak (CC-DV) charge mode for 1-8 cell

series conﬁgurations and adjustable Delta Peak values for each type with available charge current range from 0.1-6 Amps.

› NOTE: Your charger is equipped with both a capacity based and time based safety shut-off timer set to 120min. Charging of batteries

with capacity higher than 5000mAh, or charging batteries at less than 1C may require a greater charge time and thus require more

than one charge cycle to achieve full charge. It is always recommended to allow your battery to cool to room temperature before

charging either the ﬁrst or second time.

To charge a NiXX battery in Delta-Peak charge mode, perform the following steps:

› WARNING: Ensure your battery is truly a NiCD or NiMH battery. Some LiPo battery packs are designed

to look like NiXX battery packs. If you are unsure of the battery type you are attempting to charge;

please consult your local hobby dealer for assistance.

› NOTE: As an added feature to our Safe Start technology, if a balance plug is not detected by the charger, use of the LiPo or LiFe

charge modes are disabled. By the same logic, if a balance plug is detected the use of NiMH and NiCd charge modes are disabled.

This cannot be circumvented.

1. Connect the main charging leads to your battery.

a. NOTE: it is critical that the battery always be connected with the correct polarity, Negative (-) = Black, and Positive (+) = Red. Only

connect Like color and symbol together, any other form of connection may cause ﬁre or explosion.

2. Use the Up/Down scroll buttons to select the “NiMH Charge” function form the LCD menu and press “Enter”.

a. WARNING: Selecting the appropriate charge mode is critical to the safe charging of your batteries.

Using a charge mode other for a battery type other than speciﬁed may lead to ﬁre or explosion. Always

read your labels carefully to ensure you have the correct information about your battery for setting your

charger.

i. Note: Although you may select charge currents up to 6A, the maximum ﬁnal charge current may be reduced as needed to

keep the charger operating within safe limits. Typically this occurs when charging a 8 cell NiXX at 6A.

01). Exp: A 8 cell NiMH may start to charge at 6A but as the voltage of the battery increases the charge current will

reduce to approximately 4A.

ii. Utilizing this method of charge current control enables the charger to always try to charge your battery as close as possible

to the setting you specify, while keeping the system within safe operating limits.

3. By default your charger comes in Capacity mode for setting the charge rate.

a. Locate the capacity rating on your battery pack and use the Up/Down scroll buttons to select the capacity value closest to (but not

greater than) the number listed on your battery pack and press “Enter”.

i. To achieve the safest operating conditions and longest life from your batteries it is recommended

to charge your batteries at no more than 1C. See the Index at the back of this manual for charge

rate calculations.

4. The charger will now calculate the maximum appropriate charge rate for the information you have entered and ask you to conﬁrm the

calculation of charge rate and battery type is as you expect.

a. NOTE: The charger will calculate the maximum based on the battery voltage, input power source and number of cells detected.

b. If you notice an error on the conﬁrmation screen, you can press the Back/Cancel button to go back and correct the problem.

5. When the settings have been veriﬁed as correct, press and hold the “Enter” button for 3 seconds to begin the charge cycle.

a. The charger will perform an error checking process and once all is conﬁrmed OK, the charge will begin. You can now monitor the

charge status on the LCD screen and notice CC in the upper left hand corner of the screen indicating the charger is in Constant

Current mode. Press “Enter” for more charge information.

6. Near the end of charge completion the LCD screen will display DV indicating it has switched to Delta Peak mode, the battery is typically 90%

charged at this point and is looking for a voltage drop (D-Peak) as set in the Options.

7. When the charge is complete, the audio alarm will sound (Press “Enter” to silence the alarm) and the LCD screen will display “Charge

Complete” and present you with the charge summary data. Use the Up/Down scroll buttons to view the charge summary.

8. Press the Back/Cancel button to return to the beginning of the menu or STOP the charge at any time.

GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE

STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

RELATED SPARE PARTS LIST

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

WARNING: This charger contains a built in AC to DC converter which can store electrical power for a short time

after disconnection from the AC input power source. Always unplug the charger from both input power and output

charging leads before performing any cleaning or maintenance to prevent electric shock. It is advisable to wait at

least 1 minute before starting your cleaning or maintenance

Care:

• Always use clean, dry cloth or soft bristle brush to clean your equipment

• Never use chemical cleansers to avoid damage to the sensitive electronics and plastics

• Before every use, inspect the input and output power cords and plugs and discontinue use if there are any signs of damage

› Contact your local hobby dealer or Radient RC Customer Support for assistance with repair needs.

› NOTE: Continued use of a damaged battery or charger will void the warranty and could cause personal injury and property damage

Maintenance:

• Regularly check the input power source cords and connectors for signs of damage and discontinue use if you notice exposed wiring

• Periodically use compressed air to blow out dust that has been trapped inside the charger to help prevent excessive heat due to dust build

› WARNING: Always wear eye protection when using compressed air to clean your charger

› NOTE: Ensure the charger is disconnected form input power and any battery before performing any care or cleaning procedures

Storage:

• There is a cord wrap feature located on the bottom of your charger. Use it to coil the unused length of input power cord.

› NOTE: Never “kink” (or bend sharply) any electrical wires. Doing so may damage the internal electrical wire even if the outside

appears undamaged

• Never store the charger (or your batteries) in direct sunlight for extended periods of time

• Since every battery and manufacturer is different, refer to the storage instructions from your battery manufacturer for proper information.

Disposal:

• Your product and the various batteries it is intended to be used with are considered electronic waste and should never be discarded in

standard garbage containers. Please visit your local hobby dealer and use the FREE battery disposal center for proper disposal/recycling of

batteries. Consult your local city waste disposal center for information on disposal of electronics other than batteries

• Please do your part to protect our environment

RDNA0003 ..................PRIMAL/ASCEND UNIVERSAL LIPO BALANCE ADAPTER BOARD (2-3S) ....................................................................................

RDNA0007 ..................ALLIGATOR CLIPS (LARGE) WITH BULLET CONNECTION ..........................................................................................................

See your local hobby dealer for the latest in genuine replacement parts and accessories for your Radient RC

product

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Simple • Capable • Safe

Problem / Symptom Possible Cause Possible Solution

Error

Connection

Main charge leads disconnected Check for stable input power with proper voltage

Reverse polarity

Check battery connection and ensure red wires are connected to

red wires and black wires are connected to black wires

Balance plug not connected properly

when attempting to balance charge

LiPo/Fe battery

Check balance plug is properly connected

Ensure the correct charge mode is being used for your battery type

Balance plug connected when trying

to charge NiXX battery

Check balance plug is not connected

Ensure the correct charge mode is being used for your battery type

Error

Batt V Too High

The connected battery has a voltage

that is outside the safe limits to

charge in the selected mode or at

the selected current

Use the battery as normal to reduce the battery voltage to safe

limits for charging

A LiPo battery has too much charge

when attempting to perform a Stor-

age Charge

Use the battery to reduce the voltage and try again

The charger is detecting a LiPo

battery when trying to charge in

LiFe mode

Conﬁrm the battery type you are attempting to charge is indeed a

LiFe (A123)

Error

Batt V Too Low

The battery is damaged or worn out

Check battery connections and conﬁrm battery type and charge

mode

There is a connection problem Check input and output connections

Error

Input V Too Low

The power supply voltage is too

low or the AC input power is below

operable limits

Check input power source. Find another known good source to test

and compare

Error

Input V Too Low

The power supply voltage is too

high or the AC input power is above

operable limits

Check input power source. Find another known good source to test

and compare

Error

Over Temperature

Please Wait...

The charger has over-heated and

reduced the charge current to a

minimum. Your battery will continue

to charge but at a very slow rate

until the internal temperature of

the charger is back down into

operational limits. It will then resume

charging at the previous settings

Stop charging, unplug your charger from all connections and blow

compressed air through the side vents to remove dust. See the

“General Care and Maintenance” section of this manual

Remove the charger from direct sun light or area of high ambient

temperature and allow to cool

Direct a cooling fan into the charger through the left side vent

(where existing fan is located)

The charger resets LiFe mode after

every charge

This is a built in safety feature

and is executed after pressing the

Back/Cancel button during or after

a charge

Use the Up/Down scroll buttons to select the desired charge mode

The charger is unresponsive to

any input

The input power is unstable

Check input power connections and appropriate voltages are

present

INDEX

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

Understanding C Ratings:

Many battery manufacturers do not list the deﬁnition of or explain the purpose of C ratings and how to use that information. For LiPo batteries there

is typically listed both a C rating for charging and discharging of the batteries. You must use caution that you calculate your charge rate based on

the charge C rating and not the discharge C rating.

• Charge Rate Calculation

› The charge C rating of a battery refers to a ratio between the battery’s capacity and the maximum safe charge current as determined

by each manufacturer for each battery. This value is typically listed in the lower ranges between 1C-5C. It signiﬁes the maximum

current the battery should be charged at in a multiple of the capacity of the battery cells (on a per cell basis, not per pack basis)

» For example: if a battery cell is 2000mAh and the charge C rating is listed at 2C, the maximum charge current that should be

used with this battery is equal to 2000 x 2 = 4000mA = 4.0A

» NOTE: 1000mAh = 1Ah. For simpliﬁed annotation, although charge rates are actually units of Ah, we refer to them as A only.

Thus 1Ah = 1A

» The Ascend charger increments in values of 100mAh from 200mAh up to 9900mAh, if the calculated maximum charge rate

is a decimal value (4.4) it is highly recommended to round this value down to the nearest whole number and use that as the

maximum charge rate, but not necessarily the best charge rate option

» If the calculated charge rate is over the maximum capability for this charger, you can simply use the maximum allowed

› Radient RC recommends charging at 1C for the maximum cycle life of your batteries

› Always check the instructions provided with your batteries for proper charge and care. Those instructions should over-ride these

since they pertain to the particular battery that you have and this is a general statement

• Discharge Rate Calculation

› The discharge C rating of a battery refers to a ratio between the battery’s capacity and the maximum safe discharge current as

determined by each manufacturer for each battery This value is typically listed in the higher range from 15C upwards. It signiﬁes the

maximum current the battery should be discharged at in a multiple of the capacity of the battery cells (on a per cell basis, not per

pack basis)

» For example: if a battery cell is 2000mAh and the discharge C rating is listed at 30C, the maximum discharge charge current

that should be used with this battery is equal to 2000 x 30 = 60000mA = 60A. This means you can continuously discharge

this battery at a rate of 60A per hour without damage

» Since the Ascend charger does not discharge, this information is only for reference in helping you understand the terminology

of the battery industry

Termination Voltages (Peak Detection):

• LiFe/Ion/Po Batteries: The peak detection of a LiPo, Li-Ion, or LiFe battery works by increasing the voltage of the battery pack to a speciﬁed

range. The goal of the charger is to increase the voltage of the battery into this range while injecting the most mAh into the battery as pos-

sible. The charge cycle terminates when this value is reached.

› The nominal voltage of a LiPo battery cell is listed at 3.7V

› The Ascend charger will terminate the charge of a LiPo battery pack when it measures a voltage of 4.18-4.2V per cell.

› For a 2s 7.4 nominal voltage battery pack, the termination voltage would be 2 x 4.2 = 8.4V

› The nominal voltage of a LiFe battery cell is listed at 3.3V

› The Ascend charger will terminate the charge of a LiFe battery pack when it measures a voltage of 3.58-3.60V per cell

› For a 2s 6.6 nominal voltage battery pack, the termination voltage would be 2 x 3.6 = 7.2V

› The nominal voltage of a Li-Ion battery cell is listed at 3.6V

› The Ascend charger will terminate the charge of a Li-Ion battery pack when it measures a voltage of 4.08-4.1V per cell

› For a 2s 7.2 nominal voltage battery pack, the termination voltage would be 2 x 4.1 = 8.2V

• NiXX Batteries

› The nominal voltage of a NiXX battery cell is listed at 1.2V

› The Delta Peak (DV) value can be adjusted in the Options menu in the range of 1-20mV (default and recommended 8mV).

» Setting a lower D-Peak value will terminate the charge sooner, keep the battery temperature down, and typically extend the

life of the batteries. We recommend starting with the default settings and make small changes as necessary.

» Setting a higher D-Peak value will terminate the charge later, create more heat, produce slightly more power, but typically

reduce the life of the batteries. We recommend starting with the default settings and make small changes as necessary.

Some older batteries may require a higher D-Peak value to charge successfully.

› The Ascend charger will terminate the charge of a NiXX battery pack when it measures a maximum voltage of the battery pack in a

speciﬁed range and then also measures a drop in that voltage of the set D-Peak value found in the Options.

› The maximum voltage a battery pack reaches changes during the life of the battery (increasing with age). The characteristic

behavior of the voltage drop remains the same however thus allowing the charger to continue to detect a “peak” voltage (maximum

voltage - [D-Peak]mV) regardless of age.

INDEX CONTINUED

NOTES

Simple • Capable • Safe

Power rating (Watt-hour):

› Some products state a recommended Watt hour rating for a battery to be used with that product. The Watt hours can be approxi-

mately calculated knowing the battery capacity and the voltage

» For Example: if a battery is 2000mAh and the voltage is 8.4V the Watt Hours (Wh) is equal to 2000 x 8.4 = 16,800mWh =

16.8Wh

Recommended Discharge Voltage Cut-offs:

• For maximum cycle life and safety, LiPo batteries should never be discharged below 3.3V per cell when discharged at a rate of 1-4C. For

this reason, many electronic speed controllers have a special “LiPo Mode” which activates a cut-off of power when the ESC measures the

battery voltage in a dangerous range

• For maximum cycle life and safety, NiXX batteries should never be discharged below 0.9V per cell when discharged at a rate of 1-4C. The

use of an ESC low voltage “cut-off” mode is not necessary with NiXX batteries

Storage Voltages:

• Although the Ascend charger does not offer discharge capabilities it is important to understand this information about your batteries since it

is critical to both the safety of the battery and the cycle life.

› Always consult the battery manufacturer’s documentation for storage information speciﬁc to that battery

» WARNING: You should NEVER store LiPo batteries at full charge for more than a few hours at

most (and they should be stored at temps of 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit whenever possible to help

prevent swelling and/or loss of performance/capacity)

› LiPo batteries should be charged (or discharged depending on their state prior to storage) to approximately 50% of their rated

capacity (approximately 3.85V per cell). The storage time at this voltage should not exceed 6 months and a use cycle and return to

storage mode is recommended every 3 months

› The storage voltage of NiXX batteries is not as critical as LiPo but they should be stored in cool conditions and at a low cell voltage to

prevent memory buildup and loss of capacity and performance

THE SAFE START MENU FLOW CHART

MULTI-CHEMISTRY AC/DC PEAK DETECTION BALANCE CHARGER

SELECT FUNCTION

LIFE CHARGE

SELECT FUNCTION

LIIO CHARGE

SELECT FUNCTION

LIPO CHARGE

SELECT FUNCTION

NIMH/CD CHARGE

SELECT FUNCTION

TOOLS

SELECT FUNCTION

OPTIONS

LIFE CAPACITY

6000MAH

LIIO CAPACITY

6000MAH

LIPO CAPACITY

6000MAH

NIXX CHARGE RATE

6.0A

TOOLS

BALANCE METER

TOOLS

VOLT METER

OPTIONS

LIPO STORAGE

OPTIONS

LIXX CHG MODE

OPTIONS

NIMH/CD CHG MODE

OPTIONS

DEFAULT VALUES

OPTIONS

AUDIO TONES

V:00.00 C1:0.00V

C2:0.00 C3:0.00V

INPUT: 00.000V

OUTPUT: 00.000V

LIPO CAPACITY

6000MAH

LIPXX CHG MODE

CAPACITY

NIXX CHG MODE

CURRENT

NIXX D-PEAK

8MV

AUDIO TONES

OFF

CHECKING BATT

FOR LIFE CHARGE

CHECKING BATT

FOR LIIO CHARGE

CHECKING BATT

FOR LIPO CHARGE

CHECKING BATT

FOR NIXX CHARGE

CONFIRM (6.0A)

LIFE CHARGE

CONFIRM (6.0A)

LIIO CHARGE

CONFIRM (6.0A)

LIPO CHARGE

CONFIRM (6.0A)

NIXX CHARGE

CONFIRM (6.0A)

LIPO STORAGE

Simple • Capable • Safe

CHARGE COMPLETE

DONE T=0:01:23

CHARGE COMPLETE

FINAL V: 6.600

CHARGE COMPLETE

PEAK V: 6.615

CHARGE COMPLETE

MAH(IN): 6000

CHARGE COMPLETE

CHARGE T=1:23:45

CHECKING BATT

FOR LIPO CHARGE

V: 6.70 C1:3.45V

C2:3.45 C3:0.00V

CV TIME: 1:23:45

V:6.600 A:0.6

CC TIME: 1:23:45

MAH(IN): 5432

DV: 3MV

Peak V:8.76

DV TIME: 1:23:45

V:8.765 A:6.0

CC TIME: 1:23:45

MAH(IN): 5432

V: 7.60 C1:3.80V

C2:3.80 C3:0.00V

CV TIME: 1:23:45

V:7.600 A:0.6

CC TIME: 1:23:45

V:7.600 A:6.0

BACK/CANCEL

CHANGES WITH UP/DOWN SCROLLU

SCROLL DOWN

SCROLL UP

ENTER/CONFIRM

BACK/CANCEL UNAVAILABLE

SCROLL DOWN UNAVAILABLE

SCROLL UP UNAVAILABLE

ENTER/CONFIRM UNAVAILABLE

PRESS AND HOLD FOR 3 SECONDS

NODE/JUNCTION

This menu ﬂow chart is useful to help you ﬁnd a particular feature or func-

tion of your charger. Use the Key on the right of this paragraph to understand

the symbols seen in the diagram above. The purpose is not to show an

actual charge cycle, only illustrate how the displays might look when you

see them.

*Note: Due to ongoing research and development some items may change

without notice

000062-002 (REV A)

WWW.RADIENTRC.COM

Radient RC Ascend User manual

Brand: Radient RC

Model: Ascend

Category: Battery chargers

Type: User manual

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Radient RC Ascend User manual

Radient RC Ascend User manual

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