Thank you for purchasing the E-flite™ Pinnacle™ Peak Prediction Charger. The Pinnacle is DC-powered and will peak charge and discharge 1–14 (1.2–16.8V) cell Ni-Cd and Ni-MH battery packs. It features a 16-bit microchip CPU controller with a large LCD display indicating capacity, voltage and charge rate.
The Pinnacle’s unique peak prediction circuitry ensures that your batteries receive an accurate charge every time and protects your Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries from the dangers of over charging. The Pinnacle does this by continuously monitoring the battery’s voltage curve and calculates (predicts) when the peak (100% charge) will occur.
When the batteries have peaked, the Pinnacle stops fast charging at exactly that point and then advances to trickle mode. This is essential in order to avoid damaging Ni-Cd and especially Ni-MH cells that are sensitive to over charging. This circuitry is superior to conventional peak detection circuitry which continues to fast charge even after the batteries are fully charged, which may cause damage to Ni-Cd and Ni-MH cells.
Features
•Superior peak prediction circuitry ensures maximum battery life
•High-efficiency direct current/rising voltage exchange mode minimizes heat output
•Large LCD displays indicates mAh, voltmeter, and ammeter
•LCD shows number of cells during charging process
•DC fan for efficient cooling
•LED display with three color functions indicates charge, discharge and trickle modes
•Reverse polarity protection
•Push-button Start
•Charge beeper indicates charge is complete
•Banana plugs with alligator clips adapter included
•Receiver, transmitter, BEC- and Tamiya-style charge leads included
Specifications
•12V DC-powered
•Charges, trickle charges and discharges 1–14 cell packs
•Ni-Cd and Ni-MH compatible
•Voltage booster to DC 28V
•7.5-amp fuse safety circuit
•Variable charge rates: 200mA–5000mA (13- and 14-cell packs may not reach 5000mA)
•16-bit processor with high-resolution displays features
Functions/LCD Screen Readings
Operation | LED Condition/Beep | Function |
Push Once | Red/Beep Once | Fast Charge |
Push Twice | Orange & Red/Beep Twice | Cycle (Charge After Discharge) |
Push Three Times | Orange/Beep Three Times | Trickle Charge (150 mA) |
Connect Battery Without Pushing | Green | Trickle Charge (150 mA) |
Push One More Time After Action | Green | Return to Trickle Charge |
Error Modes
The Pinnacle features a self-diagnostic mode with the following error codes:
•“ERR1”...... a short circuit or the safety fuse is burned out
•“ERR2”...... an error has occurred in the charging process (loose connection, contacts or current is adjusted after the initial 30 second start up mode)
•“ERR6”...... the Peak charge is abnormal because the voltage is too low
•“ERR”........ the power supply is insufficient (below 10V)
To cancel error modes, disconnect the batteries from the charger.
Supplying DC Power to the Pinnacle
The Pinnacle is powered by connecting it to a 12V power source, such as a 12V sealed battery (HAN102), a 12V automobile battery (car must be not be running) or through your field box power panel. The battery capacity must be over 5Ah.
Step 1. Attach the red (positive) banana plug to the red (positive) terminal on your 12V battery or power panel.
Step 2. Attach the black (negative) banana plug to the black (negative) terminal. Alligator clip adapters are also provided if you choose to power your charger with a 12V hobby battery. Once your charger is given power, it will beep once and the LCD will show 28V, which is normal.
Choosing Charge Leads
The Pinnacle includes several charge lead options to best suit your application.
•A BEC-style charge lead is included for charging slow and park flyer packs with a BEC (JST) connector.
•A Tamiya-style charge lead is also included to charge those packs that have this connector, popular on electric gliders, cars and boats.
•A universal receiver charge lead is included for charging all of the major brands of receiver battery packs.
•A transmitter charge lead is included to charge transmitters without removing the battery from the unit. Follow the procedure noted below in Step 1 and Step 2, except when charging JR transmitters.
Note: When charging JR transmitters it will be necessary to reverse the polarity of the charge jack by plugging the end of red lead into the black of the charger hook-up and plug the end of the black lead into the red of the charger hook-up. Failure to do so may result in damage to your transmitter.
Step 1. Hook up the end of the leads to the terminal of the charger, making sure that you attach the red of the lead wire to the red of the charger hook-up.
Step 2. Next, attach the black of the lead wire to the black of the charger hook-up.
Step 3. Plug the connector of the charge lead into the connector of the battery pack. The beeper will sound once and the LED light will flash green. Please observe polarity when attaching the leads to the charge output.
Charging Process
Step 1. Push the Start/Select button once. You will here a beep and the red light will quickly flash to indicate fast charge condition. You can use the charge rate adjustment knob to select the appropriate charge rate.
Step 2. Select the charge rate for charging your battery pack.
Note: Refer to the chart below for recommended charge rates.
The LCD readout will correspond to the current/voltage. After 30 seconds the red light will stay on and no longer flash.
Note: Do not adjust the charge rate knob in this state.
Step 3. While charging, the red light will remain on. If you adjust the current in this state, the charging process will stop and shut down. The error code “ERR2” will display.
Step 4. When charging is complete, the charger will beep ten times and the LED flashes green. The charger is now in trickle charge. The beeper will sound once every few minutes until the battery is disconnected.
Step 5. Push the Start/Select button to process any further charge function if necessary.
Step 6. To re-peak the pack, simply push the Start/Select button. This must be done without disconnect- ing the battery pack. The beeper will sound once, and the pack will charge until it peaks. It will then return to trickle charge.
Battery Capacity | Charge Rate | Typical charge time |
150–270 mAh | 0.5 amps | 18–32 minutes |
350–500 mAh | 1.0 amps | 21–30 minutes |
550–800 mAh | 1.5 amps | 22–32 minutes |
850–1200 mAh | 2.5 amps | 20–31 minutes |
1500–2000 mAh | 4.0 amps | 22–30 minutes |
2400 and above | 5.0 amps | 28 minutes + |
Note: Due to variables such as internal resistance of certain cells and power supply, some 13- and 14-cell packs may not charge at 5 amps.
Note: Charging 8-cell transmitter batteries in the transmitter must be set at 1 amp or less to avoid damage to the transmitter or flowing the fuse.
