Output Fuse External meter Trickle on/off

wires jacks C) AC Charging from a household current (BC5A only): The BC5A then back on. When the switch is first turned to on, the light will come
to has a built-in 6.5 amp AC power supply which will charge 6-7 Ni- on momentarily if everything is hooked up and working correctly.
Ni-Cad
Cad cells to a full peak at up to 6.5 amps. The BC5A uses linear
If you are fast charging and you wish to go to trickle charge,
Championship Electronics charge output. 4 or 5 cells can be charged at up to 6.5 amps. 8
you may do so by unplugging the battery pack for about 5 sec-
cells can be charged at up to 3 amps. To use, plug the AC power
onds, then plugging it back in.
cord from the charger into any suitable outlet. The standard volt-
BC110L age is 120 volts for the USA. Be sure to keep soldering irons and
sharp objects away from the power cord. CONNECTING THE NI-CAD BATTERY PACK
BC5A WARNING: This appliance is not a toy! Improper use of this or any The charger comes equipped with Tamiya / JST style plugs,
OPERATION MANUAL other AC powered device can be hazardous. Do not operate or which fit most battery packs. An alligator clip adapter is also includ-
Charge Amps adjust Start button
indicator light plug in the unit near water or moisture. For indoor use only, except ed. If you use other than JST plugs, you may wish to make an
under controlled outdoor conditions. Always unplug the charger adapter. If you use the alligator clips, you should solder some stub
FEATURES when not in use. A charger on which the AC power cord has wire leads onto the battery pack and clip onto them. The alligator
become frayed, worn, burned, or damaged in any way, should be clips should be clipped onto soft, multi-strand wire to assure good
• .5-10 AMP adjustable linear output current. (.5-6.5 amps on BC5A) immediately unplugged safely from the AC outlet and not used connections are made. A poor connection can cause the charger to
• High performance linear current output. until it can be properly serviced. Do not attempt to open or repair “false peak” and turn off before the charge is completed.
• Fully automatic Peak Detection operation. the charger yourself. Never insert objects into the cooling vents on
• Works with a variety of power supplies. the charger.
• Compact, lightweight construction. — FIGURE 1 —
• Precision components and calibrated dial for accurate current
adjustments. FUSE CONNECTOR CONFIGURATION
AMP
• External Volt/Ammeter jacks. If an overload occurs or improper connection is made, the fuse BLACK (-) BLACK (-)
• New 33Khz digital switching circuitry for cool operation and high will blow. In this case, disconnect the power and remove the fuse
RED (+) RED (+)
TO CHARGER
performance. by pulling it straight out. Then replace it with a 15 - 20 amp auto-
FROM 12
VOLT SUPPLY

• Easy one-button operation. motive plug-in fuse. Do not use a fuse rated higher than 20 amps, JST/TAMIYA

POWER SUPPLY
RED (+)
or damage to the charger could result. RED (+)

BLACK (-) BLACK (-)

TO BATTERY

INDICATOR LIGHT
FROM CHARGER
A) DC Charging 4-8 cell packs: Best results are obtained by using PACK

a 12 volt automotive battery or a regulated supply as the power

source. A 4-10 amp automotive battery charger may also be used, The LED indicator light will glow brightly during a fast charge.
but may sometimes cause unsatisfactory results due to voltage When fast charge is done, the light will go out.
spikes and dropouts. When using a 12 volt battery while it is SELECTING THE CHARGE AMPERAGE
installed in an automobile, be very careful not to let the metal TRICKLE ON/OFF SWITCH A) Charge Capacity: Most Ni-Cad batteries can be fast charged at
panel on the charger touch any grounded metal parts on the vehi- 2 to 3 times their rated hourly capacity without adverse effects.
cle. This will cause a short to occur and will blow the fuse. If you Turns Trickle or Slow Charge ON or OFF. The trickle charge
Charging Ni-Cads at more than 3 times the rated capacity with the
are using a regulated power supply, it should have a current rating current adjusts in proportion to the fast charge current, from about
BC5A or BC-11-L is NOT recommended, unless you are just
of at least the amount of amps at which you wish to charge. 10 - 200MA. If the cells have not recently been fully discharged
momentarily peaking the batteries.
(with a discharge resistor or other device) then turn Trickle mode
CAUTION: If you use a lead-acid (automotive) battery as the ON to equalize, top off, and balance the battery pack. Trickle Ni-Cad batteries are usually rated for capacity in milliamp
power source, make sure you have good ventilation. Lead-acid mode is also useful to achieve maximum run time, but with some hours (MAh). A milliamp is 1/1000th of an amp. A 1700 MAh bat-
batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas when they are being power loss. tery should be charged at 3400 (1700 x 2) to 5100 (1700 x 3) mil-
charged. Lead-acid batteries should not be charged while a Tekin liamps, which is equal to 3.4 to 5.1 amps. A 1200 MAh cell would
charger is also connected to them. If you fully discharged the batter recently, turn the trickle
be charged at 2.4 - 3.6 amps. Charging at the higher end of the
switch to “OFF” for maximum power, and use a re-peak process to
B) Connection: Once you have selected a suitable power source, range will give the most dependable peak detection.
top off the battery pack.
connect the large RED Positive (+) clip of the charger to the POS The lowest capacity cell that the BC110L can charge is 100
(+) terminal of the power source, and the BLACK Negative (-) clip The light does not blink while trickle charging. You may verify
milliamp hours. Do not fast charge 50 MAh micro packs, these
to the NEG (-) terminal of the power source. trickle charge operation by turning the trickle charge switch to off,
require a Tekin digital type charger set to .2 amps.
B) Cell Types: There are many different cell types on the market. independently of the others, thereby assuring a fully matched dis- • A 12 volt battery is the best overall power supply. When using a
Some cells, such as SCRC (black) deliver maximum run time but charge. These resistors are available as accessories at better 12 volt car battery charger or AC power supply sometimes line
are more sensitive in their charge procedure requirements. If they hobby shops. surges or dropouts will cause problems.
were just run, always let these cells cool before fast charging. Note: You may notice the charger shutting off prematurely (false • If the unit slow charges, but will not fast charge when you press
These cells should be discharged fully at least once every 2 - 3 peaking) when charging discharged cells. This is because the cell the start button, the output wires may be shorted or hooked up in
runs. Never charge them at more than 3 times the rated capacity, voltage will go down for the first few minutes of charging (the reverse.
except possibly just for a few minutes before running, to get an ini- same as a peak), which shuts the charger off. To finish the charge, • Be careful not to hook up the charger backwards as the fuse may
tial surge of power. Other cell types, such as SCR (red) can with- you can restart the charger by pressing the START button if the blow. You can replace the fuse yourself with a 15 - 20 amp unit.
stand charging at higher amperage. You can charge these safely cells are not warm. • If the power supply, battery, fuse, and all connections all check
at up to 4 times the rated capacity, without significantly reducing B) Charging: For best performance and battery life, always let the out okay and the charger either stays on or off all the time, or
the cell’s life. With this method, you may get slightly more power, cells cool before beginning a fast charge. If you have just run the blows fuses, then the MOSFET inside the charger may have been
but less run time. Your dealer can help you determine the best car, let the cells cool for about an hour before recharging. This is damaged. This can happen if the unit is shorted, overheated or
way to charge the cells you have. critical for performance and cell life, because Ni-Cad calls do not connected to an improper power supply. If you wish, you may
accept a full charge at temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. replace the transistor yourself (Part #854).
START BUTTON After charging the cells, let them rest. This usually takes about 20 • If it should ever be necessary to return the unit to factory for
minutes. You may then peak charge (re-peak) them until they are repair, be sure to enclose a note stating the nature of the problem,
For normal peak charging. Pressing the start button begins the slightly warm to the touch. Let them cool fully again, then re-peak your return address, shipping instructions, and any other special
fast charge. THe light will come on solid to indicate that a fast them again at a slightly higher amperage, if desired, until they are instructions. Most repairs are completed and shipped within 3
charge is occurring, and that current is flowing. warm. They will then be ready to run. days, C.O.D. Please allow up to 2 weeks for shipping.

VOLTS/AMPS SWITCH and METER JACKS PRECAUTIONS — LIMITED WARRANTY —

The charger has jacks on the back so you can connect an a) The panel may become slightly warm in operation, this is normal. TEKIN ELECTRONICS, INC. guarantees this battery charger
external digital voltmeter to monitor the charge. Set the meter to b) Output adapter cables should be no more than 7 inches longer to be free from factory defects in materials and workmanship for
the 20 volt DC range. When the charger’s selector switch is set to than the original cables. 120 days from the date of purchase, verified by sales receipt. This
volts, the meter will display the voltage of the battery pack. When c) The metal panel is electrically live, and should not touch any warranty does not cover: suitability for specific application; compo-
set to amps, the display shows the charge amps divided by 30. wires, batteries, or grounded automobile parts. This will cause a nents worn by use; application of reverse or improper voltage;
(.10 volts = 3 amps.) To obtain the correct amperage figure, multi- short to occur and blow the fuse. tampering; misuse, or shipping. Our warranty liability shall be limit-
ply the reading by 30. The dial of the BC110L is calibrated, and d) Do not use a fuse rated higher than 20 amps, or the charger ed to repairing unit to our original specifications. Because we have
high accuracy precision electronics are used inside, so you can can be damaged. no control over the installation or use of this product, in no case
use the markings on the dial for accurately setting amperage. e) Keep at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from any operating trans- shall our liability exceed the original cost of the product. By the act
mitters to avoid erratic operation. of using0 this battery charger the user accepts all resulting liability.
CHARGING FOR COMPETITION USE New Battery Warning: Brand new battery packs may exhibit
Batteries and other equipment damaged in connection with the
use of this device are not covered. We reserve the right to modify
unusual voltage characteristics the first time they are fast charged.
A) Discharging: If you wish to get the best possible performance the provisions of this warranty without notice.
There may be erratic voltage, and no peak causing the charger to
out of your batteries, you will need to first discharge the pack
overcharge the batteries. For this reason, you should manually
before charging. Fully discharging cells is one of the most effective
monitor the battery for the first charge. If the battery becomes
ways to prevent memory, power loss, and capacity loss. With P-
excessively warm, take it off the charger.
170, SCE, and SCRC cells, this should always be done. The pack Team
should first be run down in the car by normal use, the do one of
the following:
1) Place an approximately 30 ohm, 10 watt resistor across the bat-
tery pack. The resistor will cool off in about 30 minutes when the
cells fully discharge. It can then be removed and the pack allowed
to rest, preferably for at least 24 hours before charging.
TROUBLESHOOTING
• Most problems can be traced to poor or loose connections that
trip the peak detector when the wires are bumped or moved. Make
certain the charger wires are tightly connected to the battery pack.
T EK IN
Championship Electronics
Any connectors should be clean (use motor spray) and tight. 940 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA92673 Phone: (714) 498-9518 Fax: (714) 498-6339
2) Place a single 1 ohm 5 watt resistor across each individual cell.
Alligator clips are best clipped to a piece of multi-strand flexible
This method is slightly better, as each cell then gets discharged
wire so the teeth can sink in.