Ace Digipace II question

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aeromodler@aol.com - 10 Feb 2010 00:28 GMT

Does anyone know if this cycler ever needs to be calibrated? I cycled
a new 700 MAH pack a couple of times before I put it into a airplane
the other day. It only measured 600 MAH. I know that this cycler only
discharges to 1.1 volts per cell not to zero volts but still I thought
something might be going wrong.

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Tom Minger - 10 Feb 2010 01:51 GMT

The Digipace II was offered either as "built from the factory" or as an
"assembly kit" from Ace. The kit built version were/are exactly the same as
the factory builts. The kit builts had a procedure for calibration ( I no
longer have the instruction manual). However, I had several of these devices
and once calibrated, they never changed; and I did occassionaly check. I'm
sure if you dig around the Inet you will find a site that has the assembly
manual.

Also note that these devices were for use with NiCad packs, not NiMh. If
your 700 pack is NiMh then it is likely the cut off voltage of the Digipace
will be wrong; making the discharge MA totals look wrong. For NiMh,
discharging down to 1.0V per cell may get you the missing 100ma. I would
guess that changing the cutoff voltage in the Digipace may require a
component change. If your pack is a NiCad, then the pack is likely
mislabeled or defective.

Tom

> Does anyone know if this cycler ever needs to be calibrated? I cycled
> a new 700 MAH pack a couple of times before I put it into a airplane
> the other day. It only measured 600 MAH. I know that this cycler only
> discharges to 1.1 volts per cell not to zero volts but still I thought
> something might be going wrong.

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Vance Howard - 10 Feb 2010 02:12 GMT

> The Digipace II was offered either as "built from the factory" or as an
> "assembly kit" from Ace. The kit built version were/are exactly the same
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>> discharges to 1.1 volts per cell not to zero volts but still I thought
>> something might be going wrong.

If the pack was NiCad, then it is possible that you will need to do more
than one or two cycles to get full capacity out of it. You don't know how
long the "new" pack sat on the store shelf before you bought it. If after
5 - 7 cycles, you aren't getting full capacity, then the pack may be bad.
Or as you worry, the charger/cycler may need calibrating.

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / February 2010

Ace Digipace II question