Battery Charging

Battery Charging and Storage Mode for IF1200 Batteries

The IF1200A kit includes a Tattu TA3000 battery charger 60A/3000W (Fig. 1) or a TA1200 for charging the flight batteries. The Tattu charger can charge two batteries simultaneously, looking at the top of the charger, you can see that both sides of the charger have Charging and Balance Ports (A and B).

Tattu TA3000 Battery Charger

NOTE: Please read the Tattu TA3000 Product Manual thoroughly before using the charger regarding important safety information.

Figure 1a: TA3000 Orientation
Figure 1b: TA3000 Orientation

NOTE: Balancing Cells

The flight batteries used in the IF1200A contain multiple cells. Differences in the voltages between cells can degrade the performance of the batteries and shorten its life. The Tattu battery charger has a function for balancing the voltages of the cells. Read the included manual to implement this function.

TA3000 and TA3200 Battery Charging Instructions

STEP
ACTION

1

Connect thecable to the Balance Interface port and the AC power cable into the AC input connector on the back of the charger.

2

Connect the other end of the AC power cable to a power source (100V–240 VAC, A.K.A. wall outlet).

3

The TA3000 does not have a power ON/OFF button. Connecting to an active power source will turn ON the unit. The internal fans begin spinning, and the LCD displays on top of the charger will illuminate.

Figure 2a: TA3000 Display
BUTTON
MODE
FUNCTION

Storage/CH/Back

Long Press

Start Storage Mode

Short Press

Switch Channel, Return

Stop/Enter/Setting

Long Press

Enter the settings when in standby, stop the current task when not in standby.

Short Press

Confirm

Up/Fast

Long Press

Start Fast Charging

Short Press

Up

Down/Standard

Long Press

Start Standard Charging

Short Press

Down

Figure 2b: TA3200 Display
BUTTON
MODE
FUNCTION

Channel

Short Press

View the individual cell voltages.

Start/Stop

Long Press

Start/Stop working

Current

Short Press

AC110V Input: charging current gear 10A/16A/22A AC220V Input: charging current gear 6A/16A/32A

Mode

Short Press

Mode Options: Charge/Storage

4

Choose the Charge Mode. There are three charging modes: Standard, Fast, and Storage.

NOTE: The balance cable for the IF1200A is different from the balance cable for IF1200.

Locate the Balance Interface cable in the Aircraft Kit (Fig. 4 below).

Charging Modes

Charge Mode
When to Use
How long will it take to charge?

Storage

Use Storage mode to lower voltage levels to a safe state and as a way to correct battery cell imbalance issues.

varies

Standard

Normal charging

1 hr +/-

Fast

Typically used in the field

45 min +/-

NOTE: Faster charging rates shorten the battery’s lifespan.

5

Once connected, the battery enters a 10 second pre-charge countdown, then begins charging. (TA1200 only)

For TA3000 chargers, Long Press the Down/Standard button to initiate charging.

Figure 3: TA3000 Split Screen Display
Figure 4: IF1200A Balance Cable

NOTE:

The white connector on the balance cable is not used during charging.

NOTE: Skip Pre-Charge Countdown

Hold the ‘Charge’ button for 2 seconds, this will skip the 10 second countdown and automatically begin charging. (TA1200 only)

NOTE: Checking Cell Voltage and Battery Levels

Cell voltages and battery levels are displayed on the LCD screen.

When the batteries are fully charged, each cell voltage should be about 4.20 Volts, and the charger will display ‘Fully Charged’, 'Done', or 'Idle'.

TA1200 Battery Charger

The IF1200A kit includes a Tattu TA1200 battery charger (see below) for charging the flight batteries. The Tattu charger can charge two batteries simultaneously. Looking at the top of the charger, you can see that both sides of the charger have the same controls, outputs, and displays.

NOTE: Please read the Tattu TA1200 Product Manual thoroughly before using the charger.

Figure 1: TA1200 Charger Orientation

NOTE: Balancing Cells

The flight batteries used in the IF1200A contain multiple cells. Differences in the voltages between cells can degrade the performance of the batteries and shorten its life. The Tattu battery charger has a function for balancing the voltages of the cells. Read the included manual to implement this function.

TA1200 Charging Instructions

STEP
ACTION

1

Connect the included AC power cable into the AC input connector on the charger.

2

Connect the other end of the AC power cable to a power source (100V–240 VAC).

3

Press the power button on the side of the battery charger (see below) to power on the unit. The internal fans begin spinning, and the LCD displays on top of the charger illuminate.

4

Rotate the Charge Mode dial (see below) to select the charge mode.

There are three charging modes:

  • Trickle: The slowest charging rate. Use Trickle mode, when possible, to extend the battery life.

  • Standard: A compromise between Trickle and Fast

  • Fast: Typically used in the field

NOTE: Faster charging rates shorten the battery’s lifespan.

5

Uncap the battery cable and plug it into the Power Interface port on the charger (see below).

NOTE: The battery cable and Power Interface port on the charger are designed to prevent incorrect mating of the two.

6

Locate the Balance Cable in the aircraft kit (see Figure 8, below).

NOTE: The balance cable for the IF1200A aircraft's battery is different from the balance cable for IF1200 aircraft's battery.

7

Connect one end of the Balance Cable to the Balance Interface on the charger (see Figure 7), and the other end to the Balance port on the battery.

NOTE: The white connector on the balance cable is not used during charging.

8

Once connected, the battery goes through a precharge countdown for 10 seconds, then begins charging automatically.

NOTE: To skip the precharge countdown, hold the ‘Charge’ button for 2 seconds.

9

Cell voltages and battery levels are displayed on the LCD screen. When the batteries are fully charged, each cell voltage should be about 4.20 Volts, and the charger will display ‘Fully Charged’.

NOTE: If you can’t wait for the batteries to fully charge, press the 'Charge' button to discontinue the charging process BEFORE unplugging the batteries.

Battery LED Light Indicators Explained

Battery LED indicator light chart

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