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ReZAP Battery Doctor™
This Data Sheet is distributed with the ReZAP Battery Doctor
 
  ReZAP Diagram
  IMPORTANT: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE CHARGER

Please read all information contained in this booklet. It gives you important instructions on safety, use and maintenance of the appliance. Please keep these instructions in a safe place and pass them on, if necessary, to the next owner.

 
  SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
  • This appliance must only be connected to the same mains voltage as shown on the rating plate.
  • Always turn the power off at the power outlet before removing the plug. Remove by grasping the plug - never pull the plug out of the mains socket by the cord.
  • Do not operate the charger with a damaged cord or the charger showing any visible signs of damage.
  • This charger should only be used as per the instructions set out in this guide. It must not be used other than for the intended purposes. Close supervision is necessary when the charger is being used near children. The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by use or operation of this appliance contrary to these instructions.
  • The appliance must be stored in such a way that any weather conditions cannot affect the appliance. The appliance must not be subjected to excessive humidity, heat or be immersed in water.
  • Do not remove any service covers from the charger. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Any repair should only be carried out by a trained technician at Digital Works service centre or at an appointed service outlet.
  • If your charger has a fault, please contact your retailer or DW service centre direct.
  • If the appliance is wrongly operated for a purpose other than that for which it is intended, no liability can be accepted for any possible damage.
  • Turn the power off and remove the plug when the charger is not in use and before cleaning.
 
  FEATURES OF THE REZAP BATTERY DOCTOR™

  • Advanced microprocessor control for safe and user-friendly operation
  • Supports almost all domestic battery sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, 6V lantern, Prismatic
  • Supports Carbon Zinc, Alkaline, NiCd, NiMH and RAM (Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese) batteries
  • Automatic detection of different battery types and sizes
  • Supports charging of mixed sizes and types of batteries simultaneously
  • Extends life of Carbon Zinc, 9V & 6V lantern batteries up to 5* times
  • Extends life of Alkaline batteries up to 15* times
  • Recharge RAM batteries up to 25* times
  • Automatic overcharge protection safeguards batteries from damage
  • Built-in battery tester to measure strength of each battery
  • Simple "plug and play" operation with no complicated switch settings
* Cycle life depends on factors such as brand, quality and condition of battery as well as rate of discharge, cut-off voltage and depth of discharge of battery when in use.
 
  QUICK START
  1. Ensure that batteries are in good condition before charging. Do not attempt to charge any battery that has signs of rust, chemical leakage or deposit on the terminals. Such batteries should be disposed of immediately to avoid damage to the charger or your electronic equipment.
  2. Plug the charger into a proper indoor electrical outlet and turn on the power. The red LED lights up indicating the charger is active and ready for use.
  3. Place used batteries to be charged into the charger as follows (Refer to next section Correct Positioning and Connection of Batteries for further detail):
    • AAA, AA, C, D and prismatic size (1.2V or 1.5V) batteries can be inserted into any of the four main slots.
    • One 9V battery only should be plugged into the 9V terminal on the left, over the Slot 1 position. (Charging a 9V battery will prevent usage of Slot 1 for other batteries).
    • One 6V lantern or dolphin battery only should be connected to the charger via the supplied cable clips to the side terminals on the right (over Slot 4). WARNING: Do not use the cable clips to connect any other types of battery except 6V lantern or dolphin batteries.
  4. Ensure all batteries are connected correctly to the charger - pay attention to battery polarities. Once batteries are firmly in contact with the charger's metal plates, the charger's indicator LEDs will be activated straight away, showing the charger's different modes as follows:
    • Power On mode - Constant red LED: The charger is active and ready for use.
    • 9V and 6V mode - Yellow LED on: 9V and/or 6V lantern batteries are connected to the charger.
    • Charging/Discharging mode - Flashing green LED: Battery is being charged or discharged.
    • Trickle Charge mode - Constant green LED: Battery is fully charged and is being maintained.
    • Reject mode - Green LED off (after processing): Battery is dead and is no longer rechargeable. Dispose promptly to avoid battery leakage.
    • Wrong mode - Green LED not flashing (after battery is connected): Battery is not in proper contact with charger metal plates and/or battery's polarity is reversed.
Check out the LED Simulator to see the different LED modes.
 
  CORRECT POSITIONING & CONNECTION OF BATTERIES

Place the batteries to be charged inside the charger, making sure they are seated properly into the slots. Note that the positive terminal at each of the four main slots has three contact plates. These contacts are designed to accommodate the different battery sizes according to their dimensions. Optimum charging is only achieved when the batteries fit into the appropriate positions designed for them as follows:

  • AAA batteries, with the smallest diameter, sit at the lowest position within the slot with their positive terminals making contact with the lowest contact plate.
  • AA batteries, when properly seated, contact the middle contact plate.
  • C and D batteries should contact the highest contact plate.
  • 9V and 6V lantern batteries should only be connected to their allocated terminals (9V on the left over Slot 1, 6V on the right over Slot 4). Do not interchange 9V and 6V positions or the batteries will not charge properly.
 
  TESTER FUNCTION

The charger has a built-in battery tester, which measures the strength (voltage level) of each battery under test. One battery at a time may be tested and the test results displayed using the 4 green LED indicators located horizontally across the front of the charger. The "test and display" function only works when the battery to be tested is inserted into Slot 1 (the leftmost slot, including the 9V terminals) and all the other slots are empty.

When the test battery is placed in Slot 1, the battery condition is indicated using the 4 green LEDs for 5 seconds. If the battery is not removed from the tester slot after 5 seconds, automatic charging of the battery will occur. The battery condition is read as follows (Green LED numbered 1 to 4 from left to right):

  • All Green LEDs off: battery is dead or voltage extremely low, or polarity reversed
  • LED #1 on: Very low voltage
  • LED #1,2 on: Low voltage
  • LED #1,2,3 on: Medium voltage
  • LED #1,2,3,4 on: High voltage
Please note:
  • To test a 6V lantern battery, connect it via the cable clips to the 9V battery terminal on the left (over Slot 1). This is not the normal charging position for 6V batteries, and is only to be used for testing. The condition of 6V batteries under test is measured relative to 9V batteries - therefore 3 Green LEDs on indicates full charge.
  • When a NiCd or NiMH (1.2V) battery is connected to the tester slot, full charge will be indicated by 3 Green LEDs on. This is because the battery voltage is measured relative to 1.5V of alkalines.
Check out the LED Simulator to see the different LED modes.
 
 
  THE THREE STAGES OF THE CHARGING PROCESS
 
  ANALYSING STAGE

As soon as the batteries to be charged are placed into the charger's slots, the channel LEDs start to flash rhythmically indicating the charger begins its AlkalineMax™ charging cycle. This algorithm employs parallel processing of all four batteries simultaneously, yet each battery is processed individually and independently, allowing different battery types and sizes to be charged at the same time. In the Analysing Stage, each battery is subjected to a series of complex test functions to determine the size and category they belong to (eg. Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, NiCd, NiMH or RAM). The condition of each battery is also tested and "remembered", so that these parameters can be used in the next process stage.

 
  Charging Stage

The parameters measured from the Analysing Stage are used to determine the best charging method to apply to each particular battery. Disposable batteries such as Alkalines and Carbon Zinc are charged using the AlkalineMax™ charging technique, where accurate timing and charging current are controlled to ensure optimal results are obtained. NiCd and NiMH batteries, when detected, are charged using a different control method. (Note that ReZAP Batery Doctor only supports rechargeable batteries with capacity up to 1200 mAH for AA size batteries). The whole charging/discharging process is fully automatic until each battery is fully charged, at which time the appropriate LEDs will stay ON.

 
  TRICKLE CHARGE STAGE

Overcharging can damage a NiCd battery and shorten its useful life. Overcharging occurs when the charging current fails to cut off when the battery is fully charged. The conventional way to prevent overcharging in most chargers relies on the user manually switching off the charger at the right moment. The ReZAP Battery Doctor, however, automatically applies the trickle charge process as the battery reaches its fully charged condition to ensure that the charged batteries maintain the top level of charge without overcharging or self-discharging.

 
  NOTE:
  • The ReZAP Battery Doctor is engineered primarily to recharge Alkaline and rechargeable battery (NiCd, NiMH) types. Although Carbon Zinc batteries are supported, their recharged performance and the number of recycle times are much less than that of Alkalines. Due to their chemistry, a large number of Carbon Zinc batteries become faulty and damaged internally even after one use, and therefore unable to be recharged. These batteries should be disposed of thoughtfully.
  • The architecture of 9V and 6V lantern batteries consists of multiple cells linked together internally in serial. When in charge mode, one inner cell charges the next one and so on, and therefore their overall recharged performance and the number of recycle times are similar to that of Carbon Zinc.
 
  CLEANING

The charger can be cleaned with a damp cloth and then wiped dry with a soft cloth. Do not use any abrasive or solvent cleaner.

 
  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • Is it safe to recharge alkaline batteries?
    Yes, the fundamental chemistry of alkaline battery technology has long been recognised as being theoretically rechargeable. However, limitations in electronic control technology and charging techniques have previously made it unsafe and unpredictable to recharge. These obstacles have been overcome as the ReZAP Battery Doctor™ utilises a combination of better computer control technology and the newly discovered AlkalineMax™ technology to recharge alkaline batteries safely and successfully.
  • How do you achieve the best results when charging Alkaline batteries?
    Charge alkaline batteries before they are weakened by going completely flat, or when there is some decline in your device's performance. Best results are achieved when your used alkaline batteries are recharged within 24 hours after use. Do not expect the best results from flat batteries that have been left in your drawer for months - chances are many of them cannot be revived.
  • How long will it take to recharge batteries?
    The ReZAP Battery Doctor is not a "Turbo" or fast charger. In fact, it is designed as an "overnight" charger, using a slow, pulse charge algorithm to handle all the complex chemistry in different types of batteries. The recharge times depends greatly on the condition, size, capacity and quality of the batteries, normally between 4 and 16 hours.
  • Can I use the batteries before they are fully charged?
    Yes. Batteries may be removed from the ReZAP Battery Doctor at any time, but if they have not been fully charged, do not expect full service life.
  • When is a battery no longer rechargeable?
    A battery is no longer usable when the ReZAP Battery Doctor rejects it. It happens when the appropriate green LED turns off after a few minutes of charging.
  • The battery tester shows my battery is fully charged (4 green LEDs). However when placed inside my device, it doesn't work.
    Certain Carbon Zinc and Alkaline batteries display erratic characteristics when they become faulty. They can show false voltages up to 1.5V or higher when measured by a voltmeter or the ReZAP Battery Doctor's built-in tester. When put to a load, these batteries will prove useless, and should be disposed of immediately. The internal resistance of disposable batteries is another major factor that contributes to the above effect. It increases to a fairly high value based on age, type and the number of recharged cycles.
 
  TROUBLESHOOTING
  • The charger does not work - no power.
    Check to ensure that the charger's power corde is properly plugged into the power outlet and the switch is turned on. If there is still no power to the charger, change to a different power outlet and retest. Should the problem persist, return the unit to an authorised repair outlet or direct to Digital Works.
  • A battery is detected even though the slot is empty.
    Some batteries may have been incorrectly inserted. Remove and reinsert all batteries correctly.
  • The status LED does not rurn on or blink even though there is a battery in the slot.
    Loose or bad contact between the battery and the metal plate in the slot may exist. Reinsert the battery properly or gently move or rotate the battery until good contact is established. If the LED remains off, try relocating the battery to a different slot to ensure problem is not caused by the slot. Should the LED still not respond, the battery is dead due to internal open circuit or chemical/rust deposit at its terminals and should be disposed of thoughtfully.
  • Output strength of a recharged alkaline or carbon zinc battery is low.
    The remaining battery capacity is too low to be efficiently and effectively restored. The battery has reached the end of its rechargeable life. Dispose of the battery thoughtfully.
 
  GUIDE TO PROPER BATTERY CARE
  • Always replace the battery or batteries in your equipment with the size and type of battery specified by the manufacturer. Manufacturers who specify batteries to be used in their equipment often recommend alkaline batteries for best performance because carbon batteries will not last very long or because the equipment may not operate properly if they are used.
  • Keep battery contact surfaces and battery compartment contacts clean by rubbing them with a clean pencil eraser or a rough cloth each time you replace batteries.
  • Remove batteries from a device when it is not expected to be in use for several months. Batteries should also be removed from equipment while it is being powered by household AC power.
  • Follow instructions on your equipment regarding proper insertion of batteries, making sure that the (+) and (-) terminals are aligned correctly.
  • Keep extra batteries around for your convenience. Store batteries in a dry place at normal room temperature.
  • Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. Avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. If equipment must be used or stored in extreme temperatures, always use alkaline batteries since they perform much better than regular carbon batteries under such conditions.
  • Do not store batteries loosely or carry them in your pocket or purse. They can be shorted by contact with metal objects or leak or rupture.
  • Remove worn-out batteries from equipment immediately to prevent possible damage from battery leakage. Always replace all batteries at the same time. Mixing old and new batteries or mixing types (such as alkaline with carbon zinc) will reduce overall performance and could cause leakage or rupture.
 
  SPECIFICATIONS

Microcontroller:
High performance 8-bit microprocessor, CMOS, fully static, employing advanced RISC architecture with integrated analog-to-digital converters and multi-channel high-speed input/output ports controlling the whole charging process in real time.

AlkalineMaxTM:
Digital Work's state-of-the-art proprietary Alakaline battery charging technology.

Oscillator Frequency:
400KHz

Real Time Clock:
0.5 MHz

Input Currents:
20mA for SAA, GS & BS standards
45mA for UL, CUL & JIS standards

Input Voltages:
220-240V 50Hz for SAA, GS & BS standards
110-120V 60Hz for UL, CUL & JIS standards

Capacity:
1 to 4 of D, C, AA, AAA, 1.2V prismatic batteries (this number is reduced by one for each 9V or 6V battery being recharged at the same time)
1 9V battery
1 6V lantern battery

Battery Types:
Alkaline, NiCd, NiMH, Carbon Zinc, RAM (Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese)

Charging/Discharging Currents:
C, D & 1.2V prismatic sizes - 44 mA
AA size - 22 mA
AAA size - 14 mA
9V size - 10 mA

Charging Time:
4 to 16 hours (variation dependent on type, condition, capacity and size of battery)

Charging Currents, Selection & Polarity Protection:
Fully automatic

Overcharge Protection:
Switching automatically to trickle charge mode when fully charged.

Battery Tester Function:
Simulation of digital voltmeter via 4 green LEDs.

Power
3.5 W

Approval:
Australian Standards (AS 3108:1994) V97036

Other Accreditation:
EMC & C-Tick (AS/NZS 1044:1995)
CE (EN50082-1)
FCC Part 15 Class B

Size:
(W)217mm X (D)130mm X (H)68mm

Weight:
860g

 
 
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