Super Digipulse Multi-Charger

Model Airplane News, Feb 2001 by Onorato, Jim

Six chargers in one!

The average RC'er deals with several types of batteries of various sizes and capacities. These include the single-cell glow-plug lighter, the receiver battery, the transmitter battery and, in some cases, drive batteries for electric flyers. The Ace Super Digipulse Multi-Charger is intended to handle the charging requirements of all of these. This neat device provides six totally independent outputs, each of which is easily programmable, provides a charge rate from 10 to 150mA and handles packs from one to 10 cells. Each output automatically switches to a safe trickle rate at the end of a 16-hour overnight charge. It can also display the number of hours left in the charge period for any of the six outputs. And, you can start the charging sequence for different batteries at different times. In essence, the Digipulse is six different programmable-rate, auto-trickle chargers in one!

How does it work? The Ace Digipulse consists of six separate circuits that produce a fixed-current rate of 150mA. An onboard, microprocessor-based controller switches this current on and off (i.e., pulses it) to provide the proper amount of energy to each of the six outputs to charge the various batteries. The duration of the pulse is controlled by the computer that is at the heart of the Digipulse. For example: if 150mA of current is pulsed so that it is "on" only 1/3 of the time, the effective current is 50mA. The microprocessor regulates the duration of the pulse to match the current requirement. Ace has done all the hard work and has made operating the Digipulse as simple as pressing a couple of buttons.

A 24V AC power supply is included, but you have to provide the necessary cables and connectors to accommodate your particular radio system. The Digipulse has rack-type handles that allow the unit to rest horizontal or vertical on your benchtop or shelf, or be stacked with other Ace products that have the same type of handles. The street price for the Ace Super Digipulse Multi-Charger is about $95, and it will make a very useful addition to any RC'er's workshop. -Jim Onorato

Ace Hobby Distributors, 116 W. 19th St., Higginsville, MO 64037-0472; (660) 584-7121; fax (660) 584-7766; www.acehobby.com.