The Cadex UCC Series chargers use advanced charge techniques to provide a complete and safe charge, even under adverse conditions.

When charging at cold temperatures, the UCC charger applies a gentle trickle charge to warm up the battery, then switches to fast-charge at operating temperature. A charge time-out prevents a prolonged charge if the temperature does not rise.

Should the temperature of a nickel-based battery reach the upper threshold level, the UCC allows the pack to cool before resuming at half the previous charge current. If the temperature threshold is reached again, the current is lowered further to reduce heat related battery damage.

The UCC charger intersperses discharge pulses between charge pulses to improve charge acceptance on nickel-based batteries. This method promotes the recombination of oxygen and hydrogen gases generated during charge. This results in faster charge times, better battery performance, reduced memory and longer service life.

The adapters contain a battery code that configures the charger to the correct battery parameter. This allows maximum flexibility in charger configuration. Nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride and lithium-ion batteries can be serviced side-by-side.

Full-charge detection of nickel-based batteries occurs on negative voltage slope, rate of temperature increase and/or a rapid temperature change (dT/dt). Lithium-ion terminates the charge on voltage plateau and current saturation.

A condition button allows discharge on demand to reverse memory and regain lost performance. Nickel-cadmium batteries require monthly service; nickel-metal-hydride should be discharged once every three months. The condition cycle also calibrates batteries with fuel gauge.

The UCC wakes up seemingly dead lithium-ion packs by applying charge pulses to reactivate the safety circuit. A full charge commences when the battery reaches a safe charging voltage.

The UCC terminates service and alerts the user with a red fail light if the battery fails to follow the predicted voltage pattern during charge. This feature protects the battery and charger.