Duratrax Onyx 200 User Manual

®

™

It is strongly recommended to completely read this manual before use! Damage resulting from misuse
or modifi cation will void your warranty.

INDEX

SPECIFICATIONS

AC input: 110V AC 60Hz
DC input: 11 to 15V DC, built-in lead with alligator clips
Battery types: 4 to 7 NiCd or NiMH (4.8 to 8.4V)
Battery capacity range: 750 to 7500mAh
Fast charge current: 1.5A, 3A, 5A linear (40W)
Fast charge termination: peak detection
Fast charge safety timer: 90 minutes
Peak sensitivity: 8mV
Auto-trickle current: 1/20 fast chg setting
Input control: pushbutton, slide switch
Display type: 5 LEDs (four red, one green)
Audible tones: indicate start, stop, errors
*Output connections: built-in lead with standard connector, built-in jack for charging 4 or 5 cell Rx pac ks
Protective devices: solid-state reverse polarity and current overload
Case size: 5.74" x 4.60" x 1.61" [146 x 117 x 41mm]
Weight: 17.0 oz. [484g]

* Adapter - Standard to Deans® Ultra® male available separately (GPMM3131)
* Adapter - Standard to Vendetta, MiniQuake, RS4 Battery available separately (DTXC2210)

SPECIFICA TIONS .......................................................... 1

SPECIAL FEATURES .....................................................2

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS ........................................2

GLOSSARY OF TERMS................................................. 2

INPUT POWER .............................................................. 3

CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS ..................................... 3

DETERMING BATTERY TYPE & SPECIFICATIONS .....4

GETTING STARTED ......................................................4

STARTING CHARGE......................................................4

TRICKLE CHARGE ........................................................5

RESETTING THE CHARGER ........................................5

CARE & HANDLING OF NiMH BATTERIES .................. 5

ERROR INDICATORS & TR OUBLESHOO TING GUIDE .....6

5-YEAR LIMITED W ARRANTY – U.S .A. & CANADA ONLY .......6

The DuraT rax

®

Onyx™ 200 charger is great for a wide variety
of applications! Charge current options of 1.5A, 3A, and
5 amps plus 4 to 7 cell NiCd or NiMH compatibility makes
it great for batteries for 1/18th to 1/8th scale electrics, e ven
nitro receiver packs. A tiny built-in AC power supply plus
DC input capability is perfect for use at home or at the
track. A unique jack is built-in which is handy for charging
4 to 5 cell nitro Rx batteries.

2

SPECIAL FEATURES

• A tiny, lightweight built-in switching AC power supply is g reat for portability and cramped pit areas, yet can still deliver
up to 5 amps charge current!

• A DC power lead with alligator clips easily connects to many 12V DC power sources.

• NiCd and NiMH compatibility, with custom peak detection.

• Selectable charge currents of 1.5A, 3A, and 5 amps.

• An automatic trickle charge fi lls packs completely after peak charge, for optimum battery performance.

• Pushbutton controls, audible tones, and fi ve LEDs makes for no-frill simplicity and convenience.

• A built-in jack is included for charging 4 or 5 cell NiCd or NiMH receiver batter ies for nitro models, or for monitoring
charge voltage of the battery connected to the main output with a separate digital voltmeter.

• Solid-state reverse polarity and current overload protection ensure trouble-free operation.

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

Disconnect the battery and remove input power from the charger immediatel y if the char ger becomes hot!!

• Do not attempt to charge incompatible types of rechargeable batteries as permanent damage to the battery and
charger could result.

• Do not use automotive type battery chargers to power the charger.

• Do not allow water, moisture or foreign objects into the charger.

• Do not block air intake holes, which could cause the charger to overheat.

• Do not attempt to use batteries with more cells or total voltage than listed in the specifi cations.

• Do not leave the charger unattended while in use.

• Do not place the charger or battery on fl ammab le surf aces or near combustib le materials while in use such as carpet,
cluttered workbench, paper, plastic, vinyl, leather, and wood, inside an R/C model or full sized automobile!

• Do not overcharge batteries as permanent damage could result. Do not use a charge current that exceeds the safe
level of the battery.

• Do NOT connect the charger’s AC and DC input connectors to any power source at the same time.

• Allow the charger or battery to cool down before reconnecting.

• Always disconnect from power source when not in use.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Amps (A): The unit of measure for charge current.
Milli-amps (mA): A unit of measure for current, being amps (A) multiplied by 1000 and listed as “mA”. So 2.5A is the

same as 2500mA (2.5 x 1000). To con v ert mA to amps, divide the mA number by 1000. So 25mA is the same as 0.025A
(25 divided by 1000).

Capacity and milli-amp hours (mAh): The amount of energy a battery can store is called its capacity, which is defi ned
as how much current a battery can supply constantly over one hour of time. Most hobby batteries are rated for capacity
in “mAh” or milli-amp hours. A 650mAh battery can deliver 650mA of current for one hour (650mA x 1hr = 650mAh).
A 3200mAh battery can deliver 3200mA (3.2A) of current for one hour (3200mA x 1hr = 3200mAh), etc.

“C” rating: Capacity is also referred to as the “C” rating. Some battery suppliers recommend charge currents based on
the battery’s “C” rating. A battery’s “1C” current is the same number as the battery’s rated capacity number, but noted
in mA or amps. A 600mAh battery has a 1C current value of 600mA, and a 3C current value of (3 x 600mA) 1800mA or

1.8A. The 1C current value for a 3200mAh battery would be 3200mA (3.2A), etc.

3

INPUT POWER

AC Input: For indoor use, this charger includes a built-in switching AC power supply that delivers power by connecting
the AC power cord to a common 110V AC outlet.

DC Input: This charger can be powered by a portable 12V DC power source for use at the track. On the left side of the
charger, connect the DC pow er cord’ s alligator clips directly to the output terminals on the 12V DC power source. Always
match polarities (red lead to red “+” terminal, black lead to b lack “-“ terminal). To utilize the charger’s absolute maxim um
power capabilities the DC power source must be capable of delivering at least 4 amps while maintaining 12 volts DC.

WARNING! Never accidentally short together the positive (+) and negative (-) input connections when

connected to 12V DC power . F ailure to do so could result in permanent damage to the power source and
the charger.

This charger is rated for a maximum output pow er of 40 w atts . Depending on certain conditions (e.g. if charge current is
set to maximum, the maximum number of cells are connected to the output, and input voltage is low), the actual current
delivered to the battery might be slightly less than the setting. This is normal.

The charger will be on at all times when connected to input power. Disconnect the charger from input power when not
in use.

CONTROL & CONNECTIONS

OUTPUT LEAD: The standard connector
is compatible with most R/C car batteries.
See the SPECIFICATIONS chart on
page 1 for a list of additional adapters for
charging battery types with different
connectors.

ST AR T BUTT ON: F or starting charge, and
setting the number of cells in the pack.
Also for manually stopping a charge.

ST ATUS LEDS: F or identifying the number
of cells in the pack during setup, and
monitoring pack capacity during charge.

Rx BATTERY OR VOLTMETER JACK: A unique jack is
located on the front edge of the charger, f or charging of NiCd
or NiMH 4 or 5 cell receiver batteries for nitro vehicles. This
jack is universal – compatible with Futaba-J, Airtronics-Z,
Hitec, JR, and Spektrum receiver battery connectors, and
BEC type connectors.

If charging a battery through the main output lead on the right side of the charger, the voltage of that battery can be
monitored with a separate digital voltmeter through this Rx BATTERY JACK on the front of the charger.

WARNING! Do NOT attempt to charge one battery through the main output lead, and another through

the jack on the front edge of the charger at the same time!! Failure to do so might permanentl y dama ge
the charger.