Duratrax Onyx 200 Peak User Manual

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.

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

INDEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. & CANAD A ONLY .......6

DETERMING BATTERY TYPE & SPECIFICATIONS .....4

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

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)

SPECIAL FEATURES

• A tiny, lightweight built-in switching AC po wer supply is g reat for portability and cramped pit areas, yet can still deliv er

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 batteries 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 char ger immediately 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 ammable surfaces or near comb ustible 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). T o 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 batter y’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.

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, blac k lead to black “-“ terminal). To utilize the charger’s absolute maximum 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 lo w), 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: For 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, for 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.

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