Duratrax Onyx 220 Instructions 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 8 NiCd or NiMH (4.8 to 9.6V)
Battery capacity range: 50 to 9900mAh
Fast charge current: 0.1 to 5.0A linear, adjustable (40W max.)
Fast charge termination: peak detection
Fast charge safety timer: off – 300 minutes
Peak sensitivity: 3 to 20mV adjustable
Trickle charge current: auto (1/20 fast chg setting), or manual adjust (0 to 250mA)
Controls: 4 push buttons
Battery memories: 5
Display type: 2 x 8 reversed LCD with backlight
Audible indicators: indicates start, stop, errors
*Output connections: built-in lead with standard connector, built-in jack for charging 4 or 5 cell Rx
packs or Tx packs
Protective devices: solid-state reverse polarity and current overload
Case size: 5.7" x 5.1" x 1.8" [145 x 130 x 45mm]
Weight: 20.4 oz. [578g]

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

SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................... 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

ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS .............................................. 4

USER SETUP SCREENS .............................................. 6

VIEW DATA SCREENS .................................................. 6

STARTING CHARGE...................................................... 6

CHARGE COMPLETE – TRICKLE CHARGE ................ 7

CARE & HANDLING OF NiMH BATTERIES .................. 8

BATTERY STORAGE .............................................................. 8

ERROR MESSAGES & TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ......8

5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY – U.S.A. & CANADA ONLY .......9

The DuraTrax

®

Onyx™ 220 charger is great for a wide
variety of applications! The 0.1 to 5.0 amp adjustable
current range plus 4 to 8 cell NiCd and NiMH compatibility
makes this charger an excellent choice for applications as
small as 1/32 scale micros to 1/8 scale electrics – even
nitro receiver packs and transmitter packs. The advanced,
reversed LCD with backlight, and simple menus and controls
are very easy to use anytime. The tiny built-in switching AC
power supply makes for super-simple transportation, yet
can still deliver the power for race quality packs. A unique
jack is built-in which is handy for charging 4 to 5 cell nitro
Rx batteries or even transmitter packs. A quick reference
fl owchart is included for easy understanding of all menus.

2

SPECIAL FEATURES

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

• Fully adjustable charge currents and NiCd and NiMH fl exibility for a wide range of applications.

• Includes a custom reversed LCD with backlight – previously only available in expensive racing chargers! Great for
easy viewing in any condition. Shows input and output voltages, peak voltage, charge current, charge capacity and
time, and more!

• A unique jack is built-in for charging 4 or 5 cell NiCd or NiMH receiver batteries for nitro models, and even 8-cell
transmitter batteries.

• Push button controls and audible tones make for easy setup and control.

• A peak detection system with automatic trickle charge fi lls packs completely, for optimum battery voltage and run­time. 3 to 20mV adjustable peak detection helps to customize charger-to-battery performance.

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

• Solid-state reverse polarity and current overload safety devices ensure trouble-free operation and long duration.

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

Disconnect the battery and remove input power from the charger immediately if the charger 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 the 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 overcharge batteries as permanent damage could result. Do not use a charge current that exceeds the safe
level of the battery.

• Do not leave the charger unattended while in use.

• Do not place the charger or battery on fl ammable surfaces or near combustible materials while in use, such as carpets,
a cluttered workbench, paper, plastic, vinyl, leather, and wood, inside an R/C model or full sized automobile!

• Do not connect the charger to AC and DC input power 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). Or, to convert 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 power 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 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. Failure to do so could result in permanent damage to the power source and
the charger.

This charger is rated for a maximum output power of 40 watts. 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.

CONTROLS & 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.

CHANGE / START: For starting a charge,
or to change settings.

S (+): For moving up through menus,
or increasing the values of settings on­screen.

T (-): For moving down through menus,
or decreasing the values of settings on­screen.

X : For moving to the right in the menus.

RADIO BATTERY 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, or even 8 cell transmitter
batteries! This jack is universal – compatible with Futaba-J,
Airtronics-Z, Hitec, JR, and Spektrum receiver battery
connectors, and BEC type connectors.

For some transmitters, opening the battery compartment and disconnecting the battery’s lead will reveal if the battery’s
own plug can be connected directly to this jack on the charger. Or, if you wish to connect the charger to a transmitter’s
built-in charge jack, check with your local retailer for the appropriate charge adapter listed below:

Part number Description

GPMM3100 BEC to Futaba

®

Tx Charge Jack Adapter
GPMM3101 BEC to Hitec® / Airtronics® Tx Charge Jack Adapter
GPMM3102 BEC to JR® / Spektrum® Tx Charge Jack Adapter

4

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 permanently damage
the charger.

DETERMINING BATTERY TYPE & SPECIFICATIONS

Always read your battery’s label and/or instruction sheet or consult your battery supplier and determine:

1. TYPE: Is the battery a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel-

cadmium (NiCd)?

2. RATED CAPACITY: What is the battery’s rated capacity, in “mAh” (“milli-

amp hours”)?

3. RATED VOLTAGE: If not printed on the battery’s label, consult your

battery supplier or determine the proper pack voltage as shown at right.

GETTING STARTED

1. Connect the charger to input power.

2. The “START” screen will show after power is applied. The top line of the LCD will show which of the fi ve available

memories is active (0, 1, 2, 3, or 4). All settings for this memory will scroll across the bottom line of the screen. If these
settings match your battery and needs, skip to the STARTING CHARGE section.

3. If the settings in the displayed memory do not match

your battery or needs, refer to the chart at right for the
factory default settings for all fi ve memories. To select
one of these memories, while in the START screen briefl y
press the CHANGE button. The memory number will fl ash.
Press + or – to select a different memory number. Press
CHANGE to activate this memory. Skip to the STARTING
CHARGE section.

4. If none of the memories have settings which meet your needs, proceed to the ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS section

below to change settings manually.

ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS

1. Select the memory (0-4) that you wish to modify as explained above.

2. Press X to fi nd the “BATT SETUP” screen.

3. Press T to move down to the BAT.TYPE screen. Press CHANGE to cause the setting to fl ash, then press (+) or (-) to

fi nd the desired battery type (NiCd or NiMH). Press CHANGE to confi rm the new setting.

4. Press T to fi nd the CAPACITY screen. If the charger fails to detect peak charge, this function can stop the charge

process after a certain amount of energy (mAh) has been delivered to the battery. This protects the battery from
accidental overcharge.

Setting this screen to 110-130% of the NiCd or NiMH battery’s rated “mAh” value is recommended. As shown in the

quick reference chart on page 5, locate the rated capacity of your battery in the left column, then fi nd your battery’s
110% or 130% capacity value to the right. Enter the desired capacity value into this screen.

Press CHANGE to cause the setting to fl ash, then press (+) or (-) to fi nd the proper capacity value (as close as

possible). Press CHANGE to confi rm the new setting.