Duratrax Onyx 230 Advanced User Manual

The DuraTrax

Onyx™ 230 charger is great for a wide

™

variety of applications! With charge currents up to 7 amps and wide output voltage range makes it equally useful for 1/32 scale micros as for large 1/8 scale electrics, plus nitro receiver packs and transmitter packs. The ability to also handle LiPo and LiFe cells is great for upgrading to the latest in battery technologies. AC/DC ﬂ exibility, plus the advanced reversed LCD with backlight, and simple menus and controls make it super-easy to use anytime. A quick reference ﬂ owchart is included for easy understanding of all menus.

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

WARNING!! Charging lithium-based rechargeable batteries poses a risk of FIRE! NEVER treat lithium-based batteries in the same manner as other battery types. NEVER leave lithium batteries unattended while being charged! ALWAYS charge lithium-based batteries in a ﬁ reproof location! Failure to follow all care and handling instructions contained in this manual could result in quick, severe, permanent damage to the batteries and all surroundings!! Follow all safety precautions when using such batteries, as listed on page 9 of this manual!

INDEX

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 .............................................. 5

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

VIEW DATA SCREENS .................................................. 7

STARTING CHARGE...................................................... 7

CHARGE COMPLETE ................................................... 8

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

CARE & HANDLING OF LiPo, Li-Ion &

LiFe BATTERIES ............................................................ 9

BATTERY STORAGE ..................................................... 9

COOLING FAN ............................................................... 9

ERROR MESSAGES & TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ....10

5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY – U.S.A. & CANADA ONLY .... 11

SPECIFICATIONS

AC input: 110V AC 60Hz DC input: 11-15V DC, built-in lead with alligator clips Battery types: 1 to 8 NiCd or NiMH (1.2 to 9.6V), 1 to 3 LiPo, Li-Ion, or LiFe (3.7 to 11.1V) Battery capacity range: 50 to 9900mAh Fast charge current: 0.1 to 7.0A linear, adjustable (50W maximum, 2C limit for lithiums) Fast charge termination: peak detection for NiCd/ MH, cc/cv for lithiums Fast charge safety timer: off - 300 minutes Peak sensitivity: 3-20mV adjustable Trickle charge current: auto (1/20 fast charge setting), or manual adjust (0 to 250mA) Controls: 4 push buttons Battery memories: 10 Display type: 2 x 8 reversed LCD with backlight Setup tones: on / off Audible melodies: 5 Output connections: banana jacks (includes standard adapter) Protective devices: solid-state reverse polarity and current overload Case size: 6.0" x 5.28" x 1.69" [153 x 134 x 43mm] Weight: 23.5 oz. [666g]

* Charge lead – Banana plugs to Deans® Ultra® male available separately (GPMM3148) * Adapter – Standard to Vendetta, MiniQuake, RS4 Battery available separately (DTXC2210)

SPECIAL FEATURES

• A tiny built-in switching AC power supply is great for portability and cramped pit areas, yet can still deliver up to 7 amps charge current!

• Fully adjustable charge currents and multi-chemistry adaptability for a wide range of applications.

• A custom cc/cv charge algorithm carefully charges lithium-polymer, lithium-ion, or lithium ferrite-phosphate (A123) batteries fully and safely!

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

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

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

• A built-in fan helps to keep all electronics cool, for long-lasting performance.

• Built-in banana jacks allow for connection with many commonly found charge adapters. An adapter with standard plug is included.

• 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 or battery become 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 fan or 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 rate which 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 a carpet, 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 inputs at the same time.

• Allow the charger or battery to cool down between charges.

• Always disconnect the charger from the 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.

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 7.5 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.

The charger is rated for a maximum output power of 50 watts. Depending on certain conditions (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

Item Number Charge Lead Description

DTXC2210 Adapter – Standard to Vendetta, MiniQuake, RS4 Battery GPMM3105 Charge lead – banana plugs to BEC connector GPMM3148 Charge lead – banana plugs to Deans® Ultra® male GPMM3149 Charge lead – banana plugs to micro connector

HCAP0101 Futaba

J Tx and Rx charge leads HCAP0104 Airtronics® / Sanwa® Tx and Rx charge leads HCAP0105 JR® / Spektrum® Tx and Rx charge leads HCAP0106 Hitec® Tx and Rx charge leads HCAP0108 Charge leads – banana plugs to alligator clips HCAP0110 9V-style Tx connector, Futaba-J Rx charge lead

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

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

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

X : For moving to the right in the menus.

OUTPUT BANANA JACKS: For connection of any of a wide variety of battery charge leads/adapters. An adapter with standard connector is included. For transmitter, receiver, and small electric vehicle batteries, ﬁ nd a charge lead that best matches the type of radio that you are charging. Look for these and other charge adapters at your local retailer:

Always connect the charge lead to the charger ﬁ rst. Then connect the battery to the charge lead. Always match polarities on the battery wires, charge leads and banana jacks - black connections to black (-), red connections to red (+).

DETERMINING BATTERY TYPE & SPECIFICATIONS

IMPORTANT: What is your battery’s CHEMISTRY TYPE, RATED CAPACITY, AND RATED VOLTAGE? To avoid

causing permanent damage to your battery, carefully 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), nickel-cadmium

(NiCd), lithium-polymer (LiPo) lithium-ion (Li-Ion), or lithium-ferrite phosphate (LiFe, such as A123 brand)?

2. RATED CAPACITY: The amount of charge energy the battery can store

should be listed on the battery’s label in “mAh” (“milli-amp hours”).

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

supplier or determine the proper pack voltage as follows (refer to the charts at right):

a. NiMH and NiCd: number of cells x 1.20.

b. LiPo batteries: number of cells x 3.70.

c. Li-Ion batteries: number of cells x 3.60.

LiPo, Li-Ion and LiFe Pack Voltages

Number of cells

Nominal voltage

LiFe 3.3V

1 cell

Li-Ion 3.6V

LiPo 3.7V

d. LiFe batteries (A123): number of cells x 3.30.

2 cells

LiFe 6.6V

Li-Ion 7.2V

LiPo 7.4V LiFe 9.9V

3 cells

Li-Ion 10.8V

LiPo 11.1V

GETTING STARTED

1. Connect the charger to input power.

2. The “START” screen will show after power is applied. The top line of this screen will show which of the ten memories

is active (0-9). All settings for this memory will scroll across the bottom line of this 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 below for the factory

default settings for all memories. To select one of these memories, while in the START screen 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.

MEMORY CHART – FACTORY DEFAULTS

MEMORY NUMBER 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Battery type Cell count Capacity (mAh) Current Safety time (minutes) Δ Peak (mV/C) Trickle current (mA)

NiMH

4200

6.0A 50

auto

NiCd

1800

4.0A 32 10

200

NiMH

2500

4.0A 45

200

NiCd

1500

3.5A 31 10

175

NiMH

1400

1.4A 72

NiMH

2000

2A 72

100

LiPo

650

0.6A 130

x x

LiPo

1500

1.5A 120

x x

LiPo

3200

3.2A 120

x x

LiPo

1500

1.5A 120

x x

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

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