HITEC X1 AC Plus User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................. 3
Warnings and Safety Notes ......................................................................... 4
Charger Layout ............................................................................................ 8
Speci cations ............................................................................................... 9
Features ...................................................................................................... 10
Charger/Battery Connections ................................................................... 12
Lithium ....................................................................................................... 13
Charge Modes ................................................................................................................13
Chare Mode .............................................................................................................13
Balance Charge Mode ..........................................................................................15
Fast Charge Mode ..................................................................................................16
Storage Mode ..........................................................................................................18
Discharge Mode .....................................................................................................19
NiCd/NiHM ................................................................................................. 21
Charge Modes ................................................................................................................21
Chare Mode .............................................................................................................21
Disharge Mode .......................................................................................................22
Cycle Mode ...............................................................................................................23
Pb (Lead Acid) ............................................................................................ 24
Charge Modes ................................................................................................................24
Chare Mode .............................................................................................................24
Disharge Mode .......................................................................................................25
Save/Load Data .......................................................................................... 26
Additional Features & Settings................................................................. 28
Warnings and Error Messages .................................................................. 34
Warranty and Service ................................................................................ 35
2
Introduction
Congratulations on your choice of the Hitec X1 charger from Hitec RCD USA.
The Hitec X1 is a high-performance, microprocessor controlled charger/discharger with battery management capabilities that are suitable for use with
most popular battery types. The X1 also features integrated balancing for
six-cell, Lithium-Polymer (LiPo), Lithium-Ferrite (LiFe) and Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
batteries.
Please read this entire operating manual before using the X1 Charger. If you
are unsure of its proper operation after reading the manual, please seek advice
from an experienced hobbyist or someone familiar with proper battery charging procedures.
THE CHARGING AND DISCHARGING OF RC HOBBY BATTERIES CAN BE
DANGEROUS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE EXPLICIT WARNINGS CAN
Warning
RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR LOSS OF LIFE.
A NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHARGER UNATTENDED WHILE IN OPERATION.
A NEVER CHARGE ON OR AROUND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
A NEVER CHARGE A DAMAGED BATTERY PACK.
A LOW COST, NO-NAME BATTERY PACKS POSE THE MOST DANGER. WE REC-
OMMEND YOU ONLY USE BATTERY PACKS THAT ARE SOLD AND WARRANTIED BY A REPUTABLE COMPANY.
A IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU UTILIZE A SAFETY DEVICE SUCH
AS A STEEL CASE OR LIPO SACK™ WHILE CHARGING LITHIUM CHEMISTRY
BATTERIES.
A IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU KEEP AN OPERABLE “CLASS A” FIRE
EXTINGUISHER IN THE CHARGING AREA.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS CAN BE CONSIDERED NEGLI
GENCE BY THE OPERATOR AND MAY NEGATE ANY CLAIMS FOR DAM
AGES INCURRED.
Hitec RCD USA will not be held responsible for any damages or injuries that
may occur by persons who fail to follow these warnings or who fail to properly
follow the instructions in this manual.
3
Warnings and Safety Notes
Warning: Be sure to read this section for your own safety.
Caution: Be sure to read this section to prevent accidents
Warning
Note
These warnings and safety notes are of the utmost importance. You must follow these instructions for maximum safety. Failure to do so can damage the
charger and the battery; and in the worst cases, may cause a re.
Warning
Tip
Caution
NEVER LEAVE THE CHARGER UNATTENDED WHEN IT IS CONNECTED
TO ITS POWER SOURCE. IF ANY MALFUNCTION IS FOUND, TERMINATE
THE PROCESS AT ONCE AND REFER TO THE OPERATION MANUAL.
and damage to your charger.
Tip: This section will help you maximize the performance of
your charger.
Note: This section will provide more detailed explanations.
A The allowable DC input voltage is 11-18V DC.
A The allowable AC input voltage is 100-240V AC.
A Keep the charger away from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunlight and
excessive vibration.
A If the charger is dropped or su ers any type of impact, it should be inspect-
ed by an authorized service station before using it again.
A This charger and the battery should be put on a heat-resistant, non- am-
mable and non-conductive surface.
A Never place a charger on a car seat, carpet or similar surface. Keep all am-
mable volatile materials away from the operating area.
A Make sure you know the speci cations of the battery to be charged or dis-
charged to ensure it meets the requirements of this charger. If the program
is set up incorrectly, the battery and charger can be damaged.
A Fire or explosion can occur due to overcharging.
A To avoid a short circuit between the charge lead, always connect the
charge cable to the charger rst, then connect the battery. Reverse the
sequence when disconnecting.
Warnings and Safety Notes
A Never attempt to charge or discharge the following types of batteries:
• A battery tted with an integral charge circuit or a protection circuit
• A battery pack which consists of di erent types of cells (including dif-
ferent manufacturer’s cells)
• A battery that is already fully charged or just slightly discharged and
non-rechargeable batteries (these pose an explosion hazard)
• A faulty or damaged battery
• Batteries installed in a device or which are electrically linked to other
components
• Batteries that are not expressly stated by the manufacturer to be suit-
able for the currents the charger delivers during the charge process
PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THE FOLLOWING POINTS BEFORE YOU
COMMENCE CHARGING:
• Did you select the appropriate program suitable for the type of battery you
are charging?
• Did you set up the adequate current for charging or discharging?
• Have you checked the battery voltage? Lithium battery packs can be wired
in parallel and in series, i.e. a 2-cell pack can be 3.7V (in parallel) or 7.4V (in
series).
• Have you checked that all connections are rm and secure?
• Make sure there are no intermittent contacts at any point in the circuit.
5
Warnings and Safety Notes
Standard Battery Parameters
LiPo LiIon LiFe NiCd NiMH Pb
Nominal Voltage
Max. Charge Voltage
Storage Voltage
Min. Discharge Voltage
WHEN ADJUSTING YOUR X1 CHARGING PARAMETERS, BE SURE YOU
SELECT THE PROPER BATTERY TYPE AND CELL VOLTAGE FOR THE
Warning
TYPE OF CELL YOU ARE CHARGING. CHARGING BATTERIES WITH THE
WRONG SETTINGS MAY CAUSE THE CELLS TO BURST, CATCH FIRE OR
EXPLODE.
Charging
Before charging your batteries, it is critical that you determine the maximum
allowable charge rate for your batteries. The X1 is capable of charging at high
rates that may not be suitable or safe for your particular batteries. For example, Lithium cells are typically safe to charge at 1C, or the total mAh÷1000.
A 1200mAh battery would have a 1C charge rate of 1.2 amps. A 4200mAh
battery would have a 1C charge rate of 4.2 amps. Some manufacturers are
o ering Lithium cells that can be charged at greater than 1C but this should
ALWAYS be veri ed before charging a Lithium battery at rates higher than 1C.
Voltage is just as critical as the charging amperage rate and this is determined
by the number of cells in series, or “S”. For example, a 3S LiPo is rated at 11.1
volts (“S” multiplied by a single LiPo cell with a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts
DC. 3 cells x 3.7 volts each equals 11.1 volts DC).
3.7V/cell 3.6V/cell 3.3V/cell 1.2V/cell 1.2V/cell 2.0V/cell
4.2V/cell 4.1V/cell 3.6V/cell 1.5V/cell 1.5V/cell 2.46V/cell
3.8V/cell 3.7V/cell 3.3V/cell n/a n/a n/a
3.0-3.3V/cell 2.9-3.2V/cell 2.6-2.9V/cell 0.1-1.1V/cell 0.1-1.1V/cell 1.8V/cell
Connect the battery’s main leads to the charger output: red is positive and
black is negative. Keep in mind that the gauge or thickness of your charging
leads from the X1 to your battery must be of an acceptable current rating to
handle the applied charge current. For maximum safety and charging e ectiveness, always match or exceed the main battery lead rating when assembling or selecting your charging leads. If you charge a battery at a high current
rate (amperage) with a charging lead not rated for the chosen amperage, the
wire could get hot, catch re, short out and/or potentially destroy your battery
and the charger. When in doubt, always use a higher gauge wire (lower AWG
number). It is common to see charging leads constructed of 14AWG, 16AWG or
18AWG wire.
Warnings and Safety Notes
Always refer to recommendations from your battery manufacturer for your
speci c battery type and size before initiating a charge or discharge process.
Do not attempt to disassemble or modify Lithium or Lead-Acid battery packs.
Discharging
The X1 discharging functions are for two speci c purposes:
• Refreshing the capacity of a Nickel-based battery that has lost capacity over
time (NiMH or NiCd).
• Reducing the voltage of a Lithium battery for safe storage.
LITHIUM CHEMISTRY BATTERY PACKS SHOULD ONLY BE DISCHARGED
TO THEIR MINIMUM SAFE VOLTAGE, NO LOWER. DEEP DISCHARGING A
Warning
LiPo Charge/Discharge Cycling
Lithium batteries are known to reach full capacity after a break-in period of
about 10 charge/discharge cycles. We do not recommend you use the X1 charger to do this, normal use and recharging will achieve the same results. If you
wish to perform a Lithium break-in on the bench with the X1, discharging to
minimum acceptable voltages and performing a balance charge at 1C maximum rate is recommended. If you choose to break in your Lithium batteries
under normal use, charging at only 1C for the rst ten cycles will help ensure
full performance and service life from your Lithium cells.
LITHIUM CELL WILL DO PERMANENT DAMAGE. REFER TO THE STAN
DARD BATTERY PARAMETERS TABLE ON PAGE 6 OF THIS MANUAL FOR
MINIMUM DISCHARGE VOLTAGES.
7
Charger Layout
1. Hitec X1 AC Plus Charger
2. AC Power Cord
3. DC Power Cord
Temperature Controlled Fan
LCD Display
Stop/Battery Type Button
Decrease Value(-)/View Status Button
4. 18AWG Wire Charging Cable
5. Balancing Board Cable
6. Universal Balancing Board
Start/Resume/Enter Button
Increase Value(+)/View Status Button
8
Charger Layout
DC Input (11-18V) Balance Socket
AC Input
(100-240V, 50/60HZ) Temperature Sensor Port
Speci cations
AC Input 100 - 240 Volts
DC Input 11-18 Volts
Charge Circuit Power 50 Watts
Charge Current Range 0.1 - 1.0 Amps
Discharge Current Range 5 Watts
Discharge Current Power 0.1-1.0 Amps
Current Drain for Balancing LiPo 300mA per cell
NiCd/NiMH Battery Cell Count 1-15 Cells
LiPo/LiFe/Lilon Cell Count 1-6 Cells
Pb Battery Voltage 2-20V
Net Weight 15 oz.
Charging Output
9
Features
Optimized Operating Software
The X1 “auto” feature sets the charge and discharge current for you automatically, preventing overcharging which can damage your battery. In the event
of an error, the X1 instantly disconnects the circuit and sounds an alarm. This
feature can be set by the user and controlled through the two-way link for
maximum safety.
Internal Independent Lithium Battery Balancer
The X1 features a built-in cell voltage balancer so you don’t need to fuss with
external balancers while charging.
Balancing Individual Cells During Discharging
The X1 also monitors and balances each cell in the pack individually while
discharging. If the voltage of any single cell is abnormal, the X1 will display an
error message and the process will end automatically.
Adaptable to various types of lithium batteries
The X1 will charge and discharge a variety of Lithium batteries, such as Li-ion,
LiPo and the new LiFe series of batteries.
Fast and Storage Mode of Lithium Batteries
The X1 features two styles of charging. “Fast” charge reduces the charge duration while “Store” controls the nal voltage of your battery, to optimize your
packs for long term storage and maximum lifespan.
10
Maximum Safety
Our delta-peak voltage detection program ends the charge cycle whenever a
battery’s voltage exceeds the set threshold.
Automatic Charging Current Limit
Charging current can be set by the user when charging NiCd or NiMH batteries.
The ‘AUTO’ charging mode, however, is recommended when charging NiMH
batteries with low impedance and capacity.
Capacity and Temperature Limits
The charge process will terminate if either the charging capacity or battery
temperature exceeds the limit set by the user. The temperature function requires an optional temperature probe, which is not included with the X1.
Features
Processing Time Limit
Protect your battery by setting a maximum time limit for charging and discharging.
Input Power Monitoring
The X1’s input voltage is monitored to protect the battery from becoming damaged. The process ends automatically if it drops below the limit.
Data Store/Load
A maximum of ve setting pro les can be stored for your convenience. The X1
will store the data pertaining to a program’s settings and you can call up data
at anytime.
Cyclic Charging/Discharging
A battery can be cycled 1 to 5 times consecutively. This process is good for
refreshing and balancing your battery.
11
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