HITEC X4 AC Plus User Manual
All specifications and figures are subject to change without notice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Introduction.…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….01
Charger Layout…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….…..…..…..…........03
Special Features…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….........................04
Warnings and Safety Information…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..06
Default User Preferences Setup…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...09
Connecting the Battery…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….................11
Program Flow Chart…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….....................12
Program Display Information…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........13
Charging Lithium Chemistry (LiPo/LiIo/LiFe) Type Batteries............13
Discharging Lithium Chemistry (LiPo/LiIo/LiFe) Type Batteries........16
Charging/Discharging and Cycling NiCd or NiMH Batteries..............17
Congratulations on your purchase of the Hitec X4 AC Plus Multi-Charger. You are now the
owner of a compact multi chemistry battery charger with battery management and integral
Lithium battery balancing features. The X4 AC Plus features four totally independent and
identical 50 watt charging circuits for a total power of 200 watts. As a result, it can simultaneously charge or discharge up to 4 separate battery packs.
The X4 AX Plus can accept a variety of power inputs. The charger features a built in 22
Amp power supply powered by your standard 100-120 V AC household current or you can
attach it to a 12 Volt car battery or a 11 – 15 V (20 amp minimum) DC power supply.
The Hitec X4 AC Plus is simple to use, but the operation of a sophisticated automatic
charger such as the X4 AC Plus does require some knowledge and education by the user.
This instruction manual is designed to ensure that you can quickly become familiar with
the charger’s functions and capabilities. It is important that you read this instruction
manual in its entirety before attempting to use your new X4 AC Plus chargers.
Package Contents
1. Hitec X4 Plus
2. AC Input Cable
3. DC Input Cable
4. Battery Clamps
5. Alligator Clip Charging Connector
6. Tamiya Charging Connector
7. Receiver Battery Charging Connector
8. 2 x Bare Wire Connectors
9. 1 x TP/FP Type LiPo Balancer Board
10. 1 x HP/PQ Type LiPo Balancer Board
11. 1 x XH Type LiPo Balancer Board
Charging/Discharging Lead-Acid (Pb) Batteries...............................18
Battery Data Preset Storage and Load Feature…..…..…..…..…..…..20
Warning and Error Messages…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…........21
Recommended Accessories…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..........22
Conformity and Regulatory Information…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…...22
Warranty and Servicing…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…................23
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01
INTRODUCTION
The Hitec X4 AC Plus allows you to charge up to four different batteries simultaneously.
The charger will automatically charge all 4 batteries at a time to their maximum capacity.
Additionally the batteries being charged do not need to have the same configuration or the
same chemistry. Therefore you can connect any one of a NiMH/NiCD/LiPo/LiFe battery
into any of the charging ports. This eliminates the time consuming efforts of charging all
your batteries separately.
CHARGER LAYOUT
Specifications
Power Source
Operating Voltage Range
Charge Power
Discharger Power
Cell Count
Current Drain for Balancing Lithium
Charge Termination
NiCd/NiMH
Lead-Acid and Lithium
Dimensions
Net Weight
100-120V AC, 12V DC Car Battery or
11-15V DC Power Supply
DC 11 - 15 Volt
50 Watts, current is regulated accordingly
e.g. 11.1 V battery, charge current approx. 4.5 A
e.g. 22.2 V battery, charge current approx. 2.2 A
5 Watts, current is regulated accordingly
1-15 NiCd/NiMH cells
1-6 LiPo/LiIon/LiFe cells
1-10 Lead-Acid cells (2V - 20V)
300mA
Automatic, negative delta-peak method
Automatic, voltage-dependent, CC-CV process
8.9” x 6.7” x 2.6”
3.4 lbs.
LCD Screen
AC Input Power Port
100-120V AC
220-240V AC
(US Version)
(EU Version)
Universal Balancing
Port Pitch=2.54mm
Menu Control Buttons
Battery
Sockets
DC Input
Socket
Universal Balancing
Port Pitch=2.54mm
Battery Sockets
Temp. Sensor/PC Link
Available for 2 & 4 only output
Menu Control Buttons
Battery
Sockets
Temp. Sensor/PC Link
Available for 1 & 3 only output
Ventilation Fan
with Temperature
Sensor Control
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03
SPECIAL FEATURES
SPECIAL FEATURES
Optimized Operating Software
The software in X4 AC Plus automatically controls the current rate during the charging or
discharging process. This feature can prevent the user from overcharging their batteries
which could lead to damage or injury. If the charger detects a malfunction, the circuit
automatically disconnects and an alarm will sound, The operating functions of the X4 AC
Plus are controlled through a two-way communication link in order to maintain maximum
safety with minimal errors. All of these functions and settings are easily configured by the
user.
Internal Independent Lithium Battery Balancers
Each channel of the X4 AC Plus employs an individual-cell voltage balancer eliminating
the need for an external balancer for balance charging.
Balancing Individual Cells during Battery Discharging
During the process of discharging, the X4 AC Plus can monitor and balance each cell of
the lithium battery individually. If the voltage of any single cell is abnormal, an error
message will display and the discharge process will automatically end.
Charges Most Popular Lithium Batteries
The X4 AC Plus is compatible with the three most common Lithium chemistry batteries,
Li-Ion, LiPo and LiFe.
Multiple Lithium Battery Charge Modes
The X4 AC Plus’s programming allows for Fast Charge, Balance Charge or Storage
Charge Modes for LiPo, Li-Ion, and LiFe batteries.
• Fast Charge Mode: Reduces charging time, but does not balance the cells, this
mode only charges the battery to approximately 90% capacity.
• Balance Charge Mode: Monitors individual cell voltage, keeping the cells within an
acceptable voltage range and charges the pack to peak capacity.
• Storage Charge Mode: Used for long-term battery storage. Adjusts the voltage
level so the battery will not be damaged during long term storage.
Capacity and Processing Time Limit
The charging capacity is calculated as the charging current multiplied by time. If the
charging capacity exceeds the maximum limit set by the user, the process will terminate
automatically. Additionally the user can set the maximum amount of charging time. If the
charging time exceeds this limit, the process will terminate automatically.
Temperature Threshold*
The battery's internal chemical reaction causes the temperature of the battery to rise
during the charging process. If the temperature exceeds the limit, the charging process
will automatically terminate.
* This function is available by connecting an optional temperature probe, which is not
included in our package.
10 User Customizable Presets
The X4 AC Plus features 10 individually customizable presets so the user can store the
charge and discharge parameters for any particular battery type. These presets can be
recalled for the desired battery type without the need for any additional programming.
Cyclic Charging / Discharging
Batteries can be set to automatically Charge/Discharge or Discharge/Charge up to a
maximum of 5 cycles.
PC Based Analysis Using USB Communication*
The Hitec X4 AC Plus offers a PC-based program which can analyze the characteristics
of the battery via a USB port. It shows a graph of voltage, current and capacity curves. It
also displays the individual voltage of each cell in the lithium battery pack.
* Using optional PC-LINK USB Adapter (sold separately) and software that can be
downloaded from www.hitecrcd.com
Delta Peak Technology for Maximum Safety
The automatic charge termination program utilizes Delta-Peak voltage detection.
When the battery's voltage exceeds the threshold, the charge process is terminated
automatically.
Automatic Charging Current Limit
The maximum charge rate can be manually set when charging NiCd or NiMH batteries.
The X4 AC Plus will auto-detect when the batteries are fully charged and shut off, even
with low impedance NiMH packs.
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WARNINGS AND SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES OR THE INSTRUCTION
MANUAL CAN RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE.
Please read this entire instruction manual completely and attentively before using
this product, as it covers a wide range of information on operation and safety.
Never leave the charger unattended when it is connected to its power supply. If any
malfunction is found, TERMINATE THE PROCESS AT ONCE and refer to the
instruction manual.
Keep the charger away from dust, moisture, water, excessive heat, direct sunlight
and vibration.
The maximum allowable input voltage is 120 VAC when using the supplied AC power
cord or 15V DC when using an external DC power source.
The charger and the battery should be put on a heat-resistant, non-flammable and
non-conductive surface. Never place them on a car seat, carpet or other flammable
surface. Keep all flammable volatile materials away from the operating area.
WARNINGS AND SAFETY INFORMATION
Before you Start Charging or Discharging your Batteries Consider the
Following
• Did you select the appropriate program suitable for the type of battery you are charging?
• Did you set up 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 firm and secure? Make sure there are no
intermittent contacts at any point in the circuit.
Standard Battery Parameters
Pb
2.0V /c ell
2.46 V/ cell
n/a
≦0.4C
≧1.75V/cell
Nominal
Volt ag e
Max Charge
Volt age
Storage
Volt ag e
Allowable
Fast Charge
Min. Discharge
Voltage
LiPo
3.7V /c ell
4.2V /c ell
3.8V /c ell
≦1C
≧3.0V /c ell
LiIo n
3.6V /c ell
4.1V /c ell
3.7V /c ell
≦1C
≧2.5V /c ell
LiFe
3.3V /c ell
3.6V /c ell
3.3V /c ell
≦4C
≧2.0V /c ell
NiCd
1.2V /c ell
1.5V /c ell
n/a
1C-2 C
≧0.85V/cell
MiMH
1.2V /c ell
1.5V /c ell
n/a
1C-2 C
≧1.0V /c ell
Make sure you know the specifications of the battery you are charging or discharging
to ensure it meets the requirements of this charger. If the program is set up incorrectly, the battery and charger may be damaged. Fire or explosion can occur due to
overcharging.
To avoid short circuiting between the charge lead, always connect the charge
cable to the charger first, then connect the battery. Reverse the sequence when
disconnecting.
Never Attempt to Charge or Discharge the Following Types of
Batteries
• A battery pack which consists of different types of cells
(including different manufacturers)
• A battery that is already fully charged or just slightly discharged
• Non-rechargeable batteries (they pose an explosion hazard)
• Batteries that require a different charge technique from NiCd, NiMH, LiPo
or gel cell (Pb, lead-acid battery)
• A faulty or damaged battery
• A battery fitted with an integral charge circuit or a protection circuit
• Batteries installed in a device or which are electrically linked to other
components
• Batteries that are not expressly stated by the manufacturer to be suitable for
the currents the charger delivers during the charge process
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Charging
During the charge process, a specific quantity of electrical energy is fed into the battery.
The charge quantity is calculated by multiplying charge current by charge time. The
maximum permissible charge current varies depending on the battery type or its performance, and can be found in the information provided by the battery manufacturer. Only
batteries that are expressly stated to be capable of quick charge should be charged at
rates higher than the standard charge current.
Connect the battery to the terminal of the charger. Red is positive and black is negative.
In the event there is any significant resistance in the battery cable and/or connector, the
charger will not be able to properly detect the resistance of the battery pack resulting in
an error. It is essential in order for the charger to operate properly that the battery charge
leads should be of adequate quality for the size of the battery.
Always refer to the manual by the battery manufacturer pertaining to charging methods.
Operate according to their recommended charging current and charging time. Lithium
batteries, in particular, should be charged strictly according to the manufacturer's
instruction.
Pay close attention to the connection of lithium batteries.
Do not attempt to disassemble the battery pack.
Please take note that lithium battery packs can be wired in parallel and in series. In the
parallel connection, the battery’s capacity is calculated by multiplying the single battery’s
capacity by the number of cells, bearing in mind that total voltage stays the same. If the
voltage is imbalanced, it may cause a fire or explosion. Lithium batteries are always
recommended to be charge in series.
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