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B5
Instruction Manual
Intelligent Multi-Functional Charger
B5M070922KYT
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II
warranty
We guarantee this product to be free of manufacturing or assembly defects for a
period of one year from time of purchase. This does not aect your statutory rights.
This warranty is not valid for any damage or subsequent damage arising as a result of
a misuse, modication or for damage or consequential damage arising as a result of
failure to observe the procedures outlined in this manual. Operation of this product
is carried out entirely at the risk of the operator. Please note that, whilst every eort
is made to ensure the accuracy of instructions and material included with this
product, mistakes can occur and neither SKYRC nor it’s distributors will be held liable
for any loss or damage arising from the use of this product or for any loss or damage
arising from omissions or inaccuraccies in the associated instructions or materials
included with this product.
We reserve the right to modify the design of this product, contents and manuals
without prior notication.
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IntroductIon
Thank you for purchasing the iMAX B5 Balance Charger. This product is a rapid charger
that has a high performance microprocessor and specialised operating software. The
balance charge function helps to keep your LiPo battery pack in optimum condition
and also control them safely. Please read this entire operating manual completely and
attentively before using this product.
SpecIal featureS
CELL BALANCER AND CHARGER IN 1
The iMAX B5 Balance Charger has an individual-cell-voltage balancer built in so it does
not need a separate balancer when charging Lipo batteries.
MAXIMUM SAFETY
Delta-peak sensitivity:
The automatic charge termination program works on the principle of the Delta-peak
voltage detection.
Capacity limit:
The charging capacity is calculated by a multiple of the charging current and time. If
the charging capacity exceeds the limit the process will be terminated automatically
when you set the maximum value.
Charge time limit:
You can also set a maximum charge time to prevent any possible over charge.
Input power monitor:
This function monitors the input voltage from your battery supply and will
automatically stop the charge program if your battery falls below the required level.
HIGHAND HIGHPERFORMANCE CIRCUIT
The iMAX B5 Balance Charger has a maximum output power of 50w. As a result it can
charge up to 14 cells of Nicd/NiMh and 5 series of Li-poly batteries with maximum
current of 5.0A
SpecIfIcatIonS
Operating voltage range: 11.0 - 18.0V
Circuit power: max. 50W
Charge current range: 0.1 - 5.0A
Current drain for balancing Li-Po: 200mAh/cell
NiCd/NiMh battery cell count: 1-14 cells
Li-ion/Polymer cell count: 1-5 cells
Gel cell battery voltage: 2V, 6V, 12V
Weight: 280g(Net Weight)
Dimensions: 130 x 80 x 23mm
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controlS
Scroll through the Main Menu
Stop any charge processes
Resume or Start charge processes
Conrm an action
Alter values
See the status of individual
cells in balance charge mode
Input power cable
11-18V DC
Output charge lead
4mm banana plug
LCD Screen
16 Characters, 2 Lines
Balance Lead sockets
JST-XH ports
power Supply
The iMAX B5 Balance Charger comes
with crocodile clips for direct DC battery
connection and 11-18V socket for mains
power adapter.
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warnIng and Safety noteS
These warnings and safety notes are particularly important. Please follow the
instructions for maximum safety; otherwise the charger and the battery can be
damaged or at worst it can cause a fire.
Never leave the charger unsupervised when it is connected to a power supply. If
any malfunction is observed immediately terminate the process and refer to the
operation manual.
Keep the unit away from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunshine and vibration. Do
not drop it.
The circuit of the unit is designed to be powered by an 11-18V power source .
This unit and the battery to charge or discharge should be set up on a heat-
resistant, noninammable and non-conductive surface. Never place them on a car
seat, carpet or similar surface.
Never use this charger inside a car, van or any other motor vehicle.
Keep all inammable volatile materials well away from the chargers operating area.
Never charge batteries tted inside models, always remove them before charging.
Make sure you know the specications of the battery to be charged or discharged
to ensure it meets the requirements of this charger. If the program is set up
incorrectly the battery and charger may be damaged.
To avoid short-circuits between the charge lead always connect the charge
cable to the charger rst, then connect the battery. Reverse the sequence when
disconnecting.
Do not connect more than one battery pack to this charger at any one time.
Do not attempt to charge or discharge the following types of battery.
A battery pack which consists of dierent types of cell (including dierent
manufacturers)
A battery that is already fully charged or just slightly discharged.
Non-rechargeable batteries (Explosion hazard).
Batteries that require a dierent charge technique from NiCd, NiMh, Li-
Poly or Gel cell (Pb, Lead acid).
A faulty or damaged battery.
A battery tted 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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NICd CHARGENIMH CHARGE
LiPo CHARGE
USER SET
PROGRAM
Pb CHARGE
LiPo BALANCE CHG
MaIn Menu
Please bear in mind the following points before commencing charging:
Did you select the appropriate program suitable for the type of battery you
will be charging?
Did you set up adequate current for charging or discharging?
Have you checked the type of battery you are charging, i.e. Li-Po, NiMh,
NiCd, Gel?
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 safe? Make sure there
are no intermittent contacts at any point in the circuit.
SELECTING A PROGRAM
By pressing the “Batt Type/Stop” button repeatedly the main menu will scroll
through the dierent charge program options and the user settings option.
To select an option from the main menu press the “Start/Enter” button.
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TEMP CUT OFF
ON 20C
SAFETY TIMER
ON 10min
CAPACITY CUT OFF
ON 500mAh
KEY BEEP ON
BUZZER ON
INPUT POWER LOW
CUT OFF 10.7V
BACK LIGHT
64%
USER SET
PROGRAM
Batt type
Stop
INC
DEC
INC
DEC
INC
DEC
INC
DEC
INC
DEC
INC
DEC
Start
Enter
Select USER SET PROGRAM from the main menu by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button
NOT AVAILABLE ON THIS MODEL
The safety timer automatically begins running when the
charge process starts. This function is to prevent over
charge of the battery if it proves to be faulty, or if the
termination circuit does not detect a peak. The timer limit
should not be set lower than the time needed to allow a
full charge of the battery.
This function sets the maximum charge capacity that will
be supplied to the battery during charge. If the delta peak
voltage is not detected or the safety timer has not cut o
the charge process this function automatically stops the
charge process at the selected capacity value.
If the KEY BEEP function is switched on a beep will sound
every time a button is pressed to conrm your action.
If the BUZZER function is switched on a beep or melody
will sound to alert you of changes in the charge process,
including errors.
These functions can be switched On or O independantly.
This function monitors the voltage of the input batttery
used to power this charger. If the voltage of the input
drops below the value you have set the charge process
will be terminated to protect the input battery.
Adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen on the charger.
uSer Set prograM optIon - MaIn Menu
As default this charger will be set to typical user settings when it is connected to
a 12V battery for the rst time. This settings menu can be accessed by selecting
User Set Program from the main menu by pressing the “Start/Enter” button.
Scroll through the dierent options in the User Set Program menu by pressing
the “INC” or “DEC” buttons.
If you need to alter the settings for an option press the “Start/Enter” button to
make it blink then change the value with “DEC” or “INC” button. The value will
be stored by pressing “Start/Enter” button.
To exit from the User Set Program menu press the “Batt type/Stop” button.
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charge prograMS
Please ensure you choose the correct charge process for the type of battery you
will be charging as each type of battery uses a dierent charge technique. These
techniques are built into the dierent programs set up on this charger.
LITHIUM POLYMER CHARGE PROGRAM
The following program is only suitable for charging Lithium-polymer batteries
with a nominal voltage of 3.7V/cell. Do not try to charge any other type of battery
using this program.
The charge current varies according to the battery capacity, and is usually 1C. The
nal voltage of charge process is also very important; it should be 4.2V/cell for the
nominal voltage of 3.7V/cell. If the nal voltage exceeds 4.2V/cell by more than 1%
during charge at any time the battery will explode. The charge current, nominal
voltage and cell count set on the charge program must always be correct for the
battery to be charged.
How to charge:
1. Select this charge process by choosing LiPo Charge from the main menu by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button. The display should look similar to this:
The value on the left of the second line denotes the charge current and the value
on the right of the second line denotes the voltage and cell count of the battery
pack to be charged.
2. If you need to alter the settings for the charge press the “Start/Enter” button to
make it blink then change the value with “DEC” or “INC” button. The value will be
stored by pressing “Start/Enter” button.
3. Once the settings are correct press hold the “Start/Enter” button to begin the
charge process. The display will now show similar to the following:
LiPo CHARGE
2.0A 11.1V(3S)
S:3SER R:3SER
CONFIRM(ENTER)
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6. The charger will emit a sound to inform you when the charge process is complete.
To stop the charge process early press the “Batt type/Stop” button.
Top Line: S = Number of cells selected by you in the previous screen.
R = Number of cells detected by the charger.
4. If these values are dierent press the “Batt type/Stop” button to return to the
previous screen to adjust the settings. If both of these values are the same begin
charging by pressing the “Start/Enter” button.
5. Once you have started the charge process the following information will display:
Li3S 1.2A 12.59V
CHG 022:43 00682
Number of cells
Battery voltage
Charging time
Charged capacity
Charging current
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LITHIUM POLYMER BALANCE CHARGE PROGRAM
The following program is only suitable for charging and balancing Lithium-polymer
batteries with a nominal voltage of 3.7V/cell. Do not try to charge any other type of
battery using this program.
This program is for balancing the voltage of Lithium-polymer battery cells while
charging. To charge a lithium-polymer battery using this program the battery needs to
have a balance lead.
This charge program is dierent to that of the Li-Po charge program. In this charge
process the voltage of each individual cell is monitored and the charging current fed
into each cell is controlled to balance the voltages.
How to charge:
1. Select this charge process by choosing LiPo BALANCE CHG from the main menu by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button. The display should look similar to this:
The value on the left of the second line denotes the charge current and the value on the
right of the second line denotes the voltage and cell count of the battery pack to be
charged.
2. If you need to alter the settings for the charge press the “Start/Enter” button to make
it blink then change the value with “DEC” or “INC” button. The value will be stored by
pressing “Start/Enter” button.
WARNING:
Failure to connect as shown in this diagram will damage this charger.
This balance charging function is designed for JST-XH balance leads only. Do not try and t any
other type of balance lead directly into this chargers balance ports.
(If you are not sure what type of lead you have then check with your local model shop before
connecting to the balance ports on this charger)
Adaptor leads are currently available to convert from JST-XH to JST-EHR. More balance
leads will be available in the near future to suit other manufacturers balance leads.
The main battery leads must be connected along with the balance lead connector as shown
before charging your battery.
WARNING:If using crock clips as shown in diagram 2 make sure they
are unable to touch together!
LiPo BALANCE CHG
2.0A 11.1V(3S)
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5. Once you have started the charge process the following information will display:
6. The charger will emit a sound to inform you when the charge process is complete. To
stop the charge process early press the “Batt type/Stop” button.
3. Once the settings are correct press hold the “Start/Enter” button to begin the
charge process. The display will now show similar to the following:
Top Line: S = Number of cells selected by you in the previous screen.
R = Number of cells detected by the charger.
4. If these values are dierent press the “Batt type/Stop” button to return to the
previous screen to adjust the settings. If both of these values are the same
begin charging by pressing the “Start/Enter” button.
VIEWING THE VOLTAGE OF INDIVIDUAL CELLS
This charge process allows you to monitor the voltage of individual cells whilst
charging.
To use this function press the “INC” or “DEC” buttons during the charge process.
The display will look similar to this:
S:3SER R:3SER
CONFIRM(ENTER)
BL3S 1.2A 12.59V
CHG 022:43 00682
Number of cells
Charging time Charged capacity
4.17V 4.17V 4.19V
0.4A 0.00V 0.00V
Cell 2 Voltage Cell 3 Voltage
Cell 4 Voltage
Cell 5 Voltage
Charge Current
Battery voltage
Charging current
Cell 1 Voltage
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NIMH CHARGE PROGRAM
The following program is only suitable for charging NiMh (Nickel-Metal-
Hydride) batteries associated with R/C model applications. Do not try to
charge any other type of battery using this program.
This program simply charges the battery using the current you set, the charge
current ranges from 0.1 to 5A.
How to charge:
1. Select this charge process by choosing NiMh CHARGE from the main menu by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button. The display should look similar to this:
2. If you need to alter the charge current press the “Start/Enter” button to make
it blink then change the value with “DEC” or “INC” button. The value will be
stored by pressing the “Start/Enter” button.
3. Once the settings are correct press hold the “Start/Enter” button to begin the
charge process. The display will now show similar to the following:
4. The charger will emit a sound to inform you when the charge process is complete.
To stop the charge process early press the “Batt type/Stop” button.
NiMH CHARGE
CURRENT 2.0V
NiMH 2.0A 7.42V
CHG 022:45 00890
Battery type Charging current Battery voltage
Charging time Charged capacity
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NICD CHARGE PROGRAM
The following program is only suitable for charging NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium)
batteries associated with R/C model applications. Do not try to charge any other
type of battery using this program.
This program simply charges the battery using the current you set, the charge current
ranges from 0.1 to 5A.
How to charge:
1. Select this charge process by choosing NiCd CHARGE from the main menu by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button. The display should look similar to this:
2. If you need to alter the charge current press the “Start/Enter” button to make it
blink then change the value with “DEC” or “INC” button. The value will be stored by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button.
3. Once the settings are correct press hold the “Start/Enter” button to begin the
charge process. The display will now show similar to the following:
4. The charger will emit a sound to inform you when the charge process is complete.
To stop the charge process early press the “Batt type/Stop” button.
NiCd CHARGE
CURRENT 2.0A
NiCd 2.0A 7.42V
CHG 022:45 00890
Battery type Charging current Battery voltage
Charging time Charged capacity
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GEL CELL PB, LEAD ACID CHARGE PROGRAM
The following program is only suitable for charging Gel cell (Pb, Lead-Acid)
batteries with nominal voltage from 2V-12V. Do not try to charge any other type
of battery using this program.
Gel cell batteries are completely dierent to NiMh and NiCd batteries, they can only
deliver relatively low current compared to their capacity and similar restrictions apply
to the charge process. For this reason the charge current for gel cell batteries should
be 1/10 of the capacity. Gel cell batteries must not be charged rapidly, always follow
the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the battery.
How to charge:
1. Select this charge process by choosing Pb CHARGE from the main menu by
pressing the “Start/Enter” button. The display should look similar to this:
The charge current is displayed in the lower left.
The nominal voltage is displyed in the lower right.
The charge current ranges from 0.1 to 5A. The voltage should match the voltage of
the battery to be charged.
2. If you need to alter the charge current or the voltage press the “Start/Enter” button
to make it blink then change the value with “DEC” or “INC” button. The value will be
stored by pressing the “Start/Enter” button.
3. Once the settings are correct press hold the “Start/Enter” button to begin the
charge process. The display will now show similar to the following:
4. The charger will emit a sound to inform you when the charge process is complete.
To stop the charge process early press the “Batt type/Stop” button.
Pb6s CHARGE
4.0A 12.0V
Pb6s 4.0A 12.59V
CHG 022:45 00682
Battery type Charging current Battery voltage
Charged capacityCharging time
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warnIngS and error MeSSageS
This charger incorporates a variety of functions for protection, these monitor the
system to verify processes and the state of the electronics.
In case of an error the screen will display the cause of error and emit and audiable
sound.
ERROR MESSAGES
The output is connected to a battery with incorrect
polarity.
This will be displayed if the unit detects a break in
the circuit between the battery and output or if the
battery is voluntarily disconnected during the charge
process.
There was a short cicuit at OUTPUT.
The voltage of the input power supply is below the
minimum of 12V
The voltage of the lithium battery pack to be
charged has been selected incorrectly.
The charger has malfunctioned for some reason.
Seek professional advice.
The processor detects that the battery has
dropped below the minimum voltage during the
charge process.
The processor detects that the battery has risen
above the maximum voltage during the charge
process.
The voltage of one of the cells in a Li-poly battery
pack has risen above the maximum voltage.
CONNECTION
BREAK
SHORT ERR
IN VOLTAGE
ERR
VOL SELECT
ERR
BREAKDOWN
BATTERY CHECK
LOW VOLTAGE
REVERSED
POLARITY
BATTERY CHECK
OVER VOLTAGE
BATTERY VOL
ERR
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All specications and gures are subject to change without notice.
Printed in China c 2007
B5
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