Onyx 225 Instruction Manual
™
The Onyx 225 charger is excellent for a large range of charging and balancing needs for electric vehicles, planes, boats
and radio applications. Charge currents up to 6A and output voltages capable of charging up to 15 NiCd or NiMH or
6S LiPo, LiIon or LiFe cells make it the perfect charger for all charging needs. A built-in balancer ensures all cells are
balanced and optimized for lithium packs, including LiFe cells such as LiFeSource brand packs. A built-in jack is perfect
for charging radio batteries. AC/DC exibility with detachable input cords, reversed backlit LCD, simple controls and
menus make it super-easy to use anytime, indoors or out.
It is strongly recommended to completely read this manual before use! Damage resulting
from misuse or modi 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 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 3 of this manual!
INDEX
Speci cations and Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Glossary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Input Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Controls and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Battery Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Adjustable Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
User Setup Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
View Data Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Battery Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Starting Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Charge Complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Care and Handling of Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Battery Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cooling Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Error Messages and Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
DTXP4225 v2
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
2
SPECIFICATIONS
AC input power: 110V 60Hz
DC input power: 11– 15V DC
Output power: 60W
Battery types: 1– 15 NiCd or NiMH cells(1.2– 18.0V)
1– 6 LiPo, LiIon, or LiFe cells (3.7– 22.2V)
Battery capacity range: 100– 60,000mAh
Fast charge current: 0.1– 6.0A linear, adjustable
Fast charge termination: peak detection for NiCd/MH, cc/cv for lithiums
Fast charge safety timer: off – 300 minutes
NiCd/NiMH peak sensitivity: 3– 20mV, adjustable
NiCd/NiMH trickle charge current: auto (1/20 fast charge setting), or manual adjust (1-250mA)
Lithium balancing accuracy: 5mV per cell
Lithium balancing jack: JST XH
Included balancing board: ElectriFly® Adapter Board
Lithium max. node current: 300mA
Controls: 4 push buttons
Battery memories: 10
Display type: 2 16 reversed matrix LCD with backlight
Setup tones: on/ off
Audible melodies: 5
Included output adapters: banana plugs to Standard
banana plugs to Star Plug
Protective devices: solid-state reverse polarity and current overload
Case size: 6.3 5.3 1.7" (160 134 43mm)
Weight: 11.1 oz. (314g w/o cords connected)
SPECIAL FEATURES
● Detachable AC and DC input power cords.
● Built-in balancing for 1– 6 LiPo, LiIon, or LiFe (LiFeSource) cells.
● Up to 6 amps charge current.
● Includes a built-in radio battery jack.
● Includes Banana to Star Plug and Banana to standard charging adapters.
STANDARD FEATURES
● A tiny built-in switching AC power supply is great for portability and cramped pit areas, yet can still deliver up to
6 amps charge current!
● Fully adjustable charge currents and multi-chemistry adaptability for a wide range of applications.
● A precise cc/cv charge algorithm carefully charges lithium-polymer, lithium-ion, or lithium-ferrite-phosphate
(LiFeSource) batteries fully and safely!
● A peak detection system with automatic trickle charge 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 reversed LCD with backlight – previously only available in expensive racing chargers – is great for easy viewing
in any condition. Shows input, output, peak and individual cell voltages; charge current, capacity and time, and
cell chemistry.
● 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 most common charge adapters.
● A detachable DC power lead with alligator clips easily connects to many 12V DC power sources.
● Solid-state reverse polarity and current overload protection ensure long, trouble-free operation.
3
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS
● Disconnect the battery and remove input power from the charger immediately if the charger
or battery 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 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 speci 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 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 and 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 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 de 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 1hr = 650mAh). A
3200mAh battery can deliver 3200mA (3.2A) of current for one hour (3200mA 1hr = 3200 mAh), 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 600mA) 1800 mA 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. Located on the rear of the charger is a jack
for the connection of the DC power cord. The DC input cord has a keyed plug so reverse polarity can be avoided. Once
connected to the charger, connect the DC power cord to the 12V 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 9 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 60 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.
4
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
CHANGE / START (left): For starting a charge,
or to change settings.
▲(+): For moving up through menus, or
increasing the values of settings on-screen.
▼(–): For moving down through menus, or
decreasing the values of settings on-screen.
▲: For moving to the right in the menus.
OUTPUT BANANA JACKS: For connection
to a wide variety of charge adapters. Adapters
with: a standard plug and Star Plug are
included. For small electric vehicle batteries, nd a charge lead that best matches the type of battery you are charging.
Look for these and other charge adapters at your local retailer:
ITEM NUMBER CHARGE LEAD DESCRIPTION
DTXC2210 Adapter – Standard to Vendetta, MiniQuake, RS4 Battery
DTXC2220 Charge lead – banana plugs to standard
DTXC2222 Charge lead – banana plugs to Traxxas
®
DTXC2223 Charge lead – banana plugs to mini plug
DTXC2225 Balancing lead – banana to 4mm bullet adapter 2S LiPo
GPMM3105 Charge lead – banana plugs to BEC connector
GPMM3149 Charge lead – banana plugs to micro connector
Always connect the charge lead to the charger 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 (+).
BALANCE PORT: To connect an adapter for balancing of lithium batteries. See page 7–8.
RADIO BATTERY: To directly connect a receiver or transmitter battery for charging.
DETERMINING BATTERY TYPE AND 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 (LiIon), or
lithium-ferrite-phosphate (LiFe, such as LiFeSource 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. RATED 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 1.20.
b. LiPo batteries: number of cells 3.70.
c. LiIon batteries: number of cells 3.60.
d. LiFe batteries (LiFeSource): number of cells 3.30.
110V AC Input
12V DC Input
Balance
Por t
Change / Start
▲(+) ▲(−)
▲
Output
Banana
Jacks
Radio Battery
4 cells
5 cells
6 cells
7 cells
8 cells
9 cells
10 cells
11 cells
12 cells
13 cells
14 cells
15 cells
4.8 V
6.0 V
7.2 V
8.4 V
9.6 V
10.8 V
12.0 V
13.2V
14.4V
15.6V
16.8V
18.0V
NiCd and NiMH Battery Pack Voltages
Number of Cells Nominal Voltage
cell
cells
cells
cells
cells
cells
1
2
3
4
5
6
3.3 V
6.6 V
9.9 V
13.2 V
16.5V
19.8V
3.6 V
7.2 V
10.8 V
14.4 V
18.0V
21.6V
3.7 V
7.4 V
11.1 V
14.8 V
18.5V
22.2V
LiFe LiIon LiPo
LiPo, LiIon and LiFe Pack Voltages
Number
of Cells
Nominal Voltage
▲
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