Instruction Manual
GEMini ii
Dear customer,
We are delighted that you have decided to purchase the PowerBox Gemini II power supply from our range.
We hope you have many hours of pleasure and great success with your Power-
Box Gemini II.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Gemini II is the logical development of the PowerBox Gemini, which we
have produced un-changed since 2005. The revised design incorporates ideas
gleaned from customer requests and our own experience. The Gemini II has a
considerably higher performance than the earlier model, since the case now consists of a high-quality machined aluminium heat-sink. Numerous supplementary
features have also been added. For example, the pilot now has two options for
activating the system: either by push-button using the SensorSwitch, or using
a magnet. This also allows the implemen-tation of a concealed installation; in
this case an integral buzzer indicates the ON and OFF state. Like all power supply
systems from PowerBox-Systems, the Gemini II boasts consistent redundant
con-struction: two regulators, two controllers and two integral Hall sensors ensure a totally reliable power supply. The external SensorSwitch activates both
electronic switches simultaneously. The tri-colour LEDs in the SensorSwitch indicate the battery status in four stages. The battery inputs take the form of MPX
high-current connectors.
The output voltage is double-regulated, and can be set either to 5.9 V or 7.4 V.
2 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
Features:
- Double-regulated output voltage
- Electronic On / Off switch, using either a magnetic trigger or the SensorSwitch
- On and Off switching signalled by visual and audible indicators
- Regulated output voltage of 5.9 V or 7.4 V
- LED voltage indicator for each battery separately
- Supports three battery types: LiPo/LiIon, NiMH/NiCd, LiFePo
- Suppression of any servo feedback currents which might occur
- MPX battery inputs
- Large-area anodised aluminium case for high regulator capacity
- Integral regulator monitor
Contents:
1. Lay-out and connections
2. Connecting the batteries and the SensorSwitch
3. Switching On and Off
a) Using the SensorSwitch
b) Using the magnetic trigger
4. Setting the battery indicator
5. Setting the output voltage
6. Specification
7. Set contents
8. Dimensions
9. Servicing
10. Guarantee conditions
11. Liability exclusion
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1. LAY-OUT AND CONNECTIONS
Sockets for patch-leads to receiver
Battery inputs
High-perfor mance heat-sink
SensorSwitch socket
+
4 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
-
Buzzer
output
Switching
zone for
magnetic
trigger
2. CONNECTING THE BATTERIES AND THE SENSORSWITCH
Connect your batteries to the MPX high-current inputs, taking care to maintain
correct polarity.
CAUTION: connecting the batteries with reversed polarity will instantly destroy
the two regulators in the Gemini II. If this should happen, the regulator monitor
causes the two LEDs to flash alternately red and green to indicate the fault.
Connect the SensorSwitch to the socket on the side of the case; the connector
cannot be inserted the wrong way round.
3. SWITCHING ON AND OFF
a) Using the SensorSwitch
The unit is switched on by holding the button on the SensorSwitch pressed in un-
til the LEDs light up orange. Release the button for a moment, then press it briefly
a second time. This action confirms the switching process.
The method of switching off is identical: hold the button pressed in until the LEDs
light up orange, then release the button and press it again briefly to confirm the
action.
The unit emits a double-beep to confirm that it is switched on or off; the audible
signal which accompanies the power-on procedure differs in pitch from the power-off signal.
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b) Using the magnetic trigger
Hold the magnetic trigger close to the switching zone (depression) in the case
- see illus-tration above - and wait a moment until you hear a signal from the integral buzzer. A pair of internal Hall sensors pass on the signal to the two micro-processors. These are only switched on or off if the signal strength and signal duration are as specified.
If you install the unit in a concealed location, make certain that you hear the double-beep which indicates that both switching circuits have been switched on or off.
The audible signal which accompanies the power-on procedure differs in pitch
from the power-off signal.
4. SETTING THE BATTERY INDICATOR
If you intend to use a 5S NiCd or NiMH battery, or a 2S LiFePo battery, you must
set the voltage monitor correctly, otherwise the LED will constantly flash red. However, this setting has no influence at all on the actual switching process or the
stabilising circuits.
This setting can only be changed using the SensorSwitch. This is the procedure
for setting the various battery types:
- Connect both batteries, and switch on the Gemini II.
- Hold the Set button pressed in, and observe the LEDs.
- The LEDs first light up orange, then go out again after a few moments.
- Pause: keep the button pressed in.
- The LEDs flash green once, and the unit emits a single beep. If you release the
6 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
button now, the battery type “2S LiPo/LiIon” is selected.
- Pause, keep the button pressed in.
- The LEDs flash green twice, and the unit emits a double beep. If you release the
button now, the battery type “5S NiMH” is selected.
- Pause: keep the button pressed in.
- The LEDs flash green three times, and the unit emits a triple beep. If you release
the but-ton now, the battery type “2S LiFePo” is selected.
This procedure does take a few seconds, but it is designed to eliminate the risk of
changing the setting accidentally. In any case, it only has to be carried out if you
switch to a different battery type. The setting is stored permanently in the two
micro-controllers.
5. SETTING THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE
It is possible to set your PowerBox Gemini II to either of two different output
voltages. The default stabilised voltage (as delivered) is 5.9 Volt.
The performance of your PowerBox Gemini II is around 30% higher when operating at 7.4 Volt due to the reduced dissipated power.
The advantage of a stabilised, regulated 7.4 V supply compared with a direct, unregulated 8.4 V output is the constant voltage. This means that the servos always
operate at the same speed and generate the same torque - regardless of the
state of charge of the batteries. If the servos are operated on the unregulated
voltage of a LiPo pack, their initial torque and speed will vary considerably from
the values when the battery is half-discharged. A further major advantage of a
regulated 7.4 V voltage is the elimination of voltage peaks, and this extends the
useful life of the servos.
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CAUTION: before you set the unit to 7.4 V it is essential to check that all consumer units connected to the system - all servos, receiver, gyro, etc. - are expressly
approved for use with the higher voltage. Information on this matter can be found
in the instructions provided by the equipment manufacturers.
The output voltage setting can only be changed using the SensorSwitch. This is
the procedure for setting the output voltage:
- Switch the Gemini on using the SensorSwitch; both LEDs must light up green.
- Disconnect both batteries from the unit.
- Hold the SET button on the switch pressed in.
- Connect the batteries in turn while you continue to hold the SET button pressed
in.
- The LEDs on the switch now flash red three times if the unit is set to 7.4 V, or
green three times if set to 5.9 V. Check that both inputs display the same colour
when the batteries are plugged in.
- Release the Set button when you are sure that both LEDs have indicated the
correct setting.
The setting is a toggle action, i.e. if you wish to change the output voltage back to
5.9 V, simply repeat the procedure.
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6. SPECIFICATION
Operating voltage: 4.0 Volt to 9.0 Volt
Power supply: 2 x 2S LiPo/LiIon, 2 x 5S NiCd/NiMH, 2 x 2S LiFePo
Current drain: Operating approx. 58 mA
Idle current approx. 16 µµA
Output voltage: 5.9 V or 7.4 V
Current load: Peak 2 x 6 A
Dropout voltage: approx. 0.3 V
Dimensions: 60 x 30 x 15 mm
Temperature range: -30°C to +75°C
Weight: 33 g
SensorSwitch: 11 g
EMV approval: EN 55014-1:2006
CE approval: 2004/108/EG
WEEE Reg. No. DE 639 766 11
7. SET CONTENTS
- PowerBox Gemini II
- SensorSwitch
- magnetic trigger with PowerBox keyring
- 2 patch-leads, 210 mm
- Double-sided self-adhesive pad
- Operating instructions in German and English
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8. DIMENSIONS
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9. SERVICE NOTE
We are anxious to offer good service to our customers, and to this end we have
set up a Support Forum which deals with all queries concerning our products. This
relieves us of a great deal of work, as it eliminates the need to answer frequently
asked questions time and again. At the same it gives you the opportunity to obtain
help quickly all round the clock - even at weekends. All the answers are provided
by the PowerBox Team, guaranteeing that the information is correct.
Please use the Support Forum before you telephone us.
You can find the forum at the following address:
www.forum.powerbox-systems.com
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10. GUARANTEE CONDITIONS
At PowerBox-Systems we insist on the highest possible quality standards in the
development and manufacture of our products. They are guaranteed “Made in
Germany”!
That is why we are able to grant a 24 month guarantee on our PowerBox Gemini ll
from the initial date of purchase. The guarantee covers proven material faults,
which will be corrected by us at no charge to you. As a precautionary measure, we
are obliged to point out that we reserve the right to replace the unit if we deem the
repair to be economically unviable.
Repairs which our Service department carries out for you do not extend the original guarantee period.
The guarantee does not cover damage caused by incorrect usage, e.g. reverse
polarity, excessive vibration, excessive voltage, damp, fuel, and short-circuits. The
same applies to defects due to severe wear.
We accept no liability for transit damage or loss of your shipment. If you wish
SERVICE ADDRESS
to make a claim under guarantee, please
send the device to the following address,
together with proof of purchase and a description of the defect:
PowerBox-Systems GmbH
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany
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11. LIABILITY EXCLUSION
We are not in a position to ensure that you observe our instructions regarding
installation of the PowerBox Gemini ll, fulfil the recommended conditions when
using the unit, or maintain the entire radio control system competently.
For this reason we deny liability for loss, damage or costs which arise due to the
use or operation of the PowerBox Gemini ll, or which are connected with such
use in any way. Regardless of the legal arguments employed, our obligation to pay
compensation is limited to the invoice total of our products which were involved in
the event, insofar as this is deemed legally permissible.
We wish you every success with your new PowerBox Gemini ll.
Donauwoerth, December 2020
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12/2020
PowerBox-Systems GmbH
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany
+49-906-99 99 9-200
+49-906-99 99 9-209
www.powerbox-systems.com
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