KAVAN C20 Duo - Instruction manual

KAV34.1045

C20 Duo

Introduction

The KAVAN C20 Duo is a two-channel AC/DC balance charger and discharger. Each channel operates independently; identical packs can also use a shared task. AC operation provides 100 W total, while DC operation provides up to 100 W per channel. Read the entire manual and Warnings and safety notes before connecting a battery.

Charger set contents

KAVAN C20 Duo AC/DC 200 W Charger, AC power cable (EU plug), Instruction manual

Charger layout

See (Fig. 1).

Roller wheel

Short Press: Enter task settings/Confirm current settings/Start charging/Stop charging/Clear Warning messages.

Long Press: Enter System setting/Terminate current task/Start charging/Stop charging.

Scroll Up and Down: Select the required menu/Adjust parameter value.

CH/EXIT button

Short press: Switch the channel/Exit the settings

Long press: Stop charging/Clear warning messages

Warnings and safety notes

Danger

Wrong battery chemistry, cell count, polarity or charge current can cause fire or explosion. Never leave a charging battery unattended.

• Do not leave the charger unattended while charging. If any malfunction occurs, stop the process immediately and refer to the operation manual. Short-circuiting or overcharging can release corrosive chemicals or cause an explosion or fire.
• Monitor the battery temperature during charging. Slight warming near the end of charging (around 40 °C in the source instructions) is possible; stop charging and disconnect the battery immediately if it becomes hot. Always observe the battery manufacturer’s temperature limits. Allow the battery to cool before reconnecting.
• Do NOT attempt to charge incompatible types of rechargeable batteries or even dry (alkaline, zinc-carbon) batteries. This charger is designed to only charge and discharge Nickel-Cadmium, Nickel-Metal Hydride, Lithium-Ion, Lithium-Polymer (regular and HV), LiFePO4, and Lead-Acid batteries.

Never attempt to charge or discharge the following types of batteries:

• A battery pack which consists of different types of cells (including different manufacturers).

• Non-rechargeable batteries (Explosion hazard).

• Batteries that require a different charge technique from NiCd, NiMH, LiPo, LiIon, LiFe, LiHV or Pb.

• 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.

• Keep the charger well away from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunshine and vibration. Never drop it.

• Do not allow foreign objects into the charger.

• The allowable AC input voltage is 100–240 V/50–60 Hz or 11–18 V DC voltage. DO NOT try to feed the charger simultaneously using the AC and DC input.

• This charger and the battery should be put on a firm level, heat-resistant, non-flammable and nonconductive surface. Never place them on a car seat, carpet or similar.

• Keep all the inflammable volatile materials away from operating area.

• Do not cover the air intake holes on the charger, as this could cause the charger to overheat.

• Make sure you know the specifications 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. It can cause fire or explosion due to overcharging.

• Do not attempt to charge batteries at excessive fast charge currents. Check with your battery manufacturer for the maximum charge rate applicable to your battery.

• Do not use automotive type battery chargers to power the charger.

• After using a battery in a model, allow it to cool to ambient temperature before charging.

• Connect the charger to its power supply before connecting the battery to be charged.

• Do not charge inside a closed vehicle or while driving.

• Do not disassemble the charger.

• Children under 15 and persons unfamiliar with the charger and battery handling must be supervised throughout operation by a responsible adult experienced in using the charger and charging batteries.

Technical specifications

AC input	100–240 V / 50–60 Hz
DC input	11–18 V
Lithium batteries	1–6S LiPo/Li-Ion/LiFe/LiHV
Nickel batteries	1–16-cell NiCd/NiMH
Lead-acid batteries	1–12 cells (2–24 V)
Charging current	0.1–10.0 A per channel
DC charging power	Up to 100 W per channel
AC charging power	100 W total; CH1:CH2 allocation 100:0, 50:50 or 0:100
Discharging current	0.1–5.0 A per channel
Discharging power	Up to 10 W per channel
Balancing current	500 mA per cell
PC connection	Micro-USB for firmware updates
Dimensions	135×105×58 mm
Weight	550 g

Confirming the charging current

Make sure to know the maximum charging current of the battery before charging. Never use excessive current to charge to avoid damaging your battery, which will result in overheating or even explosion during the charging process. The charging and discharging rate of a battery is usually marked with a C value. Multiplying the charging C value and battery capacity equals the maximum charging current supported by the battery. For example, for a 5000 mAh battery with a charging rate of 1C, the maximum charging current would be 5000×1 = 5000 mA; therefore, the maximum charging current is 5 A.

For a lithium battery, if it is impossible to confirm the supported charging C value, please set the charging current below 1C, for the sake of its (lithium battery) safety (the same applies to NiMH/NiCd batteries; no more than 0.1C for Pb batteries).

Battery standard parameters

These are reference values. Always follow the battery manufacturer’s chemistry-specific voltage, current and storage requirements; use the lower permitted charging current if the limits differ.

Parameter	Li-Po	Li-ion	LiFe	LiHV	NiCd	NiMH	Pb
Nominal voltage	3.7 V/cell	3.6 V/cell	3.3 V/cell	3.7 V/cell	1.2 V/cell	1.2 V/cell	2.0 V/cell
Max. charge voltage	4.2 V/cell	4.1 V/cell	3.6 V/cell	4.35 V/cell	1.5 V/cell	1.5 V/cell	Type specific*
Storage voltage	3.8 V/cell	3.7 V/cell	3.3 V/cell	3.9 V/cell	Store fully discharged	Store fully charged	Store fully charged
Min. discharge voltage	3.0 V/cell	3.0 V/cell	2.8 V/cell	3.1 V/cell	0.8 V/cell	1.0 V/cell	1.8 V/cell
Max. charge current	≤1C or more**	≤1C	≤4–5C (A123)	≤1C	1–2C	1–2C	≤0.4C

*) Sealed (gas-tight) gel PB batteries up to 2.27–2.30 V/cell. Classic lead-acid („car battery“) and valve-regulated lead-acid batteries up to 2.46 V/cell.

**) Some LiPo batteries may be charged at 5C or even higher rates – always follow the battery manufacturer's recommendation.

Main section

Connect the supply and battery

1. Connect either the AC mains cable or a correctly polarised 11–18 V DC supply. Never use both inputs simultaneously.
2. Connect the charging lead to the selected XT60 output before connecting the battery. Connect the lithium pack's balance plug to the corresponding channel, observing polarity.
3. Check the battery chemistry, cell count and permitted charging current before opening the task menu.

Task settings

Power on the charger and connect a battery; the charger will enter the standby page. Short-press the roller wheel to activate the Program setting menu. The items in this menu are as follows:

Battery	Battery type selection
Cells	Select the number of cells in the battery pack
Mode	Working Mode: Charge, Discharge, Storage (lithium batteries only)
Current	Charge: 0.1–10.0 A; discharge: 0.1–5.0 A
TVC	Terminal voltage control setting
Charge channel	Allows simultaneous charging of an identical pack in both channels
Start	Start charging/discharging program
Back	Return to previous screen or function

Charging channel

This setting is convenient for charging multiple identical batteries (same type and number of cells, same capacity). You can select the channel to start. Red indicates selected, and grey indicates not selected.

For example: When identical batteries are connected to both channels, you can set both 1 and 2 to red; the charger will charge both packs simultaneously with the same setting.

Note

If the batteries are not identical (same type and number of cells, same capacity), select the corresponding channel to set and start the charging separately for each battery.

Connecting the battery

Connect the charging leads to the respective XT60 output socket (CH1 or CH2), observing the correct polarity: (+) red cable, (−) black cable. For lithium packs, it is highly recommended to ALWAYS connect the balance leads and utilise balanced charging to ensure that the charger can accurately monitor the voltage of each cell.

Storage

When selecting the Storage function, the charger will automatically begin charging if the battery pack voltage is below the ideal storage voltage. Likewise, the charger will automatically enter the discharge mode if the battery pack voltage is higher than the ideal storage voltage.

Restoring an excessively discharged lithium battery pack

Danger

Automatic low-current recovery does not prove that an over-discharged battery is safe. Do not attempt to recover a damaged, swollen or excessively discharged pack contrary to its manufacturer's instructions. Stop if its condition is uncertain.

If the charger detects individual cell voltages that are too low to safely begin the regular charging process, it will automatically default to 0.5 A charge rate until the voltage has risen to a level that allows it to accept a fast charge rate safely.

Measuring internal resistance

The charger features the ability to monitor the internal resistance (IR) of each cell in a lithium battery pack. This feature is only operational when in the balance charging mode. Internal resistance can be useful to determine the overall „health“ and performance of a lithium battery; the closer the IR values are between the cells in the battery pack, the better the battery will deliver its energy.

Note

The process of charging a lithium battery is dynamic; therefore, you will notice fluctuations in both charge current and IR during the charging process.

Due to the different measurement methods of the battery resistance, it is impossible to achieve the absolute data similar to professional resistance measurement instruments. Therefore, the internal resistance value is only suitable for reference with horizontal comparison, such as judging the consistency of the performance of one battery as time goes by or the performance comparison between different batteries. The charging current has some influence on the accuracy of the internal resistance measurement; a large capacity and low internal resistance battery requires a large charging current to accurately measure the internal resistance.

Start, stop and disconnect

1. Confirm the task settings and select Start with the roller wheel.
2. Monitor the battery and displayed values throughout the task. Stop if the pack becomes hot, swells or an error appears.
3. Use a long press of CH/EXIT to stop the selected task. The roller wheel also provides task stop/confirmation controls according to the displayed menu.
4. When the task is complete or stopped, disconnect the battery and balance lead, then the charging lead and power supply.

Working parameters display

Rotating the roller wheel up or down during charging will switch the information displayed on the lower half of the LCD screen between cell voltage, cell internal resistance (IR) and working parameters. Cell voltage and IR can only be displayed during the balance charging process.

Dual independent output channels, setting and working independently as follows: Channel 1 charging, Channel 2 stand-by.

The colour LCD display clearly shows the working status of both channels in real time.

System settings menu

Long-press the roller wheel to activate the System Setting menu.

Language	Select the language of the menu
MIN input Voltage	Adjustable 10–12 V to protect the car battery
Power distribution	Adjust the power available to CH1 and CH2 in the AC mode
Capacity cut	Terminates the charge process once the pre-set capacity value is reached
Time cut	Terminates the charge process once the pre-set time value is reached
Temperature cut	Terminates the charge process once the pre-set temperature value is reached (requires the optional temperature sensor)
Backlight	Intensity of the display backlight - High, Medium, Low
Volume	Buzzer volume - High, Medium, Low, Off
About	Software and hardware version information
Factory Reset	Returns all settings to factory default values
Back	Return to the last program or menu

Volume: OFF - the keypad/wheel sounds are off, the error sounds remain active.

Power distribution

AC input: 100 W total, allocated to CH1:CH2 as 100:0, 50:50 or 0:100 W.

DC input: 2×100 W; each channel has a maximum of 100 W.

DC power supply

The charger may also be used as 17.5 V/max. 100 W DC power supply. In the AC input mode, you can connect an appliance (a LED lamp etc.) to the XT60 DC input socket. Check the specification of your device - be sure the device may be operated at 17.5 V, AND the required input power is lower than 100 W (5.5 A). Due to the limited output power of the internal AC power supply, you should not use the charger for charging at the same time, especially if the appliance is an inductive load (like an electric motor; its starting current might be 5–12 times higher than the regular running current).

Warnings and error messages

Error message for abnormal battery connection

Unplug and reconnect all plugs to ensure proper connection and polarity. Check to make sure that all connectors are free of dirt, grease, or oxidation.

Appendix

Guarantee

The KAVAN Europe s.r.o. products are covered by a guarantee that fulfils the currently valid legal requirements in your country. If you wish to make a claim under guarantee, please contact the retailer from whom you first purchased the equipment. The guarantee does not cover faults which were caused in the following ways: crashes, improper use, incorrect connection, reversed polarity, maintenance work carried out late, incorrectly or not at all, or by unauthorised personnel, use of anything other than genuine KAVAN Europe s.r.o. accessories, modifications or repairs which were not carried out by KAVAN Europe s.r.o. or an authorised KAVAN Europe s.r.o., accidental or deliberate damage, defects caused by normal wear and tear, operation outside the Specification, or in conjunction with equipment made by other manufacturers. Please be sure to read the appropriate information sheets in the product documentation.

Keep the charger out of damp or dusty environments. Prevent water, chemicals, fuel, oil or foreign objects entering the enclosure. These conditions and improper maintenance are examples of misuse.

Recycling and waste disposal note (European Union)

Electrical equipment marked with the crossed-out waste bin symbol must not be discarded in the domestic waste; it should be disposed of via the appropriate specialised disposal system. In the countries of the EU (European Union) electrical devices must not be discarded via the normal domestic waste system (WEEE - Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2012/19/EU). You can take your unwanted equipment to your nearest public collection point or recycling centre, where it will be disposed of in the proper manner at no charge to you. By disposing of your old equipment in a responsible manner you make an important contribution to the safeguarding of the environment.

EU declaration of conformity (European Union)

Hereby, KAVAN Europe s.r.o. declares that the KAVAN C20 Duo is in compliance with the essential requirements as laid down in the EU directive(s) concerning electromagnetic compatibility. The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity is available at www.kavanrc.com/doc.