KAVAN C50 Duo - Instruction manual
C50 Duo
Introduction
The KAVAN C50 Duo is a two-channel DC balance charger with up to 250 W per channel or 400 W for one battery in parallel-output mode. It has no discharge or storage-discharge program. Read the entire manual and Warnings and safety notes before connecting a battery.
Charger set contents
- KAVAN C50 Duo charger
- Screen protector
- Instruction manual
Warnings and safety notes
Wrong battery chemistry, cell count, polarity or charge current can cause fire or explosion. Never leave a charging battery unattended.
- For your safety and a better user experience, please read this manual and follow the instruction before using the new charger.
- This is not a toy. This appliance is not intended for use by young children under 14 years of age or uninformed persons unless they were adequately supervised by a responsible adult person to ensure that they can use the appliance safely.
- Never use the charger without supervision, please stop using the charger and refer to the manual if you encounter any functional abnormality.
- Keep the charger away from dust, humidity, rain, low and high temperature, as well as avoid direct exposure to the sunlight and intense vibration.
- Place the charger on a heat-resisting, non-flammable and insulating surface. Do not use it on the car's seats, carpet or other similar places. Keep inflammable and explosive objects away from operation areas of the charger.
- Only operate this device in a cool ventilated area.
- Read the instruction manual carefully to be familiar with the features of the charger, and set proper charging parameters before operating. Setting the parameters incorrectly and or failure to observe safety procedures may and will result in damage to the product, personal property and cause serious injury as well.
- Never attempt to charge primary (non-rechargeable) batteries.
- Batteries pose a severe risk of fire if not properly handled.
- This unit may emit heat during use.
Technical specifications
| DC input | 10–30 V, maximum 20 A |
|---|---|
| Lithium batteries | 1–6S LiPo/LiHV/ULiHV/LiFe/LiIon |
| Nickel batteries | 1–16-cell NiMH/NiCd |
| Lead-acid batteries | 1–10 cells (2–20 V nominal) |
| Normal charging | 0.2–10.0 A and up to 250 W per channel |
| Parallel-output charging | One battery: 0.2–16.0 A, up to 400 W combined |
| Balancing current | Up to 0.5 A per cell |
| Operating temperature | 0–40 °C |
| USB-C | Firmware update connection |
| Dimensions | 90.5×90.5×47 mm |
| Weight | Approximately 250 g |
Charger layout
Main section
Button operation in standby
CH1 menu key
Short-press CH1 to display that channel’s detailed parameters. Long-press it to open the channel’s task settings.
CH2 menu key
Short-press CH2 to display that channel’s detailed parameters. Long-press it to open the channel’s task settings.
Long press the CH1 and CH2 menu keys at the same time
Enter the advanced settings menu.
Preset battery type of charger and task parameters
| Parameter | Rated voltage | Full charge voltage | Balance charger | Unbalanced charger | Supported cell count | Max. charging current |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NiCd/MH | 1.20 V | 1.40 V | No | Yes | 1–16S | 10.0 A |
| Pb | 2.00 V | 2.40 V | No | Yes | 1–10S | 10.0 A |
| LiFe | 3.20 V | 3.65 V | Yes | Yes | 1–6S | 10.0 A |
| LiIon | 3.60 V | 4.10 V | Yes | Yes | 1–6S | 10.0 A |
| LiPo | 3.70 V | 4.20 V | Yes | Yes | 1–6S | 10.0 A |
| LiHV | 3.80 V | 4.35 V | Yes | Yes | 1–6S | 10.0 A |
| ULiHV | 3.90 V | 4.45 V | Yes | Yes | 1–6S | 10.0 A |
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 1000 mAh battery with a charging rate of 5C, the maximum charging current would be 1000×5 = 5000 mA; therefore, the maximum charging current is 5 A.
For a lithium battery, if the supported charging C value cannot be confirmed, set the charging current below 1C.
The approximate relationship is: charging time ≥60 minutes / charging C value. For example, charging at 1C takes around 60–70 minutes. Battery conversion efficiency and behaviour may extend this time.
Operating the charger
- Connect a 10–30 V DC battery or regulated supply with adequate current capability. At least 24 V is needed for full rated power. Set the maximum input power to suit the supply.
- Connect the charging leads to the charger first, then the battery. Connect the matching balance lead for multi-cell lithium packs.
- Long-press CH1 or CH2 to open the required channel’s task settings. Set the following parameters:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Task | Charge |
| Chemistry | ULiHV, LiHV, LiPo, LiIon, LiFe, Pb, NiMH/Cd |
| Condition | Charge terminal voltage, delta-peak sensitivity for NiMH/NiCd |
| Cells | LiFe, LiIon, LiPo, LiHV, ULiHV (1–6S); Pb (1–10S); NiMH/Cd (1–16S) |
| Current | 0.2–10.0 A |
Charge
Connect the battery's main lead to the selected channel. For a lithium pack with a balance connector, also connect its balance lead to that channel's matching balance port. Follow the separate-channel connections in (Fig. 3). For one battery in normal mode, use one channel and leave the other unused. Combined-output charging requires Parallel task.
Use the balance connection when charging a multi-cell LiPo pack so the charger can monitor and balance each cell. The charger gives a warning before starting a LiPo charge without the balance connection.
Current setting range: 0.2–10.0 A
Starting/Stopping the task
Check the settings, select Start and press the respective channel’s CH1 or CH2 button to start.
The individual cell voltages and internal resistance are only displayed with the balance cable connected.
To stop at any time, long-press the respective CH1 or CH2 button, select Stop, then press that button again. After completion or stopping, disconnect the battery and balance lead, then the charging leads and power supply.
Advanced settings
Under the standby interface, long press the CH1 and CH2 buttons at the same time to enter the advanced setting menu.
Dual task
Dual task charges two identical batteries connected to CH1 and CH2 simultaneously with the same settings. Power the charger, connect both batteries, then select this function in the advanced menu and set the task parameters.
Both batteries have to be connected to the CH1 and CH2 outputs before you try to launch the DualTask mode.
Parallel task
Use the combined-output cable.
The combined output charges one battery, not two batteries connected in parallel. Maximum current is 16 A total and maximum power is 400 W.
Power the charger. Connect both output ends of a suitable combined-output cable to CH1 and CH2, then connect its single battery end to the pack. Connect the pack’s balance lead to either channel’s balance port. Select Parallel task in the advanced menu and set the parameters. The battery must be connected to both outputs before you start Parallel mode.
DC power CH1
Stop the charging task and disconnect the battery from CH1 before connecting a load. Confirm its voltage and current requirements.
In DC power CH1 mode, channel CH1 acts as a regulated supply with adjustable output voltage of 5–24 V and current limit of 0.2–5.0 A (max. 100 W).
System setting menu
Select System setting in the advanced menu to access the following settings:
Lowest input voltage: 10–24 V
If the supply voltage falls below this setting, all active tasks stop and a low-voltage warning appears. This protects the supply battery against excessive discharge, for example when using a car battery.
Max. Input power: 100–550 W
If the supply can deliver less than the charger’s maximum input power of 550 W, set this limit to the supply’s actual capability. This prevents overloading the supply and ensures stable operation.
Backlight
Adjust the backlight intensity.
Volume
Adjust the sound signal volume.
Completion tone
Select the completion tone.
Split screen
There are 3 options of 60 seconds, 30 seconds and OFF for automatic split screen setting. You can choose to switch the display of the main interface from the single-channel parameter interface to Dual channel (split screen) parameter interface. You can also select „Off“ to turn off the automatic split screen function.
Language
Select the desired language of the menu.
Theme
Select the display style.
Keep trickle
After charging is complete, choose whether to continue trickle charging. The trickle charge function is enabled to maintain the lithium battery voltage in a fully charged state; this function is enabled by default.
Self-test
Perform self-test of the charger.
Calibration
The input voltage, output voltage and balance voltage of the charger can be calibrated with this task.
System info
Hardware/firmware version information.
Appendix
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 C50 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.
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.