KAVAN C14 Plus - Instruction manual

Introduction

Congratulations on purchasing the KAVAN C14+ AC/DC balance charger/discharger. This unit is simple to use; however, the proper operation of this charger, as well as the correct usage of your batteries, requires some knowledge on the part of the user. Therefore, it is important to read right through the Operating instructions, Warning and safety notes before you attempt to use your new charger for the first time.

Charger set contents

KAVAN C14+ charger, AC power cable, DC power cable, Charging cable, Instruction manual.

Features

Optimized operating software

The operation of the KAVAN C14+ is controlled by state-of-the-art software providing safe and reliable charging/discharg ing of virtually all common types of model hobby accumulators. Clear and intuitive program menus offer wide possibilities of setting parameters of the charging/discharging process. They also offer advanced functions, like temperature, time or capacity cut-off enhancing the reliability of correct termination of the charging/discharging process.

Battery memory (up to 20 different charge/discharge programs)

Internal lithium battery balancer

Fast and storage mode of lithium batteries

Delta-peak sensitivity for NiMH/NiCd

Cyclic charging/discharging (1 to 5 cyclic process of charge > discharge is operable for NiMH/NiCd batteries).

Adjustable automatic charging current limit (for NiMH/NiCd batteries).

Lithium battery voltage and internal resistance meter

Power supply function

Smart battery charger function

Warning and safety notes

• Do not leave the charger unattended while charging. If any malfunction occurs, TERMINATE THE PROCESS AT ONCE and refer to the operation manual.
• Disconnect the battery if it becomes hot immediately. Allow the battery to cool down 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, 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.
• Do not disassemble the charger.
• This appliance is not intended for use by young children or uninformed persons unless they were adequately supervised by a responsible adult person to ensure that they can use the appliance safely.

Please bear in mind the following points before commencing charging:

• Did you select the appropriate program suitable for the type of battery you are charging?
• Did you set up adequate current for charging or discharging?
• Have you checked the battery voltage?
• Have you checked that all connections are firm and secure? Make sure there are no intermittent contacts at any point in the circuit.

Charge/discharge - recommended parameters

LiPo, LiHV and Li-ion batteries

LiPo, LiHV and Li-ion batteries should be charged at 1C - unless the manufacturer recommended a different value – always follow closely the instructions of the battery manufacturer.

Li-Fe batteries

Genuine A123Systems LiFePO4 nanophosphate batteries may be safely charged at 1-5C levels. Please follow the values recommended by the particular manufacturer with Life batteries of other brands.

Lithium battery long time storage

If your lithium battery is not supposed to be used for more than a month, you should use the Storage program to charge or discharge it to a safe part-charge state best suited for the long time storage.

Battery max. temperature limit

We recommend to set the cut-off temperature to 35–40°C for the LiPo and Li-ion batteries; 40–45°C for the Li-Fe cells.

Note: The optional temperature sensor is required to measure the temperature of your battery.

NiCd and NiMH batteries

Low internal resistance power NiCd batteries of the sub-C size (e.g. Panasonic N-1700SCR, generally all 1:10 RC car NiCd packs) can be charged at 1-2C rate (i.e. 1.7 to 3.4 A for 1700 mAh pack). The rest of NiCd and NiMH batteries should not be charged at a rate higher than 1C.

Delta-peak sensitivity

It determines the sensitivity of the delta-peak cut-off circuitry; adjustable within the range 5-20 mV/cell. The lower value, the higher sensitivity. The sensible value is 8-15 mV/cell for most of NiCd batteries and 4-10 mV/cell for most of NiMH batteries.

Discharge - the end point voltage

NiCd batteries: 0.8-1.0 V/cell, NiMH: 1.0 V/cell.

Battery max. temperature limit

We recommend setting the cut-off temperature to 40-45°C for the NiCd and NiMH batteries.

Lead batteries

Charge and discharge

We recommend charging the sealed lead-acid batteries at 0,1C rate; discharge max. 1C. C14+ end voltage is 2.45 V/cell. Note: 1C rate means such a current that would theoretically charge a battery of a certain nominal capacity in 1 hour. Example: It is 2 A (or 2000 mA) for 2 000 mAh battery.

Battery standard parameters

	LiPo	Lilon	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	3.85 V/ cell	Fully discharged	Fully charged	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 rate – always follow the battery manufacturer’s recommendation.

Operating the charger

Here is the detailed procedure to make the charger work. All the screens and operations will take LiPo BALANCE CHARGE program for example.

1. Connection

Connecting to a power source

AC: Please connect your KAVAN C14+ to the AC mains socket using the supplied AC power cable.

DC: Please connect your KAVAN C14+ to a 12 V car battery using the supplied DC power cable.

Connecting the battery

Important: Before connecting a battery it is absolutely essential to check one last time that you have set the parameters correctly. If the settings are incorrect, the battery may be damaged, and could even burst into flames or explode. In order to avoid short circuits, always connect the charge leads to the charger first, and only then to the battery. Reverse the sequence when disconnecting the pack.

Balance ports (Lithium batteries only)

The balance cable attached to the battery must be connected to the charger with the black wire aligned with the negative marking. Take care to maintain correct polarity! If your pack features a different system of balance connectors (other than JST-XH) connect it via a corresponding balance adapter available separately. This diagram shows the correct way to connect your battery to the charger while charging in the balance charge program mode.

Caution: Failure to connect as shown in this diagram will damage this charger. To avoid a short circuit between the charge leads, always connect the charge cable to the charger first, and then connect the battery. Reverse the sequence when disconnecting.

2. Getting started

2.1 Programming buttons

BATT. TYPE / STOP button: Used to stop the progress or go back to the main menu and navigation within it.

DEC button: Used to go through the menus and decrease the parameter value.

INC button: Used to go through the menus and increase the parameter value.

ENTER / START button: Used to trigger the charging process, enter parameter field or store parameter on screen. When you intend to alter a parameter value in the program, press the START/ENTER button to make it blink then change the value by pressing DEC and/or INC button. The value will be stored by re-pressing the START/ENTER button. If there is another parameter that can be altered in the same screen, when you confirm the first parameter value, the next parameter value will start to blink which means it is ready to be set.

When you intend to start the progress, press and hold the START/ENTER button for 2 seconds. When you are willing to stop the progress or go back to previous step/screen, press the BATT. TYPE/STOP button once.

When you power on the charger, it will enter the program you were using last prior shutting the charger off.

You can change the mode (balance mode, normal charge mode, fast charge mode, store mode or discharge mode), enter the desired charging/discharging mode, set the referred parameter and start the progress then.

Locate the flowchart showing the entire programming menu (see page 19). It is highly recommended to have it handy while learning how to operate this charger.

2.2 Main menu (program select)

Once powered on the initial screen (KAVAN C14+ KAVAN Europe) is displayed; the chyrge enters the main menu then (PROGRAM SELECT). Here you can scroll through the lithium, NiCd/NiMH and lead battery charge menus, system settings menu, special functions menu and program memory menu using BATT.TYPE/STOP, DEC or INC buttons.

Lithium battery (LiPo, LiHV, LiFe/LiIo) charge/discharge programs. The battery type is to be selected in the particular function menu.

Nickelmetalhydride and nickelcadmium (NiMH, NiCd) charge/discharge programs. The bat tery type is to be selected in the particular function menu. Lead (Pb) battery charge/discharge programs.

User settings menu for setting of general functions – buzzer, max. output power of the charger, capacity, temperature and time cut-off, charge/discharge terminal voltage, del ta-peak sensitivity etc.

Special programs – Lithium cell voltage and internal resistance meter, power supply mode, Smart battery charge mode.

20 charging/discharging program memory. You can launch the selected program right away or adjust the settings first.

2.3 User program setup (user settings)

The charger will be operated with the default value of the essential user settings when it is powered on for the first time. The screen displays the following information in sequence and the user can change the value of parameters (used for all the charging programs) on each screen. Scroll through the main menu with the BATT. TYPE/STOP button to find the User Setings PROGRAM -> menu and press the START/ENTER button to enter. You can scroll through the system settings menu using INC or DEC buttons. When you are willing to alter the parameter value in the particular function, press START/ENTER to make it blink then change the value with INC or DEC. The value will be stored by pressing START/ENTER once again.

TABULKA

3. pROGRAMMING THE CHARGER - MANUAL PROGRAM SETTING

3.1 Charging/discharging programs