NOVAK IONIC-D Quick Start
The Ionic-D comes programmed with the following default settings:
Operation Mode:
Auto Discharge Before Charge
Charge Mode:
Ni-MH
2
Charge Current:
4.0 amps
Number of Cells:
6
If you need to change any of these settings, please refer to the “CHANGE SETTINGS”
section of this manual. The default operation mode of the Ionic-D is Auto Discharge
Before Charge. In this mode, the Ionic-D will automatically discharge (if it is determined
that the battery pack has sufficient voltage) and then charge your battery pack. If you do
not wish to use the Auto Discharge Before Charge Mode, please see the “FORCE MODE”
section of this manual.
STEP 1 - Attach the provided AC input cord to the Ionic-D. Plug the other end into an
appropriate AC outlet. For DC operation, see the “DC OPERATION” section. The LEDs will
blink and strobe for a few moments while the Ionic-D performs a self-test.
STEP 2 - Connect the Ionic-D’s output leads to your battery pack. Be sure to maintain
proper polarity between the output leads and the battery. The red clip connects to the
positive terminal, while the black clip (blue wire) connects to the negative terminal.
STEP 3 - Press the Ionic-D’s “START” button. The charger will beep, then flash the “CHGR/
ON” LED 3 TIMES. At this point, the Ionic-D is checking the status of your battery. After the
battery pack’s condition is determined, the charger will begin to discharge or charge your
battery pack accordingly. Wait for the LEDs to strobe from left to right, and your battery
pack will be charged. To interrupt any operation, press the Ionic-D’s “STOP” button.
The Ionic-D takes advanced charger technology and puts it into an affordable, easy-to-use charger
with a simple user-interface, highly visible LED display, and auto-battery conditioning.
The Ionic-D is equipped with Ni-Cd Linear Mode for all Ni-Cd cells, and the NOVAK Ni-MH2
Mode for the ultimate charge of all sizes of Ni-MH cells.
Case Size ........................................................................ 5.10” x 4.20” x 2.80”
(130x107x71 mm)
Weight ................................................................................................ 22.56 ounces
(640 grams)
AC Input Voltage ................................................. 100-240 volts AC
(built-in supply UL & CE approved)
DC Input Voltage ....................................... 12 volts DC (Internal) 12.5-14.5 volts DC (External)
Operation Modes ............. 3 (Auto Discharge Before Charge, Charge Only and Discharge Only)
Charging Modes .............................................................................. Ni-Cd Linear • Novak Ni-MH
2
Charging Capability
(AC/DC model w/built-in supply) ...............................................
4-7 cells
(1.2 VDC/cell)
Charging Capability
(with 12.5-14.5V External/Aux. supply) .....................................
4-8 cells
(1.2 VDC/cell)
Charge Rates ............................................................................................. 0.5, 1.0, & 4.0 amps
Discharge Rates ..................................................................................................... 1 & 10 amps
Circuit Protection .................. Input & Output RVP/Short-Circuits, Shorted Batteries, Thermal Overload
SPECIFICA
TIONS
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS
The following precautions will help to prevent possible damage to the Ionic-D, the battery
pack or the input power source.
• Always charge in a well ventilated area.
• Never leave battery pack & the Ionic-D unattended during charging.
• For proper cooling, remove battery pack from vehicle to charge.
• Disconnect battery pack from the Ionic-D when done charging.
• Never tamper with the internal electronics. Risk of electrical shock.
• Charge only nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery packs. Never charge
lithium polymer, lithium-ion, lead-acid, or gel cell batteries as damage will occur.
• Never allow water, moisture, or other foreign materials to enter the Ionic-D.
• Do not use automobile battery chargers to power the Ionic-D––False peaks can occur, and
excessive voltage spikes can damage the Ionic-D.
• Do not obstruct the air intake on the top or side of the Ionic-D––Overheating/thermal shut
down will occur.
• Do not charge batteries with fewer than 4 or more than 8 cells––connected in series.
• Do not charge battery packs connected in parallel––Batteries will be damaged.
• Do not charge battery packs with fewer cells than indicated by the Ionic-D’s “# OF CELLS” LED
(a 6 cell battery pack is not to be charged on the 7 or 8 cell settings).
• Excessive charge current can damage batteries––Follow battery maker recommendations.
• Never exceed 15 volts DC input power source to power the Ionic-D.
• Never connect AC voltage to the DC input power connector of the Ionic-D.
• Gases from lead-acid battery may ignite if sparks occur when connecting/disconnecting the
Ionic-D’s alligator clips––Using a lead-acid battery as a power source may generate hydrogen gas
& should only be used in a well ventilated area. Avoid open flames & sparks which may ignite
battery gases. NEVER START THE ENGINE WHEN CHARGER IS CONNECTED TO A CAR’S BATTERY!
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
OPERA
TION
MANUAL
IONIC-D
#55-4465-1
RECOMMENDED SETTINGS
For the best charge performance and battery life, use the following settings for your Ionic-D
charger depending on the given battery type and size. Note that in order to charge 8 cells
you must use an auxiliary power supply that is at least 12.5-14.5 volts DC. If the external
power supply does not have enough voltage, the charger will not let you select 8 cells.
BATTERY TYPE
CELL SIZE
MODE
AMPS
# OF CELLS
Nickel-Cadmium
sub-C & larger (sub-C, D, & F)
Ni-Cd
4.0
4-8
Nickel-Cadmium
2/3 A & smaller
(above 600mAh cells)
Ni-Cd
1.0
4-8
Nickel-Cadmium
2/3 A & smaller
(below 600mAh cells)
Ni-Cd
0.5
4-8
Nickel-Metal Hydride
sub-C & larger (sub-C, D, & F)
Ni-MH
2
4.0
4-8
Nickel-Metal Hydride
2/3 A & smaller
(above 600mAh cells)
Ni-MH
2
1.0
4-8
Nickel-Metal Hydride
2/3 A & smaller
(below 600mAh cells)
Ni-MH
2
0.5
4-8
In the Ni-Cd mode the Ionic-D uses a constant current linear charge and looks for a delta-peak (volt-
age threshold) of 5mV/cell to determine when the battery is completely charged.
The Ionic-D’s Ni-MH
2
mode is an exclusive charge algorithm (developed by Novak Electronics) that
uses an innovative method to determine the end of charge so precisely, that overheated battery packs
are a thing of the past.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Novak Ionic-D AC/DC Charger & Discharger. Your new
Ionic-D comes programmed with automatic battery care features which run with a simple
press of the “START” button. Depending on the condition of your battery pack, the Ionic-D
will either Auto Discharge Before Charge, Charge, or Condition your battery pack.
Read the section below to gain an understanding of the basic operations of the Ionic-D.
During Charging: The appropriate “MODE”, “AMPS” and “CHGR/ON” LEDs will be lit.
The appropriate “# OF CELLS” LED will flash at an increasing rate to represent the approxi-
mate charge state of the battery pack. A slow flash indicates very little charge while a faster
blink indicates a nearly full charge. When charging is complete, an alarm will sound and all
LEDs will strobe from left to right.
During Discharging: Both “MODE” LEDs will be on while the “CHGR/ON” and the ap-
propriate “# OF CELLS” LEDs will flash. The “CHGR/ON” LED will flash at a constant rate
while the “# OF CELLS” LED will flash at a decreasing rate. A fast flash indicates a fully
charged battery pack and a slow flash indicates a nearly discharged battery pack. If the
Ionic-D is in the Auto Discharge Before Charge Mode, when discharging is complete, the
Ionic-D will sound an alarm tone and rest for a brief period before entering the charge
mode. If the Ionic-D is in Discharge Only Mode, when discharging is complete, the Ionic-
D will sound an alarm tone and all LEDs will strobe from left to right.
Battery Conditioning: Battery conditioning occurs automatically if the Ionic-D detects
very low voltage in your battery pack. The Ionic-D will charge your battery pack at 0.5
amps for a short period of time to bring the voltage back up safely. After the low amp
charge, normal charging will take place with a peak detect “lock out” period to avoid
false-peaking.
Please continue reading this manual to understand all the features of your new Ionic-D.
If you need to change one or more of the Ionic-D’s default settings, follow these steps:
1. ENTER SETUP MODE - While the Ionic-D is at rest, press the “SELECT” button to enter
setup mode.
2. SELECT CHARGE MODE - Press the “SELECT” button to choose either the Ni-Cd or Ni-
MH
2
charge mode. When the correct mode is selected, press the “ENTER” button.
WARNING: Setting the battery type incorrectly may cause damage to your battery pack!
3. SELECT CHARGE CURRENT - Press the “SELECT” button to choose 0.5, 1.0 or 4.0 amps
charge current. Press the “ENTER” button when the correct LED is flashing.
NOTE: See your battery manufacturer’s recommended charging rates. Never use a HIGHER
rate than recommended, LOWER rates are fine and usually help prolong the life of the
battery pack. When the Ionic-D’s charge rate is set at either 0.5 or 1.0 amp, the dis-
charge rate will be 1 amp. When the Ionic-D’s charge rate is set at 4 amps, the discharge
rate will be 10 amps.
4. SELECT # OF CELLS IN BATTERY PACK - Press the “SELECT” button to choose 4, 5, 6, 7
or 8 cells (8 cells is only available when using an Auxiliary 12.5-14.5 volt DC power
supply). Press the “ENTER” button when the proper LED is flashing to save your settings
and exit. The Ionic-D will retain your settings until you change them again.
WARNING: Setting the number of cells incorrectly may damage your battery pack!
For Novak suggested settings to charge different battery types, see the “RECOMMENDED
SETTINGS” section later in this manual.
CHANGE SETTINGS
FORCE MODES
If you do not want the Ionic-D to automatically discharge your battery pack before charg-
ing, it is possible to force the Ionic-D into either the Discharge Only or Charge Only mode.
DISCHARGE ONLY MODE
To force the Ionic-D into the Discharge Only Mode, follow these steps:
1. Properly connect your battery pack to the Ionic-D.
2. Ensure the Ionic-D has all proper settings in place, refer to “CHANGE SETTINGS” section.
3. Press the “START” button.
4. When the “# OF CELLS” LED begins to flash, press and hold the “SELECT” button for 2
seconds. When the button is released, you will hear an alarm tone.
5. Both “MODE” LEDs will light up solid, the “AMPS” LED will be off and the “CHGR/ON”
LED will begin to flash at a constant rate to indicate the Ionic-D is discharging.
6. The appropriate “# OF CELLS” LED will flash during discharging. The flashing will change
from fast to slow as the battery pack discharges.
7. When the Ionic-D has finished discharging, an alarm will sound and ALL LEDs will strobe
from left to right.
NOTE: When the charge rate is set at either 0.5 or 1.0 amp, the discharge rate will be 1
amp. When the charge rate is set at 4.0 amps, the discharge rate will be 10 amps.
CHARGE ONLY MODE
To force the Ionic-D into the Charge Only Mode, follow these steps:
1. Properly connect your battery pack to the Ionic-D.
2. Ensure the Ionic-D has all proper settings in place, refer to “CHANGE SETTINGS” section.
3. Press the “START” button.
4. When the “# OF CELLS” and “CHGR/ON” LED begin to flash, press and hold the “START”
button for 2 seconds. When the button is released, you will hear an alarm tone.
5. The appropriate “MODE”, “AMPS” and the “CHGR/ON” LEDs will light up solid to indi-
cate the Ionic-D is charging.
6. The appropriate “# OF CELLS” LED will flash during charging. The flashing will change
from slow to fast as the battery pack charges.
7. When the Ionic-D has finished charging, an alarm will sound and ALL LEDs will strobe
from left to right.
QUICK START
SELECT
button
START/ENTER/
STOP button
NEG(–)
POS(+)
BLUE output lead
battery pack with
solder tabs
RED output lead
battery pack with
Tamiya connector
NEG(–)
POS(+)
BLUE output lead
RED output lead
battery pack with
Deans connectors
NEG(–)
POS(+)
BLUE output lead
RED output lead
output leads
(to battery pack
being charged)
AC input
of built-in
power supply
connect AC
power cord to
100-240VAC
outlet
Ionic-D Keypad and LEDs