NOVAK IONIC Manual
The Ionic takes Millennium Pro 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 is equipped with Ni-Cd Linear Mode for all Ni-Cd cells, and the new NOVAK Ni-MH2
Mode for the ultimate charge of all sizes of Ni-MH cells without overheating.
Case Size .............................................................. 5.10” x 4.20” x 2.80”
(12.95 x 10.67 x 7.11 cm)
Weight
(AC/DC model) ..........................................................................................
22.56 ounces
(640 grams)
Weight
(DC only model) ........................................................................................
13.80 ounces
(391 grams)
AC Input Voltage
(AC/DC model) ..................................
100-240 volts AC
(built-in supply UL & CE approved)
DC Input Voltage
(AC/DC model/built-in supply output) ...................................................................
12 volts DC
DC Input Voltage
(External/Aux. supply) ..............................................................................
12-15 volts DC
Charging Modes .............................................................................. Ni-Cd Linear • Novak Ni-MH2
Charging Capability
(AC/DC model w/built-in supply) ...............................................
4-7 cells
(1.2 VDC/cell)
Charging Capability
(with 14.5V External/Aux. supply) .............................................
4-8 cells
(1.2 VDC/cell)
Charge Rates ............................................................................................. 0.5, 1.0, & 4.0 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 charger, the
battery pack, or the input power source.
• Charge only nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery packs––
Damage will occur from charging other battery types
(lead-acid, lithium-ion, gel cells, etc.)
.
• Never allow water, moisture, or other foreign materials to enter Ionic charger.
• Do not use automobile battery chargers to power the Ionic––False peaks can occur,
and excessive voltage spikes can damage the Ionic.
• Do not obstruct air intake on top of Ionic––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.
• Enhanced-voltage
(“zapped”)
batteries charge erratically––Consult the battery matching
company for charging recommendations.
• Excessive charge current can damage batteries––Follow battery maker recommendations.
• Never exceed 15 volts DC input power source to power the Ionic.
• Never connect AC voltage to the DC input power connector of the Ionic.
• Gases from a lead-acid battery may ignite if sparks occur when connecting or dis-
connecting the Ionic’s alligator clips––Using a lead-acid battery as a power source may
generate hydrogen gas and should only be used in a well ventilated area. Avoid open
flames and sparks which may ignite battery gases.
NEVER START THE ENGINE WHEN CHARGER IS CONNECTED TO A CAR’S BATTERY!
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
DC OPERATION & CONNECTION
OPERA
TION
MANUAL
INPUT POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE should be 1.5V above the voltage the battery pack peaks.
Example 1: (6 cell Ni-Cd pack peak-voltage
≈
10.5 volts) + (1.5 volts) = 12 volts DC
Example 2: (8 cell transmitter pack peak-voltage
≈
13.0 volts) + (1.5 volts) = 14.5 volts DC***
Remember that older battery packs peak at higher voltages.
NOTE: 8 CELL CHARGING REQUIRES 14.5VDC POWER SUPPLY––If adequate voltage is not available,
the charger will not allow the selection of 8 cells during set-up.
***If power supply’s voltage is not high enough to peak battery, charge 8 cell packs as two, 4 cell packs.
DC INPUT POWER CONNECTOR is on the left side of the Ionic’s case. The supplied Input
Power Harness has a matching connector on it that plugs directly into the Ionic’s connector.
The input power connector in the charger has 3 pins
(see case bottom for pin polarity)
. When
looking at the bottom of the charger, the two pins toward the back of the charger are the
positive (+) connections. The center pin is for the built-in power supply that comes in the
AC/DC model only. The top pin is for an External/Aux. power supply that outputs 12-15 volts
DC. The pin closest to the front of the charger is the common negative (–).
ACCEPTABLE INPUT POWER SOURCES: DC power supply*
(built-in or Aux)
or lead-acid battery**
*Output current of power source should meet/exceed desired charge rate.
**Connect input power harness to lead-acid battery before connecting harness to Ionic.
If using Ionic with an External/Aux. power supply, cut and strip the wires of included input
power harness to the desired length and secure them to the output terminal screws of the
12-15 volt DC power supply.
• Connect the wire that goes to the Ionic’s External/Aux. positive (+) pin to the power
supply’s positive (+) DC output terminal.
• Connect the wire that goes to the Ionic’s negative (–) pin to the power supply’s negative
(–) DC output terminal.
If using Ionic with a lead-acid battery or power supply with post-style output terminals,
solder the included alligator clips to the included input power harness
• Solder the wire that goes to the Ionic’s External/Aux. positive (+) pin to the RED alligator clip.
• Solder the wire that goes to the Ionic’s negative (–) pin to the BLACK alligator clip.
IONIC
www.teamnovak.com
CHARGER SET-UP & OPERATION
Follow these easy steps to set-up your Ionic charger and charge your batteries:
1. AC Operation
(AC/DC version only)
: Connect the built-in power supply’s output to the DC
input connector. Connect the included AC power cord to the AC input of the built-in
power supply and to an AC outlet.
Ionic will go through a quick self-check sequence during which the keypad LEDs will
flash, then the LEDs will display the charger’s present mode, current, & cell# settings.
DC Operation
(either version Ionic)
: Connect an External/Aux. power supply to the DC input
power connector
(AC/DC version: disconnect the built-in supply’s DC input connector).
2. Check that output leads are properly connected to charger––The polarity of the output
leads is marked on the front edge of the bottom of the Ionic’s case.
• Connect the RED output lead to the blade connector marked POSITIVE (+).
• Connect the BLUE output lead to the NEGATIVE (–) blade connector.
3. Connect the charger output leads to battery pack.
• Connect the RED output lead to battery POSITIVE (+).
• Connect the BLUE output lead to battery NEGATIVE (–).
4. Select charger settings for battery pack to be charged:
(refer to RECOMMENDED SETTINGS section)
• ENTER SET-UP MODE––Press SELECT button to enter the set-up mode.
• SELECT CHARGE MODE––Press SELECT button to choose either Ni-Cd or Ni-MH2 charge
mode––Then press ENTER button to select the mode whose LED is illuminated.
• SELECT CHARGE CURRENT––Press SELECT button to choose 0.5, 1.0, or 4.0 Amps––
Then press ENTER button to select the charge current whose LED is illuminated.
• SELECT # OF CELLS IN BATTERY PACK––Press SELECT button to choose 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8
cells
(8 cells only available with Aux. 14.5VDC supply)
––Then press ENTER button to select
the number of cells whose LED is illuminated and exit the set-up mode.
5. Press START/ENTER button to begin charging––CHGR ON LED lights and the battery
pack is analyzed. After few seconds the CHGR ON LED flashes 3 times and charging
begins
(If CHGR ON LED does not flash, pack is being conditioned and charge will begin when finished)
.
6. Ionic indicates battery is completely charged––CHGR ON LED flashes then all the LEDs
scroll on across the keypad. This sequence indicates the battery pack has peaked and is
completely charged. Press ENTER button to acknowledge or remove battery pack.
12-15 volt DC
power supply
black wire
to neg.(–)
red wire
to pos.(+)
black clip
to neg.(–)
red clip
to pos.(+)
12 volt DC
lead-acid
battery
battery
positive (+)
battery
negative (–)
to External/Aux.
positive (+) pin
to negative (–) pin
to External/Aux.
positive (+) pin
to negative (–) pin
DC input
connector
Ext/Aux.12-15VDC pos.(+)
Built-in 12VDC pos.(+)
common negative (–)
AC input
of built-in
power supply
DC Input Power Harness from
External/Aux. 12-15VDC power supply
RED
output
lead to
positive (+)
BLUE
output
lead to
negative (–)
BLUE output lead
RED output lead
output leads
DC Input Power Harness from
Built-in 12VDC power supply
(remove for DC operation
of AC/DC version)
output leads
connect AC
power cord to
100-240VAC
outlet
DC Input Power Harness from
Built-in 12VDC power supply
(connect for AC operation)