SkyRC NC2200 AA/AAA NiMH/NiCD Battery Charger & Analyzer
Instruction Manual
Model: NC2200 | Part Number: SK-100181 | Version: 2.1
Introduction
Congratulations on choosing the SkyRC NC2200 Charger & Analyzer. This charger is specifically designed for AA/AAA NiMH/NiCD batteries. It features five working modes: Turbo (fast charge), Charge, Discharge, Refresh & Analyze, and Break-in. With four independent AA/AAA slots, the NC2200 can charge up to four batteries simultaneously, allowing you to quickly power your electronic devices. The working current can be set from 0.2A up to 2.2A, depending on different battery capacities. The wide-viewing VA screen displays current, capacity, internal resistance, voltage, elapsed time, and working mode at a glance. Additionally, charging graphs and firmware upgrades are accessible via the SkyCharger app when connected with the optional Bluetooth Dongle (SK-600135, sold separately).
In The Box
- NC2200 Charger * 1
- Instruction Manual * 1
- 12V/2A Power Adaptor * 1
Charger Layout and Controls
The NC2200 features a user-friendly interface with the following controls and indicators:
- VA Screen: Displays all relevant battery and charging information.
- Buttons: UP, DOWN, ENTER, SLOT, TURBO.
- Battery Slots: Four independent slots for AA/AAA batteries.
- LED Indicator: Provides status feedback for each slot.
- Ports: 12V DC Jack, Micro USB Port.
- Base: Features Anti-Skid Pads for stability.
Precautions
- Only charge NiMH or NiCD batteries. Consult the battery manufacturer's manual to ensure compatibility with programmed charge/discharge rates.
- Never expose the unit to rain or moisture to prevent fire hazards.
- Do not use the charger if it appears damaged.
- Ensure batteries are inserted with the positive terminal facing upwards. Incorrect polarity may cause fire or explosion.
- Avoid exposing the unit to direct sunlight. Operate in a well-ventilated area and do not place the charger on carpets.
- Never allow battery terminals to become shorted.
- Use only the standard AC adapter included in the package.
- Batteries may become hot during charging/discharging, especially at high current settings.
- Exercise caution when removing batteries after charging/discharging.
- Remove all batteries from the charger when it is not in use.
Features
- Four independent slots for simultaneous charging of four cells.
- Four LED indicators for intuitive status monitoring.
- Easy operation via five control buttons.
- Five working modes: Turbo Charge, Charge, Discharge, Refresh & Analyze, Break-in.
- Turbo charge capability with rates up to 2.2A per slot.
- Auto-start function within ten seconds of battery insertion.
- Automatic current adjustment based on detected battery resistance.
- Ez-setup feature: long-press to apply the same setting to all slots after configuring one.
- Wide-viewing VA screen offering high contrast ratios for clear visibility.
- Intuitive interface with independent display for each slot.
- Displays Rate, Capacity, Elapsed time, Internal Resistance, Voltage, and Working mode.
- SkyCharger app compatibility for charging graphs and firmware upgrades via an optional Bluetooth Dongle.
Specifications
- Battery Type: NiMH/NiCD
- Battery Size: AA/AAA
- Charge Rate: 0.2A - 2.2A (in 0.1A increments)
- Discharge Rate: 0.1A - 1.0A (in 0.1A increments)
- Discharge Termination Voltage: 0.9V
- Supported Capacity: 500mAh - 3200mAh
- Capacity Protection: 3200mAh
- Input Power: DC 12V / 2.0A
- -ΔV Sensitivity: 5mV
- Trickle Current: 50mA
- Weight: 370g
- Dimensions: 112.1mm x 108mm x 62mm
Charging Current Automatic Adjustment
The internal resistance of a battery typically increases with use. Over time, this resistance can consume charging energy and cause the battery to heat up. The NC2200 utilizes an innovative FlexiPulse algorithm for internal resistance detection. If high internal resistance is detected, the charger automatically reduces the charge current to minimize heating and protect the battery.
Note: For accurate battery capacity determination, it is recommended to use the Refresh & Analyze mode.
| Battery Internal Resistance | Charge Rate |
|---|---|
| Great than 20mΩ but less than or equal to 40mΩ | Limit to 1.5A |
| Great than 40mΩ | Turbo charge stops |
| Great than 40mΩ but less than or equal to 60mΩ | Limit to 800mA |
| Great than 60mΩ | Limit to 400mA |
Manually View Displayed Info
When multiple slots are active, you can switch between them to view specific slot information by pressing the [Down Arrow] or [Up Arrow] buttons, and then the [Left Arrow] button to cycle through the slots.
Battery Knowledge
What is the Meaning of "mAh" on Rechargeable Batteries?
mAh (milliampere-hour) is a unit that measures a battery's energy capacity over time. A higher mAh rating generally indicates a longer battery life or capacity. For example, a 2400mAh battery powering a device that consumes 50mA continuously would operate for approximately 48 hours.
What is "C" Charge/Discharge Rate?
The "C" Rating indicates the rate at which a battery is charged or discharged relative to its capacity. For instance, 0.3C means 0.3 times the battery's capacity. For a 2400mAh battery, 0.3C is equivalent to 720mA (0.3 x 2400mAh).
Choose the Right Charge & Discharge Rate
It is generally recommended to charge batteries at a rate between 0.3C and 1.0C. Charging too slowly may affect proper termination, while charging too fast can lead to overheating and reduced battery lifespan. Slower charging rates prolong battery life but increase charging time. Faster rates reduce charging time but can cause heat buildup and shorten lifespan. A discharge rate above 1.0C is not recommended.
Charge/Discharge Rate Reference
AAA Batteries
| Battery Capacity (mAh) | Charge Rate (mA) | Discharge Rate (mA) |
|---|---|---|
| 700 | 300 | 100 |
| 800 | 400 | 200 |
| 900 | 400 | 200 |
| 1000 | 500 | 200 |
| 1100 | 500 | 200 |
| 1200 | 600 | 300 |
AA Batteries
| Battery Capacity (mAh) | Charge Rate (mA) | Discharge Rate (mA) |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 1800 | 400 |
| 2200 | 2000 | 500 |
| 2400 | 2000 | 600 |
| 2600 | 2000 | 600 |
| 2700 | 2000 | 600 |
Battery Matching
Many electronic devices require multiple batteries to operate. The overall performance is often limited by the weakest battery in the set. Grouping batteries with similar capacities maximizes the efficiency of the battery series. This can be facilitated using the Refresh & Analyze mode.
Battery Formatting
New batteries or those stored for over three months may become chemically deactivated. Battery formatting involves activating the battery through a charge-discharge-charge sequence, achievable via the Break-in mode. This process may need to be repeated two to three times in some cases.
Five Working Modes
The charger offers five distinct working modes, each suited for different battery conditions and needs:
| Mode | Scenario |
|---|---|
| TURBO CHARGE | Fast charge with a high current of 2.2A for batteries needed urgently. |
| CHARGE | Charge the battery with a programmable charge rate. Suitable for batteries in good condition requiring a standard recharge. |
| DISCHARGE | Discharge the battery with a programmable discharge rate. |
| REFRESH & ANALYZE | Determines battery performance based on actual capacity. Ideal for batteries stored for 2 weeks to 3 months, or those showing reduced performance. |
| BREAK-IN | Activates new batteries or those stored for over three months using a charge-discharge-charge sequence. Also known as Battery Formatting. |
Using the Charger
- Ensure no batteries are in the slots before powering up. Connect the DC power adapter to the charger and plug the adapter into a wall socket.
- Insert batteries, ensuring the Negative (-) terminal is inserted first. The setting interface will appear for each slot as batteries are inserted.
- Program and Start:
- Autostart: The charger defaults to CHARGE mode with a 1000mA charge rate if no operation is performed within ten seconds of battery insertion. The NC2200 will resume the last used setting if power is uninterrupted.
- Mode Selection: To select a mode (e.g., DISCHARGE), short-press the [Down Arrow] or [Up Arrow] buttons when "CHARGE" is blinking, then press [Enter] to confirm.
- Rate Setting: Short-press the [Down Arrow] or [Up Arrow] buttons to select the desired charge or discharge rate when "SET CHARGE RATE" or "SET DISCHARGE RATE" is displayed. Press [Enter] to start.
- Apply to All Slots: To apply the current setting to all other slots, press and hold the [Enter] button for two seconds.
- LED Indicator Status:
- The LED indicator will be solid red during the charging or discharging process.
- A faint audible sound may occur, and battery heating is normal during operation.
- The LED indicator will turn solid green once the process is completed.
LED Indicator Explained
| LED Indicator | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Off | Standby |
| Solid Red | Batteries inserted or charging |
| Solid Green | Charging complete |
| Blinking Red | Battery resistance is more than 40mΩ; Turbo Mode terminates. |
Rescue Batteries
If batteries continue to perform poorly after trying all available modes, follow these steps:
- Use the REFRESH & ANALYZE mode one to three times.
- If the battery capacity remains low, switch to BREAK-IN mode.
- If these steps improve battery capacity by more than 10%, repeat the BREAK-IN mode once to three times. If significant improvements are not observed and the actual capacity is less than 60% of its rated capacity, the battery may be at the end of its life and requires replacement.
Displayed Information
The charger's VA screen displays the following information:
- Charge / Discharge Rate: Displays the current charge or discharge rate in "mA". This value may fluctuate slightly due to pulse charging.
- Capacity: Shows the total charged or discharged capacity in "mAh".
- Elapsed Time: Indicates the time spent on the current routine (charging, discharging, or rest).
- Battery Voltage: Displays the battery voltage in "V". Note that readings may differ slightly from multimeter measurements due to charging/discharging conditions.
- Battery Internal Resistance: Shows the battery's internal resistance in "mΩ".
- Overheat: An [Overheat Icon] (three wavy lines) appears if the internal temperature exceeds 80°C (176°F), indicating the unit is too hot. Stop operation and allow it to cool down.
- Bluetooth: A [Bluetooth Icon] is displayed when the charger is successfully connected to the SkyCharger app via Bluetooth.
SkyCharger App Operation
The SkyCharger app allows you to view charging graphs and perform firmware upgrades when connected to the NC2200 via an optional Bluetooth Dongle (SK-600135, sold separately). The Bluetooth Dongle operates on BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and is only accessible through the SkyCharger app.
Important: Do NOT attempt to connect the Bluetooth Dongle directly through your phone's Bluetooth settings. Ensure your phone's Bluetooth is enabled, launch the SkyCharger app, search for the dongle within the app, and then connect.
To use the app:
- Ensure no batteries are inserted. Connect the DC power adapter to the charger and plug it into the wall socket.
- Insert AA or AAA batteries.
- Program the charging settings.
- Scan the provided QR code to download the SkyCharger app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Within the app, you can launch the SkyCharger app, select the found device, view charging information, click for details, view charging graphs, switch between slots, and zoom in/out on graphs. You can also check for and perform firmware updates.
Liability Exclusion and Warranty
Liability Exclusion
This charger is designed and approved exclusively for use with the battery types specified in this manual. SkyRC is not liable for any damages or costs incurred due to misuse, improper operation, or use for purposes other than those stated. SkyRC's liability is limited to the invoice value of the SkyRC products directly involved in an incident where damage occurred, unless otherwise prescribed by law.
Warranty and Service
SkyRC warrants this product against manufacturing and assembly defects for one year from the date of purchase. The warranty covers material or operational defects present at the time of purchase. During this period, defective products will be repaired or replaced free of charge. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from misuse, modification, or failure to adhere to the procedures outlined in this manual.
Note: Warranty service is valid in China only. For overseas warranty service, please contact your dealer. Due to shipping costs and customs procedures, SkyRC cannot directly provide warranty service to overseas end-users. For any questions not covered in this manual, please email info@skyrc.com.
Manufacturer Information
This content is subject to change. The latest version can be downloaded from www.skyrc.com. For questions regarding this document, please contact SkyRC via email at info@skyrc.com. All Rights Reserved.
Manufactured by: SKYRC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Website: www.skyrc.com
©2021 SkyRC Technology Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. [Version 2.1]
Certifications: CE, FC, RoHS
Product Code: 7504-1510-02
