This page is part of the ONYX Battery Guide
This post is a technical reference for the ONYX 72V 23Ah battery, covering the original pack design manufactured from 2019 through 2022.
It focuses on real-world behavior, including charging requirements, balancing behavior, cutoff patterns, temperature limits, and performance under load.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Battery Aging Limitations
The ONYX 23Ah battery packs are now in an advanced stage of aging and no longer deliver original capacity or peak output.
Most riders will see:
- reduced range
- weaker acceleration
- higher voltage sag under load
- higher battery temperatures
These changes are caused by increased internal resistance.
These packs have very limited tolerance for high current operation. Using Kelly SICKO MODE or FarDriver JAWS MODE can cause permanent cell damage and irreversible capacity loss.
ONYX 23Ah 72V DC Current and Phase
- DC Current Amps: 40A-50A
- DC Boost Current: 55A-60A
- AC Phase Current: 120A-150A
ONYX 23Ah 72V System Overview
| Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Nominal System | 72V |
| Cell Configuration | 20s |
| Cell Count | ~160 |
| Cell Type | Panasonic NCR18650PF |
| Full Voltage | 84V |
| Storage Voltage | ~74V |
| Empty Voltage | ~60V |
What Makes the ONYX 23Ah 72V Battery Different
Most ONYX batteries balance automatically with normal charging behavior.
The 23Ah battery does not.
It requires a charger that properly maintains constant voltage at the end of the charge cycle so the BMS can balance the cells.
- charger reaching full voltage is not enough
- charger turning green is not enough
- time at full voltage is required
This is the defining behavior of the 23Ah battery.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Charger Compatibility for Balancing
| Charger | Balances | Cannot Balance |
|---|---|---|
| ONYX 5A | Yes | |
| ONYX 10A | Yes | |
| Grin Tech | Yes | |
| Variable / Adjustable chargers | Yes |
Using a charger that does not maintain proper constant voltage will prevent balancing even if the charger reaches full voltage.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Charging Times
5A Charger
| Target | 0% -> 100% | 50% -> 100% |
|---|---|---|
| 84.0V (100%) | 5.6 hrs | 3.6 hrs |
| 83.3V (97%) | 4.6 hrs | 2.0 hrs |
10A Charger
| Target | 0% -> 100% | 50% -> 100% |
|---|---|---|
| 84.0V (100%) | 2.8 hrs | 1.8 hrs |
| 83.3V (97%) | 2.3 hrs | 1.0 hrs |
ONYX 23Ah 72V Charging Behavior
At approximately 97% (83.3V), the charger light turns green.
This indicates the charge target has been reached, but it does not mean the battery is fully charged or balanced.
The final portion of charging is constant-voltage charging:
- voltage is held constant
- current gradually decreases
- this phase can take ~95 minutes
Balancing begins after this stage on compatible chargers.
Balancing requires time at full voltage, not just reaching it.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Outlet Wattage Behavior
Outlet wattage can be used to directly observe charging phases and confirm whether balancing is occurring, especially after the charger light turns green.
Charge Phase Reference
| Phase | Wattage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Charging (Bulk) | 100W–1700W | High current, voltage rising |
| Constant Voltage | 35W–100W | Voltage held near max |
| Balancing | 2.9W–30W | Cell equalization |
| Fully Balanced | 1.3W–2.7W | Maintenance draw |
Interpretation
- remains above ~30W → not balancing
- drops into 2.9W–30W → balancing active
- reaches 1.3W–2.7W → fully balanced
- fluctuates repeatedly → extended balancing or aging
This provides a measurable way to confirm balancing instead of relying on charger indicators.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Real-World Range
Range varies by terrain, riding style, temperature, and battery condition.
Flat Terrain
- Eco: ~65 miles
- Normal: ~45 miles
- Sport: ~30 miles
Hilly Terrain
- Eco: ~50 miles
- Normal: ~35 miles
- Sport: ~20 miles
ONYX 23Ah 72V Reading Battery Level Correctly
Voltage is the most accurate indicator of state of charge.
The bike draws about 0.6V when powered on. Newer v1.5 bikes compensate for this automatically.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Voltage Behavior and Cutoff
Cutoff behavior is a key diagnostic indicator.
| Behavior | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Cuts off around ~62V | normal |
| Cuts off above ~69V | imbalance or weak cell behavior |
| Cuts off around ~74V | significant imbalance |
Higher cutoff voltage indicates imbalance rather than normal discharge behavior.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Balancing Time Estimation
Cutoff voltage correlates with required balancing time.
| Cutoff Voltage (Under Load) | Estimated Balance Time |
|---|---|
| ~62V | ~24 hours |
| ~68V | ~48 hours |
| ~74V | ~70 hours |
Higher cutoff voltage indicates greater imbalance and longer balancing time.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Temperature Guidelines
- BMS cutoff: 140°F / 60°C
- BMS recovery: 135°F / 57.2°C
- reduce load above 120°F / 49°C
Best practice:
- rest 30 minutes after riding before charging
- wait longer in hot weather
- avoid charging in direct sunlight
- charge recommended: 40°F-105°F (4°C-40.5°C)
- charge limits: 32°F-113°F (0°C-45°C)
ONYX 23Ah 72V General Battery Safety
- do not charge immediately after aggressive riding
- clean XLR connectors periodically
- store between 78V and 81V when not riding
- long-term storage: ~74V
- avoid leaving at 84V continuously
- stop use if resting voltage becomes unstable
ONYX 23Ah 72V Charging Safety and Storage
- overnight charging is safe
- charger enters constant voltage after ~97%
Important:
- do not turn off battery switch while charging
- do not interrupt long balancing sessions
- do not intentionally discharge below 64V
ONYX 23Ah 72V Battery Power Switch
- leave ON during charging
- leave ON during storage
- turn OFF only when disconnecting from bike
If left ON, the battery will slowly self-discharge over time.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Balancing Schedule
| Use Case | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Seasonal | 3-day balance at season start, then every 3 months |
| Frequent riding | every 3 months |
| Daily use | 2–3 days every 2 months |
Balancing is maintenance and should be performed periodically even if no symptoms are present.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Balancing Procedure
Balancing occurs at very low current and requires uninterrupted time.
Procedure
- use a compatible charger (ONYX 5A or equivalent)
- charge the battery until the charger turns green
- do not disconnect the charger
- continue charging for extended time
- allow up to 72 continuous hours for full balancing
Important Behavior
- balancing does not begin immediately
- balancing starts after constant-voltage phase
- charger light does not indicate balancing completion
Riding during balancing periods is possible, but uninterrupted charging produces better results.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Under Load Behavior
A battery can appear normal at rest and fail under load.
Signs to watch:
- sudden voltage drop under throttle
- early cutoff
- weak acceleration
- excessive sag
If the battery cuts out under load and immediately recovers when throttle is released, the weakest cell group is likely hitting low-voltage protection.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Voltage Sag
- cold conditions: up to ~7V sag
- warm conditions: ~4–5V sag
Sag increases with:
- lower state of charge
- higher load
- higher temperature
- battery age
ONYX 23Ah 72V Battery Management System
The battery contains:
- 160 Panasonic NCR18650PF cells
- 20 series groups
Limits:
- max: 4.20V per group
- min: 3.00V per group
The BMS protects the battery but does not actively balance without proper charging conditions.
ONYX 23Ah 72V Common Mistakes
- assuming charger green light means fully balanced
- using incompatible chargers
- interrupting balancing cycles
- using 10A charging for balancing
- using high current on aging packs
- ignoring cutoff behavior
Battery Diagnostics
For full diagnostic workflows:
Final Notes
The ONYX 23Ah battery is maintenance-sensitive and requires correct charging behavior to remain usable.
Key points:
- constant-voltage charging is required for balancing
- balancing requires time, not just voltage
- cutoff voltage reveals battery condition
- aging reduces performance and tolerance for load
The 23Ah platform depends more on charger behavior and time at full voltage than app-based diagnostics.
Understanding these behaviors is critical to extending usable life.