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Connecting the charger Onyx 23AH battery

Always connect the charger to the wall outlet before plugging the charger cable into the battery’s XLR circular three-prong connector. This sequence prevents sparking during the connection process.

Onyx 23AH Battery Charging Times

5 Amp Charging To 100% (84 Volts)

  • 0% To 100% - 5.6 Hours
  • 50% To 100% - 3.6 Hours

5 Amp Charging To 97% (83.3 Volts)

  • 0% To 100% - 4.6 Hours
  • 50% To 100% - 2 Hours

10 Amp Charging To 100% (84 Volts)

  • 0% To 100% - 2.8 Hours
  • 50% To 100% - 1.8 Hours

10 Amp Charging To 97% (83.3 Volts)

  • 0% To 100% - 2.3 Hours
  • 50% To 100% - 1.0 Hours

Onyx 23AH Range

These range averages are based on my personal experience and feedback from others. Your actual range may vary, either being higher or lower, depending on factors such as your location, temperature, battery condition, riding style, and several other variables.

New York City - Flat

  • Eco Mode: 65 Miles Range
  • Normal Mode: 45 Miles Range
  • Sports Mode: 30 Miles Range

San Francisco - Hills

  • Eco Mode: 50 Miles Range
  • Normal Mode: 35 Miles Range
  • Sports Mode: 20 Miles Range

Onyx 23AH Battery Charge Level

The Onyx RCR display features both a battery charge bar and a voltmeter. For the most accurate indication of your battery’s state of charge, I recommend relying on the voltmeter. Note that the Onyx RCR draws 0.6 volts when powered on, and the updated Onyx RCR v1.5 accounts for this.

High Temp Charging

When temperatures exceed 85°F, lithium batteries behave differently during charging and discharging. More aggressive riding, especially intense hill climbing, can cause the battery to heat up more quickly. The Onyx 23Ah battery cells are rated to withstand temperatures up to 140°F, with the BMS cutting off power at 158°F. While the Onyx 23Ah battery doesn’t provide temperature readings, you can install a temperature probe with an external gauge inside the battery compartment. If temperatures approach 120°F, it’s a good idea to ease off the throttle. Taking care of your battery on hot days will help maintain its performance and extend its lifespan without compromising its charge cycle count.

Battery Safety

After riding, allow the Onyx RCR 23Ah battery to rest in the shade for at least 30 minutes before charging, especially when using a 10-amp fast charger. On days above 90°F, wait an hour before charging. Giving the battery time to cool down before charging improves its longevity and performance. It helps increase the charge cycle count, allows ions and electrons to rest, reduces operating temperature, and prevents potential thermal runaways, which no BMS can prevent on hot days after intense riding.

  • Avoid charging the battery in direct sunlight.
  • Don’t charge the battery near heat sources like radiators.
  • Don’t charge immediately after racing, hill climbs, or on hot days above 90°F.
  • Occasionally clean the charger’s XLR pins and the battery’s XLR port using contact cleaner.
  • Never charge or store the battery in temperatures below 32°F or above 120°F.
  • If the voltmeter on the display fluctuates randomly while at rest, stop using the battery, switch it off, place it outside, and contact Onyx Motorbikes for assistance.

Charging Safety

Overnight charging and consecutive balancing are safe with the Onyx RCR, as the stock charger and battery management system include redundant fail-safe mechanisms. When the battery reaches 97% (83 volts), the charger will significantly reduce its amperage output and begin trickle charging. This helps reduce heat output and turns off the cooling fan for the remainder of the charging process, including during battery balancing.

  • Do not turn off the battery power switch while charging.
  • Balance the battery every three months to maintain its health.
  • When storing the battery for extended periods, keep it at 74 volts.
  • Between rides, store the battery at a charge level between 78 volts and 81 volts to increase charge cycles.
  • Avoid intentionally discharging the battery below 64 volts or keeping it at 84 volts, as this doesn’t improve battery health.
  • It’s okay to leave the battery fully charged at 84 volts for a day or two when not riding, but don’t make it a regular practice.

Protective Cap

The Onyx RCR now includes a charging cable protective cap located just outside the right-side porthole. For added protection during winter or rainy days, use an XLR rubber cap to shield the port from the elements.

Clean Connector

Cleaning the male charger pins and female battery connector helps reduce electrical resistance, which can lead to inefficient connections and heat buildup. To clean, remove the cotton from one end of a cotton swab and apply two drops of contact cleaner or Isopropyl alcohol 70% to the exposed end. Insert this end into the battery’s female portholes, twisting gently to clean them. For the male charger pins, apply two drops of contact cleaner or Isopropyl alcohol 70% to the cotton side of the swab and use it to clean the pins.

Power Switch and Charging Guide

Power Switch

The power switch on the battery should remain in the “on” position during charging. This switch is different from the power switch near the throttle, and the alarm fob’s power settings do not affect charging. The battery’s power switch controls the Battery Management System (BMS), including its charge and discharge connectors. Turning off the battery power switch disables the charge and discharge ports.

When reconnecting the battery to the bike, use the battery power switch to power it on. There’s no need to turn off this switch when storing the battery or if the bike won’t be used for more than two weeks. However, leaving the power switch in the “on” position while the bike is turned off (via the throttle power switch or alarm fob) will result in a slow draw of 0.2 volts, gradually draining the battery over time.

Charge Cycles

Improving charge cycles helps maintain the electrolyte between the anode and cathode, supporting better electron flow. This results in improved current draw, reduced voltage sag, and lower cutoff levels. You can increase the charge cycles from 400 to 500 by using a lower amperage charger (2 to 3 amps).

  • Charging the battery to 100% daily still provides over 3 years of good use, though most Onyx RCR owners won’t charge daily.
  • Program your charger to stop at 50% to more than quadruple the charge cycles or at 85% to more than double them.

Battery Maintenance Advice

  • When not riding, maintain the charge between 78 volts and 80 volts by unplugging the charger when it reaches those levels.
  • Before riding, charge the battery fully (light on the charger turns green), topping off from 80 volts to 83 volts (97%).

By following these guidelines, you can ensure optimal battery performance and longevity.

Performance

Charging at a lower amperage rate of 2.5 amps results in a longer battery runtime, while a higher amperage charge rate of 10 amps delivers more performance and acceleration. To get the best performance from the Onyx RCR, it’s crucial to take good care of the battery. Understanding that the bike and the battery are separate components is key. Here are four important points to remember about any Onyx RCR battery:

  • Faster riding consumes more battery power.
  • Balancing the battery pack is essential.
  • No two lithium battery packs are identical.
  • Lithium battery packs perform differently at 100% charge compared to 50% charge.

It’s important to plan your rides and know how far your destination is. Not balancing the individual battery cells can result in poor battery performance. Even identical battery packs can differ by about 3%.

To ensure optimal performance, keep your battery charge above 20%, or 69 volts on the display voltmeter. Proper care of the battery directly affects the Onyx RCR’s performance, reducing battery sag and maximizing top speed.

Constant Voltage Constant voltage charging is distinct from battery balancing. Battery balancing takes place after the “constant voltage” phase of charging. When the Onyx RCR’s stock 5-amp charger light turns green, this indicates that 97% (83.3 volts) of the charging is complete. The remaining 3% (up to 84.0 volts) requires about 95 more minutes and is achieved through trickle charging, which is the constant voltage phase. It’s perfectly fine to ride the Onyx RCR once it reaches 97% charge (when the charger light turns green).

SAG

It’s important to understand how much battery sag occurs at full throttle in each mode (eco, normal, and sports). Sag refers to the voltage drop when you apply throttle. On colder days, full throttle may cause a voltage sag of up to 7 volts, while on warmer days, it can range between 4 to 5 volts.

  • Eco mode reduces sag and helps prevent cutoffs.
  • The amount of throttle you apply directly affects the sag.

Cut-Off

When battery sag falls below 59.4 volts, the Onyx RCR will shut off to protect the battery. To turn the bike back on after a cutoff, roll the bike while lightly applying the left brake to activate regenerative braking. Ensure the battery switch is off for 10 seconds before turning it back on.

  • Important: Do not twist the throttle when attempting to restart the bike after a cutoff while engaging regenerative braking.

Battery Management System

The Onyx RCR battery’s management system, located within the battery itself, requires the charger to remain plugged in to balance individual cells, even if the battery is fully charged. The Onyx RCR battery consists of 160 Panasonic NCR18650PF cells (2900mAh, 10A), a widely trusted model known for its reliability and consistency.

The Onyx BMS is programmed to maintain cell voltages between 4.20V (fully charged) and 3.00V (depleted). While individual 18650 cells can technically operate between 4.25V and 2.50V, limiting the range to 4.20V–3.00V enhances battery longevity and safety.

During operation, the BMS monitors both the total pack voltage and the individual cell group voltages. One key role of the BMS is to protect the battery pack from over-discharge. If any individual cell group approaches 3.00V (approximately 60V for the pack) before the others, the BMS will cut off power to prevent over-discharge, safeguarding the underperforming cells from dropping below the safe threshold.

Charging Scenarios

Seasonal Rider

  • Store the battery at 50% charge (72V) when not in use.
  • Perform a three-day balance charge at the start of the riding season.
  • Repeat the three-day balance charge every three months.

Occasional Rider

  • Perform a three-day balance charge once every four months.

Frequent Rider

  • Perform a three-day balance charge once every three months.

Daily Commuter

  • Charge normally five days a week.
  • Perform a two-day balance charge once every two months.

Discharge Curve

The Onyx RCR battery management system is calibrated to operate between 4.20 volts (84.0V) and 3.00 volts (60.0V) per cell group. This voltage range improves battery cycle life by avoiding deep discharges below 3.00 volts and overcharging above 4.20 volts, ensuring both safety and longevity.

The battery’s nominal voltage, where most of its capacity resides, falls between 3.60 volts (72.0V) and 3.695 volts (73.9V).

The discharge pattern of the Onyx RCR battery is not linear; instead, it follows a curve. The charge depletes faster at the extremes—above 85% (80.4V) and below 15% (68.8V). While the full 84 volts are available, the rate of discharge varies, with a quicker drop-off at the top and bottom ends of the charge.

A well-balanced Onyx RCR battery will cut out at 60 volts. However, if the battery is unbalanced, it may cut out at higher voltages, such as 67 volts or lower, depending on the variance in voltage across individual cells. Proper balancing ensures consistent performance and prevents premature cutoffs.

Battery Pack

In personal electric vehicles, the battery pack consists of multiple individual cells, typically ranging from 160 to 200 cells for a 72V system. These cells are almost always lithium-ion 18650 or 21700 NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) batteries. Each cell operates with a maximum charge of 4.2 volts and a minimum safe discharge of 3.0 volts, with 2.5 volts being the absolute lower limit.

Cell Drifting and Delta

It is normal for individual cells in a battery pack to drift slightly in voltage, a phenomenon known as cell drifting, which represents an unbalanced state. Cell drifting occurs naturally over time due to variables such as load demands, peak discharges, constant use, temperature changes, and regenerative braking.

The difference in voltage between the highest and lowest cells is referred to as the cell delta. Healthy battery packs generally exhibit a cell delta between 0.005V and 0.040V, with lower values indicating better balance.

Understanding Constant Voltage Charging

It’s important to distinguish battery balancing from constant voltage charging (also known as trickle charging). All batteries require extra time to charge from 97% to 100%, which is a normal process and unrelated to balancing.

For a 72V battery configured in a 20-series, 9-parallel arrangement, using a charger rated between 2 to 8 amps, it typically takes around 95 minutes to charge from 97% to 100%. This slow charge ensures the battery reaches its maximum voltage safely but does not balance the individual cells.

This test ensures you can confirm whether your BMS supports balancing, an essential feature for maintaining long-term battery health and performance.