Battery Dischage Connectors
Looking for information on battery discharge connectors and wires? Check out ONYX RCR Stock Battery Lead, which also includes a link to upgrades.
XT Charge Connectors
XT60 and XT90 connectors are now more commonly used on ONYX charge ports due to their smaller size, greater efficiency, and improved weather resistance.
- Always connect XT connectors at an angle, ensuring the flat positive (+) side makes contact first.
Discharge Port Charging
Since 2018, all ONYX batteries have supported charging through the discharge port-similar to how regenerative braking sends current back to the battery. This requires modifying the charger’s connector to either an Anderson SB50 or a QS8 connector.
Charging larger ONYX batteries through the discharge port at 15A or 20A is perfectly acceptable. However, using higher-amperage charging over the long term will shorten the battery’s overall charge cycle life.
Discharge Port BMS Charging Cap
ONYX batteries are limited by their BMS in terms of the maximum amperage they can charged from the discharge port. When using aftermarket high-amperage chargers-up to 45A-make sure to use the connector that matches your discharge port, whether it’s an Anderson SB50 or a QS8 connector.
Adapter Warning
- Do not use an adapter to convert an XLR, XT60, or XT90 connector to an Anderson SB50 or QS8 connector.
Discharge Port Charging Max Amps
| Model | BMS Amps Cap | Theoretical Amps |
|---|---|---|
| ONYX 23AH | 10a | 24a |
| ONYX 41AH HD | 10a | 45a |
| ONYX 41AH EK | 10a | 37a |
| ONYX 45AH | 10a | 45a |
| AMORGE | 20a | 45a |
Charge Port Connector Wire
From 2018 to 2021, the stock ONYX RCR 23Ah battery came with a 16 AWG charge port wire-a specification that continued with the ONYX 41Ah battery from 2021 to 2024 and remains unchanged in the ONYX 45Ah battery as of 2025.
| Model | Gauge | Amps Max | Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONYX 23AH | 16 AWG | 15a | 250 °F |
| ONYX 41AH | 16 AWG | 15a | 250 °F |
| ONYX 45AH | 16 AWG | 15a | 250 °F |
| AMORGE | 12 AWG | 25a | 250 °F |
XT60 Charge Connector Specifications
The XT60 connector is a widely used electrical connector designed for high-current applications.
- Dimension: 16mm x 8mm x 19mm
- Maximum Wire Size: 12 AWG
- Compatible Wire Sizes: 10 AWG to 14 AWG
- Temperature Range: -20°F to +250°F
- Metal Material: Pure Gold-Plated Brass
- Plastic Material: Nylon Reinforced with Fiber
- Flame Retardant Rating: UL94 V0
- Rated Voltage: DC 500V
- Continuous Current: 60A
- Peak Current: 80A
- Resistance: 5-ohm
- Recommended Usage: Up to 1,000 cycles
XT60 Variations
| Model | Feature | Use |
|---|---|---|
| XT60 | Standard | General power connections |
| XT60E | Panel mount | Fixed installations, enclosures |
| XT60H | Built-in solder covers | Clean and secure wiring |
| XT60S | Anti-spark | High-voltage systems (72V+) |
| XT60I | Inline connector | Custom wiring harnesses |
XT90 Charge Connector Specifications
The XT90 connector is a high-current electrical connector designed for applications that require more power than an XT60 can handle.
- Dimension: 21mm x 13mm x 29mm
- Maximum Wire Size: 8 AWG
- Compatible Wire Sizes: 8 AWG to 12 AWG
- Temperature Range: -20°F to +250°F
- Metal Material: Pure Gold-Plated Brass
- Plastic Material: Nylon Reinforced with Fiber
- Flame Retardant Rating: UL94 V0
- Rated Voltage: DC 500V
- Continuous Current: 90A
- Peak Current: 120A
- Resistance: 5-ohm
- Recommended Usage: Up to 1,000 cycles
XT90 Variations
| Model | Feature | Use |
|---|---|---|
| XT90 | Standard | General high-power connections |
| XT90S | Anti-spark | High-voltage (72V+) applications |
| XT90E | Panel mount | Fixed installations, enclosures |
| XT90H | Solder covers | Clean and secure wiring |
| XT90I | Inline connector | Custom wiring harnesses |
XLR Charge Connector
The stock XLR charge connector on ONYX batteries and chargers comes in two variations. A blue XLR connector on the battery supports up to 13A of charging, while a black XLR connector should be limited to 10A. To improve charging, replace black XLR connectors with Neutrik-branded XLR connectors on both the battery and charger. For an even better connection, consider upgrading to an XT60 or XT90 connector.
XLR Connector Amps
| Model | Amps | Year |
|---|---|---|
| XLR Stock Black | 10a | 2018-2021 |
| XLR Stock Blue | 13a | 2022-2024 |
| XLR Neutrik | 16a |
XLR to XT60 Charge Adapter
When using an XLR to XT60 adapter, always follow the maximum amperage rating of the weakest connection. For XLR connectors, this limit is 10 amps.
Charging Efficiency
An 84V charger draws approximately 11.67A from the wall at 120V AC when outputting 15A at 84V DC with 90% efficiency. A circuit breaker may trip if the outlet provides less than 15A, which happens when the voltage drop exceeds 6V (5%), causing the outlet voltage to fall below 114V.
An 84V charger can output approximately 19.3A DC before exceeding a 15A AC circuit breaker on a 120V outlet, assuming 90% efficiency, as long as the charger is the only device on the circuit and the circuit breaker wiring is properly sized for the distance between the outlet and the breaker.