PowerBox Systems Digiswitch V2 User manual

Instruction Manual
Digiswitch
V2

2PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
Dear customer,
congratulations on your decision to purchase the PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 from
our range. We wish you many hours of pleasure and success with the PowerBox
DigiSwitch V2!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 is the second generation of the PowerBox Digi-
Switch, which is well-known throughout the world. For almost fteen years the
PowerBox DigiSwitch has represented the standard for small to medium-sized
models thanks to its compact format and versatility.
By using the latest components we have been able to reduce the size of the Digi-
Switch V2 by about 20 %.
The introduction of a top-quality aluminium case, machined and anodised, has
brought a substantial increase in the unit’s cooling efciency, with the result that
the maximum continuous current capacity of the PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 is
around 20 % higher. In fact, the peak load capacity is twice as high: the DigiSwitch
V2can handle more than 10 A for several seconds!
The DigiSwitch V2 offers four user-selectable output voltages: for normal servos it
can be set to a regulated 6.0 V, regulated voltages of 7.0 V and 7.6 V are available
for HV servos, as is an option for non-regulated voltage.

www.powerbox-systems.com 3
Power to the unit can be drawn from four different battery types: LiPo, LiIon, LiFePo,
NiMH. Ultra-bright RGB LEDs are tted to indicate battery voltage; they light up in
various colours to display the charge status of the batteries.
CORE users also benet from one special additional feature: the battery voltage
and regulator voltage can be displayed directly at the transmitter via telemetry!
FEATURES
+ High-performance electronic switch
+ Ultra-light unit, compact format
+ Regulated output voltage
+ Redundant switch and regulator circuitry
+ User-selectable output voltage: 6.0 V/7.0 V/7.6 V or non regulated
+ Separate RGB LED voltage indicators for each battery
+ Telemetry support for CORE systems
+ Supports 4 different battery types: 2s LiPo, 2s LiIon, 2s LiFePo and 5s NiMH
+ Regulator monitoring
+ Suppression of servo feedback currents

4PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
1. FEATURES AND CONNECTIONS
2. INSTALLING AND CONNECTING THE BATTERIES
The PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 should be installed in the model in a position where
vibration levels are low. Solid GRP fuselage sides in a power model should be tted
with an internal 3 – 4 mm thick plywood plate to minimise vibration, and to provide
‘meat’ for the retaining screws.
Connect the batterie of your choice – with correct polarity – to the battery input.
You can use either 2s LiPo or LiIon, two 2s LiFePo or two 5s NiMH batteries. We
recommend the use of PowerPak 2.5x2 Pro batteries, which are particularly safe
and simple to handle thanks to their integral charge circuitry.
Push-button
Battery socket
(MPX or JR)
RGB LED
voltage and status
indicators
Receiver
output
Telemetry con-
nection for the
CORE P²BUS

www.powerbox-systems.com 5
Note regarding home-assembled battery packs: connecting a battery to the
unit with reversed polarity will immediately destroy the internal linear regulators!
Plug the output of the DigiSwitch into the receiver’s Battery input or any vacant
socket.
If there is no servo output available, a Y-lead can be connected to a servo output
socket, to which the DigiSwitch V2 and the servo are connected.
If you are using a CORE system, use the procedure described above. The cable with
the single signal wire should be connected to the receiver’s P²BUS input.
3. SWITCHING ON AND OFF
Like its predecessor, the DigiSwitch V2 only has one button, and this simplies the
procedure for switching on and off. As with other PowerBox devices with a single
button, the sequence is as follows:
Hold the button pressed in for one or two seconds until the LEDs light up violet.
Now release the button for a moment before pressing it again briey; this conrms
the switching process.
Once switched on, the switch can only be switched off again using the button.
Intermittent contacts or breaks while in use will not cause the PowerBox to switch
off. The last switched status is always stored.

6PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
4. SETTING THE BATTERY DISPLAY
It is essential to set the correct battery type to ensure that the LED battery indi-
cators work correctly. The rst step is to switch the PowerBox on, then hold the
button pressed in again.
After about ve seconds the LEDs will go out, and a sequence of different colours
begins. Each colour corresponds to a particular battery type. Simply release the
button when the colour matching your battery type is displayed. The battery type
is now stored.
Note regarding the LED display: the battery indicators do not follow battery voltage
in a linear fashion. We have tested and measured various currently available bat-
tery types, and produced an average discharge curve from this information; this
discharge curve is used as the basis for a percentage indication of battery state.
The LED indicators correspond to the battery status as follows:
LiPo LiIon LiFe NiMh
80 – 100 % 60 – 80 % 40 – 60 % 20 – 40 % 0 – 20 %

www.powerbox-systems.com 7
5. SETTING THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE
The PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 can be set to either of two output voltages: 6.0 V for
conventional servos, and 7.0 V, 7.6 V or non-regulated for HV servos. If you opt for
the higher setting, please ensure that all the components connected to the system
are approved for high-voltage use.
One advantage of regulating the voltage at 7.6 V, instead of simply allowing the
full battery voltage to pass through, is that it suppresses the high battery voltage
present just after charging. The voltage remains stable right from the outset, which
means that servo speed and power are constant for a longer period.
If you wish to change the output voltage, hold the button pressed in while you
connect one of the batteries. The LED will initially light up green, then switch to red
after three seconds. Release the button when the colour is correct for your required
output voltage: green = 6.0 V, orange = 7.0 V, violett = 7.6 V and red = non-regulated.
The LED now ashes white to conrm that the set-up process is complete.
Repeat the exact procedure with the second battery connection.
6.0 V 7.0 V 7.6 V non-regulated

8PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
Notes on regulator performance:
The maximum current which the PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 can supply varies ac-
cording to external factors such as battery type and the selected output voltage,
and it is also signicantly affected by cooling efciency. Ideally the battery backer
would be installed on the outside of the model, or inside in such a position that at
least some airow is present for cooling. In particular when the DigiSwitch V2 is
used with LiPo or LiIon cells, and the output voltage is set to 6.0 V, the number of
servos connected to the system should not be excessive. At the same time please
bear in mind that not all servos are equal: six small wing servos draw less current
than four 30 kg types.
At the 7.6 V setting the backer does not have to work hard to regulate the voltage
and disperse energy. This increases the performance of the PowerBox DigiSwitch
V2 substantially. The same applies to the 6.0 V output voltage setting if LiFePo or
NiMH batteries are used, since the input voltage at the DigiSwitch is already lower.
If you are not sure whether the PowerBox DigiSwitch V2 has sufcient capacity for
the requirements of your system, move all the servos continuously - with the model
on the ground – for about thirty seconds. If the DigiSwitch V2 becomes hot to the
touch (more than 60°C), rst check that the servos, pushrods and linkages are in
good order. If you nd no problems, then you should use the PowerBox Sensor
instead, as it is better suited to heavy-duty work.

www.powerbox-systems.com 9
6. REGULATOR ERRORS
The unit constantly monitors the operation of the voltage regulators. If the output
voltage strays outside the correct value, the LEDs indicate this by lighting up violet
and ashing rapidly. Regulator errors typically occur when a battery is connected
with reversed polarity.
If this should happen, please contact our Service department!
7. SPECIFICATION
Operating voltage: 4,0 V – 9,0 V
Power supply: 2s LiPo, 2s LiIon, 2s LiFePo, 5s NiMh
Current drain, operating 23 mA
Current drain, stand-by: 4 μA
Peak current capacity: 10 A
Drop-out voltage: 0.1 V
Output voltage: 6.0 V/ 7.0 V/7.6 V stabilised or non-regulated
Supported telemetry system: P²BUS
Dimensions: 50 x 18 x 11 mm
Weight: 15 g
Temperature range: -30 °C to +105 °C

10 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
8. DIMENSIONS

www.powerbox-systems.com 11
9. SET CONTENTS
- PowerBox DigiSwitch V2
- 2x retaining screws
- Operating instructions in English and German
10. SERVICE NOTE
We are anxious to offer good service to our customers, and to this end we have
set up a Support Forum which deals with all queries concerning our products. This
relieves us of a great deal of work, as it eliminates the need to answer frequently
asked questions time and again. At the same it gives you the opportunity to obtain
help quickly all round the clock – even at weekends. All the answers are provided by
the PowerBox Team, guaranteeing that the information is correct.
Please use the Support Forum before you telephone us.
You can nd the forum at the following address:
www.forum.powerbox-systems.com

12 PowerBox-Systems − World Leaders in RC Power Supply Systems
SERVICE ADDRESS
PowerBox-Systems GmbH
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany
11. GUARANTEE CONDITIONS
At PowerBox-Systems we insist on the highest possible quality standards in the
development and manufacture of our products. They are guaranteed “Made in
Germany”!
That is why we are able to grant a 24 month guarantee on our PowerBox Digi-
Switch V2 from the initial date of purchase. The guarantee covers proven material
faults, which will be corrected by us at no charge to you. As a precautionary mea-
sure, we are obliged to point out that we reserve the right to replace the unit if we
deem the repair to be economically unviable.
Repairs which our Service department carries out for you do not extend the original
guarantee period.
The guarantee does not cover damage caused by incorrect usage, e.g. reverse po-
larity,excessivevibration, excessive voltage, damp, fuel, and short-circuits.The same
applies to defects due to severe wear.
We accept no liability for transit damage
or loss of your shipment. If you wish to
make a claim under guarantee, please
send the device to the following address,
together with proof of purchase and a de-
scription of the defect:

www.powerbox-systems.com 13
12. LIABILITY EXCLUSION
We are not in a position to ensure that you observe our instructions regarding installa-
tion of the PowerBox DigiSwitch V2, full the recommended conditions when using
the unit, or maintain the entire radio control system competently.
For this reason we deny liability for loss, damage or costs which arise due to the
use or operation of the PowerBox DigiSwitch V2, or which are connected with such
use in any way. Regardless of the legal arguments employed, our obligation to pay
compensation is limited to the invoice total of our products which were involved in
the event, insofar as this is deemed legally permissible.
We wish you every success with your new PowerBox DigiSwitch V2.
Donauwoerth, November 2020

PowerBox-Systems GmbH
certied according to DIN EN ISO 9001
Ludwig-Auer-Straße 5
D-86609 Donauwoerth
Germany
[phone]
[phone]
www.powerbox-systems.com
11/2020