12kW Smart Charger User Manual V1.1

12kW Smart Charger User Manual V1.1

18S12000W Intelligent Charger

User Manual (Version 1.1)
Ceres Air LLC
January 2026


1. Product Overview

The 18S12000W Intelligent Charger is our new-generation, self-developed universal battery charger, specifically designed for UAVs. It features an upgraded high-power charging module with a rated output power of 12,000W and a rated output current of 170A, providing faster and more stable charging compared to the previous generation. The quick-connect design enables more convenient battery insertion/removal and ensures safer charging. With an integrated battery cooler, it can dissipate heat during charging or operate independently as a standalone battery cooler.

Note: This charger is intended for use with UAV batteries produced for Ceres Air.

2. Disclaimer

Thank you for purchasing our all-in-one charger designed specifically for unmanned aircraft systems.
Before using this product, please carefully read and strictly follow all electrical safety instructions provided in this document. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, property damage, or damage to this product or surrounding equipment.
By using this product, you acknowledge that you have carefully read, fully understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions set forth in this document and in all other documentation related to this product.
You agree to use this product only for legitimate and lawful purposes.
You acknowledge and agree that you bear full responsibility for the use of this product and for any consequences arising from such use.
Our company shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damage, injury, or legal liability resulting from the use or misuse of this product.
The final right of interpretation of this document and all related product documentation resides with our company.
Warning: Use only approved batteries and charging accessories. Do not modify the charger or battery connectors. Charging incompatible or damaged batteries may cause fire, explosion, or chemical leakage.

3. Charger Diagram


Title
Title
①Battery compartment
②Battery charging connector
③Cooling fan
④LCD function panel
⑤Power increase button
⑥Power decrease button
⑦Pause/Continue button
⑧Debug button
⑨Battery tray
⑩Charging Switch Button
⑪Power connector

4. Warning/Precautions Before Use:

Warning Before using the 18S 12000W Intelligent Charger, please carefully read the User Manual. Failure to follow the instructions may result in property damage, personal injury, or even loss of life.
The warnings and precautions described in this manual do not cover all possible situations. Users must apply general product knowledge not explicitly mentioned in this document and maintain a cautious and responsible operating attitude at all times.
Only personnel holding a valid electrician certification are recommended to connect the AC power cable.
Before performing any wiring or module replacement, disconnect the AC input, remove all batteries, and verify absence of voltage with a properly rated multimeter (lockout/tagout procedure).
Do not charge batteries that are swollen, punctured, leaking, or otherwise damaged. Charging a damaged battery may cause fire, explosion, or chemical leakage.
Do not leave the charger and batteries unattended while charging. Remain within sight of the charger and battery during the entire charging cycle.
When used with a third-party generator, the 18S 12000W Intelligent Charger must be paired with a generator rated at a minimum output power of 15 kW (18 kW or higher recommended), supporting single-phase or three-phase output.
Note: The charger’s cable connection methods for single-phase and three-phase input are not interchangeable. Incorrect wiring may result in module damage, electric shock, or other serious hazards.
Do not operate the charger outdoors in rain, snow, or high humidity. Avoid direct sunlight and do not operate the charger on flammable surfaces.
Operation in high-temperature environments may reduce charging efficiency.
Always operate the 18S 12000W Intelligent Charger within an appropriate ambient temperature range (recommended: –10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F).
Storage temperature range: –20 °C to 60 °C / –4 °F to 140 °F. Do not store batteries or the charger in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
Keep the product away from heat sources, high-voltage equipment, water, flammable gases, corrosive substances, and other hazardous materials.
During charging, keep the charger and battery away from flammable materials. Do not place the charger or battery on carpets or similar surfaces while charging.
Place the product on a stable, level surface. Tilting or overturning is not permitted.
Ensure sufficient clearance for ventilation at both ends of the unit (recommended > 20 inches or 50 cm) to maintain proper airflow during operation.
Select an open and unobstructed area for charging to allow for rapid personnel evacuation in case of an emergency.
If a battery or charger emits smoke, unusual odors, or excessive heat, immediately stop charging (if safe), isolate power, evacuate the area, and use a dry‑powder extinguisher if a fire is present. Do not touch the device until it has cooled and been de‑energized.
Do not remove the battery or disconnect the charging input cable while charging is in progress. After charging is complete, promptly disconnect the battery.
Do not touch battery or charger terminals with bare hands or metal objects. Shorting terminals may cause sparks, fire, or personal injury.
If foreign objects are found at the charger or battery connectors, clean them immediately. Before cleaning, ensure that the intelligent charger is completely disconnected from external power sources.
The cooling fans must be periodically removed and cleaned to prevent dust accumulation from affecting heat dissipation.  The cleaning interval should be determined based on local environmental conditions.
The 18S 12000W Intelligent Charger can be activated and upgraded via a remote controller. Before performing activation or firmware upgrades through the remote controller, ensure that the remote controller firmware has been updated to the latest version.
Do not charge batteries that have been stored at extreme temperatures until they have returned to the recommended operating temperature range.

5. Power Input Cable Safety Instructions

The charger is supplied with two AC power input cables:
    Low-Power Utility Power Cable: This cable is intended for 110 V or 220 V household use and is equipped with a NEMA 5-15P connector (as shown in Figure 1).When this cable is used, the maximum input power is limited to 2 kW.The charging power can be adjusted by the user via the remote controller App, within the allowable range.

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Figure 1

    High-Power Generator Cable: The second cable is a high-power 12 kW power cable designed for generator use.  This generator power cable does not include a plug and must be wired by a licensed electrician according to whether the generator provides single-phase or three-phase output.  Please refer to the single-phase and three-phase wiring requirements specified in this document for correct connection.  
Warning Warning: Incorrect wiring may result in electric shock, equipment damage, or property loss. All wiring operations must be performed by qualified and certified personnel only. Before connecting, verify wiring with a multimeter as described in Section 5.3.

Figure 2

Three-Phase Power Connection

Charger Power Input Connector Pinout
Title
Title
Title
Pin
Definition
Remarks
1
Phase 1 (L1)
2
Phase 2 (L2)
3
Phase 3 (L3)
4
Neutral
Shared neutral line
5
Earth (Ground)

Internal Wiring Diagram of the Three-Module Charger

Three-Phase Charger Internal Wiring Diagram
Each of the three modules is connected to a live wire and a neutral wire (220 V AC).

Note: The internal AC/DC modules have an input voltage range of 110 V–292 V AC.

External Power Wiring Diagram

Single Phase (220V parallel wiring) Generator Plug Wiring Diagram (Example)

Title
Title
Title
Pin
Definition
Remarks
1
Phase 1 (L1)
2
Phase 2 (L2)
3
Phase 3 (L3)
4
Neutral
Shared neutral line
5
Earth (Ground)


Three Phase (380V or 480 V) Generator Plug Wiring Diagram (Example  IEC 60309 Plug)

Voltage Testing
After the wiring is complete, the voltage must be verified with a multimeter before connecting to the charger:
  • Set a multimeter to AC voltage mode.
  • Measure voltage between pins 1 and 4 (L1‑N), pins 2 and 4 (L2‑N), and pins 3 and 4 (L3‑N). Each should read near 220 V (nominal) and be below 292 V. If any reading is outside this range, do not connect the charger and recheck wiring.
  • Measure phase‑to‑phase voltages (L1‑L2, L2‑L3, L3‑L1) to confirm expected generator output (e.g., ~380 V or ~480 V depending on generator).
Important: Single‑phase and three‑phase wiring methods are not interchangeable. Confirm generator configuration and wiring diagram before connecting. If using a generator to power multiple chargers, ensure the generator has the required continuous rated output (see Section 9)

6. Operating Instructions

6.1 Charger Activation

The 18S12000W Intelligent Charger must be activated before use; otherwise, the output power will be limited to a maximum of 2,000 W.
When the charger is first powered on, the LCD panel of the charger will prompt you to activate the device. At this time, connect to the drone remote control and follow the prompts to complete the charger activation.
Warning Warning: Using the charger without activation may affect or void the warranty coverage. Please activate the charger immediately before first use.

6.2 Charging Instructions

Connect the charger, insert the battery to be charged, and turn on the charging switch.
At this point, the charger will first check the type of power harness, then check the charging module, and finally check the battery status. If all tests are normal, the charger will begin charging.
Note: When a battery is inserted for the first time, it may not be detected automatically. In this case, press the battery power button once to initiate detection.After the initial detection, subsequent battery connections will be automatically detected and charged.
Warning Warning: When using the utility power cable, the charging power will be limited to 2000 W, and the input voltage range is 110–220 V AC.

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6.2.1 Precautions during charging

During charging, the charging power can be adjusted using the "Power +" and "Power −" buttons.
Pressing the "Pause/Resume" button will pause the charging; pressing it again will resume charging. 
Pressing the "Debug" button will enter the charger into the debug interface.
Warning Warning: Do not remove the battery during charging. Always pause charging or turn off the charging switch before removing the battery.
Do not charge batteries that are hot to the touch (> 45 °C) or below 0 °C. Allow batteries to reach the recommended temperature range before charging.
Do not leave batteries unattended while charging. If you must leave the area, pause charging and disconnect the battery.

Note: If the charger detects an over‑temperature condition or fan failure, it will automatically reduce charging power and, if necessary, suspend charging. An error code will be displayed on the LCD and on the remote app.

6.2.2 Charger Information on Remote Screen


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The remote app will display error codes for module faults, over‑temperature, over‑voltage, under‑voltage, and short‑circuit conditions. Follow on‑screen instructions and disconnect power before servicing.

6.2.3 Pre‑Charge Checklist

Pre‑Charge Checklist (perform before every charge):
  • Visual inspection: No swelling, punctures, leaks, or physical damage on battery or connectors.
  • Connector cleanliness: Terminals free of debris or corrosion; clean only when power is disconnected.
  • Battery temperature: Between 0 °C and 45 °C (32 °F–113 °F) before charging.
  • Battery voltage: Within manufacturer’s safe range; if unknown, measure with a meter before inserting.
  • Secure seating: Battery fully seated and locked in the tray before enabling charging.

7. Intelligent Charger – Specifications

Charger Name: 18S12000W Intelligent Charger
Model: 18S12000W
Input Voltage: (Single Phase) 110V AC~220V AC or (Three Phase) 380V AC~480V AC
Input Frequency: 47Hz～63Hz
Output Power: 12,000 W (Maximum) / 2,000 W (the utility power cable)
Output Channels: 1
Protection Functions: Over-temperature, over-voltage, under-voltage, short-circuit protection
Operating Temperature: –10°C to 40°C / 14°F to 104°F
Weight: 51lb（23KG）
Dimensions: (L × W × H)  16.4 × 15.4 × 15.4 in (416 × 390 × 391 mm)
Rated Output Current: 170A
Communication Frequency: Wi-Fi 2.4G & 5G（B1 & 4）& BT 4.2
Warning Warning: The allowable input power range depends on the cable wiring configuration. Incorrect wiring may result in electric shock or property damage

8. Packing List

18S12000W Intelligent Charger ×1
Charger Cable with Plug (Low Power, 2,000w) ×1
Charger Cable without Plug (High Power, 12,000w) ×1
Charger Outer Packaging ×1
User Manual ×1

9. Generator Recommendations:

The 18S12000W Intelligent Charger is compatible with generators providing single‑phase 220 V or three‑phase 380 V / 480 V output.
The power cable wiring method must strictly follow the instructions in this manual. Incorrect wiring may result in electric shock or property damage. Damage to the charger caused by incorrect wiring is not covered under warranty.
For both single‑phase and three‑phase generators, the minimum continuous rated output power must be 15 kW, with 18 kW or higher recommended.
Although the charger’s maximum charging power is 12,000 W, generators typically require a 30–40% power margin for stable long‑term operation.
If one generator is used to power two chargers, the generator’s minimum rated power must not be less than 30 kW, with 40 kW or higher recommended for optimal performance.
If the generator supplies multiple loads, verify generator transient response and voltage stability under load; consult generator manufacturer for recommended derating and continuous operation guidance.

Appendix A — Emergency and Maintenance Procedures

Emergency response: If a battery or charger catches fire, isolate power if safe to do so, evacuate the area, and use a dry‑powder extinguisher. Do not use water or foam extinguishers on energized electrical equipment. After the event, do not touch the device until it has cooled and been verified de‑energized by qualified personnel.
Maintenance / cleaning: Before cleaning fans or internal components, disconnect AC input and remove batteries. Verify absence of voltage with a meter. Replace filters and clean fans per local environmental conditions.
Labeling: Ensure the charger exterior includes clear labels for input pinout, maximum input current, activation requirement, and a visible warning: “Do not charge damaged batteries. Do not leave unattended.”

Appendix B — Error Codes and Troubleshooting

E‑OT — Over‑temperature: Charger reduced power or suspended charging. Verify ventilation, clean fans, allow units to cool, then retry. If persistent, contact support.