RC Groups - Batteries and Chargers

Question need 6 cell balancing charger

chas650r — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:42:00 GMT

guys , moving up to 6 cell, so a new charger is needed. thinking about a cellpro 10s as i have a couple of 4s's that have been good chargers. any input for or against or other charger recomendations would be appreciated.

thanks, chuck.

Question Solder

thinman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:42:05 GMT

Has anyone heard of 5 core solder? I have some (had it for years) and was wondering if it would be ok to use to solder Deans and other connectors for lipo batteries?

thinman

Help! Dynamite DYN4060 Charger

Malevolence — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:37:22 GMT

I have a Dynamite DYN4060 AC/DC LiPo Charger. Last week I was charging a battery at the flying field, and I had to run off, so I told my girlfriend what to do when it is done charging. Well, I guess I didn't explain how to turn it off and disconnect the battery very well, and she pulled out the output jacks (red then black) instead of disconnecting the alligator clips on my car battery. She told me the charger started to smoke a bit until she disconnected it from my car battery to shut off the power.

I flew the battery and it was fine. Now when I try to charge the battery, the charger emits an error tone... which kind of sounds like a car alarm or siren... and it's quite clear that it's a tone that means bad things... but I don't know what it means. I've tried searching google and these forums, but haven't found anything mentioning an error tone outside of the manual:

"If the battery voltage is too low, the charger will also emit
the error tone even though the right number of cells has been
selected. Hold the CHARGE button for 2 seconds to enter the
charger into the low voltage charge mode. After 30 seconds the
charger will return to the correct charge mode."

Until yesterday, I have never really read about lipo batteries, and have been pretty ignorant in the way I handle them. I don't have any tools/meters for checking voltage and stuff, but it is quite possible I run the battery too low when I fly. I also have not been using a cell balancer. Anyway, I tried holding down the start button after starting the charge, but it does not switch to the low voltage mode, it simply stops charging and lets me select cell count and charge rate again. So, I'm guessing the charger is toast?

I'm pretty sketchy now about lipo safety, as I live in a condo with my aunt. There is no place I can store a battery without it being within range of flammable things. I have been storing it in my foam plane in a closet with Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, and clothing. :eek: I've fallen asleep twice while the battery was charging next to my bed and woke up 8 hours later thinking, oops. I suppose I've been lucky. The best place I have found to store it now is in a small safe, and I put the safe on the tile floor in the bathroom... but of course the walls and shower curtain are flammable.

I feel much more comfortable with glow fuel, and am regretting buying electric planes. I know fuel is dangerous too, but it sure does seem safer to me after reading a bit about lipo batteries. But I just got a 3D Hobby Shop SHP from a guy I fly with, so I've been reading more about electric planes.

My main reason for posting this is to ask if anyone knows what the error tone means?

Discussion Charger recommendation

irascible — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:39:40 GMT

I'm looking for a good quality charger that can do the following:

1. 2 seperate battery charge leads that balance. (very important)
2. AC/DC (not that important)
3. Built-in balancer.
4. Charges up to 4S+ on each lead.
5. Supports most if not all battery types (LiFe, LiPo, Lion, NiMH, NiCd, etc).
6. Backlight display (not that important).
7. USB upgradeable.
8. Discharges (not that important).
9. Fuse protected.

My budget is around $200.

Mini-Review A First Look at the HobbyKing Quattro 4 channel charger

kit — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:02:52 GMT

My first use of the HobbyKing Quattro 4 channel battery charger.

Here's the link...
http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store...Multi_Charger_

Ordered it on Nov. 15 and received it today Nov. 20. There are some pictures below of what it looks like and how it performs.

The first pic shows that it is well packed in soft spongy foam.

It is a fairly large charger as compared in this photo to a Triton. Also shown are the cables that are supplied with it.

This next photo just shows what it looks like when first powered up. I was using a 12 volt deep cycle trolling motor battery to power it.

I proceeded to attach 4 different battery packs, one to each channel and set the necessary parameters by using the buttons for each channel. In this photo on channel 1, there is a 7 cell nimh pack being charged at .3 amps. The 2nd channel has a 3s lipo being charged at 1 amp and is attached to the balancing port. The 3rd channel has a 14.4 volt Roomba nimh pack being charged at 1.8 amps. And, the 4th channel has another 3s lipo being charged at 1 amp with no balancing connector.

Here are what the 4 displays look like when all of the above are charging.

My clamp-on ammeter shows that 5.5 amps were being drawn from the deep cycle battery for all 4 charges going.

This photo just shows each voltage for the 3s lipo being charged on channel 2.

And this final photo shows the final voltages on the 3s lipo when the charge completed. After the pack was removed from the charger the voltages were checked with a DVM and showed 4.18v, 4.17v, and 4.18v.

I'm happy.....YMMV. :)

Discussion Cheap 3S 1 to 2 amp LiPo charger?

jrb — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:37:08 GMT

Want to do 3S only, from NiMh pack via our Dome Fly ( http://www.marcee.org/ ); ideas?

TIA,

Jim

Question Hyperion LiteStorm LVZ4500 4S charging experience

maarset — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:18:48 GMT

I have two Hyperion LiteStorm LVZ4500 30C 4cell packs that are hard wired in Series (8cell), that I use on a large RC Aircraft.
I think they are a bit of an over kill cause they come down barely warm. It's hard to tell they were even used.
This is a good thing.
Flown them 3 or 4 times and put back in 2700MAH. I figure I can go up to 3600 mah and that would be 80%.
I am using an iCharger 1010+B charger and I charge them as an 8 cell 4500MAH lipo. So they are getting charged in Series.
I charge them at 4.5 AMPS @ 33.6 Volts but the manufacturer states they can be charged up to 2C which is 9AMPS.
I did charge them once at 6.7AMPS which is 1.5C. I monitor the temp of the lipo and they were maybe 2 degrees warmer during the charge compared to the 1C charge.

Now here is when I get very vague and I do apologize. As the icharger starts to drop output Amps to .01 to .05 Amps and is balancing a couple of cells it seems to take FOREVER! You can go into the icharger menu and see the voltage of each cell and maybe one cell voltage is blinking at 4.18 to 4.19 volts. It can do this for a half an hour and put in maybe 5 mah.
I have checked the Internal Resistance of the cells and they all seem pretty good. Fully charged they are around 20.

Would it hurt if I just stopped the charge once all the cells got up to around 4.18 to 4.20 instead of waiting another 30 to 40 minutes for a couple of the cells to soak up another 5 mah?

I do have some much smaller Hyperion G3's that seem to charge alot FASTER! Yes I am charging them at 3C to 5C but they end up balancing faster. They don't linger around .01 to .05 Amps as they finish balancing for very long.
Maybe the G3's are just alot better.

Probably will spring for the G3 20C 5000MAh 4S packs in the future.
I just figured since I can't really charge more than 1.5C with these larger packs, why get 4500 to 5000 mah packs that are capable of charging at 5C.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Discussion I want to switch my epowered Bicycle to LiPo- What batteries do I need to duplicate t

Red5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:53:49 GMT

I'm currently running three FirstPower FP 12120 (12v 12Ah/20Hr) batteries in parallel. They have stand bye use of 13.6 - 13.8v and Cyclic use of 14.5-14.9v
Max initial current is less than 3.6a.

Three of these guys. Now if I were to go to Hobbyking, what batteries could I buy to duplicate this setup as best possible?

Discussion Best lipo charger for $50.00

Norm66 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:35:34 GMT

My son is looking for a decent lipo charger to hand 2S and 3S lipos that cell balances and charges for around $50.00. Help would be apprciated.

Discussion How do you calculate Amps and Watts

missle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:24:45 GMT

I'll use a sample of my typical charging setup and if someone could answer my questions as to the current draw at each step.

Pwr supply-RadioShack 25A
- input 120V~60Hz 6.5A 430W
- total ouput 13.8V~ 25A

Battery- Hyperion G3 (2ea 4S 4000mah)
- Charge rate up to 5S (20A)

Battery Charger - Hyperion EO1210
- Max output - 10A or 180watt

Pwr Source - Chicago 800/900 Watt generator
- Output 120V ~ 60hz

I usually charge this pack at 5.4A max (so as to not hit the max wattage of the 1210 charger). Now for the questions:

1. Judging from the above specs on the power supply, it's saying that the pwr supply DRAWS 6.5A (430W) at 120V to give the max of 25A at 13.8V. Correct?
2. If number one is true, then this means that if I'm running TWO of the pwr supply's at the same time to charge two 8S packs, then I'm pulling up to 860W total. Correct?
3. If 1 and 2 are correct, then this would mean that I'm probably pulling too much from the generator because continuous wattage from the generator is only 800W while two of the chargers with 2 pwr supplies would need up to 860W. Correct?

4. How do you calculate "typical" power requirements to take ~13V input up to 8S or 33.6V. I remember being told something bout amp draw doubles with something like this but I must admit that I never quite understood.

5. I would have to assume that using a SINGLE pwr supply (DLS 75) to power BOTH chargers (while charging TWO 8S packs) would actually draw LESS than that of TWO pwr supplies?

I know there are other factors but I'm just talking "ball park" figures/calculations. Thanks in advance

Discussion 1s charging harness

Bowerz — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:31 GMT

I've just brought an Accucell 8 and i have tones of 1 cell lipo's of different capacities. I was wondering, is there a harness or charging baord i can use to charge say 4+ of these at a time? Would be nice if it was on HC or a UK site.

Many thanks, Liam

Help! suggestions on charger for 12s ??

hotdog1887 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:07:56 GMT

Hello,

Any suggestions for this charger ? My old chargerd were burned :eek:
and I need to buy a new one.

I am interested in this one. It seems pretty.
http://www.okhobby.hk/product.php?id_product=477

Anyone know where is this charger from ? Made in China or �?
Your guys who have ever used this pls do tell me how it is ?

Thank you !

Peter

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Discussion Make 4S lipos from 3S packs

stemo99 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:29:11 GMT

Has anyone taken apart 3S lipo packs and reassembled the cells in a 4 or 5S configuration? I know that the 4 or 5S connectors would be need to balance charge, and I have the soldering skills, and wondered how difficult this would be. Thanks in advance.

Discussion Power supply questions

missle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:44:48 GMT

My current lot of chargers includes several Hyperion 1210's and Schulze chargers. The problem I'm running into is that I fly a lot of 8S 4000mah packs (between my helis and planks) but I'm limited to only being able to charge two of the 8S packs (at 4-5A) at any given time. For power supply, I'm using a pair of Radio Shack 25A 14V power supplys.
If I plug two chargers into the same power supply and try to charge two 8S packs at 4-5A, then the power supply usually shuts down from too high of a draw (but also dependent on which chargers I'm using). Also, if I run two seperate chargers on two seperate power supplies, then the draw really loads down my 850-900W generator.
The funny thing is I can charge two 8S packs on one power supply at < 4A (with two chargers) as well as a seperate 6S pack on a third charger that's plugged into the second power supply and the draw is less work on the generator (or it sounds as such).

So my question is, where can I find a 60A power supply (AC-DC obviously) that I could plug like 3 or more chargers up to? I was looking at some of the computer power supplies but all that info is way to steep for my RC brain. What are some of the specs I need to look for if I use a computer power supply?

Discussion 2s 360mah lipo

skippy78 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:09:51 GMT

Does anyone know where i can find 2s 360mah lipo's in stock?

Discussion C Burst

highpines — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:51:31 GMT

Sorry I did do some searching and am not the sharpest tool in drawer when it comes to batts........My understanding is the c rating is the discharge rate? I have a few older 2100 3s TP's that are 15 cont and 24 burst (heavier planes) for cg...just received a TP pro lite 2s V2 and say's 20c continuous and "40c burst" Meaning?......a 40c will fly me longer with same throttle ..?.......PLease try to keep it simple if possible.........just wondering why such a big diff in burst and is it more beneficial?....hopefuly I'm kinda close............Thanx Dale

Discussion Super lite RX batteries.

2Sunny — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:23:24 GMT

I'm looking to shed weight in my Pattern ship. Right now the lightest stock LiPo Rx battery I can find is TP900s. Anyone know where to find lighter, ready-made rx packs?

Thanks!

JP

Discussion Lipo battery suggestion for AXi 2826/8 motor

tquill — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:04:05 GMT

Since my first posting, we have managed to change the setup of our airplane. My group now has 2 AXi 2826/8 motors with 10" x 6 propellers. The plane will most likely have a ten pound take-off weight.

What lipo batteries would you suggest? The exact product would be very helpful. I don't really know much of the R/C lingo.

I appreciate any help. Thanks.

There are some pictures of the wind tunnel model for our plane in the link below if anyone is interested.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1141203

Discussion Has this Question been asked before re: 9 V battery?

Robert N — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:37:33 GMT

sorry, I searched this forum but didn't find an answer. So, I am asking the question.

The spektrum AR6100 RX and Dymond 4.7 servos are rated up to 9 volts. Would I cause damage if I were to use the 9 Volt battery? you know, the kind used in the old transistor radio or the garage door openers. When the battery is new...it usually has a voltage higher than 9V

Discussion Thunder AC6 Delete or Edit

1puttal — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:52:35 GMT

How do you delete or edit Data program that you saved? I am able to change all fields but the voltage of the battery which is wrong. Also unable to read cd that came with unit.

Discussion What's worse for my batteries?

captain stowed — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:16:27 GMT

I often have a quick fly on my way to work in the morning. I use maybe 3 - 5 packs. The packs stay discharged to about 15 - 20% in my car all day. Sometimes I'll get them all charged up that evening again so that I am ready to fly the next day, but quite often I don't have the time and the packs stay discharged until the following evening, so 36 hours or maybe more.

So my question is, is it bad to leave Lipo batteries discharged for more than a day, or is the fact that they are always charged going to kill them sooner anyway?

The reason I ask is that one of my good quality 3S 1800 packs doesn't seem to have the punch it once did and it's only 6 months old and 33 cycles. Sound short?

Discussion How to Cycle a Ni-MH Battery?

bruintriton — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:54:43 GMT

I've been reading the forums about cycling and I'm getting hung up on the vocabulary (what is c/10?, capacity 10?). I have a 8.4v 1000mAh(120) battery for a freedom firebird that I suspect needs cycling. I have a DC Peak Charger that goes into the cigarette lighter of a car (both by Hobbyzone, one which goes up to 1.2A and one which goes up to 1.8A - whatever the "A" stands for, I suspect it stands for "Amps", but not sure).

Here is the little I understand: my Ni-MH has 7 cells wired serially, each with 1.2v (or is it "A"?) for a total of 7x1.2= 8.4V. I was told not to charge this 8.4 battery at a setting greater than 1.2A on the charger. That's about all I know.

Can some kind soul out there tell me how to cycle the battery and translate any necessary jargon (I want to learn the "speak", so please use the normal vocab - just provide translation). Or if there is a sticky/thread that I just missed, please point me in the right direction. I understand this is a newbie question that's been answered time and again, so apologies in advance for asking again. Thanks so much.

Discussion Lipo batterys

greg L — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:43:43 GMT

I HAVE TWO BATTERYS ONE WORKS ON MY CORSIAR FROM PARK ZONE AND THE OTHERONE WORKS EVERYTHING BUT THE MOTOR WHATS UP WITH THIS JUNK BATTERY?:mad:

Question Battery Connectors

PlanoMike — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:27:56 GMT

I'm awaiting delivery of my ESky Belt CP V2. It uses an 11.1V battery. I wanted to buy some extras as they were out of stock. But it seems that there are different connectors on batteries. So, if I want to buy extra batteries how do I know specifically which to get, or am I just worrying about nothing when it comes to LiPos?

I also noted big price differences. ESky wants about $40 or $50 and a manufacturer called Mystery wants just $32. Is there a need to stick with the high end and high price?

Thanks

Question 1x 6cell or 2x 3cell Li-Po ?

samsone — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:43:11 GMT

Hello,
I prepared "engine setup" (HET 600-37-2 Typhoon + wemotech midi fan + ESC 80A) for this EDF-Jet (http://www.jetarrows.com/mirage/page...?go=spec&lg=en). I contacted the manufacturer, the "engine setup" that I prepared and delivers approximately 2.30 - 2.35 Kg thrust, He "says" is pretty satisfactory combination and in terms of weight.
Now I remains to find the best combination , what Li-po batteries will use for this " EDF setup". Ι want seeking to achieve max. flight time with good performance.
I think about for 1x 6cell 5000mAh 25C or 2x 3cell 3700mAh 25C "Li-po supply". What are the advantages or disadvantages of each combination? Do you suggest something else,better solution ?

thanks Sampson

Discussion How do you Resolder Lipo Balance leads?

EyeFlyPlanes — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:34:15 GMT

Hey Guys,

Ok Ive got 2 perfectly fine 3 cell 2500mah Zippy packs where the balance leads have fallen out and disconnected from the pack. So at the moment I cant use em, charge them or balance them.

Now Im well experienced in soldering and building, but I have not frikin clue how to take apart a lipo and re solder the leads back to each pack.

I don't know which leads came from which cell, and I don't want to set myself on fire!

Does someone have a tutorial, a video or a very detailed explanation how to do this?

Thanks!

Discussion IR and NiMh Cells

pedrocamp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:18:32 GMT

What can be deduced about the state of these Intellect AAA 750mAh cells from this data from a Powerex Maha C9000 charger? The cells were cycled using the Refresh/Analyze feature. They were discharged at 1A and charged at 1A.

The batteries were then run in a small RC car. The batteries were then recharged at 1A producing the numbers in the second chart.

Can anything be assumed about the IR of these cells by looking at the charge time and mAhs? What about the higher voltages of some cells and the corresponding lower mAh numbers? Which number would indicate a loss or performance, in my case a rise in IR and less volts delivered to drive the car?

Thanks, for any info and knowledge you can share...

Attached Files

INTELLECT.doc (53.5 KB)

Question Hyperion G3 CX batteries

Mike_Then — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:48:08 GMT

***Disclaimer*** Please understand that I am only sharing facts and my experiences; please do not take this - nor turn this thread - into a company-bashing argument. I am making comparisons and asking question. Thanks. :)

I have long since been a MaxAmps battery supporter. Since I started in electric flight I have been using MaxAmps 20C batteries with good results. I couldn't stop singing the praises of MaxAmps in 2007, as they were producing very high-quality batteries at a bargain price. Think Zippy/Rhino but with much better quality-control. When I ruined a pair of 5s 4000 mAh batteries - totally my fault with no warranty, I might add - MaxAmps took very good care of me and I thanked them by buying more batteries and passing along the good word.

Fast-forward to 2009 and some batteries that have 1.5 years on them are starting to fail. I have MaxAmp's 3-year warranty on most of the batteries and I recently had to replace two 5s 4000 packs that were puffing and getting very hot, even under light flight loads. I had to pay a percentage of the cost of new packs (warranty is free battery if it fails within the first year, 33% retail cost if it fails in the 2nd year, and 66% retail cost if it fails in the 3rd year) but was very surprised at how expensive their batteries have become. If I paid just a little more, I'd have new packs with a much higher C rating in both charge and discharge.

As other older MaxAmps batteries are starting to fail (get hot under low amp flights, slight swelling after each flight, etc.) I have decided to replace them with something else, simply because I can no longer afford MaxAmps batteries. For example, I purchaed a Hyperion 5s 4200 VX and a Hyperion 4s 4200 VX pack from allerc.com for right around $300 (this was to make a 9s pack for my F-4 that had a most fantastic in-flight failure on it's 'maiden' with these batteries). Those same size packs from MaxAmps are $500... and that's with my 'discount' and a 30-day warranty. This was before MaxAmps had 25C and 35C packs... why would I pay $200 more for lesser packs?

Anyway, I have purchased some of Hyperion's G3 VX packs and I'm thoroughly impessed with them. I know Charles (Everydayflyer) has dome extensive testing with them and my personal experience has been positive. The only 'problem' I've had with the VX packs is that they are TOO good... a MaxAmps 5s 5000 mAh pack in my .60-sized Mustang pulls 65A at WOT. The Hyperion 5s 4200 G3 VX pack pulled over 80A!

So finally, I have led up to my question. I don't want to re-prop everything I have, so I'm wondering if I will have good performance if I buy the CX/25C Hyperion batteries, rather than the VX/35C batteries? I want good performance but I don't want to have to buy new props and/or ESCs for all of my planes. My biggest plane is a 14.75 lb 10s biplane that pulls 72A, and I have several .60-sized warbirds that pull around 65A. The 25C packs will (in theory) be better than the 20C packs I'm using now, right? Do I really need to buy the VX packs or will the CX packs be fine for the kind of flying I'm doing?

Rant bbcbuycom batteries

lossr — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:42:54 GMT

A picture is worth a thousand words. Look what I got when I ordered (2) 2450mah 25c batteries from China on ebay!

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Rant My first (and last) HC battery experience

Mark Wood — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:26:30 GMT

I've been one of the most vocal proponents for buying from US dealers. Since I haven't before ordered any batteries from Hobby City I couldn't comment on their QC. Now I can.

I bought three Turnigy 1500mah 20-30c lipo packs for my Night Superfly. When I attached my Polycheck cell meter it wouldn't come on with one of the packs. I got out the VOM and found the pack at 7.8 volts and found a DOA cell right out of the box. Another crap battery to recycle.
I think I'll stick to people I can talk to on the phone after this. :rolleyes:

mw