Cheers, but actually the discharge wouldn't sway it for me.. It's the higher charge rate from a 12v and 24v battery that's pulling me... Plus 30-32v to get maximum output is a silly input voltage in my opinion, At least make it 36V then you could use 3 x 12v leisure batteries if you can't find a suitable power supply

Originally Posted by topgearuk

Cheers, but actually the discharge wouldn't sway it for me.. It's the higher charge rate from a 12v and 24v battery that's pulling me... Plus 30-32v to get maximum output is a silly input voltage in my opinion, At least make it 36V then you could use 3 x 12v leisure batteries if you can't find a suitable power supply

Here's something that might surprise you. When I floor the throttle on my PL8 with 6s packs (40amps output), its only drawing 44 to 46 amps from my 24v supply. The PL6 is capped at 40 amps input, so the difference between the two (on 6s) is not that large.

Well, he will be buying with a stronger currency so I say go for the best: there is the PL-8, and then there are the rest!

Whats with the EC5 input connector? Didn't realize that connector type was very popular? Will be replaced with regular banana's when I get mine.

I'm glad that FMA has taken the lead with the dropping of bananas/4mm. Those connectors are notoriously unreliable at the current levels modern chargers are pulling. Sure you can get a few 4mm plugs will take over 30 amps without heating. But batch to batch or vendor to vendor, its hard to get consistent samples. Even though FMA is using the 4mm plugs on the output side, they are special plugs that are slightly longer than the average 4mm male plug.

Looks like the FMA/REVOLECTRIX Cellpro brand nailed it this time!

Is there a feature comparison between the PL8 and PL6 anywhere?

From what I can tell, the PL6 is limited to 6S, and has a lower max discharge current. That's pretty much it. Most of the PL6 manual seems to be identicle to the PL8 manual.

• Smaller size
• 50 watt discharge vs 100 watts on the PL8
• EC5 input connector with shorter input wires, vs long wires with clamp on the PL8
• Capped at 40 amps input, vs 60 amps for the PL8. Not a huge issue since charging at 6s will only require a maximum of 45 amps input at 24v.

I do hope FMA will refine its marketing and make it clear that these "chargers" are far more than that, far easier to use and DON'T NEED honking power supplies to work!

I think the "other brand" does a better job in this respect.

Originally Posted by Gregor99

[*]Capped at 40 amps input, vs 60 amps for the PL8. Not a huge issue since charging at 6s will only require a maximum of 45 amps input at 24v.

I can live with that, I've just won off ebay a 24v 40A power supply (good price)... Just need the charger to go with it now! Lol

I'm really glad you didn't fall into the Chinese trap!

FMA really needs to make it clear that one buys a power supply based on their likely needs, not the capacity of their chargers!

Yes that makes sense.. The largest battery I've got in my collection is 5000mah 6s Nano tech's which can be charged @ 25A but I use 2 in parallel so 50A would be max charge but I don't mind if from a 24v 40A input I'll probably get 35Amps-ish out... That's still pretty quick charge!

Sadly, these guys "advertise" like engineers, thinking the rest of us fully understand what they assume!

C'mon FMA, hire an ad firm and light the rocket!

Why don't you tell us what you want them to tell us?

I and others may find it helpful.

Well, I'm not skilled in the field, but what finally dawned on me as a layman is that they should promote:

1. You CAN PUSH ONE BUTTON to get the charge or discharge going if you want, and don't have to go through a whole series of them, UNLESS you want to;

2. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY AN EXPENSIVE POWER SUPPLY since it can run with what YOU ALREADY HAVE, and if you don't have a power supply, YOU CAN START WITH WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD CONSISTENT WITH YOUR PRESENT NEEDS;

3, These things are more than chargers, and are really diagnostic devices with fully functioning computer interfaces; and,

4. Though assembled "off shore," you have U.S. telephone support from guys who know what they are talking about AND YOU CAN GET REPAIRS, not just discounted replacements.

Now, if that doesn't convince someone to not buy Chinese, I don't know what will-PUT ALL THIS IN ADVERTISING SPEAK, FMA!

You might ask, "How do you know all this?"

Well, I bought a boatload of Chinese you know what believing you need a honking big power supply for top-end FMA products, etc.

My bad.