Great Planes 4 port lipoly charger - Page 3

KatManDEW · Apr 04, 2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

And how much trouble will there be with cell balancing if you charge 4 at once? Current drain off the DC source?

I guess I'll find out... It's not necessary to balance every time the packs are charged.

unbalanced prop · Apr 04, 2005, 08:02 PM

KatMan

Nice collection of lipols!! I liiike it.

Doug

KatManDEW · Apr 04, 2005, 08:38 PM

That's my biggun's

I've got a boat load of lipoly packs that are 2100 mah or under which aren't in that picture.

rcplaneguy · Apr 04, 2005, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatManDEW

That's my biggun's

I've got a boat load of lipoly packs that are 2100 mah or under which aren't in that picture.

Holy cow Kat,
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

KatManDEW · Apr 05, 2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Holy cow Kat,
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

As my old football coach used to say when we were running wind sprints in the summer sun, "Ya gotta love it"

Truth be known, there are much worse lipoly addicts here on EZone

mexico · Apr 06, 2005, 04:14 PM

I spoke with someone at Hobbico tech support. They have not seen one yet nor do they have any specs. They may get them in late April but who knows.

RRD · May 16, 2005, 10:49 PM

I haven't used it yet. Just had time to breeze through the instructions. Pretty impressive for $90. This charger should hurt the demand for the Apache-type chargers (I have two Apache 2500's). It doesn't seem to threaten the high-amp, high-voltage chargers like the Astroflight.

There is one big drawback that most of you suspected. It will NOT charge four 4S packs at 3 amps simultaneously. It won't even charge 3S packs at 3 amps, but it comes close enough for me. Each output is individually limited to 30 watts. So it can charge 2S packs at 3 amps all you like. 3S packs will be substantially shy of 3 amps especially as the pack voltage nears 12.6 volts. After that the current tapers off anyway on all lipoly chargers. I don't think you'll take a huge hit on 3S packs. 4S is where the difference will show. Still, it's doable unless you can't wait several hours and have 4S packs over about 4500mah (3 hour cutoff). In its defense, this charger isn't marketed as a large-capacity battery charger.

Now for a positive. It does display the selected cell count (yipee!) This was a big concern for me.

Here's the charge sequence for each individual output:

1) Power up the charger by connecting to 12V source.
2) Connect charging lead to an output.
3) Set battery capacity dial. As far as I can tell this just sets the current limit, not capacity limit.
4) Plug up battery.
5) Hit Start/Stop button. The green steady light will come on for a few minutes (up to five) until the charger figures out the cell count. Then it blinks green during the charge. The number of blinks indicates the selected cell count.
6) LED turns to red when charge is complete at 4.2V/cell and the charger sounds a tone. The red LED continues to blink the cell count until you disconnect the battery.

An orange LED and tone indicates a problem. Error codes include improper input voltage, reverse polarity output, battery disconnected, 3-hour safety limit expired, battery voltage error, or system error. Disconnecting battery and pressing the Start/Stop button resets output.

Other tidbits:

The charger is polarity protected on input and output.
Input is protected by 20amp auto fuse on left side of case.
Requires a 12V, 14amp power source to fully utilize outputs.
Internal fan runs when any output is charging.
Instructions are clear and accurate. I didn't notice any glaring errors and the safety issues seem well covered.

I'll post again if I encounter anything unexpected. Seems to be a good value for small to midsize packs.

Bob

mexico · May 16, 2005, 10:54 PM

This charger seems ideal for charging 3s packs - 2600 mah, 2000 , 1320, 1560 all at once then?

RRD · May 16, 2005, 11:02 PM

Definitely!

KatManDEW · May 16, 2005, 11:20 PM

Thanks for the report. Kind of a bummer about the 30 watt limit, but it still sounds like a good charger. Multi ports are the Kat's meow

supi7 · May 16, 2005, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everydayflyer

I agree and is the reason I keep hinting about the use of a DVM with shunt and switch to enable reading of volts and mAh (charge rate). Some enterprising person could build and market such a device(Black Box) to go between chargers out put and battery and make much money,hint,hint.

Charles

Those devices are already out there, they are still a bit costly but they are out there.

Medusa or WattMeter or WattsUP meter can all be hooked up backwards to monitor V and mAh going in. (does require an adapter)

Great idea to monitor for unbalanced packs ~ When pack is unbalanced it will take in less mAh than its "Nominal Capacity" (exept for first charge or incomplete discharge)

Best Regards,

Dan
TrueRC

hybris · May 17, 2005, 02:00 AM

That's great it verifies cell count. That was my only concern with it. I never liked the Hobbico blind charging. Good news.

Mine was shipped today

unbalanced prop · May 17, 2005, 08:10 AM

Just what I need, ANOTHER charger.

What the heck, what am I gonna do, take it with me? I still got lots of room on my Visa.

Doug

pda4you · May 17, 2005, 09:50 AM

Great news guys....I knew that would have some limit on charge capacity.

My most common charge would be 3s at 2.1amps and 1 3s pack at .5amps, so it sounds like it would hack that, but not charge at 2.1amps......

Let us know what you think as you have more time to play....I will hold off on the order right now!

Mike

mexico · May 17, 2005, 09:55 AM

Are there preset charge rates (1000, 1500, 2000 etc) up to 3000 mah or can you dial any rate you desire up to 3000 mah?

May 16, 2005, 10:49 PM	#37
RRD Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 324	Just received my Polycharge 4! I haven't used it yet. Just had time to breeze through the instructions. Pretty impressive for $90. This charger should hurt the demand for the Apache-type chargers (I have two Apache 2500's). It doesn't seem to threaten the high-amp, high-voltage chargers like the Astroflight. There is one big drawback that most of you suspected. It will NOT charge four 4S packs at 3 amps simultaneously. It won't even charge 3S packs at 3 amps, but it comes close enough for me. Each output is individually limited to 30 watts. So it can charge 2S packs at 3 amps all you like. 3S packs will be substantially shy of 3 amps especially as the pack voltage nears 12.6 volts. After that the current tapers off anyway on all lipoly chargers. I don't think you'll take a huge hit on 3S packs. 4S is where the difference will show. Still, it's doable unless you can't wait several hours and have 4S packs over about 4500mah (3 hour cutoff). In its defense, this charger isn't marketed as a large-capacity battery charger. Now for a positive. It does display the selected cell count (yipee!) This was a big concern for me. Here's the charge sequence for each individual output: 1) Power up the charger by connecting to 12V source. 2) Connect charging lead to an output. 3) Set battery capacity dial. As far as I can tell this just sets the current limit, not capacity limit. 4) Plug up battery. 5) Hit Start/Stop button. The green steady light will come on for a few minutes (up to five) until the charger figures out the cell count. Then it blinks green during the charge. The number of blinks indicates the selected cell count. 6) LED turns to red when charge is complete at 4.2V/cell and the charger sounds a tone. The red LED continues to blink the cell count until you disconnect the battery. An orange LED and tone indicates a problem. Error codes include improper input voltage, reverse polarity output, battery disconnected, 3-hour safety limit expired, battery voltage error, or system error. Disconnecting battery and pressing the Start/Stop button resets output. Other tidbits: The charger is polarity protected on input and output. Input is protected by 20amp auto fuse on left side of case. Requires a 12V, 14amp power source to fully utilize outputs. Internal fan runs when any output is charging. Instructions are clear and accurate. I didn't notice any glaring errors and the safety issues seem well covered. I'll post again if I encounter anything unexpected. Seems to be a good value for small to midsize packs. Bob

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Apr 04, 2005, 08:02 PM	#32
unbalanced prop Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington, PA, USA Posts: 1,486	KatMan Nice collection of lipols!! I liiike it. Doug

Apr 04, 2005, 08:38 PM	#33
KatManDEW FASST flyer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Newark, Ohio Posts: 3,426	That's my biggun's I've got a boat load of lipoly packs that are 2100 mah or under which aren't in that picture.

Apr 06, 2005, 04:14 PM	#36
mexico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,784	I spoke with someone at Hobbico tech support. They have not seen one yet nor do they have any specs. They may get them in late April but who knows.

May 16, 2005, 10:54 PM	#38
mexico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,784	This charger seems ideal for charging 3s packs - 2600 mah, 2000 , 1320, 1560 all at once then?

May 16, 2005, 11:02 PM	#39
RRD Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 324	Definitely!

May 16, 2005, 11:20 PM	#40
KatManDEW FASST flyer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Newark, Ohio Posts: 3,426	Thanks for the report. Kind of a bummer about the 30 watt limit, but it still sounds like a good charger. Multi ports are the Kat's meow

May 17, 2005, 02:00 AM	#42
hybris HD Test Pilot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 571	That's great it verifies cell count. That was my only concern with it. I never liked the Hobbico blind charging. Good news. Mine was shipped today

May 17, 2005, 08:10 AM	#43
unbalanced prop Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington, PA, USA Posts: 1,486	Just what I need, ANOTHER charger. What the heck, what am I gonna do, take it with me? I still got lots of room on my Visa. Doug

May 17, 2005, 09:50 AM	#44
pda4you Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Trophy Club TX (DFW) Posts: 10,078	Great news guys....I knew that would have some limit on charge capacity. My most common charge would be 3s at 2.1amps and 1 3s pack at .5amps, so it sounds like it would hack that, but not charge at 2.1amps...... Let us know what you think as you have more time to play....I will hold off on the order right now! Mike

May 17, 2005, 09:55 AM	#45
mexico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,784	Are there preset charge rates (1000, 1500, 2000 etc) up to 3000 mah or can you dial any rate you desire up to 3000 mah?