I'm also having issues with my balance port. Mines continues to give a "balance error" when plugged in. The charger works fine otherwise.

I opened up the charger, but I couldnt remove the lower cover because of the thermal paste on a component down there. Didnt want to pull too hard. However, from the top the board looked ok and the balance board is fine.

any other ideas?

On my unit there are thermal "sticker" like things that contact what looks to be FET transistors to the case to dissipate heat. They're not actually stickers, though, so they didn't do damage when I took them apart.

Supremely annoying, and if it's a common issue then I'm not buying or recommending another iCharger again. Time to check out those revoelectrix stuff... at least the company is based here, where I live!

I"m very happy with mine otherwise. I've had it for many many years (probably since the first came out). This is the first time its had issues..

Ah OK. So maybe mine is not a common issue. I've only had mine for a month I think... it's so new, it's still shiny.

I'll wait to see if anyone else or iCharger themselves reply.

I have found something strange (at least to me) while using STORAGE mode in my 206B.
I connect 6s 500mAh pack which has 2 cells overcharged compared to the rest
(3.8V 3.8V 3.8V 3.7V 4V 3.9V), want to balance pack and my 206B CAN’T do it!
Regardless what current I set for storage mode and how do I set balancer (even if balancer is always activated), last 2 cells remains with too high voltage.
When I use balance charge for this pack, I noticed that balancer works, trying to compensate to high voltage on last cells.

What might be a reason for that?
Do I need set something for STO mode in order to balance such pack?
Did anybody of you experience similar issue?

Originally Posted by CodiJack

Regardless what current I set for storage mode and how do I set balancer (even if balancer is always activated), last 2 cells remains with too high voltage.

The charger only balances during a balance charge. The term "always" means "during the whole charge process". There is no need to have same voltage on all cells at storage level. However, if you have a pack that is balanced when fully charged, they should be pretty close after a discharge to storage, assuming the pack is healthy.

Fred

Originally Posted by flarssen

... However, if you have a pack that is balanced when fully charged, they should be pretty close after a discharge to storage, assuming the pack is healthy...

Above assumption is right if entire pack is matched…

As I charge packs parallel, such unbalance after STO mode is confusing to me
Below there is procedure how I process when want to charge parallel packs:
1. Store all of them after STO mode with known voltage (3.85V per cell)
2. Connect parallel -> as voltage is equal on each cell connection is safe
3. Charge
I do it with my Accucell (it balance also during STO mode) and it works excellent.
Now it seems I need to find out how to match cell in 6s packs with iCharger without charging...
Any idea?

As I charge packs parallel, such unbalance after STO mode is confusing to me

and to many others however as well.

If your other charger has the same LiPolys perfectly balanced at Storgae then either it is balancing during discharge ( Not Good) , the LiPolys which are balanced at Storage are different ones and their cells are perfectly ,matched or at least matched bery well.

For the past 6 years or so since I started recomending 3.85 per cell as the optimum Storage Voltage many have worried about cells at 3.7 ,3.8.3.9 etc. It does not matter.

Storage between 3.7 and 4.0 is fine. I choose 3.85 as it is the mid point of this range.

If the cells are not exactly matched capacity wise and the charger balances during discharging it will just make it more difficult to balance correctly during charging to 4.2.

If you spend some time reading and studing the graphs here then the reason for unbalnced cells at different states of charge will be clearer and perhaps it will explain why discharged to storage or below cells should not be Forced into balance.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ghlight=balanc
Charles

with my 206B, when charging small lipos (2S, 450mAh), the display of input voltage shows 24,35 Volts, which is probably correct but an input current of 0.00 Amperes which cannot be true.

With bigger lipos and higher currents (above 1A?) the displayed input current seems to be correct again.

Is this normal?

Originally Posted by CodiJack

want to balance pack and my 206B CAN’T do it!

Yes, it can ;-)
When I need to balance for some reason a discharged LiPo at storage level I use LiFe balance charge with termination set at 3.85 V.

Originally Posted by CodiJack

Above assumption is right if entire pack is matched…

As I charge packs parallel, such unbalance after STO mode is confusing to me

If you balance charge packs, and the result is 3.8V 3.8V 3.8V 3.7V 4V 3.9V after a storage charge, the pack is so badly matched that it's probably not worth using.

Originally Posted by hamburger

with my 206B, when charging small lipos (2S, 450mAh), the display of input voltage shows 24,35 Volts, which is probably correct but an input current of 0.00 Amperes which cannot be true.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...ostcount=11828

Fred

Originally Posted by flarssen

If you balance charge packs, and the result is 3.8V 3.8V 3.8V 3.7V 4V 3.9V after a storage charge, the pack is so badly matched that it's probably not worth using.

Yes, if we are talking about single pack, you are right.
I'll explain the issue in another way
Mentioned 6s I did for DIY LED project (3x2s) but for daily usage I fly with 2s and 3s.
After flights, all packs I stored at 3,85V using STO mode in Accucell.
In order to shorten time I connected them in series up to 6s -> 3x2s or 2x3s
and as a result all cells regardless their initial state are 3,85V.
If after few weeks I find some time in the afternoon for flying, I need to charge them very quickly - so as all of cells in all packs are 3,85V - I just connect them parallel and after 30 min, I go to my airfield with 3 fully charged 2s packs.
That how it works with Accucel, buying more advance iCharger (besides a lot of other nice figures in 206B) I was thinking to do the same with 206B.

It looks so simple (above) with cheap charger and it's hard to me believe that such "machine" like iChrger can't offer balancing during Storage mode

Originally Posted by LeszekJ

Yes, it can ;-)
When I need to balance for some reason a discharged LiPo at storage level I use LiFe balance charge with termination set at 3.85 V.

I also tried it but if one cell is >3,85V process terminates immediately with: "Bal. Over"

Originally Posted by everydayflyer

and to many others however as well.
For the past 6 years or so since I started recommending 3.85 per cell as the optimum Storage Voltage many have worried about cells at 3.7 ,3.8.3.9 etc. It does not matter.

Yes I agree. In my case the aim to have all cells at 3,85V is further parallel connection and charging multiple packs in the same time.

Thanks Fred
I obviously missed that when searching.
Glad for the explanation and clearance.

Originally Posted by CodiJack

I also tried it but if one cell is >3,85V process terminates immediately with: "Bal. Over"

I see. You want to get an autonomous balance storage function. No way.
If I were in need I'd discharge it below 3.85, then LIFe balance charge.

Note that this will require adjustment of LiFe termination voltage. If left at default 3.6 volts, the charger will error with OV fault if attempting to charge when any cells are above 3.6 volts at charge initiation.

Mark