Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

Folks,
I am just venturing into using A123 LiFe packs, 2S for both RX and Ingination use. So far have only one pack in use on ignotion.

I have a Quattro charger that is supposed to be able to handle LiFe however I do not know if it correctly will charge a A123 pack. I did a balance charge, seem to read the pack voltage correctly and charged but only a small amount. So I thought I would do a low current discharge, 250mA and only got about 400 out of it.

Either the pack is crap or my charger is crap.

To be honest I don't trust the Quattro, it does a few weird things with other battery packs, NiCd and NiMh.

So the $64 question is: best charger for a A123 pack. If it has multiple ports to charge multiple packs at once then great. Seems the newer Generation 2 chargers are the way to go but have no idea which one etc.

It must be able to do A123 packs, not just general LiFe packs.

anyone out there actually know?

Not interested in conjecture.

thanks
Cheers
Peter

TheWoodCrafter

My Feedback: (1)

Any modern LiPO charger will charge a LiFe.

I wouldn't consider anything but iCharger or PowerLabs.

pilotpete2

You can answer the $64 question for just about that price, which is roughly what the FMA Multi4 goes for. The FMA Powerlabs are fabulous chargers, but overkill for charging 2S A123 packs.
Pete

OldRookie

My Feedback: (13)

I would recommend the Cellpro Multi4, or the Cellpro 4S Gold.
I have an old 4S and the Multi4, and both work well for the LIFE chemistry. This charger also charges LiPoly, LiIon, LiFePO4, A123, LiMn, NiCd, NiMH, Pb.
Be aware that there is a difference between the A123 and the generic LIFE packs. I have been using A123 for over 5 years now without a problem. I would never go back to NiCd, or NiMH to power my planes.

Greg

pilotpete2

+1!
One big advantage of the Multi4 over the classic Cellpro4's, is that you can change the current to a lower level than the default 4A on the Cellpro4's. This allows safely charging through a heavy duty switch/charge jack (3 wire DSC) without overheating the standard servo connections with a constant 4A charge rate.
Pete

ALWAYSPDG

My Feedback: (1)

I also have the Multi 4 FMA charger and use it for all my batteries and it works great! I would recommend the Multi 4, easy to use too.


Mike

snir2001

My Feedback: (1)

I charge my batteries (A123 systems) with MegaPower infinity 960SR and I got a new iCharger 208B.
I would strongly recommend you to go for the iCharger. it's a great charger! powerful and accurate.
You can find it on Ebay, or to go with HobbyKing for the best price. (I got it from them).
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...e_Charger.html

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Cell Pro

Goldenduff

Hello and apologies if slightly off topic and for reprdoducing this post (there are many on RCU about chargers). I am looking a for the cheapest charger that measures Internal Resistance, I appreciate that the IR feature is more of an "up-market" feature so cheapest might not be cheap! I am struggling to do a comprehensive search becuase many chargers that do measure IR do not list this as a feature on many websites they are advertised on. Thanks

Gtarling

Goldenduff - if you're serious about measuring the IR of your batteries, you can do no better than one of Wayne Giles' [link]http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1323465&highlight=wayn[/link] ESR/IR meters. They are reasonably priced and very accurate. If you care to read his thread, you'll find that IR is heavily dependent on cell temperature, so you need to ensure you are doing your measurements at a consistent temperature, something which isn't so easy with a charger.

Goldenduff

Thanks Gstarling, have sent a pm to Wayne...................

K-Bob

My Feedback: (1)

Ah, the imfamous four button Chinese chargers. Assembled and manufactered on several brand names, they are all essentially the same under the hood. They do a rather poor job of balancing individual cells and can create more imbalanced packs than they help. I frequently use my Cell Pro Multi-4 to rebalance/balance packs for people who use these chargers.

Do yourself a favor and spend a little more and get a quality charger.

Goldenduff

The i charger is a reputable charger?!

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

thanks for all your feedback and advice guys.

I eneded up getting one of these:

Cellpro 10XP, 15A Multi Chemistry Charger

Now all I need is a suitable powersupply! FMA one does not state if it is 110v AC or 240v AC ! Anyone know?

pilotpete2

To be sure, you should E-mail them, but I'm sure that they are all dual voltage units, even though they ship with the standard detachable cord for the 120V NA market.
Pete

MostlyKaos

K-Bob wrote: "Do yourself a favor and spend a little more and get a quality charger."


K-Bob, Isn't the CellPRO Multi 4 made in Singapore?

vasek

My Feedback: (4)

and what's wrong in being made in Singapore, I ask !?

trax de max

their food is far too spicy

Hill202

My Feedback: (24)

What kind of charger is that?

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

been to singapore many, many times, yes spicy food and so are the women!!

I did email them, no reply.

Back to topic I got a 1000w, 80A, 240v power supply from hobby king for $158AUD. That will do the trick

MostlyKaos

Regarding the CelPro Multi4... Looking on page 17 of the Manual, it indicates an input current of 5 Amps Maximum. What are you guys using as a power source?

ALWAYSPDG

My Feedback: (1)

I am using a Radio Shack 12 volt power supply rated at 3 amps that has a 12 volt cigarette plug receptacle in it for easy connection. It works perfect for me. At 3 amps I have been able to charge any of my batteries that I use. The power supply has an off/on button, - & + take offs on the front panel, and is regulated. It is small and fits on my desk without taking up a bunch of room. It powers the Multi 4 without any problems at all.



Mike

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

We have server power supplies at our field, but I've run it off a variety of power supplies.

At the house I have a 12v MaxxAmps power supply.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

the charger arrived yesterday from Revolectrix however it did not come with a manual W T F?? How am I supposed to use this thing without a manual?

Not happy, emailed them, no reply so far.


just got a reply, seems manuals are too big to fit in the box so you have to download and print them out. Which I have just done on works colour laser printer [8D]

snir2001

My Feedback: (1)

No no no, absolutely not the same.
The iCharger is a different manufacturer, and use quality internal components.
It's a well known and well respected charger that doing a better balancing job than my 960SR (The 960SR is actually Robbe Infinity 3...)