mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I read about these chargers in another thread. Can't find that thread now so I figured that I would start a new one. I bought it to charge my new A123 packs. I'll probaly use it for LiPo's also. Couldn't beat the price of $38.00. Anybody else using one?

Here's some specs and a link to the website.


[link]http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028[/link]


The Turnigy Accucel 6 is an entry level balancing charger and discharger which can handle up to 6 cells and 5A.
The Accucel-6 will handle LiPo/LiFe up to 6S and NiMH/NiCd up to 15S and shows individual cell voltage during charge with realtime updates throughout the charge cycle.
Bundled with the Accucel-6 is a bunch of input and output wires which should satisfy any charging requirement.


Features;
Microprocessor controlled
Delta-peak sensitivity (NiMH/NiCd)
Individual cell balancing
Li-ion, LiPo and LiFe capable
Ni-Cd and NiMH capable
Large range of charge currents
Store function, allows safe storage current
Time limit function
Input voltage monitoring. (Protects car batteries at the field)
Data storage (Store up to 5 packs in memory)
Battery break in and cycling.

Spec.
Input Voltage: 11~17v
Circuit power: Max Charge: 50W / Max Discharge: 5W
Charge Current Range: .1~5.0A
Ni-MH/NiCd cells: 1~15
Li-ion/Poly cells: 1~6
Pb battery voltage: 2~20v
Weight: 355g

This charger has a JST-XH charge plug, which makes it compatible with Zippy, HXT, Loong Max and any pack with a JST adapter.


*This unit has the same functions (except PC-USB) and features as the iMAX B6, except that it comes with an internal cooling fan.

Note: No auto function for Ni-MH & NiCd batteries.

** Manual can be found here;
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...CEL_manual.pdf

Note: Power supply not included.

Bass1

mrbigg, I bought one a few months ago and have cycled, charged, re- formed, stored and tested every battery pack I own with it. So far It's been fantastic!! Like you I also aquired it mainly for my new A123 packs and have "practice" charged and discharged and balanced charged those as well. Excellent value so far (knock on balsa!)

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

That's right, you were the one that I read about having this charger. It's really a good buy. The bonus is all them charging leads that come with it. They even include a glow plug igniter charger! I looked at several different chargers and kept coming back to this one. I actually bought two. For the price, why not? I charged up 5- 6.6 volt, 4600mah A123 packs this morning with charger #1. It worked great. Can't wait to try it on my lipos.

Bass1

Yeah, the leads were a nice bonus. I did have to resolder one of the connections (loose) on one of the main leads as I got a "lost connection' warning during one cycle/recharge. No biggie. I'm just glad I found the simple problem. I made up a nice balancing charge adapter and added JR type receptacles to the balance leads on my packs and mounted them under the regular charging jacks on the fuselages of my planes . Makes for a nice easy access charging system. Now I'm just waiting for the weather and dirt (mud) road to cooperate so I can try out my new A123 batteries!

PlaneHeli

How well does this charger BALANCE the cells.

I have read some of these cheaper chargers do not balance well which can lead to damage to your expensive lipos.

Cheers

Bass1

Not sure how accurate the display/calibration actually is but on my three 2 cell A123 packs the cells balanced @ 3.60 and 3.59, 3.60 and 3.60 and 3.59 and 3.60 respectively. All within 1/100th of a volt or better. The fan is a little noisy upon startup but clears up after a few seconds. I've read where a few guys that have had the same issue have opened up the unit and put a drop of oil on the fan shaft and it took care of the matter.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I can bearly hear my fan. Could be from playing drums for many years though.

Bass1

Even though I've always been "statationed" on the hi-hat side of many different drum kits over the years and been subjected to billions and billions of crash cymbal strikes, I still have decent hearing. Now if I could just get that darn little phone to stop ringing!!

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I hear ya.

SacramentoJoe

I don't have Lipo yet but want to start. I am thinking of getting the Turnigy and some Zippys. Do I need hard case Lipo for cars? What kind of power supply do you use for this charger?

Bass1

Not sure about hard case Lipos for cars but I made an inexpensive power supply from a $1.00 computer power supply I got from EBAY. Probably get one free from an old junk computer somewhere, Just make sure you find one with enough amps @ 12 volts to do the job.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

What I do is kind of chincy, but has worked for me for years. I have a lawn and garden battery in my flight box. I just use that but to boost it up, I hook up the car battery charger to it and set it for 2 amps. Works great. When charging my 4800 Fromeco LiIons with the Fromeco charger, I can hear the fan increase in speed and see the lights get brighter when the charger gets connected. Cheazy, but it works.

SacramentoJoe

Thanks guys. I'm getting all excited about trying out Lipo.

PlaneHeli

Has anyone checked the balance of the cells charged by this charger against one of the top model chargers.

I realise this charger my well appear balanced on the screen, but is it accurate when compared to a top end charger?

The price is good for a 6S charger if its accurate.

Cheers

FoxAdriano

Hi, I'm sorry my inexperience, I am new here. Could you tell me if Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 5A Balancer/Charger can charge this Battery Pack: 14.8v 4000mAh 15C 4S Lipo RC Battery AKKU 14.8 WF
The link is: http://cgi.ebay.it/2x-14-8v-4000mAh-...3286.m63.l1177

I don't understand what is the plastic connector on the Battery Pack, is it a charge connector? Have I to connect it to the Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 5A Balancer/Charge?
Thanks

nk3t

The plastic connector is the balance port connector, which hooks into the Turnigy charger. You will also need to use charge leads which are compatible between the battery and charger. The charter comes with deans connectors on the charge leads, so using those on you battery will require no additional adapters. The charger will charge this battery.

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

Pretty sure this charger balances by discharging high cells vs charging the low ones.

FoxAdriano

I'm sorry, for "charge leads" do you mean a 12V 5A Power Supply?
For charging this Battery Pack "14.8v 4000mAh 15C 4S Lipo RC Battery AKKU 14.8 WF" I think
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 5A Balancer/Charger and 12V 5A Power Supply are sufficient. Is it so?

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

For charge leads, I think he's talking about the output ports of the charger to the Positve and Negative wires of the battery. The battery pack your looking at does not have a connector. Most use a Dean's Ultra Female on the battery. You'll have to solder one on. To use this charger, you have to hook up to the balance port and the Positve and Negative output ports. They give you a bunch of adapters with banna plugs on one end (they go into the output of the charger) and they have various connectors on the other end. They include one that has a Dean's Ultra Male. So if you put a Female Ultra on your pack, your good to go.

FoxAdriano

Thanks a lot for your interesting reply. Could you tell me f with is possible to charbe batteries of my videocamera? I have many Sony NP-F960 7.2v Li-ion. Perhaps is it better to charge them with original charger? But it doesn't have an entry level balancing. Thanks for your news.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I'd just use the original charger.

FoxAdriano

I'm sorry my inesperience. I have just get the Turnigy Accucel-6 battery charger. Now I have to charge this battery: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...160306922919On the display of Turnigy Accucel-6 I see: Lipo Charge 4.0A 14.8v(4s). Could I charge that battery with this config?Then ... LiPo BALANCE display hw I have to config?thanls

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

Plug the balance tab and the power leads also. Select LiPo Balance Charge. Set it to 4.0 Amps, 14.8 Volts. Hold down the Start Button. It will start to confirm the cell count. It will flash between two screens which will be what the charger detected and what you entered. If it's right, hit the Start Button to confirm and charging will begin.

FoxAdriano

Is it better to use the Ballance option? If I don't like to charge the battery with Ballance funcion, do I have to unplug the tab? If I like to charge the battery with Ballance funcion do I have to click on "Start" seeing the Ballace screening? How do I know when the battery has charged?
Thanks for your reply.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

It will beep and stop charging when done charging. I don't think it's recommended to charge a LiPo without Balance Charging. Too easy to overcharge a cell and ruin it.