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Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Old 03-17-2013, 07:03 PM
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cchariandy
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Default Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Just looking for some advice, pros cons etc for changing my chargers.

I have 2 i-charger 1010Bs that don't charge my 10S TPs fast enough to avoid dead time at the field and sometimes trip on overtemp when I run them flat out on a hot day (1.5C for 5000mAhr packs).

I've got a couple options in mind:

1. 2 Cellpro 10X - $350
2. 1 Cellpro PL8 and parallel charge 2 packs - around $280 with the parallel charging balance boards etc.

I have never tried parallel charging so I'm not sure about the risks and limitations.

Colin
Old 03-17-2013, 08:34 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Another 10s pack. $200.

Jim O
Old 03-17-2013, 08:48 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I have 4 10S packs that I charge at 1C and have two chargers, so I can have two charging, one cooling from flight and one going into the plane for the next flight, I never have dead time...

Peter+
Old 03-18-2013, 02:48 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

iCharger 3010b and iCharger 1000w PSU works for me.

4 x 10s 5000mAHr at 1C. Nothing even gets warm.

Malcolm
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Old 03-18-2013, 03:00 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

If you haven't already, try setting the iCharger cut-off temp to 150F/65C. They're pretty conservative as delivered. I've a couple of years experience w the higher settings, charging @ 10A, with no shut-downs. While I'm not aware of temp shut-downs w the Cell-Pro, they seem to run pretty warm - more so than the iCharger.
Old 03-18-2013, 06:05 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I have an iCharger 1010b. I also have a Cellpro 10xp and a Turnigy 10xc (same as the XP, different label). Hands down, I like the 10xp/10xc better. Biggest difference is the balancing. The iCharger can only balance at 300ma, while the 10xp/xc can balance at one amp. The final balancing is often what takes the time. If you go to parallel charging, you'd be trying to balance 10000ma at 300ma, instead of 5000ma at 300ma, just making things worse. I also had a problem with one channel of my iCharger going out of calibration, not a good thing.

The 10xp/xc can also discharge to storage at one amp, handy for times when you think you will be flying the next few days, but can't. I also use that to break in new batteries. Further, internal resistance can be read every charge just by scrolling thru the status menus. I find the warning/failsafe features much better if you hook up something wrong. The only downsides is that the fan has a habit of getting noisy, but F3A Unlimited has a cheap replacement, and there is no "back" button for the menus, only forward. I just find them easier to use overall than the iCharger.

I now use the iCharger as backup and to charge receiver packs, etc.

YMMV.
Old 03-18-2013, 07:33 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Keeping things cool in the hot summer sun. I got a lot of laughs with it at first, but it really works. The umbrella is a small, 30 year old photographic umbrella I dug out of the closet.

Verne Koester


ORIGINAL: cchariandy

Just looking for some advice, pros cons etc for changing my chargers.

I have 2 i-charger 1010Bs that don't charge my 10S TPs fast enough to avoid dead time at the field and sometimes trip on overtemp when I run them flat out on a hot day (1.5C for 5000mAhr packs).

I've got a couple options in mind:

1. 2 Cellpro 10X - $350
2. 1 Cellpro PL8 and parallel charge 2 packs - around $280 with the parallel charging balance boards etc.

I have never tried parallel charging so I'm not sure about the risks and limitations.

Colin
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Old 03-18-2013, 01:13 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?


ORIGINAL: cchariandy

Just looking for some advice, pros cons etc for changing my chargers.

I have 2 i-charger 1010Bs that don't charge my 10S TPs fast enough to avoid dead time at the field and sometimes trip on overtemp when I run them flat out on a hot day (1.5C for 5000mAhr packs).

I've got a couple options in mind:

1. 2 Cellpro 10X - $350
2. 1 Cellpro PL8 and parallel charge 2 packs - around $280 with the parallel charging balance boards etc.

I have never tried parallel charging so I'm not sure about the risks and limitations.

Colin
The PL8 with MPA is the way to go. I can charge 6 5S packs in 40 minutes at 1C charge rate. I charge my TP packs at 2C and have the four 5S packs charged in 20-25 minutes.

Buy yourself a decent PSU like Meanwell with PFC.

Cheers,
Jason.
Old 03-18-2013, 04:58 PM
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cchariandy
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Good feedback, thanks.

Colin
Old 03-18-2013, 06:28 PM
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cchariandy
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I'm starting to think a single PL8 is the better option.

Jason, when you parallel charge on the PL8 are you able to observe the cell voltages for both batteries connected?

Colin
Old 03-18-2013, 06:41 PM
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Jason Arnold
 
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?


ORIGINAL: cchariandy

I'm starting to think a single PL8 is the better option.

Jason, when you parallel charge on the PL8 are you able to observe the cell voltages for both batteries connected?

Colin
Hi Colin,

The PL8 treats the pack as one big pack with all cells in parallel. I had initial reservations about the practice but am now a devotee to the method. One thing you need to be careful of is to only connect the same cell count and approximately the same level of discharge i.e. don't connect a 5S and 6S in parallel or a fully charged pack and discharged pack.

Regards,
Jason.
Old 03-20-2013, 12:18 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I'm using a PL8 as well. Works great. Charging two 10s pack takes me about 12 min.
Old 03-20-2013, 01:20 AM
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Jason Arnold
 
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?


ORIGINAL: awry

I'm using a PL8 as well. Works great. Charging two 10s pack takes me about 12 min.
What size are your packs?

2C is the maximum (40A) that I can charge my TP 5000mAh packs at.

Cheers,
Jason.
Old 03-20-2013, 01:21 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I've been charging my 3x 10S packs with 2x 1010B chargers and that works very well. Like you charging at 1,5C. So in that setup 3 batteries is best. These batteries ran over 250 cycles each.

I now switched to one TP4400 which I charge with 5C using a 3010B. I charge this pack in 12 minutes including balancing (2900-3300 mAh charge). Until now (150 charges) this works very well. You do need a good power source in this setup!

Volkert
Old 03-20-2013, 06:15 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I didnt consider the 3010B due to reports of failures with fire. They are the same price as the 10XP and more powerful....maybe worth adding to the list of options if guys here have no issues with them.

Colin
Old 03-20-2013, 06:24 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

I have 2 cellPro 10s and do parallel charging naturally :-). The solution has redundancy built-in. 10s can go all the way to 10 Amps.
Old 03-21-2013, 01:31 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Hi Jason

My packs are Hyperion 4600s. I only use about 2200mAh per flight.

You are correct that 2C is max when charging 4p5s5000 on the PL8. 10A per pack.

What I have done to make the charge quicker is to set the cutoff at C/2 instead of the industry standard C/10. This means the charge cuts of during the final constant voltage fase on a 5000 pack when the charge current reaches aprox 0.5A. I find the option to choose cutoff a nice feature on the PL8. You can also have it cut at C/5.

When the charge reaches C/2 which is 2.5A on a 5000mAh pack the charge ends. If I don't want to wait I sometimes even cut off the charge just as it reaches under C/1. Since I'm far from using 80% of the packs capacity I don't need the last 1-3% of the capacity. As you all know it takes a much long time to get the last few mAh's in the pack. As long as you're far from using up the 80% capacity it's actually better for the battery not to be fully charged according to Hyperion. Works great for me.
Old 04-11-2013, 01:25 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?


ORIGINAL: VerneK

Keeping things cool in the hot summer sun. I got a lot of laughs with it at first, but it really works. The umbrella is a small, 30 year old photographic umbrella I dug out of the closet.

Verne
Verne, what is in that box? What is your voltage source for field charging?
Old 04-11-2013, 05:16 AM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

My field set-up
Hyperion Duo 720i charges up to 20 amps
Hyundia 2000 watt inverter
RC Dudes 12v/24v power supply.........thanks to Chad for recommending this power supply...it has been nothing but a work horse.

I charge my packs anywhere from 12-15 amps at about 25min charge time.



Old 04-11-2013, 01:18 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?


ORIGINAL: Flyer88

My field set-up
Hyperion Duo 720i charges up to 20 amps
Hyundia 2000 watt inverter
Hobbyguys 12v/24v power supply.........thanks to Chad for recommending this power supply...it has been nothing but a work horse.

I charge my packs anywhere from 12-15 amps at about 25min charge time.



Got a link to that power supply? I can't find a thing on it.
Old 04-11-2013, 02:20 PM
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awry
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Just bought an iCharger 4010duo. I have a PL8 but wanted to get a 10s charger for my F3a batts. This one is dual output 10s charger that can output up to 1400W/40A per channel. I also ordered a 3kW PSU 48V. Seems like a good match for 10s batteries. We'll see if it's as reliable as my PL8 has been.
Old 04-11-2013, 03:50 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Have you guys noticed any degradation in the packs perfromance by charging at 2 and 3 C?
Old 04-11-2013, 03:54 PM
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Default RE: Faster way to charge 2X10S packs?

Sorry they were made by RC Dudes.........They stopped making and selling these power supplies.

I don't know why, cause they are great.

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