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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/17/2003 8:57:24 AM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		THis charger was giving low mah readings on the rx side and high mah readings on the tx side during discharge cycles. I have sent this cycler back for service and recieved an email reply that they are replacing the processor. I let them know that I knew of issues with this charger staying in calibration. I have replied to them asking if they are going to extend the warranty period. THe charger is one year old. So far I have to say they have been prompt in their correspondence and by replacing the processor rather than adjusting the pots is also encourging. ANyway ill keep posting to this thread as time goes and new information is available. If anyone else has allready been down this road id appreciate your experience
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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/18/2003 6:06:50 PM   
rajul



Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Could you provide more details such as battery rating and the actual discharge readings you were getting...........

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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/18/2003 8:17:09 PM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		THe rx batteries are 700 mah and i was getting a discharge rating of 250 mah after discharge. THe tx natteries were 600 mah and i was getting a discharge rating of 1250 mah after discharge. THe rx batteries were brand new and the tx batteries were 3 years old.

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       Post #: 3

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/18/2003 8:24:42 PM   
rajul



Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Woww! That's really way out and doesn't seem to be a calibration issue. Was it behaving like this one year ago ? Hope you get a replacement soon and good luck..........

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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/18/2003 10:39:35 PM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		I have had problems with this product since i got it, but untill I got on rc universe i didnt have the knowledge to diagnose the problem was the charger and not the batteries, they are replacing the processor and i am waiting on a reply if they are going to extend the warranty. My game plan is to sell the unit on e bay after its fixed and get a sirrus pro charger and a sirrus discharger.

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       Post #: 5

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 5:15:52 AM   
rajul



Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I have an accucycle too , which I'm still using, which did have a calibration issue - less than 7% out. Through instructions I received here, I calibrated it to about 2% error for both Tx and Rx. That's part of the fun . It works fine now but only drawback I see is in the limited selection of charging currents. The FMA Einstein is better in this regard and is in the same price range. Good luck with your Sirius and let me know how it works out for ya !

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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 5:21:31 AM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		If you dont mind id appreciate it if you would list the instrucitons on how to calibrate the accucycler. Thanks rickey

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       Post #: 7

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 5:43:37 AM   
Vince


 

Posts: 1650
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: Nederland, Tx.
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by SuperStick
If you dont mind id appreciate it if you would list the instrucitons on how to calibrate the accucycler. Thanks rickey [/QUOTE]

I calibrated mine by selling it and buying something else...non Hobbico.

Vince

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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 5:46:04 AM   
rajul



Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hi rickey, it's very simple to do if you have a digital multimeter which measures current. Just takes 5-10 mins. But as you need to open the back cover and work on the circuitry, please take full safety precautions. Do you have any basic electrical work experience ? Anyway, here you go :

1) Remove backcover and locate two potentiometers, one for the Rx and the other for the Tx.

2) Work on the Rx or Tx first. Set discharge current to 250mA (Don't worry about 500mA discharge as it will be "automatically" calibrated as well when you calibrate at 250mA - it's a one point calibration)

3) Connect your charged battery with the DMM in series, not parallel. This is easily done by just inserting one battery terminal into the red/black charger port, one DMM probe into the other charger port, and connect the remaining batt and DMM terminals together. I managed to do this using my left hand. Kinda tricky but manageable . Good contact is important.

4) Due to the high impedance of the DMM, you'll find that the charger will want to go into charge mode when you press the discharge button.You'll have to trick the charger by adjusting the cell selection switch to the next lower cell count.

5) Look at the discharge current reading on the DMM. Using a small screwdriver, slowly turn the potentiometer to bring it as close to 250mA as possible.

That's it ! Let me know if you encounter any problems. Hope this helps......................Mike

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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 6:11:37 AM   
rajul



Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Vince


I calibrated mine by selling it and buying something else...non Hobbico.

Vince [/QUOTE]

I do mods to my balsa kits, my tools, my Tx, etc......... Well I learn more by trying to understand the problems and trying to solve them with some help from RCU and elsewhere. I could sell too , but hey, I don't learn as much. Well let me see, oh, I did sell that pesky @#$%^, good luck to the poor buyer.......Just kidding

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Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 7:27:29 AM   
Vince


 

Posts: 1650
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: Nederland, Tx.
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by rajul


I do mods to my balsa kits, my tools, my Tx, etc......... Well I learn more by trying to understand the problems and trying to solve them with some help from RCU and elsewhere. I could sell too , but hey, I don't learn as much. Well let me see, oh, I did sell that pesky @#$%^, good luck to the poor buyer.......Just kidding [/QUOTE]

The Accucycle is not the first time I have been burned by Hobbico electronics. My hobby dollar must get me the most bang for my buck. I have learned it's to my advantage to get first rate equipment right off the bat, rather than pay less then try and fix it.

Vince

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       Post #: 11

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 9:19:19 AM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		THanks Mike, I understand everything but how to hook up the dmm meter, one thing i have learned about electronics is if you dont understand exactly what to do its best not too.

) Connect your charged battery with the DMM in series, not parallel. This is easily done by just inserting one battery terminal into the red/black charger port, one DMM probe into the other charger port, and connect the remaining batt and DMM terminals together. I managed to do this using my left hand. Kinda tricky but manageable . Good contact is important.

To make sure im hooking things up right please check this out and let me know if i am ok or fixing to fry LOL

1 red batt terminal in charger
2 black dmm probe in charger
3 black batt terminal and red dmm probe togther

thanks again RIckey

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       Post #: 12

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 9:33:12 AM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		I agree with both posts about fixing modifying and replacing, When i first got started in this great hobby the hobby shop where i got most of my information assured me that the hobbico cycler was state of the art stuff and was a great product, it wasnt untill i got on rcu that i learned different, I agree that hobbico has the cheaper in price and quality products, according to the posts i have read on cyclers this is definatley a product that requires research, seems that all cyclers have their issues some more than others, for my needs the einstein seems to be the way to go when i get the funds

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       Post #: 13

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 9:36:32 AM   
rajul



Posts: 6379
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Rickey, you've got it right. What DMM are you using ? What is the max current it can measure ? Remember to switch the DMM setting to current measurement. If it is at voltage measurement, you'll blow the fuse ! I think you'll do fine.

Hi Vince, I fully agree with you. The additional investment is always worth it or you may end up paying more later. The extra $$ "hurts so good" eh ?......

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       Post #: 14

Hobbico Accu cycler - 1/19/2003 11:43:55 AM   
SuperStick



Posts: 125
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		Its a cheap meter i have had for a while, dc current range is
20mA, 200mA, 10a 200ua, 2000uA overload is 0.2a/250v fused
10 a range isnt fused
Ive got a friend that has a fluke meter so ill probably borrow his have a beer and get his opinions he is one the best control voltage, electonic guys ive ever known.

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