RE: A123 Field charger  
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> A123Racing Support >> RE: A123 Field charger
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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/13/2008 5:29:10 AM   
Brenner


 

Posts: 88
Joined: 7/23/2007
From: Bridgman, MI, USA
Status: offline 		One thing about the FMA CellPro chargers, is that you don't need to connect the main charging leads, because without them the charger will just charge through the balancing connector, which makes for a pretty simple, and foolproof setup, because all you do is connect the balance connector, and push the charge button. Also, since you are charging through the balance connector, you are also balancing your pack as well.

(in reply to BaldEagel)
       Post #: 26

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/13/2008 2:31:01 PM   
mrbigg



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From: Streator, IL, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Brenner

One thing about the FMA CellPro chargers, is that you don't need to connect the main charging leads, because without them the charger will just charge through the balancing connector, which makes for a pretty simple, and foolproof setup, because all you do is connect the balance connector, and push the charge button. Also, since you are charging through the balance connector, you are also balancing your pack as well.

sounds easy enough for me. This is the charger that I'm going to get.

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       Post #: 27

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/13/2008 4:26:45 PM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
Joined: 2/23/2002
From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online 		The CellPro 4S is actually "the" easiest I've seen. It needs an adapter wire setup to match whatever you're plugging into. Several diagrams on my website. What I like the best, is I just leave it in A123 mode. Plug into power. Connect to the balance lead of the A123 pack. Wait for beeps. Look at the display to see how many milliamps were replaced.

Ain't nothin' easier than that, that I've ever seen, to let me know how "good" a pack is.

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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
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(in reply to mrbigg)
       Post #: 28

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/14/2008 11:24:56 AM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		The nice thing about A123's is they do not need ballancing on every charge, but if you wish to do that, then the normal Futaba or JR charge switch could use the three wire charge socket on the A123's you would just need to make up a charge ballance lead from your charger and obviously when you make up your A123 pack use a servo lead soldered to your cells for the ballance lead, the only problem I can envisage with that arrangement is the power capacity of the lead and standard servo plug, personnaly I would not comfortable putting more than 4 amps through that arrangement, but this is a real alternative way to go whilst charging your batteries whilst still in the plane,

Mike

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/14/2008 11:53:04 AM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
Joined: 2/23/2002
From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online 		Mike - I'm using that scheme in mine, using one switch for "binding" and the other switch for "balance/charging". The only issue is the "orange" wire must be managed. If using JR or MPI HD switches (and probably others), the orange lead is never switched, and passes through to the RX full time. This permits the DSC function to work.

When wiring the Switch to balance/charge the A123 pack, one must remove the orange lead on the wire going INTO the RX, else there is ALWAYS 3.3v present on that pin in the RX.

To make the switch work for the "bind" function, you must remove the orange wire that connects to the BATTERY, unless the battery lead you are connecting to has only the + and - without the balance wire.

Diagrams attached. (Artwork courtesy Dick Runkel)

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
Learn from others...you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself....

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       Post #: 30

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/14/2008 12:11:59 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Bob

Good information, I new I had read about it somewhere, obviously from you, when you think about it the channel wire carrying voltage to make the DSC work is also obvious, thanks for the timly advise and diagram I am sure we will all find it very useful.

Thanks again
Mike

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       Post #: 31

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/15/2008 1:46:23 PM   
Capt Lou


 

Posts: 299
Joined: 1/3/2007
From: Manahawkin, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Bob:

I'm interested in seeing your second diagram. Unfortunately, when I attempt to enlarge it, it doesn't work although I can enlarge the first diagram. Could you please re-send the second diagram in a separate post to see if that can be enlarged. These are very helpful. Thanks for posting them.

(in reply to Bob Pastorello)
       Post #: 32

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/15/2008 2:14:27 PM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
Joined: 2/23/2002
From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online 		I will be posting this on my website also on my A123 info page.
Email me, and I'll send you full size jpg's, if that will help.

In the first diagram, the switch labeled "Receiver" connects to the Data Port (if using the JR 921 or AR9000 rx's). To CHECK the data, you must leave the OTHER switch ON after landing, leave the TX on, plug your data logger into the Receiver "Charge" receptacle, THEN *Turn OFF* the Receiver switch. The Data Logger can then be used as advertised.

After checking, be sure to turn OFF the other switch, and the TX.

To "BIND", leave the BIND switch OFF. Plug in your binding plug in it's "charging receptacle". Turn *ON* the "DATA" switch. You should observe the RX's in "fast blink". Depress the bind button on your TX while powering it up, and hold it depressed until all RX leds go solid. Release the TX bind button. Turn OFF the "DATA" switch. Unplug the binding plug. Check your system.

I'm running two airplanes configured like this, and after using my trusty Dymo Labelmaker to help me keep everything straight, found out that these work just fine.

< Message edited by Bob Pastorello -- 7/15/2008 2:21:00 PM >

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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
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       Post #: 33

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/15/2008 2:24:38 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Bob

Just a quick question, I thought the bind process was between the signal wire and negative, I can't see how the bind switch would do this as negative is normally by passed in the switch and only the positive is switched, also the signal wire does not connect to the switch, am I wrong or are you modifying the switch internally, or is it double pole?

Mike

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No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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       Post #: 34

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/15/2008 2:41:54 PM   
Bob Pastorello



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From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: BaldEagel

Bob

Just a quick question, I thought the bind process was between the signal wire and negative, I can't see how the bind switch would do this as negative is normally by passed in the switch and only the positive is switched, also the signal wire does not connect to the switch, am I wrong or are you modifying the switch internally, or is it double pole?

Mike


The black wire, as well as the orange, is "wired through" on the switches I use (MPI and JR). The red lead is connected to both of the DPDT contacts. The Bind "plug" is a jumper of "signal" (orange) to "negative" (black), and it works because the ORANGE wire does not connect to the battery. So in the "BIND" position, the binding plug "shorts" the Bind "Signal" connection to the negative/black/brown power lead.

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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
Learn from others...you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself....

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       Post #: 35

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/15/2008 2:49:04 PM   
BaldEagel



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Joined: 10/12/2005
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Status: offline 		Bob

That explains it, I fly Futaba and the signal wire is just by passed in the switch and only the negative and positive are DPST, mind you this is all academic now as I have completly changed over to the Fromeco Kodiak switch when using A123's.

Once again thanks for your diagrammes and explainations all very interesting.

Mike

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/21/2008 4:22:55 AM   
RCAddiction



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From: Waxhaw, NC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: BaldEagel

I have completly changed over to the Fromeco Kodiak switch when using A123's.

Mike


Mike,

With the Kodiak switch, are you balance charging the A123's? If yes, how? Are you unplugging the 2 conductor Deans connectors and then charging via a balance connector with an FMA or other balance charger?

thanks



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Lee

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/21/2008 7:30:18 AM   
BaldEagel



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From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		I don't ballance charge on site, its not neccesary to ballance A123's as often as LiPo's, once I get back to the workshop I ballance charge there.

Mike

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No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/21/2008 10:32:26 AM   
RCAddiction



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Joined: 3/29/2002
From: Waxhaw, NC, USA
Status: offline 		What do you charge them with?

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Lee

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