RC*PHREAK

i recently decided to ditch traxxas plugs and go with deans. my buddy soldered a deans plug onto one of lipos. now my charger won't read the voltage of one of the cells. on the first screen it shows the overall voltage of the battery as 7.6v but on the next screen with the individual cells, it only shows one cell at 3.8v. any ideas?

t9dragon

My Feedback: (11)

Do you have a pic of the battery with the deans plug on it?

RC*PHREAK

LewAshby

Check it with a multimeter.

It may be possible while soldering, one of the cells were shorted out.

RC*PHREAK

i don't have a multimeter, but if one of the cells is shorted out, why would the charger read the battery's total charge as 7.6v?

guver

My Feedback: (325)

The cell has an open circuit to the balance plug.

RC*PHREAK

what does that mean?

is the battery toast? anything i can do?

guver

My Feedback: (325)

One of the wires to the cell that reads 0 is not connected anymore. (or if it's 2 cells that read 0 then it's 2 wires).

RC*PHREAK

one of the balance plug wires? if so, can i or should i try to open the hardcase and fix it or just scrap it?

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

Why on earth did your friend solder those longer wires on? Especially with a smaller gage wire?

RC*PHREAK

that was actually done by me. i originally soldered a traxxas pigtail on it as i didn't want to try and solder a traxxas plug onto those fat wires (8 guage). i didn't ask him to ditch the smaller wire, but i assumed he would.

as you can tell, i'm a n00b to the hobby (getting back into it after about a 20 year hiatus) and an even bigger n00b when it comes to soldering.

so do you think this battery is fubar'd? would it be worth it to try and discharge, then charge up? scrap it?

t9dragon

My Feedback: (11)

I would trash the battery.. DO NOT try to open the hardcase, you could have a small explosion and fire on your hands if you nick the battery.

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

Opening the hardcase presents ZERO chance of explosion.

IF he does it intelligently, there is NO inherent danger in damaging the battery while opening the ahrdcase.

ThunderbirdJunkie has faith in this guy, t9dragon, he's not stupid.

Anyway, open the hardcase, and inspect where the balance leads go into the cells. If one is damaged, you might as well toss it, TBH.

t9dragon

My Feedback: (11)

ThunderbirdJunkie, have you ever opened a hardcase lipo?

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

Have you ever seen a battery?

Allnighters

Check the voltage with a multi meter through the balance plug. Black probe to black wire At all times. Then red probe to wire next to black should read approx 3.9v or close. Then red probe to next wire out should read 7.95 or close. Then red probe to next wire out should read 11.9 or close. if one is not reading there is you problem wire. Voltage should be close I used my 11.1 volt 3s1p pack that is in storage mode for reference. If it is a 2s pack then your only gona red probe two wires. Hope this helps Jim

Allnighters

If you hook up the deans to charge it that is where the 7.6 volts is. The individual cell voltage comes through the balance tap. Maybe that will shed some light on it. Jim

t9dragon

My Feedback: (11)

You crack me up.......................

RC*PHREAK

so i cracked it open:




sure enough, the red balance plug wire was not connected to anything. i didn't fully remove the hardcase, just one side of it. is it too ambitious to think it can be fixed? nevermind. it's just another $30.

thanks for the help RCU!

Haddi Taha

yeah i have one of those batteries and on a hard crash with one of my touring cars the battery came out and hit the ground cracking a hole in it. I peered inside the hole to see that the was a gap of about 5mm between the case and the cells so opening it shouldn't be a issue. 

Haddi Taha

you posted at the exact time as me

guver

My Feedback: (325)

The red wire goes to the same post as the red lead, it can even be done externally if you don't find the room inside.

RC*PHREAK

THANK YOU!!! i attempted it and it's at least temporarily working. i can't vouch for the quality of the solder joint, but at least for the moment, it works and if it stops working, i know how to fix it again. this was virtually a brand new battery, so this helps a ton.

again, thanks to all those that helped me.

Haddi Taha

i have to use cable ties to fit mine in a 1/10 4wd buggy or touring car, its big for a 5000 2s

RC*PHREAK

yeah, i just picked up a B4 and only one of 4 batteries fits in it (a Gens Ace). that black one and two turnigy soft packs don't fit. the soft packs are too wide and that black hardcase, the wires won't let it lay flat. i suppose i could use cable ties. i might just pick up another Gens Ace.