Gringo Flyer

My Feedback: (18)

I am having trouble on the discharge rate of my multiplex ln 5014. I set it up for my lipo 11.1 volt packs and set the discharge at 1 amp. When it starts the discharge it changes to .4amps. I have tried various discharge rates but it just keeps going back to .4.

Its a great charger but I am a little frustrated with this.

guver

My Feedback: (325)

You may be reaching the limit of it's max discharge power (it could be 4-5 watts)

Gringo Flyer

My Feedback: (18)

So you suppose that if it was a 1 or 2 cell pack that it would probably discharge at a higher rate?

guver

My Feedback: (325)

I don't have the charger, but yes. You may also be able to tell just by letting it discharge and see if the rate increases as the voltage decreases. Maybe could throw an old 5-6 cell nickel pack on there to see.

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

I've run into the same thing with this charger.....

happened with larger Ni packs.......

Gringo Flyer

My Feedback: (18)

I think U dud is right on this one. I have a pack discharging now. When the pack was full it discharged at .40 amps as the pack is being discharge it has increased slowy to .41,.42, and now .44.

I am in no way shape or form an electronics or battery expert but as I understand it as the voltage has dropped the discharge rate increases because it is maintaining max peak watt discharge.

guver

My Feedback: (325)

Now we'd like to know just what that power figure is,,,

I'd say 5 watts? Pretty low anyways.

RJConnet

On page 6 of the manual for the LN 5014 there is a chart showing the discharge capabilities of the unit for battery voltages up to 17 volts. It shows .44 A for 11 volts and .41 A for 12 volts. Looks like 5 Watts is about it for the unit which is about what you would expect for a unit of that size and little provision for cooling ( no fins, no fan, etc.). Personally I have no use for high current discharge capabilities and I really like the unit.[8D][8D]............ RJ

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

That answers that!!
Cheers

Gringo Flyer

My Feedback: (18)

I like the unit too. The only time I need to discharge at higher rate is when I have new lipo packs and I want to cycle them a few times.

I am now having some problems charging lipos. I try to charge those same packs and I put the charge rate on .5amps. The charger runs for an hour and then beeps saying the charge is finished. At .5 amps the packs take about 3 hours to charge back up so I am having to start the charger 3 times per each complete charge.

Any ideas on this one?

guver

My Feedback: (325)

I've read the manual and did not notice a 1 hr safety timer, but it must have one. The only other choice is to increase the rate to 1.5 amps. If you have a battery smaller than 1500 mah then there may be some resistance in the system with leads, battery, connections.

Gringo Flyer

My Feedback: (18)

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe it is setup with the idea to do a 1 hour charge at 1C. Thats why it cuts off at 1 hour as an extra safety feature. I almost never charge my lipos at 1C. I prefer to let them charge at a slower rate.

These packs are from commonsenserc and I am form charging them per their instructions. They say to cycle the packs 3 times before using them. Charging at .5C and discharging at 2C.

guver

My Feedback: (325)

It must have a cut-off of 1 hr. I think what you're doing is the only other way to get the full charge. As long as ending volts is 4.2/cell you are good to go.