Li-Po question
02-14-2009 | 09:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Gatineau,
QC, CANADA
Li-Po question
Hi all,
I was looking at this charger [link=http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3015.html]http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3015.html[/link]
at the bottom in the specs it says :
Battery Capacity Range: 300 - 3000mAh
now I know thats because it can charge upto 3000mAh, but If I were to try and charge a 4000mAh pack, would that screw up something to the charger and/or pack? or will it just charge the pack at 3A instead of the 4A that it can handle and everything will be ok?
I am just overly cautious with all the lipo warnings
I was looking at this charger [link=http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3015.html]http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3015.html[/link]
at the bottom in the specs it says :
Battery Capacity Range: 300 - 3000mAh
now I know thats because it can charge upto 3000mAh, but If I were to try and charge a 4000mAh pack, would that screw up something to the charger and/or pack? or will it just charge the pack at 3A instead of the 4A that it can handle and everything will be ok?
I am just overly cautious with all the lipo warnings
02-14-2009 | 09:51 PM
#2
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Li-Po question
I would stick to the recommendations for that charger. It's not a charger issue, but a LiPo battery issue. LiPo batteries don't handle trickle charging very good, and if that charger was to go to some sort of trickle charge situation because you exceeded the specs, well, you could have a problem
When it comes to LiPo batteries, well, I would be very cautious. Either switch to batteries within the chargers capabilities (possible suggestion) or vice-versa.. switch chargers to match your battery requrements (recommended).
CGr
When it comes to LiPo batteries, well, I would be very cautious. Either switch to batteries within the chargers capabilities (possible suggestion) or vice-versa.. switch chargers to match your battery requrements (recommended).
CGr
02-14-2009 | 10:27 PM
#3
RE: Li-Po question
Looking at the specs, I'd think they just say 3000mAh because it can only charge up to 3.0A. You could charge a larger battery with it, just at less than 1C.
Have you taken a look at the Acucell-6 from Hobby City? It is very inexpensive and charges up to 5A. I have one and it is now my favorite lipo charger. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
Have you taken a look at the Acucell-6 from Hobby City? It is very inexpensive and charges up to 5A. I have one and it is now my favorite lipo charger. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
02-15-2009 | 01:58 AM
#4
Senior Member
My Feedback: (18)
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Oklahoma City,
OK
RE: Li-Po question
ORIGINAL: ChuckW
Looking at the specs, I'd think they just say 3000mAh because it can only charge up to 3.0A. You could charge a larger battery with it, just at less than 1C.
Have you taken a look at the Acucell-6 from Hobby City? It is very inexpensive and charges up to 5A. I have one and it is now my favorite lipo charger. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
Looking at the specs, I'd think they just say 3000mAh because it can only charge up to 3.0A. You could charge a larger battery with it, just at less than 1C.
Have you taken a look at the Acucell-6 from Hobby City? It is very inexpensive and charges up to 5A. I have one and it is now my favorite lipo charger. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
02-15-2009 | 11:32 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Gatineau,
QC, CANADA
RE: Li-Po question
ORIGINAL: brett65
+1 on this charger! I love it, and it is easy to program and use. It has a nice digital display that more expensive units don't have. It's requires a 12V source, so you will need a power supply or a 12V battery.
ORIGINAL: ChuckW
Looking at the specs, I'd think they just say 3000mAh because it can only charge up to 3.0A. You could charge a larger battery with it, just at less than 1C.
Have you taken a look at the Acucell-6 from Hobby City? It is very inexpensive and charges up to 5A. I have one and it is now my favorite lipo charger. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
Looking at the specs, I'd think they just say 3000mAh because it can only charge up to 3.0A. You could charge a larger battery with it, just at less than 1C.
Have you taken a look at the Acucell-6 from Hobby City? It is very inexpensive and charges up to 5A. I have one and it is now my favorite lipo charger. http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
but as for a power supply, what do you mean, like a computer power supply? I can't plug it derectly in the wall or it doesn't have that connector?
02-15-2009 | 11:55 AM
#6
RE: Li-Po question
The charger just has a pair of alligator clips that need to connect to a 12V source. I use my car battery mostly, sometimes my field box for a smaller pack.
You can get some type of 12V power supply, but it needs to be capable of putting out 5A or more of continuous power. You also need to be very careful if charging indoors. Do not ever leave a charging LiPo unattended.
Good luck
You can get some type of 12V power supply, but it needs to be capable of putting out 5A or more of continuous power. You also need to be very careful if charging indoors. Do not ever leave a charging LiPo unattended.
Good luck
02-15-2009 | 12:24 PM
#8
RE: Li-Po question
I also use an old car battery. I went out to the bin of used batterties at work and tested a bunch until i found a good one. A lot of guys at the field use a small 12V 35Ah deep cycle battery. It is a lot lighter to carry around.
You can also buy a 12V power supply at Radio Shack or other electronics stores but good ones can get expensive.
Hobby City has osme power supplies too:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...y_for_Chargers
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...100~240V_12.5A
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...ly_100~240v_5A
If you buy from Hobby City, the shipping from Hong Kong can be pretty high on just one item. It pays to order a number of items because the shipping is usually the same.
You can also buy a 12V power supply at Radio Shack or other electronics stores but good ones can get expensive.
Hobby City has osme power supplies too:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...y_for_Chargers
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...100~240V_12.5A
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...ly_100~240v_5A
If you buy from Hobby City, the shipping from Hong Kong can be pretty high on just one item. It pays to order a number of items because the shipping is usually the same.
02-15-2009 | 12:41 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Gatineau,
QC, CANADA
RE: Li-Po question
cool thanks for the links.
I was thinking at first to buy 4 chargers, but I think i'll jut buy 2 of them and 2 of the GTpower SuperCon power supplys in the link you sent me... I'll try and be patient by waiting 2hours for my batteries instead of 1
great help guys
I was thinking at first to buy 4 chargers, but I think i'll jut buy 2 of them and 2 of the GTpower SuperCon power supplys in the link you sent me... I'll try and be patient by waiting 2hours for my batteries instead of 1
great help guys
02-15-2009 | 02:22 PM
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Gatineau,
QC, CANADA
RE: Li-Po question
I found this... could I put 4 chargers on this? [link=http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/products_id/5070]http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/products_id/5070[/link]
it says max amps 23, so I could charge 4 batteries on 4 chargers at 4 amps each and be ok right?
it says max amps 23, so I could charge 4 batteries on 4 chargers at 4 amps each and be ok right?
02-15-2009 | 09:39 PM
#12
RE: Li-Po question
Before you buy so many chargers, think about what you are charging. If you are doing 2200 mah 3S lipos, you can buy a 6S Y connector from Hobbycity and balance charge two of the same packs at the same time charging at about 2 amps with the Accucel. It would be about 50W / 22.2.
I have been contemplating doing this if I decide to convert one of my .40 ARF's to electric.
Good Luck,
Curtis
P.S. I also have the Turnigy Accucell and love it.
I have been contemplating doing this if I decide to convert one of my .40 ARF's to electric.
Good Luck,
Curtis
P.S. I also have the Turnigy Accucell and love it.
02-15-2009 | 09:42 PM
#13
RE: Li-Po question
Instead of buying a power supply, if you have any soldering skills, check out some of the PC power supply conversions that have been done. I asked a coworker for one (he is an egghead), and he gave me a 250W power supply. I just took the cable and found out what connections to short, and which ones to make into + and - leads and within about an hour, I had a supply that will give me nearly 20A of 12v DC power for my charger(s).
Curtis
Curtis
02-15-2009 | 09:48 PM
#14
RCU Forum Manager/Admin
My Feedback: (9)
RE: Li-Po question
ORIGINAL: beau0090_99
Instead of buying a power supply, if you have any soldering skills, check out some of the PC power supply conversions that have been done. I asked a coworker for one (he is an egghead), and he gave me a 250W power supply. I just took the cable and found out what connections to short, and which ones to make into + and - leads and within about an hour, I had a supply that will give me nearly 20A of 12v DC power for my charger(s).
Curtis
Instead of buying a power supply, if you have any soldering skills, check out some of the PC power supply conversions that have been done. I asked a coworker for one (he is an egghead), and he gave me a 250W power supply. I just took the cable and found out what connections to short, and which ones to make into + and - leads and within about an hour, I had a supply that will give me nearly 20A of 12v DC power for my charger(s).
Curtis
[link]http://www.marcee.org/Articles/PCPowerSupply.htm[/link]
Ken
02-15-2009 | 09:52 PM
#15
Senior Member
RE: Li-Po question
Check the FMA 10S charger. Can charge 2 batteries at once either NiCd NiNm or Li Po. Do need a power supply though. Check the batteries and chargers forum for info.
02-15-2009 | 10:00 PM
#16
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Gatineau,
QC, CANADA
RE: Li-Po question
ORIGINAL: beau0090_99
Before you buy so many chargers, think about what you are charging. If you are doing 2200 mah 3S lipos, you can buy a 6S Y connector from Hobbycity and balance charge two of the same packs at the same time charging at about 2 amps with the Accucel. It would be about 50W / 22.2.
I have been contemplating doing this if I decide to convert one of my .40 ARF's to electric.
Good Luck,
Curtis
P.S. I also have the Turnigy Accucell and love it.
Before you buy so many chargers, think about what you are charging. If you are doing 2200 mah 3S lipos, you can buy a 6S Y connector from Hobbycity and balance charge two of the same packs at the same time charging at about 2 amps with the Accucel. It would be about 50W / 22.2.
I have been contemplating doing this if I decide to convert one of my .40 ARF's to electric.
Good Luck,
Curtis
P.S. I also have the Turnigy Accucell and love it.
I actually have 4 4000mah packs, thats pretty much why
02-15-2009 | 10:01 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Gatineau,
QC, CANADA
RE: Li-Po question
ORIGINAL: RCKen
Here is a good How-to on converting a PC power supply for use in our hobby. I've got 6 or 7 of these floating around my shop that I use all the time. I own a computer shop, so I've got plenty of supplys laying around to work with. If you need a supply stop by a computer shop and ask them if they have any power supplies from dead computers. Explain what you need it for and there's a good chance you'll pick it up for free, or for very little money. Of if you have a computer that dies, salvage the power supply out of (if it's still working of course) before you toss the computer.
[link]http://www.marcee.org/Articles/PCPowerSupply.htm[/link]
Ken
ORIGINAL: beau0090_99
Instead of buying a power supply, if you have any soldering skills, check out some of the PC power supply conversions that have been done. I asked a coworker for one (he is an egghead), and he gave me a 250W power supply. I just took the cable and found out what connections to short, and which ones to make into + and - leads and within about an hour, I had a supply that will give me nearly 20A of 12v DC power for my charger(s).
Curtis
Instead of buying a power supply, if you have any soldering skills, check out some of the PC power supply conversions that have been done. I asked a coworker for one (he is an egghead), and he gave me a 250W power supply. I just took the cable and found out what connections to short, and which ones to make into + and - leads and within about an hour, I had a supply that will give me nearly 20A of 12v DC power for my charger(s).
Curtis
[link]http://www.marcee.org/Articles/PCPowerSupply.htm[/link]
Ken
02-15-2009 | 10:13 PM
#18
RE: Li-Po question
You might want to try this one instead.
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
I would assume you could parallel balance charge those 4400 Mah batteries at 4.4 amps. Probably more cost effective to buy 2 of the 50W.
Curtis
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...lancer/Charger
I would assume you could parallel balance charge those 4400 Mah batteries at 4.4 amps. Probably more cost effective to buy 2 of the 50W.
Curtis
