Older Lipos without balancing node connector?
 

Howdy . . .

Advice needed. Newbie to the world of lipo. Purchased a foamie with gear from a friend who upgraded to nitro.

I have a 3-cell Thunder Power 11.1V and a 2-cell 7.4 Kokam lipo batteries with deans connectors, but NO node connecter. For X-Mas I received the FMA Cellpro 4s Charger/Balancer.

1) Would I be able to charge my batteries (both) with:
http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?...974&section=45

2) I suspect this is what I need for my Thunder Power battery, correct?
http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?...125&section=45

3) Do I need to add a node connector to my lipos:
http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?...121&section=45

4) Have you seen a wall-adapter to use the FMA Cellpro as a wall unit as opposed to a battery unit?

Jeremy

RE: Older Lipos without balancing node connector?
 

No, that is for creating larger packs using smaller packs.

This will not work because you say you only have a deans connector. The pack would have to have a balancing tap on it.

Yes, you would have to solder this into the pack. Be VERY careful in doing this. This is not a simple process. Lipo packs are trickey to handle and soldering to the tabs is delicate work. I have not tried it but this is what I read in evey post on the topic. I believe you can download the instructions for soldering in the balancing taps.

No I have not.

The 4S is only for packs that have balancing taps. It can not charge packs that do not have balancing taps, and the taps have to be CellPro taps or you have to use the adapters. Since you would be adding CellPro taps, you would be all set, but please be careful.

I may be buying one of these chargers myself so I would need to add taps to 4 of my packs too.

RE: Older Lipos without balancing node connector?
 

Frankly, I wouldn't sweat it. Those old Lipos will work for a long time without balancing.

Balancing is no doubt worthwhile, but it is also a wonderful way to sell more equipment.

RE: Older Lipos without balancing node connector?
 

I have seen too many cases of Lipo packs that were losing their punch that were brought back to life with balancing.

I belive the more cells you have in the pack the greater the benefit.

I am convinced sufficently that I am going to order a balancing charger and some extra taps to put on my packs that don't have taps.

RE: Older Lipos without balancing node connector?
 

Thank you everyone. I have ordered Cellpro balancing nodes through my LHS and will request they solder them on two packs for me since I do not YET have the soldering skill mastered.