Lipo Charging

[daveimi]

Sounds stupid but can't quite work it out, on a 3s lipo do you just charge it through the balance plug or through the balance plug AND discharge plug? Looking at buying a cheap 3s charger but they only seem to have 12v power in and jst-xh plug on for charging?

[mrsam]

If it's one of the cheap Turnigy one's from Hobbyking you charge through the balance plug, get yourself a 5A laptop power supply off ebay and that will run the charger from the mains.

[Shakey]

Depends on the charger, some use both some just use the balance plug.

For 12V power in search 'LED power supply 12V' on ebay (supply your own plug). I use these on my feather charger, heavy charger and 2 on my 3D printer. :P

[daveimi]

Oh cool ok that's great thanks How do the expensive ones like this charge? Is it through the balance plug and discharge plug etc?

http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking..._GENUINE_.html

[grant_ploughbot]

Oh cool ok that's great thanks How do the expensive ones like this charge? Is it through the balance plug and discharge plug etc?

http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking..._GENUINE_.html

£16 for a lipo charger is excessively cheap. Expensive chargers are around £200-300 plus power supply. depending on what your doing I would be vary wary of such cheap quality chargers. I've seen a number of them fail in a way that can cause damage to your batteries, and in turn add unnessary risk to your home. It doesn't mean you should never buy a cheap charger, but you will need to take extra care when charging and NEVER leave them unattended incase of a failure.

To answer your question though, higher power chargers (not higher cost) tend to charge through the main power leads whilst using the balance leads to measure the voltage difference between each cell. If they are out of balance they will charge through the main leads and discharge individual cells at the same time. This isn't ideal as it builds up heat, but also isn't great for the batteries. It also takes a long time to charge if your batteries are getting weak or out of balance.

More expensive chargers such as the CellPro/PowerLab range charge through both sets of leads. They will slow charge through the balance port to increase a cell voltage rather than discharge all the others to lower them. They look after the batteries far better.

[suvv]

i have been useing this as it covers all the bases for charging and at £45 is relatively good value if there is one thing i have learned from years of radio controlled modeling it never go cheep on batteries or charger as the downsides are just not worth the hassle better to spend a little more and get better kit that lasts you alot longer

http://www.marionvillemodels.com/col...iant=988288179

[PJ-27]

I use an Imax B6 charger, which has balance and main leads. I got mine for £15 with a PSU built in.

The PSU gave up after a few years (replaced from ebay for a few pounds) and the menu buttons have all fallen off.

But for £15 it does the job of charging! Option to charge up to 5A, but keep the amps low and it'll help look after your batteries.

[harry hills]

I've got my old antweight charger good up to 4s just needs a PSU. No balancing though and it will take an age to charge a larger sized pack but free if you want it Dave.

I use the Imax B6 without hassle also.

[Pinski1]

Bst PSUs I've found are XBox ones. +12V at 17.9Amps for ~£10. You have to change the connector on the end but aside from that they come well packaged and safe.

[daveimi]

Hi harry thanku for the offer will see if I can scrape some cash together for new one but if not will give you a shout. Cheers again :-) are the power supply inputs on chargers aa standard plug?