How to charge my batteries?

Daggers

10 mW
Joined
May 31, 2014
Messages
23
Location
Florida, U.S.
So I'm in the phase of ordering the electronics for my board and I'm totally confused on the charging. I'm using 2 of these batteries: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10480__turnigy_5000mah_6s_25c_long_lipo_pack.html and getting this charger: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__56261__Turnigy_dlux_DC_80W_10A_6S_Balance_Charger_Discharger_with_Accessories_US_Warehouse_.html and this power supply: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11986__20A_twin_12v_switching_DC_Power_Supply_for_Chargers_.html I want my batteries hooked up in parallel on my board and don't want to disconnect them to charge. Is it possible to charge them with this set up? How will the balancing work? And what do I need to buy to make it work (i.e. connectors) ?

Edit: I found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NczQwVTI2bY and do I just do what he does? I found these two cable things for it, are they what I need? http://www.progressiverc.com/parallel-6x-jst-charge-cable.html
http://www.progressiverc.com/parallel-6x-balance-adapter.html I feel like such a noob but I don't want to burn my house down lol
 
I'd spend the extra money for an HK 350W Power Supply or higher (if you want to upgrade in the future) and an iCharger 208B - You can charge at 20Amps compared to 4.5amps almost 4 times faster. It's somewhere around $160. Your charging 2x 5ah packs so about 10ah total. Charging at 4.5 amps with any of these cheaper chargers below will take about 2-3 hours if not longer.

Cheaper chargers below charge at about 4.5 amps.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__5548__IMAX_B6_50W_5A_Charger_Discharger_1_6_Cells_GENUINE_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7028__Turnigy_Accucel_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_w_Accessories.html

You can create Y connectors and combine your battery plugs to a Y connector. They'll have to split off to the ESC and to a separate cable that you use for the charging port. You'll also need a Y connector to connect the (2) 6S balance ports in parallel for 6S balance plug and possibly and extension. You can then use the opposite ends and melt the tips to create a plug when the ports aren't in use.

If you are parallel connecting them on the board anyhow. You can easily make a single port for charging. You wouldn't need to do what he's doing technically. Only if you plan on swapping packs -- would you do what he would do.

Personally, I don't mind swapping packs and prefer the board to be lighter. I also like to remove my packs and charge them away from my own board. My board is pretty dirty those wheels touch some nasty floors so I prefer not to bring my board where I charge my packs. For this reason, I charge just like he does in your video. I'll have about 6 packs of 3S 5000mah and charge them in about 45 mins to an hour or so which gives me a total distance of about 18 to 24 miles.
 
How would I be charging with 4.5 amps? The charger is a 10A charger. Anything less won't charge the batteries right? They will be drawing 5A each.

You can create Y connectors and combine your battery plugs to a Y connector. They'll have to split off to the ESC and to a separate cable that you use for the charging port. You'll also need a Y connector to connect the (2) 6S balance ports in parallel for 6S balance plug and possibly and extension. You can then use the opposite ends and melt the tips to create a plug when the ports aren't in use.

Are there diagrams of this? I've never worked with batteries or chargers before in my life so I'm a bit confused.
 
How would I be charging with 4.5 amps? The charger is a 10A charger. Anything less won't charge the batteries right? They will be drawing 5A each.

If you are using http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20971__Hobbyking_105W_15V_7A_Switching_DC_Power_Supply.html -- you'll only charge at 4.5 amps. The next power supply up is going to be the HK 350A Power Supply that will get you the 10 amps from that charger but if you go that route.. you might as well spend the extra money and get a reliable and more powerful charger such as the iCharger 208B. Trust me, it's worth it. All those other cheapo chargers are known to break. iCharger's are high quality chargers without spending an arm and leg. You can go Powerlab 6 or Powerlab 8 but those are like $240 which is not worth it IMO. Would be an awesome charger though.

Are there diagrams of this? I've never worked with batteries or chargers before in my life so I'm a bit confused.

Not that I know of...
 
I'm using this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11986__20A_twin_12v_switching_DC_Power_Supply_for_Chargers_.html power supply. It seems cheap but good enough
 
Daggers said:
I'm using this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11986__20A_twin_12v_switching_DC_Power_Supply_for_Chargers_.html power supply. It seems cheap but good enough

Perfect.. That works 240watts.. Nice find.. I may have to buy one of those.. Those are cheap.. Didn't see that one before.
 
Ok well, I'll try to see how I can make your suggestion work. Currently it's a bit confusing but I'll see what I can do! Thanks
 
Would something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000mAh-Dual-USB-Portable-Solar-Panel-Power-Bank-for-universal-5-5s-S3-S4-S5-6S-/161339020152?pt=Wristwatches&var=&hash=item25908e1378 be able to replace the batteries? Somehow hook it up to the motor and esc? It can charge by solar, computer, or wall outlet too
 
Daggers said:
Would something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000mAh-Dual-USB-Portable-Solar-Panel-Power-Bank-for-universal-5-5s-S3-S4-S5-6S-/161339020152?pt=Wristwatches&var=&hash=item25908e1378 be able to replace the batteries? Somehow hook it up to the motor and esc? It can charge by solar, computer, or wall outlet too

It would not work. Those are only 1 cell batteries and don't have the output discharge that normal lipo batteries do.
 
torqueboards said:
Daggers said:
Would something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000mAh-Dual-USB-Portable-Solar-Panel-Power-Bank-for-universal-5-5s-S3-S4-S5-6S-/161339020152?pt=Wristwatches&var=&hash=item25908e1378 be able to replace the batteries? Somehow hook it up to the motor and esc? It can charge by solar, computer, or wall outlet too

It would not work. Those are only 1 cell batteries and don't have the output discharge that normal lipo batteries do.

Ohh ok. What about lead acid batteries? If ound a 12v 12ah battery for only $25! http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEALED-LEAD-ACID-BATTERY-6V-12V-18Ah-12Ah-10Ah-9Ah-7-2Ah-7Ah-5Ah-4-5Ah-AND-ETC-/111268132777?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item19e818f7a9 Yeah it'd be bulky but if it works then I think I'll go with 12ah for $25 compared to 10ah for $100
 
Daggers said:
torqueboards said:
Daggers said:
Would something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000mAh-Dual-USB-Portable-Solar-Panel-Power-Bank-for-universal-5-5s-S3-S4-S5-6S-/161339020152?pt=Wristwatches&var=&hash=item25908e1378 be able to replace the batteries? Somehow hook it up to the motor and esc? It can charge by solar, computer, or wall outlet too

It would not work. Those are only 1 cell batteries and don't have the output discharge that normal lipo batteries do.

Ohh ok. What about lead acid batteries? If ound a 12v 12ah battery for only $25! http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEALED-LEAD-ACID-BATTERY-6V-12V-18Ah-12Ah-10Ah-9Ah-7-2Ah-7Ah-5Ah-4-5Ah-AND-ETC-/111268132777?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item19e818f7a9 Yeah it'd be bulky but if it works then I think I'll go with 12ah for $25 compared to 10ah for $100

Your comparing 12V SLA to 22.2V Lipo. Do you want to ride 5mph? You might need to reconsider on all your components as well. I'm particularly not experienced with those so wouldn't be able to help you much further.

Do you also see the height 3.7" and 8 lb battery? LOL to save a few bucks.. Didn't you just win a free kit.. Maybe, if you put it on your board but you'd totally butcher your build..
 
torqueboards said:
Your comparing 12V SLA to 22.2V Lipo. Do you want to ride 5mph? You might need to reconsider on all your components as well. I'm particularly not experienced with those so wouldn't be able to help you much further.

Do you also see the height 3.7" and 8 lb battery? LOL to save a few bucks.. Didn't you just win a free kit.. Maybe, if you put it on your board but you'd totally butcher your build..

I did win a free kit :) But that now means I have to buy 2 motors, 2 esc's, and does having 2 motors drain the battery faster? It's definitely worth it though! I would greatly prefer dual drive but it's gonna take me a bit longer to build the board than I thought. I just need to find a job! I'm flat out broke right now :/

EDIT: I just realized I can utilize the dual drive kit as a single drive until I get enough money to put 2 motors on it! Although, I feel like 2 motors would drain the battery faster right?
 
Congrats on the win! Consider yourself what $500 ahead of someone else starting out on a new build? Just save some money and do it right. (the first time) Otherwise, you'll be like a number of other guys who seem to always be asking about burned out motors and ESC's. Saving money on electronics now is dumb when you're just going to end up ordering the good stuff anyway.

If you get one of these, you can charge 2 or more batteries at the same time: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parallel-Ch...Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c73ae8e2

If you dont have the money for a higher voltage charger you'll still be able to charge 2 6s batteries safely in under an hour (set at 3 amps)
 
psychotiller said:
Congrats on the win! Consider yourself what $500 ahead of someone else starting out on a new build? Just save some money and do it right. (the first time) Otherwise, you'll be like a number of other guys who seem to always be asking about burned out motors and ESC's. Saving money on electronics now is dumb when you're just going to end up ordering the good stuff anyway.
Yeah, true! It does bring me a lot closer :)

psychotiller said:
If you get one of these, you can charge 2 or more batteries at the same time: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parallel-Ch...Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c73ae8e2

If you dont have the money for a higher voltage charger you'll still be able to charge 2 6s batteries safely in under an hour (set at 3 amps)

I was looking at that option, I'm willing to wait the extra time. It'll greatly help to cut down on cost! I was loooking at this charger: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7028__Turnigy_Accucel_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_w_accessories.html with this power supply: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20971__Hobbyking_105W_15V_7A_Switching_DC_Power_Supply.html It'll be just under 2 hours to charge 2 5000mah 6s batteries with that charger I believe
 
I have a Dynamite charger I bought from a local hobby shop for $70, didnt have to buy a power supply because it came with it and I didnt have to pay shipping or wait for it for a month. http://www.bigsquidrc.com/dynamite-passport-ultralite-50-watt-acdc-battery-charger-multi-tool-review/

I charge 2 6s 5500 pulse batteries in parallel in an hour with it set @ 3 amps using one of those charger boards.
 
psychotiller said:
I have a Dynamite charger I bought from a local hobby shop for $70, didnt have to buy a power supply because it came with it and I didnt have to pay shipping or wait for it for a month. http://www.bigsquidrc.com/dynamite-passport-ultralite-50-watt-acdc-battery-charger-multi-tool-review/

I charge 2 6s 5500 pulse batteries in parallel in an hour with it set @ 3 amps using one of those charger boards.

Nice.. not bad for a portable charger... Does it charge at the 6 amps?
 
I havent tried it at 6 but 4 worked. Seemed kind of hot though while pairing batteries up on that board so I've stuck to 3 amps. Lots of charges now with it.
 
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