Best Charger etc for 20c 5000mah 6s lipo

[crea2k]

Hi, what is the best way to charge these ?, I have been looking at the following, and just checking that it should do the job. I'm guessing its safest to remove them from the bike and charge them in a metal box, as I don't trust them to leave them in the bike and series charge them ?.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10327__HobbyKing_Quattro_4x6S_Lithium_Polymer_Multi_Charger.html

With This ?

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16534__Hobbyking_PS35_DC_Power_Supply_for_Chargers_35A_350W_.html

 

[dogman dan]

Pee yew, don't buy that charger. It's 4 incredibly cheap and shoddy chargers in one box.

I agree, charging on the bike is not the safest, especially if the bike is in a garage. Outside, it won't be unsafe, except perhaps for the bike itself. Personally, I find a quick visual inspection of the pack immediately after each ride very reassuring. Right away, I spot any problem that might have happened on the last ride.

"best" cannot be pinned down with the RC stuff at all. But some very good solutions are popular.

A higher wattage 6s or 8s charger will do it. You could parallel them, then charge one big 6s chunk. Or there are chargers that can charge the whole 12s pack.

14s hyperion chargers are popular.

12s Thunderpower chargers are also popular.

Lastly, these days there are bms's intended for lico or limn. Besttech power is one. Then use a regular lithium bulk charger with it. Even with a bms, keep a good eye on cheap RC cells, and don't charge or store it where it will burn the house down.

 

[crea2k]

Are there any decent chargers on hobbyking ?, as im having trouble finding those two chargers in the UK.

 

[kudos]

The best way of charging a large lipo pack made up of 6S blocks is using something like an icharger 306b and a 30A psu both of which can be had from the uk.

You'll need to charge the 6S blocks in parallel which can be done easily by purchasing a ready made one-block Anderson harness from iceman at lipoconnectionsolutions.com or better just PM him on here.

I use 6S blocks myself only in a 12S3P config. I think you might want to run 24S so you would need a 4S setup.

It really transformed the way I charge using the one block connector.

Check it out.

Kudos

 

[dogman dan]

Lots of chargers fill the "decent" niche and will work ok. For years I have used two cheapo HK chargers. Just look for 150w or more. Avoid chargers that are 50w, or chargers that are 4 crappy 50w chargers in one box.

The ones I have used for years are the turnigy Accucel 8, 150w charger. They are not so accu, but they do balance a pack to a tolerable degree of accuracy. I have two, so a 350w power supply runs them both. At 300w, it's a fast enough bulk charge, but a balancing charge can take a lot more time.

Surely somebody has a good place to buy the thunder charger they could suggest. But I don't know it.

 

[docnjoj]

Here is where I got mine. In regular use over a year for AMP 20 12S aplit pack. No problems.
otherDoc

http://www.hobbypartz.com/75p-1220-charger.html?gclid=CJ78-pDJ-b4CFTJp7AodUgoADA

 

[OlaGB]

Buy a $174 powerlab pl6 from progressive rc, and dont look back

I use 2 pl8's, and are thinking of buying a 3rd...

I built a powersupply out of 2 HP dps-1200 computer psu's in series, making 24v 100A! Youll find alot of info if you search for it on google, especially on rc forums.

 

[999zip999]

What size pack are you building ?

 

[motomech]

For 12S packs up to 15 Ah's, the Thunder 1220 Doc linked is the way to go!
It is simple, easy to use and sturdy. And......
You can use a SINGLE 12V 500W server off Ebay.
These are really cheap, but not isolated(chasis). With two, one needs to modify them to safely go together,
but with one, it is only necessary to wrap to case. I used rubber mat and duck tape.

 

[rborger73]

For 12S packs up to 15 Ah's, the Thunder 1220 Doc linked is the way to go!
It is simple, easy to use and sturdy. And......
You can use a SINGLE 12V 500W server off Ebay.
These are really cheap, but not isolated(chasis). With two, one needs to modify them to safely go together,
but with one, it is only necessary to wrap to case. I used rubber mat and duck tape.

Up to 15Ah on the Thunder 1220? Nah I pump 6.25 amps with zero issues into a 40Ah pack. It only goes up to 20Ah in the settings but that makes no difference.

 

[motomech]

I know it will do it, I was thinking about time. I like to charge while making\eatingm dinner, so within 1 1\2 to 2 hr.s.
If I had the charge a 40Ah pack, I would split the pack and use two chargers.

 

[rborger73]

I know it will do it, I was thinking about time. I like to charge while making\eatingm dinner, so within 1 1\2 to 2 hr.s.
If I had the charge a 40Ah pack, I would split the pack and use two chargers.

Never has taken longer than 2 hours 45 mins to charge. Normally it is less than 2. I am above 3.8v per cell when I get back. No way would I split my pack to charge. Especially bulk charging. Split pack means more likely chance to me of ending up with varying cell voltages. If I wanted it faster I'd buy a heavier duty psu. Thunder 1220 is capable of 20a according to it's specs. Honestly I wouldn't want to charge at higher than 10a anyways. There is way more risk unhooking and rehooking packs and having a safety issue. I have only had to balance my pack once since it went into service and have 1600 miles on this bike. Normal variance of voltage is .03 between cells across the whole pack. Psu pushes over 6a into the battery and never have had to charge even 3 hours. It's awesome plugging in a plug hitting a button a few times and it's done in a few hours or less.

 

[abtpower]

Is it a 6S battery?
Here is a link for charger with fuel gauge for your reference:
http://www.abt-power.com/Products/Li-ionLiFePo4-Charger/294V-28A-charger-for-golf-trolley-G100-24L-.htm