Charging 12S in Series all together at once

[kimboviper]

I have 4 Zippy 3s lifepo4's wired in series. For easy of use, speed as well as not having to open the battery enclosure I would like to charge just the whole thing to a 12S charger (like a Thunder 1220) as regular charging and not balance charge. Is this a good idea?

 

[sl33py]

A single adapter w/ 3x4s-->12s plug might exist and would give you a single balance connector, plus your charging connector for simplicity.

Seems a little counter intuitive vs finding a 12s BMS for it instead. I understand the simplicity and ease of *only* two connectors to charge and balance, but getting a 12s charger is pretty spendy. Might be worth investing that $ into a true BMS.

I'm planning on running 12s on mine again. BUT i want swappable for double range. So i just pull mine to charge.

I'm going to go look for the 3 x 4s ---> 12s adapter to see if one exists already.

GL!

 

[kimboviper]

The Thunder 1220 is only $94

That would be awesome if there are any 4X3S balance to single balance adapter...

 

[dnmun]

you can find 13 pin 2.54mm JST plugs on ebay so you can strip the shrink wrap off of the pouches, put all 3 of the 4S in series in compression with hardboard end plates and then cut off the wires except for the two terminal wires and solder the three packs together in series at the intermediate terminals and then use the 13 pin plugs to allow you to use the 12S balancing charger.

 

[sl33py]

I have the thunder 1220. It's meh. Works OK, but on almost every charge i get a few cells consistently showing over voltage (4.21-4.22) which annoys the crap out of me. And it's limited to 15v input. I just got a 24v setup (Dell Server PS) and love how quick everything charges at 24v on iCharger. I've gone the other direction and 4 or 6s charging w/ paraboard is the best/fastest it seems to me.

Limited functionality of the Thunder 1220 (no IR, no per cell info while charging), plus over charging some cells frequently - i really don't recommend it even at $95!

GL!

 

[kimboviper]

Thanks sleepy I was about to buy the Thunder1220.... I think ill just get a fast icharger with my paraboard.... im guessing you have the icharger 3010b

 

[sl33py]

Thanks sleepy I was about to buy the Thunder1220.... I think ill just get a fast icharger with my paraboard.... im guessing you have the icharger 3010b

Older 306. Works awesome and *love* the features (IR, cell charge state while charging, etc.).

Since i've changed my mind on "simplicity" of one (8/10/12s) vs 2 or 3 packs, it's really is a great way to go and save $.