ICharger mods for safety and simplicity

[Modbikemax]

Charging is something I do every day sometimes two or three times so it has to be quick easy and fool proof.
I now have 2 Icharger 1010B 10S chargers, one at home and one at work.
The problem with this type of charger is it is very easy to get things wrong if you are in a hurry, distracted, pissed etc.
The bulk charge lead has 2 male banana plugs which go to your battery, if these are unplugged from the charger for any reason and the other end is plugged into the battery the potential for a short is high.
The input high current charge leads, which can go to a 12v car battery, are 2 male plugs which are live if you use the 4mm input jack from a powerpack, pretty dumb really.
The balance leads are tiny connectors prone to failure, the ones with the charger were faulty from new in both chargers.
If you use those break out boards there is further room for error and miss connection and even shorts.
I have modified my chargers not for high charge rates but to be easy and error free and if I ask someone else, wife, to charge the bikes its not confusing or dangerous.
Here are some of my mods, I have been living with this for a while and it works very well.

(Disclaimer if you try this don't blame me if you stuff it up.)

 

[teslanv]

So if I understand correctly, you have modded your iCharger to Charge directly (and ONLY) through the 10S balance cable?

Will it only charge 10S Packs, or can you also charge 6S, 8S, etc. ?

What kind of charge rates can you get through the balance cable, and do they get hot?

 

[Modbikemax]

So if I understand correctly, you have modded your iCharger to Charge directly (and ONLY) through the 10S balance cable?

Will it only charge 10S Packs, or can you also charge 6S, 8S, etc. ?

What kind of charge rates can you get through the balance cable, and do they get hot?

Yes that's right. I normally charge at 1 to 1.5A out which is plenty for my 8ah 10s packs.
And I always balance charge. I have ridden up to 60km on a single charge and after that I don't feel like going out again so an overnight charge is fine. I bought the 1010B because it was the cheapest 10s charger available.

My input power supply is 12v 6A and runs at around 5 amps in with 1.5A out.
I've been doing that for some time. I expect the cabling could handle up to 5amps out but I would need about a 20 to 25amp 12v power supply.
The charger can still use the break out board to charge 1s to 10s if you wanted but I have 3 other 6s chargers if I need to do that. The mods are simple enough and can be reversed if things change.

The I Charger is a good charger but just a little too flexible for my liking, the motivation came to modify when I caught myself with 2 male connectors coming out of the battery dangling when connecting things up in a hurry. The potential for disaster was very high.

 

[Anveshsameer]

HI ya.... Last week I got stuff from HK and, last night I was charging the batteries.....
Here is the info
2x5s lipo
5000mah
I charger 1010b+
during my 1st charge I charged them upto 3.7v each
Abd next time when I left the charger to charge for 4.15 each, charger shows 4.2 v on each cell in the display and beeps indicating charging is completed.
When I check the voltage pack by a multimeter, it only shows 34 volts on total and 3.4v on each cell.
I had only discharged to 3.2volts on my first ride.
Any idea what's happening? I went through manual several times and also through forums, but couldn't find anything regarding the issue..
Help guys!

 

[MrDude_1]

I do something similar, but not.

I cant charge through the balance connector, as my scooter has too large of a battery.
My solution is to make 1 connector that is fairly foolproof, and connect that to the scooter. the other end stays attached to the icharger, and it has its own power supply that also stays connected.
the whole deal stays at home in its "safe" place.

that said, I only use the i charger when I go out of balance. I use a 1200watt bulk charger, with a cell level alarm/monitor. also through the same connector. just plug it in and you're charged within the hour. ( less than 1c rate, but I never fully use the battery )


I think changing the connectors, either way, to something more robust and one way (aka you cant connect incorrectly) is an excellent idea.

 

[Modbikemax]

HI ya.... Last week I got stuff from HK and, last night I was charging the batteries.....
Here is the info
2x5s lipo
5000mah
I charger 1010b+
during my 1st charge I charged them upto 3.7v each
Abd next time when I left the charger to charge for 4.15 each, charger shows 4.2 v on each cell in the display and beeps indicating charging is completed.
When I check the voltage pack by a multimeter, it only shows 34 volts on total and 3.4v on each cell.
I had only discharged to 3.2volts on my first ride.
Any idea what's happening? I went through manual several times and also through forums, but couldn't find anything regarding the issue..
Help guys!

Sounds like your multimeter is no good. You should not be going below 3.6v per cell with Lipo or you risk damaging them.
Check your multimeter on a reliable voltage source, I use a 1.5v alkaline cell. The battery in your multimeter may need replacing or buy a better one.
I have 2x 1010b chargers and I have found the readout to be very accurate.