imax b6 question

[Wurly]

Postie delivered an imax b6 charger to me this morning.Its my first step to using a couple lipo packs for the lastest project of mine(folding bike).
I want to use a 6amp laptop charger. The max volts input to the imax is 18volts. Laptop charger outputs 18.8 volts. Its not much higher but nevertheless exceeds max volts(by 4.44% to be exact). Anyone else running a similar setup, will the imax charger be ok?

 

[cal3thousand]

Postie delivered an imax b6 charger to me this morning.Its my first step to using a couple lipo packs for the lastest project of mine(folding bike).
I want to use a 6amp laptop charger. The max volts input to the imax is 18volts. Laptop charger outputs 18.8 volts. Its not much higher but nevertheless exceeds max volts(by 4.44% to be exact). Anyone else running a similar setup, will the imax charger be ok?

I would be wary of putting to much into these things. It might work at that rating, but I would think that you are stressing it at that point.

 

[etriker]

Mine would not work. Voltage too high.

Ended up using some diodes in series to drop the voltage some.

 

[wesnewell]

Put a couple of diode on the output of the power supply. Should drop voltage to under 18V. google diode voltage drop.

 

[d8veh]

A Playstation brick makes a good power supply, but you have to cut off the connector and parallel some of the wires. Otherwise you can get a 5 or 6amp power supply from Ebay for about a fiver.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Supply-Adapter-Balancer-Charger-AC-100-240V-DC-12V-5A-for-Laptop-LED-Strip-/170859166327?pt=UK_Computing_LaptopAccessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item27c7fffa77

 

[Wurly]

Ok it doesn't like it...thats what i needed to know.I'll try the diode trick. seems a shame not to reuse a decent psu. I was going to use a rack psu but its leaky and trips the rcb in my house. if i get nowhere with it i'll get a new one. Thanks.

 

[dogman dan]

No doubt economy is an issue, since you bought an entry level charger.

But if you are heading towards charging a decent size ebike pack, you might seriously consider getting a meanwell S 350 12 power supply, or a similar version that is less than 18v. Eventually you are so likely to want a bigger charger, and will just need more watts then anyway.

Meanwhile though, the diode trick of course. Just saying if you do buy another PS, don't spend a lot on a weak one.

 

[etriker]

If you do use diodes hook the power connector to the b6 before plugging the laptop power supply into the ac 120v.

Don't plug in the laptop power supply then hook it to the b6.

You can put a large watt resistor in parallel with the diodes to carry some of the current.

 

[Punx0r]

Just connect it up IMO. Assuming that's the actual, measured output of the PSU and not its nominal rating.

I've exceeded 18V on my B6's a few times trying different power supplies (that sagged badly). I accidentally connected one to 29V and it worked for about 30 seconds before blowing the input cap. I replaced the cap and it works fine now. Lucky