Success!!...Thanks for all the help!

[Addicted]

I finally got my battery order and put them together,but the connectors i bought Wouldn't work so i got deans from the hobby shop.Was nervous about soldering them but it came out great.Happy with the range,no way to tell milage but i was out for a while tonight.I'm running 4 5800mah zippy packs.Also surprised the stock 36v controller worked with 50v .Untill i get a cycle analyst i just have a multimeter ziptied to the bars to monitor pack voltage.Can't wait to get a gng bb drive next!

Thanks for all the help!,i Didn't burn the house down

 

[dogman dan]

Bet it sure beats the lead. Get a cellog 8 soon, it will really save you time when you start wondering if one cell in a pack is low. Then you can balance charge only when you need to,

 

[Addicted]

I can check cell voltages with my charger,same thing right?

 

[migueralliart]

The cell log monitor cell level voltage so it is an added benefit to know that a cell has hit LVC as soon as it happens.

It is also a good habit to check all your voltages before a ride to make sure no cells has lowered its voltage too much compared to the rest. This will give you a hint that you may or may not a bad cell.

 

[dogman dan]

Yes you can. But it's a pita to plug those short little cables into the charger, while the cellog can be carried in your pocket while you ride. Then you can go, "gee I wonder" whip it out, and find out.

It's just quick and easy to use the cellog, then when you charge you don't have to balance charge anything if the cellog just told you the packs are still balanced fine.

I do my checking before the ride generally, or just after charging. Then I ride knowing to stop a bit early if one cell is looking puckish, and then balance it next cycle. Or if I have time, just pop a quick 1s charge into the low cell to bring it up before I ride.

Waiting for chargers to discharge a whole pack to bring up one cell is tiresome.

 

[circuit]

Um, no BMS... That looks like an expensive way to start a fire...
Do as you like, but be warned.

 

[Ykick]

Listen to DM - CellLog 8S with logging feature and use it. Probably a power meter too, you'll be glad you did. My RC Charger has become a maintenance/troubleshooting device and sees very little use nowadays. Way too much trouble to connect just to read cells.

Hell, I don't even use it in the traditional "balance charge" use anymore. 'mostly just bring up low cells with 1S setting directly through balance plug. Good for 2-3A.

Be afraid, be very afraid. Just because you haven't burned down your house yet doesn't mean you can't...

 

[Addicted]

Ok thanks guys will get a cellog.

Ykick,what do you charge with?

Circuit,a Bms?..Was under the impression i Don't need it for Lipo,I stop discharging the pack at 44v and all the cells are fine when i looked at them with my charger.

 

[Ykick]

Make sure to get the 8S if you use Windows OS. Handy to have and power meter as well. Keep a close eye on what's going in, if not more, than what's going out.

I run 15S RC Lipo and use 62V Meanwell with current limiter for daily charging. Unplug the controller/battery and connect to battery. Currently charging about 7A into 3P (15Ah) pack.

There's a number of ways of doing this now - I assembled this setup many years ago and still working but look around for BMS Alloy charger discussions. If I had to get something today, that's probably how I'd go. Basically, just a CC/CV power supply trimmed to whatever final voltage you desire.

62V get's me (15S) pretty close to 4.15V/cell RC Lipo - will be 3 years early next year on orginal 20C Turnigy (some Zippy) Bricks. I'm gonna quit estimating my charge cycles because people wouldn't believe me anyway...

Caveat with doing this is that YOU are the BMS and YOU better test and test and test some more so that you understand what you need to do to maintain SAFE pack health.

 

[Addicted]

What should i test,look out for?.The chargers are automatic so i Shouldn't have to worry there right?I always watch them while charging and i charge them on a rack in my oven incase of fire i can just close the door.And i have two big fire extinguishers near by.I make sure the cells are balanced and not discharged too much while in use.Is there anything I'm missing?

 

[Ykick]

You're doing fine and that's pretty much how I started too. Once I got a few more measurement tools running it became rather obvious to evolve ways that might streamline and speed up the operation of charging these volatile little bricks of joy!

If you want a USA source EPBuddy usually stocks CellLogs, power meters and chargers too for good prices with great service. I don't work for 'em but 'bought from 'em enough to recommend.