I am trying to do regenerative discharging channel 1 to channel 2 battery to battery. I also have a power supply connected to input of icharger since without it it doesn't turn on. When I run the discharge, channel 1 says discharging at 40 amps but channel 2 says charging at 25 amps. While I do this, the input power supply fans start going on. So I can't tell if channel 2 is charging from channel 1 or from input power supply.
Great tip, thanks for sharing. Still on the fence as to what charger to upgrade to. Biggest deal breaker so far is the UI of the ICharger - most think it is not very user friendly. Would you still recommend the ICharger? Thanks
I just got an iCharger X12, which is for up to 12S packs, 30A, 1100W. Very compact and versatile! The user interface is just something you have to get used to, like learning a new version of Windows on your computer, or a setup/menu system on a new TV set. Great little chargers and extremely versatile, user-configurable charging profiles. Gobs of options and lots of power handling capacity in a compact unit with a cool little screen :) Only time will tell how reliable they are, of course.
Hi, do you know where I can find an equivalent product to balance 13S series or more ? Otherwise, how can I adapt this product to balance 13S series batteries ? Thanks
You cannot "adapt" any balance charger to balance more cells than it's designed to, because each balance channel has its own physical hardware for sinking current from that cell. There is no software "hack" that will work. To do it, you need 2 separate chargers with the total number of balance channels you need, and a split balance adapter cable for the number of cells you need. You CANNOT use a Duo charger (or any multi charger) with its outputs connected in series, because it will internally short-circuit the two power channels of the charger (they use a common negative.) So, for a 13S pack, you need that number (or more) of total channels in the two chargers. For example, a pair of 6S chargers can charge up to a 12S pack, a 6S charger and an 8S one can charge up to 14S, so on and so forth. You have to make a balance cable for it (a "Y" cable), with the pack's balance plug having one balance lead in the middle connected to both chargers' balance ports. This wire will be the highest cell (positive) going to one charger, and also the lowest cell (negative) going to the other charger. Each charger must have its own isolated DC power supply, or you'll have the short-circuit problem. The positive terminal (main charging current) of one charger connects to the negative of the other, running the main power outputs of the two chargers in series. For example, a 13S pack can have its balance plug (14 terminals) split into a 7S and a 6S balance plug, with the 7th terminal on the battery connecting to 8th balance terminal on the first charger, and ALSO to the 1st terminal (balance negative) on the second charger. The first charger will have its negative high-current output connected to the battery negative, its positive output connected to the next charger's negative output (in series), and the second charger's positive output goes to battery positive. You will also have to have the high-current jumper between the two chargers connected to the positive terminal of the 7th cell in the battery (where that 8th balance terminal is also connected.) Set both chargers to charge at the same current and same balance settings, and start them both charging at exactly the same time. Good luck :)
in the year 2021 there is almost no excuse for the horrible video quality. if yout stuck using a gopro from 2010 then use your phone. "as you can see", actually no we cant. its to fucking blurry
Hi Stuart thanks for this. I’m interested what temperature the charger got to when discharging. I used to discharge at high rated but blew my charger. I got Nick Adams (RIP) to fix it and he recommended never going about 10a when discharging.
Really good question Matt and something I was concerned about. It got to 41.6° at 40amps which is actually cooler than when I did a standard 3C discharge without the regen mode. HTH 👍
Just out of curiosity, not talking about the discharge rate, but the charge rate for the other battery, do you find the batteries die ( life span) a lot sooner than if you charged them at a normal 1c rating? You might not do that often but from everything I've read and from videos I've seen, it is not good for the lipo to charge over 1c.
Without doubt the life span of the lipo is shortened charging as per the video. Racing stock, getting the most out the battery is more important than its longevity. But you’re absolutely right, 1C makes the lipo last longer but perform worse.
