vidmarv
Senior Heliman
Location: ft walton beach, FL
| I posted this over in the "general" forum, but it seemed more appropriate for here, so I consolidated the thread and added here...
1st Entry-
I needed a "smart" charger so I went ahead and got one of these. It's on it's first charge. I realize I'm taking a chance with a new product, but thought I would anyway since it's what my LHS offers.
I was excited by the fact that it included a "temperature sensor" but that's not entirely the case. Turns out, it's got the connection and programming for one, but doesn't actually include the sensor. The folks at the LHS didn't know what kind it took or where to get it. The website doesn't seem to have any info on it either. I suppose, because it is so new, they don't have the temp. sensors out yet. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of info on this.
The display is nice, large, backlit and easy to read for older eyes. Wish the manual was a little bigger, you'll need a magnifying glass for that one! The manual was adequate, but minimal. I would have liked a bit more information on using Mah to calculate flight times, but this forum is a great source for that.
They offer an pack of optional converter cables for Thunder Power batteries for $7.99. While don't have any, I am seriously considering them and it's nice to know this charger will easily accommodate them.
I was pleased to find a couple of safety features on this that is really what pushed me over the edge in my decision to try this out. The cut-off timer can be programmed to turn off the voltage after a user set amount of time. I try to monitor all my charges, but sometimes get pulled away to other things. In the past I've rigged up a voltage timer on that circuit to prevent it from running on for hours unsupervised. This is a nice feature to have built in.
The Mah cut off is another feature that makes me feel a bit better about this unit. It comes set by default to 9900 Mah, It is presently charging my 3s 11.1v 2200mah battery with the cutoff set to 2200mah. Nice to know it won't "just keep going" past a certain point.
The kit includes a couple of accessory cable to hook up to DC power. I'm no big fan of alligator clips and that's what is on the stock DC cable. I will probably be switching to a banana plug when I get the chance. Two other cable included are for connecting the blue E-flite power leads and the smaller red power leads from a 2s 11.1v 800mah batteries. The balancing connectors are plugged into the side of the unit in a six pin connector. I'm thinking you'll want to pay special attention to making this connection as there are no "idiot" slots that prevent you from making an improper connection. Looks like you could easily plug it in wrong and I'm not quite sure what the consequences of that action might be. Given the volatility of Lipo's I really don't care to find out either.
For other batteries, I suppose you would have to fabricate your own power lead cables, but I don't think that would be a huge deal as the actual connection to the charger is via separate banana style connectors.
The charger just informed me that my first charge of my battery is complete. It took 55:25 to put 370mah into the pack at 5w. (I was informed in the thread below that I should not exceed 2.2A during charge. It's a wonder I haven't blown myself up yet!) Not sure how that compares to other chargers, but it's nice to have that info now. Prior to this charger, I have been charging "blind" with no way to tell how much mAh the charger has been putting into my packs.
The unit is encased in a very nice metal housing that seems as though it will withstand the rigors of daily use.
Well... Like I said a minute ago, I've got a full battery, so that means it's time to fly. Would love to hear from any one else who is trying one of these out. I realize that it is a new product and, being one of the first to try it out puts me in the role of "beta" tester (despite what anyone says, it's the nature of corporate product releases these days!). Hopefully, it will work. I'll report more back when I find out more.
VM
PS- I sent an email to E-fite asking about the temperature sensor. Let you know when (or if) I hear anything back. Hadn't dealt with their customer support before, should be interesting.
2nd entry-
Just got off the phone with tech support regarding sensor
As suspected, it's not out yet, but will be soon.
The tech was very nice. Even though he couldn't tell me WHEN they would be coming out, he did say that there would be different sensors for different batteries. Hadn't seen that feature on other chargers. I like the thought process behind it.
3rd Entry -
2nd charge
OK, this thing IS pretty smart! I put it in for it's second charge. Guess the battery is still too hot. It starts out at 0.1A, just fine. Then as it continues, the amperage increases. When it hits about 5A it shuts off. (Like I said earlier, you should not exceed 2.2A during charging, I'm thinking the term "idiot proof" must have been invented for me!) I'm hoping because the battery is still too hot to take that much amperage and it's somehow detected. Letting it cool now...
Been about 15 minutes since I tried to charge it. Seems to be taking it now. When I first started, it was only about 5 mins. after the flight. It was cool to touch, but I guess still internally too warm to comply with the electrical fail safes of this charger. I'm encouraged by the "intelligence" of this charger.
On the downside, it appears as though the "charger control setup" must be set each time. It must fall back to default whenever powered down. Perhaps even after each cycle. Nothing about this mentioned in the manual. I'll try and remember to check before the next cycle.
4th entry -
This deals with some confusion that I had charging my little 800mAh Blade CP batteries. Here is a link to that thread;
http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t425566p1/
I will try and update this thread if any thing else develops. Would love to hear of anyone else's experience/problems with this gadget. So far, it's been great. But it's still very new.
VM
Perfectly sliced air every time! |
