WTF!! Lipo fail.

[cjcj1949]

Isn't there a different connection system for 6 cells. The manual says to connect 1-5 cells one way and 6 cells another.

[Ashley Davis]

Assuming this test shows what I think it will show I can explain exactly what has happened:

Lipos are shipped with only around a 30% charge in them usually. So you get them and charge them up (5 cells only in this instance). You then go fly and cell 6 which hasn't been charged takes a right nose dive and puffs. The low voltage cut won't go off as the other 5 cells are holding the voltage above the cut off voltage. Usually LVC is set at about 3V per cell so 18V. So the 5 cells together need only be at 3.6V each to avoid a low volt cut. On an outrage pack they won't drop below that for quite a while in a hover, in the meantime cell 6 is dying.

[Ashley Davis]

Isn't there a different connection system for 6 cells. The manual says to connect 1-5 cells one way and 6 cells another.

Not with a balance board, you can only connect the TP balance lead 6S packs one way.

[Triplexbee]

Your correct Ash, 5 cells at 4.2 give or take and 6 where it was before the charge.

[Ashley Davis]

You need to talk to Mike at Aurrora about it as really your packs are killed due to this problem.

Make sure you highlight to Mike that the Align checker is showing 6 cells and the charger 5, as the initial response will be a duff balance lead......which is not the case as the align checker shows 6 cells no problem.

Also, one last check, you have plugged both connectors from the balance board into the cellpro charger, not just one of them? My cellpro errors if I do this, so I'm pretty sure you have got both plugged in.

[unwind-protect]

Presumably it's also possible---but unlikely---that the second balance port isn't working, as you need to use both for 6S+ charging?

[Triplexbee]

Great!!

I will phone him now and see what can he says.

I will phone Rupert also and let him know.

Thank you very much for helping me out, muchos kudos Ash.

Matt

[Ashley Davis]

your welcome, makes things a lot easier once you know what is broken / not working. I'm just pleased it wasn't the packs as two in a row being duds wouldn't be good at all

[Triplexbee]

WHAT A DONKEY

I only had one of the leads from the balance board to the charger plugged in!!!!

No alarm to say this though Ash, maybe a firmware thing? I have the USB lead on order.

I cannot believe I have broken the golden rule: Read the ####ing manual.

On a positive note Mike at Aurrora believes the 10s will recover the low cell so I have only taught myself a £40 lesson.

Thanks to all you guys, until the next muppet issue arises

Matt.

[Ashley Davis]

doh! I think the later firmware probably errors then if you do that as mine errors and gives me a 'bad cell count' display.

[Ashley Davis]

doh! muppet here as well. I tried a pack with a dodgy balance lead. Just tried one I know to be good and it does indeed just charge 5 cells. I can see how it's easily done as the balance board has two leads coming off of it and one looks like it comes from the Polyquest bank of adapters and the other looks like it comes from the TP bank of adapters.

[Ade_Law]

if your not using the main power leads from the battery as well as the balance leads then i dont see how the charger would know if its a 6s with only one channel plugged in or a 5s....

interesting idea tho, defo a reason to always use the main power leads as well as the balance connections when charging.

Ade

[Ashley Davis]

yeah, it allows the charger one more safety check before it initiates the charge.

[Triplexbee]

Theoretically could the charger have just one connector for the balance boards with the same number of contacts as two channels and then make the boards a bit smarter with some switching in them?

Can you see me looking for a way out of my shame?

[Ashley Davis]

it could, but it would be a bit of an arse pain plugging it in and out