IMAX B6 not reliable balancing while charging

[DenisFerrari]

Hi, I'm using a IMAX B6 DUO charger to charge 6s packs I use on 700E and 700E F3C.

I normally charge the batteries at 1C or even less and in the last months I noticed that station nr. 2 - while charging - shows balancing values of some cell not at all correspondent to reality. And ofter I get a "Cell Voltage" error and charging stops.

On stations nr. 1 this does not happen.

I've also noticed that - while charging at around 3.5A - if I touch the balancing cable (from charger to balancing PCB) the cell values shown varies quickly going down and often not coming up to normal and real value again.

It's enough a very very soft touch to make some value change or return to their correct value.

Tried to change balancing cable and PCB, but result is the same.

Also noticed that if I charge 4s or 5s or 3s (so smaller packs) the cell values problem (and correspondent charge problem stopping) seems not happening , even if charging 2 packs (one each output port)

What could it be the reason ?

Thank you very much

[xygax]

It sounds like a bad joint on the 6th cell balancing lead where it goes between the cconector and the ADC sampling resistor. You will need a meter (fluke or similar) and pull it to bits to find it.

Firstly check all the cables for continuity between teh 7 pin connector and the 6 pin connector should all go throught except the end one. wiggle the connector whilst testing just to make sure and then you will likely find the fault.

Steve

[DenisFerrari]

It sounds like a bad joint on the 6th cell balancing lead where it goes between the cconector and the ADC sampling resistor. You will need a meter (fluke or similar) and pull it to bits to find it.

Firstly check all the cables for continuity between teh 7 pin connector and the 6 pin connector should all go throught except the end one. wiggle the connector whilst testing just to make sure and then you will likely find the fault.

Steve

Hi Steve and thank you for the suggestions.

I'll surely have a look with a meter at the wirings...but I swapped the 2 balancing cables + PCB and problems seems to remain on station 2 ...so strange...

[xygax]

ok so you have eliminated teh balance boards by subtitution now you need to take the lid off the charger and check with a meter between the cabls on the balanc board and the back of the balance connetors where it connects to the main board.. there is a bad joint there somewhere knack is finding it...

S

[DenisFerrari]

ok so you have eliminated teh balance boards by subtitution now you need to take the lid off the charger and check with a meter between the cabls on the balanc board and the back of the balance connetors where it connects to the main board.. there is a bad joint there somewhere knack is finding it...

S

Yes, could be. I'll open the charger and inspect the channel 2 balancing connector and inspect soldering points...

[Leigh Beaumont]

Hi, I'm using a IMAX B6 DUO charger to charge 6s packs I use on 700E and 700E F3C.

I normally charge the batteries at 1C or even less and in the last months I noticed that station nr. 2 - while charging - shows balancing values of some cell not at all correspondent to reality. And ofter I get a "Cell Voltage" error and charging stops.

On stations nr. 1 this does not happen.

I've also noticed that - while charging at around 3.5A - if I touch the balancing cable (from charger to balancing PCB) the cell values shown varies quickly going down and often not coming up to normal and real value again.

It's enough a very very soft touch to make some value change or return to their correct value.

Tried to change balancing cable and PCB, but result is the same.

Also noticed that if I charge 4s or 5s or 3s (so smaller packs) the cell values problem (and correspondent charge problem stopping) seems not happening , even if charging 2 packs (one each output port)

What could it be the reason ?

Thank you very much

Hi there may not help but I'm on my 3rd new charger now as other 2 had problems sim to yours Align-Trex swapped them over no messing, looks like I've got a good one now been 6months easy and no issues so if faulty send it back.

[PaulJC]

I gave up on my B6 and have just sent it back to be looked at, like you i started getting errors, out of balance charges, charges that would time out as it couldn't balance the packs and a separate balancer would sort them out in a few minutes, in the end i used an external balancer just using it for it's charge functions and now i've just got myself an iCharger 306B that should hopefully take all those worries away and leave me future proof on the charging front.

[cjcj1949]

Chargers do go wrong. I've had an icharger fail. Quality control does help and good design, but things that get hot and take a lot of current can't be guaranteed. I've got an icharger and a B5 and the icharger is a class piece of kit.

[DenisFerrari]

Thank you all for the info. And what about Hyperion 720 Duo quality ? Do you think a not-cheap charger like that may hide same problems ?
Sure, I know that everything that gets hot is subject to similar problems...but I sincerely still believe that these are just quality issue and there should be chargers brand or models much better than other...
Any suggestion or experience is very well appreciated...so that my next charger decision will maybe be easier

Thank you

[Leigh Beaumont]

There is the thunder power dual charger think there good!
ive had a fusion dual charger and channel when down on that, had friends have problems with the bantams dual chargers think they all suffer issues at some point, like you all said they get hot and we push them hard

[pgkevet]

Thank you all for the info. And what about Hyperion 720 Duo quality ? ....

Thank you

I have a hyperion duo and that had to go back for a new motherboard after about 6 mths... been fine for several years since, mind. Shh..it happens