Powerlab 8 Issue

[Mark_T]

What was the voltage per cell when it terminated or are you still not watching it and returning after it stopped, then using a pack tester to get your '98%' reading?

[George J]

What was the voltage per cell when it terminated or are you still not watching it and returning after it stopped, then using a pack tester to get your '98%' reading?

Just getting the fisnished reading off the charger itself although my checker pretty much agrees. Cell voltage was 4.15/4.16 and 4.17/4.17 if I remember rightly. To be honest though I'm not that interested in getting all hung up on the cell voltages I was really just trying to see if anyone else had a similar issue and had a solution.

I seriously have better things to do with my precious time off though than watch lipos charge!

[Phill. H]

Looking at the spec of those Rx packs it appears they a bit crap and are only rated at 1C discharge or 5amps on a good day, that's why they are so light at around a pack weight of 198grms. Looks like they are not able to put much current out it so they probably won't take high current back in. My opinion is charge them on preset 3 at a charge rate of 3.0 amps and see if it goes to full capacity. Or complete solution is to purchase some Turnigy 2S 5000 20C packs that weigh in at 282grms, they will take 5.0amps charge no problem.

[Grumpy]

That would explain it.

So why use such large mAh packs? I use 2s 2200mAh 25c Zippies which only weigh around 110g, but can supply plenty of current and can be charged at 2c, plus they are dirt cheap. I can get six flights on a pack and if you want more you can easy buy more packs.

[Phill. H]

That would explain it.

So why use such large mAh packs? I use 2s 2200mAh 25c Zippies which only weigh around 110g, but can supply plenty of current and can be charged at 2c, plus they are dirt cheap. I can get six flights on a pack and if you want more you can easy buy more packs.

I was wondering why so much capacity was needed, for me I use a Turnigy 2S 2200 20C on my Helix 600 gasser and 2S 2500 A123 on Thunderbird gasser, just charge them or swap them out for fresh packs if required, lighter and cheaper.

[George J]

I like the larger capacity as I need less packs and change them less, none of which is that bigger deal I know. They balance up nice on my G4's as well.

So so there you go, it looks like those packs are not as good as I thought so will look into changing them out.

Thanks lads, looks like it could be the solution.

[George J]

Bit of an update, tried charging on preset 3 at under 1c so 4amps on these 5000 packs and have now consistently been getting between 95% and 98% at the finish so that seems to have been the issue in this case.

[Mike Sanders]

I love it when a problem is solved.

[Phill. H]

Bit of an update, tried charging on preset 3 at under 1c so 4amps on these 5000 packs and have now consistently been getting between 95% and 98% at the finish so that seems to have been the issue in this case.

Not too bad if it's charging to that capacity, don't think you will miss the last 2%-5% of the charge and charging time should not be that much longer at 0.8C or 4amp.