Is it just me, or are charger / LiPo instructions really complicated for noobs?

[Ashlandchris]

I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, but crikey those instructions are complicated.
I have recently bought 2 chargers - one for me and one for my son. Both from different manufacturers, and both capable of charging all battery types. Therefore they include various cables as well as balance boards.
However, I have read and reread the instructions and neither even alludes to the presence of the balance board or which of the variety of various sized ports should be used!!
I think so far that I need to charge my 4400mAh LiPo saddle pack at 4.4A as they are 1C on the case. I presume I need to use the balance cable (2 main wires - red/black, linked with 3 thin wires - red/black/white and 4*4mm gold plug type connectors, 1 small plug type connector and 1 white plastic plug with 3 pins), but no instruction given as to how. Is there a simple set up sheet anywhere for how to balance charge LiPo saddle packs?
I have searched this forum and found lots of discussions about this topic but couldn't find a simple set up sheet anywhere - does anyone have one that they'd be willing to share please?

[rondoolaa]

What make and models are both the chargers. And batteries, asking so could put a picture together

[Ashlandchris]

My charger is a racing star RS16 (but I don't have a 12v battery yet so can't use it)
My sons charger is a etronix powerpal
Lipos are Core-RC 4000mAh. 1C saddle packs

I thought I had it set correctly on my sons charger (set to "Lipo --> balance --> 4A --> 2s", and then I was wired as follows: -

cells linked with a single black lead +ve on one to -ve on other. I then had balance lead connected to 2s socket and plugged into charger, I then connected the charging leads with the red lead going to +ve on 1cell and the black to -ve on other. When I tried to start charging it "connection error".

[fidspeed]

have you got the little single plug plugged into anything (its the little loose one on the balance lead ) if not that will cause cell connection error

it need to be plugged into to the thick link wire between the two seperate cells if running saddle packs (sometimes you have to make up a special lead

you can charge with out balancing for a few times but its recommended every once in a while you get then back in balance

dont give up chris plenty of good folk out here to help you

dave

[mark christopher]

all bits in the box for the skyrc one to connect, just join the small 2mm connector to a tube or hole drilled into the link wire on the saddle pack

[big air]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

all bits in the box for the skyrc one to connect, just join the small 2mm connector to a tube or hole drilled into the link wire on the saddle pack

Is the balance lead in the charger the wrong way? thought the black goes to the top

[mark christopher]

makes no difference as its also reversed on the balance board if you look all the pin numbers on the charger match the pin numbers on the board.

[Ashlandchris]

Originally Posted by fidspeed

have you got the little single plug plugged into anything (its the little loose one on the balance lead ) if not that will cause cell connection error

it need to be plugged into to the thick link wire between the two seperate cells if running saddle packs (sometimes you have to make up a special lead



dave

That could be the problem. It wasn't

My black link lead has a female connection on it which i'd. Not plugged anything into. The small (approx 2mm) male gold plug on balance lead wasn't connected so I will try again tomorrow and connect those 2. Actually, it seems obvious now

Thank you to everyone for your help and advice

[fidspeed]

that's the one

good luck and welcome to oople


dave fid

[Ashlandchris]

Well, Lord Lucan would have nothing on the success of my charge!!!

Thanks to all for your help - I now have 2 sets of charged Lipos and I'm ready for anything :-)