Setting up Trakpower Stuff

DaveG28 · #1 06-09-2008

Hi all,

Looking to set up the trakpower charger/balancer/3200 saddle Lipo's for charging, and a couple of things are throwing me:

1. Are the male connectors on the balancer the same size as the female ones on the charger and cells? Because they really don't want to go in!! Is it just a very snug fit or are they the wrong size and need new connectors? (all the bits are NIP so they are as standard from trakpower). Anyone who's got the same kit, can you please let me know!?

2. I assume (I know this bit is noddy but obviously don't want to screw up!) that I can connect the wire with the battery cells just between either cells +ve and the other cells -ve.

3. To connect the battery to the balancer I assume I put the small balancer plug into the small female connector on the battery cells link wire. Do I then plug the balancers 2 battery charging wires into the back of the 2 big ass connectors on that 1st balancer wire, then those wires into the other 2 females on the cells themselves? Or do I bypass the balancer wire and just use the 2 battery charging wires direct into the cells, with the small balancer wire into the link cell?

I have tried the instructions obviously, but they are based on a stick pack which has a different layout to saddle! Hope someone can help!

Dave

steel · #2 06-09-2008

Hi yes the plugs are the right size just a bit tight also heres a pic of how you set them up hope this helps

DaveG28 · #3 07-09-2008

Brilliant, thanks!

DaveG28 · #4 07-09-2008

Have ended up having to just change the compressable bit of the connectors for some others I had, it was the leads from the balancer to the charger, everything else went in if you pushed hard enough!! Bit odd though, not sure why it didn't just fit

Couple more quick questions, with 3200 Lipo's what are people charging them at current wise, as with the trakpower charger it's 3 or 3.5A I guess, as you can't select 3.2A? Which of those are people going for? Also is it best to store with the lead between the 2 cells disconnected to stop a drain between the cells, or does it not matter?

Finally (I hope!), what charging sacks has anyone tried? Thinking ahead to Worksop and the one's I have (Duramex?) I really don't think will fit the 2 cells in, with the connecting lead, and all the balancer leads connected all in there, are there any larger sacks about?

Loving all the gold I now have

tiny tom · #5 07-09-2008

Well I charge at 3.0 all the time with the balancer pluged in all the time, it takes about 25 mins to charge up. It threw me off with the saddle packs because in the manual it only shows a stick pack, so I got in touch with the inporters and they pointed me in the correct way and were very helpful. But don't forget not to let your battery fall below 6v, I have mine set up for 6.2v on my losi speedo.
But I have heard of people letting them drop below the 6v and the batterys have scewed but they are still using the batterys now with no problems.

mac · #6 07-09-2008

if you need to see more pics of charging there are pics on Trakpower.com

DaveG28 · #7 10-09-2008

Does the balancer just measure voltage/current going through the link wire between the cells? Eg there is no poblem with me cutting the link wire down??

Northy · #8 10-09-2008

Dave,

Why not just make a short link to go in the car? That is if that is why you are asking!

G

DaveG28 · #9 10-09-2008

Yeah it is G, was asking as ideally I want to leave the link wire in permanently rather than wear the connectors out over time, so am looking to just shorten that!

Rich D · #10 11-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveG28

Yeah it is G, was asking as ideally I want to leave the link wire in permanently rather than wear the connectors out over time, so am looking to just shorten that!

Thats what i did Dave as pictured below.

The connectors are tight on mine also as you mentioned.

HTH

DaveG28 · #11 13-09-2008

Is anyone charging at higher than 3A on the 3200's?

Also, can I use the trakpower balancer with the orion advantage charger?

Have been working out timing and don't think I'll be able to keep two cars running using a total of two 3200's at Worksop off a single charger if charging at 3A!? (based on having 30-40 minutes per battery to charge between each round, as I'll need to charge 2 battery's in each round!)

Rich D · #12 13-09-2008

You`ll just be topping up Dave so it wont take the full 30/40 mins per Lipo pack.

I shouldnt think that many peeps will have two chargers/balancers - i certainly havent.

Northy · #13 13-09-2008

I only charge at 3A.

G

DaveG28 · #14 13-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich D

You`ll just be topping up Dave so it wont take the full 30/40 mins per Lipo pack.

I shouldnt think that many peeps will have two chargers/balancers - i certainly havent.

I'm hoping not to as well!!

I could charge off my orion without the balancer for the second one I guess, or just get a 2nd balancer to use with the orion, assuming it works with it??)

bigred5765 · #15 13-09-2008

tom cockerill managed just that with ease at wroksop if i remember right,as the above say just a top up,

craigosh · #16 13-09-2008

I wouldnt worry to much about having a balancer on the Orion Dave.
I didn't use one for a few months when i first got my Trakpower stick. Never noticed any difference in performance.

You could just cycle the order of packs round, do one on the balancer one week and the second one the other week.

Just a thought like.

How much will the Orion charge at though?

DaveG28 · #17 13-09-2008

Cheers guys!! Worksop's where I am running so hopefully it will be just fine!

The orion charges at a user selected rate, so would just set it to 3.2A (1C).

I'm pretty sure it's automatically set to 2 cells as well!