Charging 2 LiPo's at once
 

Hi everybody,
Been browsing around for some information on charging 2 2s LiPo's at once (I have an E-Revo and I'm impatient you see lol). I've got an Ansmann xBase charger (charges up to 5 cells so it will be okay) and a Hyperion LBA10 balancer. Now I'm sure I read a topic on charging 2 batteries at once but I cannot find it, so does anyone know where it is, or could advise me? As I'm guessing I would need to charge the batteries in series, and balance both using a custom 2 x 2s to 4s plug?
Regards,
Matt

Correct, connect the batteries in series and use a 4s to (2) 2s battery adaptor. Which packs are you using? or specifically which balancing taps are on them?

There is a sticky on how to make a balance adapter, I don't remember which sub forum it's in but it's at the top of one of them

Found it! helps to use the right keywords :whistle: http://rc-monster.com/forum/showthre...g+lead+adaptor

Oh and the packs have JST-XH taps.

So I'd need 2 of these: http://robotbirds.com/catalog/produc...oducts_id=1244 with the 2 pins from the other plug transferred to the first one?

Something like that- you usually need a pair of 2s female plugs (jst-xh, to go from each lipo), and a single 4s male plug that will go to your LBA10 (whatever type of plug that uses), then a series Y-harness to link the lipos in series & into the charger.

I have 1 question though- the xBase charger is a 50watt item right? If thats the case, and you charge the lipos at 1c (you didnt mention the capacity though), you may well find its hardly any quicker to use this special harness as the charger cant develop enough power to charge both of them at the full 1c rate (5amps for a 5000mah lipo for example)...

I'm not sure Neil, it doesn't say anything regarding to Watts on the charger. I might have to dig out the box and see.

Edit:

Just had a look, and yes it is 50W. Though I don't think it would make a difference, as its only like charging a 5000mAh 4s pack.

Well, the numbers are in, and:

8.4v (2s lipo at full charge voltage) x 5amps (full current 1c charge rate) = 42watts, so if you charge both batts in series as one pack, you're looking at a saving of ~20% in terms of charge time compared to doing the packs seperately. For the hassle, it would probably be easier and alot quicker to just pickup another charger- they sell for £48 on modelsport, then you'd just need another balancer.

Im personally never in that much of a hurry- charge up all my packs the night before, then have a few hours fun until all the packs are dead- if you race or want more fun time, then a more powerful charger or more batts might be in order..

Any reccomendations for an AC/DC charger that would be more cpabale then? Means I can charge even more packs at once I guess.

Most (if not all) AC/DC chargers will be limited to ~50w, maybe a little more. 4s @5Ah seems to be the typical "HV" setup, and that requires ~100w to charge at full capacity. Most any of the high current/power chargers will be DC only and require a power supply.

Another alternative would be to get two 50w AC/DC chargers, but the cost would be equal, if not higher, than a single nice charger and seperate decent 12v supply.

super brain 989 120W and its AC/DC charger. i use it its great but you have to use external balancer (i use blinky)

If you want a cheap(ish) capable charger that's available in the UK try this one http://www.logicrc.com/?ItemId=O-FS-L120P&s=c:0,c:40 It's a good charger (180W charging), up to 12S (and designed to charge two packs at once, it even comes with 2 balance lead adapters (so 4 in total)), at up to 10A.

It's simple to use, works well, and is capable (I have one by the way). It's only £124.99, though as I work in a model shop, and we have them in stock; if you give me a few days, (and some funds through Paypal:yes:), I could get one for you for £82.50 + postage. I could also do a 20A power supply if you needed one (£35.99 normally), though with my *magic*, £27. Those are Trade + VAT prices, i.e. the best that I could get them for if I wanted them myself.

PM me if you want to.

Well it is a very nice charger. but being a very skint student I can't afford it unfourtunately.

I know how it feels, I'm still at 6th Form, and just have a part time job at a model shop. There are other chargers at the shop though. PM me if you want anything.

I have a question..........

Could 2 packs be charged at the same time using Blinky balancers??

It is said that you should use charge through balancers when doing that... I think it would be fine on better matched packs, but just to be safe I guess.

I just bought a 720i Hyperion charger from Mike, with built in balancer, up to 7s lipo, and up to 20amp capability (250watts max), that was for $170, plus $50 for the 250watt power supply to feed it.