MRC989 and FlightPower V-Balancer
 

I am trying to charge a FlightPower 5s Lipo battery pack using my MRC989 and FlightPower V-Balancer. I keep getting the error code: Open Err and Err B L.

I have double checked all settings and harness connections…anybody ever run into this same problem.

Kevin Nowak

That balancer looks like it is very similar to the Hyperion LBA balancers, so it probably operates the same way. Try pushing the large button right below the single red LED once you hook up the pack. Also, there might be a time limit on how long you are taking to hook it up. On the LBA's, you have 10 or 12 seconds between hooking the main leads to the battery and hooking up the balancer leads.

Assuming it IS like the LBA balancers: Initially, the balancer is in "stand-alone" mode and the balancer inputs are isolated from the battery outputs (to prevent shorts). Once you hook it to the charger, pressing the button puts it in "online mode" and makes the electrical connection between the balancer input and output.

Try what Brian says to do. That should cure the issue. I had the same issue with my lba and the equinox with my 989 until i read the instructions:rofl:

I have the flightpower balancer (non trackpower version). To allow it to start charging you have to hold the mode button until the two white arrows up the top turn orange, then it's in connect mode and the charger should recognize there's a battery there.
I don't know if it has a timer or not, I've never noticed. I do like the flightpower balancer better than the hyperion though, except that it can't do A123's, which I don't use anyway.

To all,

Thanks for all the feedback and info...however, after a lot of trouble shooting I discovered that I had a bad deans connector (first one ever for me). In short the connector was okay...until you plugged a male connector into it...for some reason the circuit would "open" and the charger would give me the "Err b l" because it couldn't "see" the battery. I replaced the connector and presto...problem solved. Thanks again for the recommendations though.

Hey sssconcepts,
this is a little off the subject, but how do you like the charger. I'm going to be in the market for a new charger soon. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.

Well, I have then 989 and Ice and a hyperion charger. I prefer the 989 over the other two. It works very well, I use it more often than the other two. I do like the fact that it can store a bunch of profiles. It charges a little faster than the Ice does, and I have never had an issue with it working correctly. Hope that helps.

Thank you. It does. I had an older 959 and loved it. I'm sure this one is great too.

I actually ended up gettting the new Hyperion EOS0610I charger. I only need a 6s capable charger, and this one has a lba10 balancer built in. It will replace my Ice/lba6 combo that I'm using now.

I may end up getting one of these to replace my other ice charger in the future. Its a very good price for everything.

FYI: That LBA6 balancer you have can be modified to work like a LBA10...

I like it...it is simple to operate and can save up to...20 battery profiles (I think 20). This comes in handy because I have two different types of 3S batteries, one 5S, several different 6-cell packs, and a couple of 8-cell AA transmitter packs. Makes charging a lot more accurate and simple. Others have different prefs but for me it is just fine for now. Plus it has good specs and works great for cycling Nimh packs...research it and you'll see it is a decent charger for the $$$.