Lipo cell count and charger

[Tazz]

I just want to make sure I have this correct before I buy. A lipo battery 3s2p
would have a total of 6 cells, is this correct? If so I would need a charger that would be capable of charging at least 6 cells. If the charger was able to do 12 cells or more would I be able to charge 2 battery packs at the same time and if so would the 2 packs need to be connected in serial or parallel?

If this is possible what chargers are capable of doing at least 12 lipo cells?

[Gustav]

Yes it has 6 cells total.The charger would see the pack as 3 cells of twice the capacity.You can charge these 2 packs in series as a 6s2p,6 cells as twice the mah.What Mah are the packs?.You'll want a charger with a good charge output,if they're high capacity,say 5.5amps or more.

[Tazz]

So are you saying that a charger rated for say 1-6 cells would work to charge both packs at the same time. I was looking at 8000mah (each)packs.

[Gustav]

I think so,wait for someone else to confirm this before you buy.8000mah!,that's going to take a while to charge unless you can find a charger with a very high charge output.Can i ask what the setup is,that sounds like an awful lot of runtime(and size and weight).

[Tazz]

This is my previus thread for setup.
http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2542
These packs are 44mm x 132mm x 39mm and are 495 grams.
What is wrong with runtime???

[Gustav]

What d'ya mean what's wrong with runtime? Nothing.

[Tazz]

Does anyone else know??????

[Gustav]

It's definately right,i was just being cautious since it's your money.What charger are you looking at? To charge 8000Mah at 1C would take 8 amps,if you charge them at only about 5 amps,it's going to take ages to charge and you can't leave them charging unattended.

[Tazz]

Here are some TP chargers I am looking at (charge and balance at the same time).
TP1010c - the problem with this charger is the specs state 10 amp up to 5 cells and 5 amp at 10 cells. I do not know what 6-9 cells charge at.

TP1080c - is not out yet but will charge 8 amp up to 7 cells.

TP1380c - is not out yet but will charge 8 amp up to 8 cells and 6 amp up to 10 cells.

The Super Brain 989 may be good but I do not know what the specs are on it and I do not think they have a balancer.

[JOHNNYMAXXIMA]

Originally Posted by Tazz

The Super Brain 989 may be good but I do not know what the specs are on it and I do not think they have a balancer.

Tower has some specs on the 989 here http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLTW4&P=7
but according to them, it wont be available till "late spring early summer."

[Tazz]

Johnnymaxxima I saw the listing at Tower Hobbies but it does not state amps per number of cells (example: 10 amps up to 8 cells). I am looking at some 6s 8000mah packs (2 3s packs charged at the same time on one charger). A lot of the chargers seem to drop the amperage after a certain cell count. I would also like one that can have a balancer hooked up so they can be charged and balanced at the same time. Do you or anyone else know of one?

[squeeforever]

i think a tp charger/balancer is your best bet. theres one supposed to come out that can charge 10s at like 9 amps i believe. its in another thread somewhere around here.

[JOHNNYMAXXIMA]

I see the Charge Rate for the 989 says "1.5C max for Lithium cells"
What does that meen? Sorry for the rookie question.

[squeeforever]

well the majority of lipos charge at 1c which is there capacity. so if there 4000mah you would charge them at 4 amps or 1c.

[JOHNNYMAXXIMA]

Still a little confused. So when the description on the 989 reads... "Charge Rate: 1.5C max for Lithium cells" does that mean I can charge my 4000mah packs at 6amps? (1.5c X 4)
Sorry about the hijack Tazz.