Problems with Dynam Lipo and balance charger

celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 282

I have been using the balance charger that came with my e-razor for several flights now, for a total of I'd say less than 10 charges. It has two lights, a permanent green to show power to charger and a switchable red/green, red to show charging, green to show finished charge.

I run a strict program of 5 mins maximum use on battery before recharging.

The battery I have is the stock dynam 2200 MAH 11.1 V, 20 C discharge battery.

Balance charger specs are:

2-3 cell lipo battery
Input 10v-15v
charge rate 1.0 A

After a test flight today I waiting about an hour before charging the battery to allow for cool-down, as I always do. But the green light won't change to red and charge, and the charger is silent where before it would make a slight buzzing sound which I was told before was normal for this brand.

I took off the back cover and looked at both sides of the board; everything appears intact, no unidentifiable debris or loose cables/solder I can see.

I was holding out in hopes of getting a new fancy charger in korea but it appears as if I need one now. I was looking at the thunder AC6, and an extra battery or two. Which batteries would you suggest for my use?

Also, any idea how to get the balance charger to work again while I wait for my charger to get here?
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E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

nick_onelove · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:11 am Post subject:

It was my understanding that a buzzing sound indicates electrical resistance is too high somewhere, my guess would be it burned itself out. Hopefully someone else will have a little more insight.

I'm sure the Thunder AC6 is great, but there are cheaper alternatives that many here will attest have the same functionality.

As far as batteries go, I would say go for at least 25C. If they're not too much more expensive, 30C or 35C would be preferable. The higher the C rating, the less warm they will get. That will make them last longer and you won't have to wait a whole frickin' hour before you can recharge them.
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celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 282

I like the specs of the thunder ac6 so I went ahead and got it for under $40 from xheli. I will look at batteries first-hand next time I get to my LHS. I have a very specific connector which I am reading about being similar to what comes on the blue batteries, but different enough to not fit. I may end up re-soldering connectors to my esc in that case.
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E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

pjdog · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:35 am Post subject:

I've had a Thunder AC6 for 3 years and love it. Super charger. Has never let me down. Think I paid about $ 60.00.

jack

celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 282

Dang...got mine for 42 after shipping...
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E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

solentlife · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject:

20C rating on a 2200mAh pack mis low nowadays and to be honest - like Nick - I would advise upping that to 25C or more.

I use 30C on my 450 and buy of Hobby King ... or ebay.

I have the B6 charger which is similar to the AC6 but cheaper / slightly less spec'd I believe.
I think you will be very pleased with your AC6 ...

As to your old charger ... they are fixed charge, no discharge capability ... balance is iffy ... but they work but UGH !! are they slow !!

Your 2200mAh packs - usual charge rate would be 2.2A - to charge up in less than 1 hour. Assuming that your model gives 7 - 8mins on your pack and you fly to 5mins ... that means 5/8ths of charge used ... ie 1375mAh ... needing 38 mins to charge + losses of maybe 10% ... so a ~45 min charge ....
You can also discharge to storage, discharge to safe level to exercise, balance .. fast charge ... the mind boggles !!

Buzzing .... yes both my cheap fixed LiPo chargers buzz just same as yours when charging. As to what's wrong with yours ? I suspect that you need to discharge your battery and then put on charge .. charger may not be clicking in as it detects a near charged pack ? Mine does it occasionally.

I only keep mine so I can charge up packs when my B6 is occupied.
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If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer.

chopper54 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject: post subject

I think its a good idea to have decent charger anyway. The charger that came with my b400 is useless and does not keep the cells properly balanced. Had i carried on using it the battery would have been wrecked by now.

tombo242 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:48 pm Post subject:

+1 on that Chopper, these 'incuded' chargers are not worth the little extra they actually charge for them. (Nothing is free.) I consider a decent charger to be a necessity, it does not have to be top of the range. Lots to choose from in the $40~60 bracket.

Plug a lead like this one @$1.92 in and you can charge two batteries at once.

Tom.
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celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 282

I will be making a trip to my LHS soon with my old battery in hand to see what they offer. I know they have a wide selection, I have seen them and made a mental note. I just don't remember specifics.

I know the importance of a good charger. I used to have an onyx 200 for a nicad setup on an old battle tank, worked amazingly well. Sadly said tank didn't survive long and I sold the charger.
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E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

solentlife · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:50 pm Post subject:

LiPo batterys .....

I measure mine .. L x B x D ...

I weigh mine as well.

Then I can check out models to see what will take my packs. I aim to have maximum from any pack I have and that means using each one on more than one model where possible.

It is also interesting that you can check packs on ebay and see significant differences in weights. I have 2800mAh packs that weigh LESS than 2280's ...
It's also possible to UP the cell factor ie 3S to 4S where a model such as an EDF can take it ... comparing pack dimensions.
_________________
If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer.