[Quicker]

I've been reading these 2 threads about home built LiPo chargers:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=138314
and this
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130567

I like the first design because he also gives information on charging up to 4 cells at his website:

http://shdesigns.org/lionchg.html

Has anybody else built a charger? I've built a few electronic kits, mainly kits from Ramsey, and I find these very interesting. Seems like many have built them and they are so cheap, they build a handfull to charge multiple packs at a time, and I like the cost. Under $15 for a 4 cell LiPo charger.

 

[Quicker]

Guess not :lol:

OK, I decided to order this one:

http://www.dsns.com/rctech/default.htm

I really wanted to try to scratch build one fromone of those threads, but I just don't have time. Barely have tim to get my planes done and fly. When it comes in I'll post a review.

 

[planeplanter]

Quicker, Hows that charger working out? Seems like a hell of a good deal! Are you using the power supply that came w/it?

 

[Quicker]

Working out very well. I just finished writing the review and I'm working with Billy Hell to get it on the ProBro website.

I'm very pleased with it, plus they agreed to give ProBro's a 15% discount. If you buy from them make sure you tell them you're a Bro and you'de like the 15% discount. They also told me they will be releasing an 800, 900 and 1200mah version shortly, which is great since I'm charging 1200 mah 3 cell packs.

 

[planeplanter]

To read their ad. It looks like the charger "knows" what mah Batt you have??? Do you set the charge rate with jumpers?

 

[Quicker]

You set it with jumpers.

 

[planeplanter]

Hope your review was a good one 'cause I just placed my order w/them! I also checked there ebay stuff out. The are selling blank PCB's/Munuals for 2 bucks! But like you I have no time to build one + by the time I go to the shack 2 or 3 times to get everything ( cause ya always forget sumthin! ) It wouldn't be any cheaper.

 

[Quicker]

It is...I'm a happy camper. The only thing I don't like is this one is a 425mah charger and I'm charging 1200mah packs, which means I'm waiting about 5 hours for a complete charge. I'll be buying the 2400mah charger as soon as they get it out.

 

[Quicker]

Did you get yours? I have about 10 charges per pack (20 total charges) on it now and I'm very pleased. Can't wait until they get the higher rated charger out. I think it's a great deal at $25.

 

[planeplanter]

Yup sure did. It works GREAT!
I also picked up a BEL charger. It will charge 2 or 3 cell at .4,.8 and 1.2 Mah I like it just as well. I will pick up another from DSNS as soon as they come out with the larger one.

 

[Jonathan Ott]

I just received my Data South LP-2400 PCB Lithium charger kit. I'll take pics of it tonight and start soldering tonight too.

Should be fun. I got a PCB, a bunch of components, a wall wart and an instructon book. I figure about 35-45 minutes of soldering, a few minutes to calibrate and it'll be time to charge.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Jon

 

[Quicker]

I thought about getting the kit....but my lack of time forced me to the pre-built unit.

I built an FM transmitter and some other stuff once....was fun.

 

[Jonathan Ott]

I just finished building my kit. My values are off on the low and mid settings, and the high setting is the same as the mid. I have an e-mail in at DataSouth/RCTech. Hopefully they can come up with a solution to fix my values.

All-in-all, it was fun assembling it. It took me about an hour to get it all together, and another 20 minutes setting the voltage (to stay stable) and then I found the values were wrong.

Jon

 

[Jonathan Ott]

I got an e-mail back this morning at 6:30am Eastern time (RCTech/DataSouth is in Oregon I think...) and since I sent them images of my board they noticed that they did in fact include one resister that has the wrong value and they are sending the correct one out. EXCELLENT SERVICE!!!

Once I get the resister replaced, I'll let you all know about it's performance.

Jon

 

[Quicker]

Yeah, I've chatted via email with them a bit...seem like good people. They told me they would have a 1000 or 1200 mah charger out soon...I was hoping by now, but I haven't seen anything yet.

Mine has been serving me very well, almost daily since I bought it many months ago. I've even pulled some really bonehead things and left a pack on it overnight (3 different times). That was very stupid of me, but the cutoff circuit seems bullet proof, and has completely shutdown and saved my pack. Yes, it was outside in a metal container each time.

Even if they don't get the bigger charger done, I'm going to get a 2nd one of these so I can charge 2 packs at the same time.

 

[Jonathan Ott]

Yeah, I too wish they had a higher capacity one. But, 3 hours is not that bad, considering if I had not identified a problem with mine I'd be waiting 9+ hours for a charge. :shock:

Jon

 

[Quicker]

I just got an email from the company. They have the charger (not the kits) on sale for $19 right now:

http://www.dsns.com/cgi-shl/odbic.exe/rctech/items.htm?cat=CHARGERS

 

[Jonathan Ott]

When you are charging your 3 cells 1200's, do your heat sinks get warm at all? I have had my battery on charge for 6 1/2 hours now, the red "charge" LED is still burning bright, the jumper is set for 425 and NOTHING is warm. I set the voltage to 12.6vdc, and the mAh readings were nearly dead on. I don't know if it is working or not.

Jon

 

[Quicker]

Yes, the heat sinks get warm. Not hot, but warm.

My friend got one also, same as me, but his came with a larger AC adapter and his charges the same packs 30-45 minutes faster. I can't remember the exact specs. I'll look when I get home.

 

[Jonathan Ott]

Cool...I just checked mine again. They are not really "warm" but they are warmer than the room air. I also don't think 6 1/2 hours is right...it should'a been done 3 hours ago.

Jon