New Powerlab user questions

[Raydee]

I recently acquired a DPL 8x2 charger and I have some questions. I have been a Hyperion charger user for the last 5 or so years and like switching from Spektrum to Futaba there is a bit of a learning curve.

There are a couple of features so far that I have on my Hyperion chargers that I either can't find on the Powerlab or it does not exist.

1. Is there a way to balance a pack only without charging?
2. Is there a way to terminate the charge automatically at a set percentage? On my Hyperion chargers I can set the charger to stop charging at any percentage. I like to terminate the charge on most of my packs at 95% when I am at the field charging. Is this possible with the Powerlabs?

I am sure I will have more questions as I play with the charger more.

[Gregor99]

Welcome! Answers inline

Originally Posted by Raydee

1. Is there a way to balance a pack only without charging?
A) Not exactly. The balance current is 1 amp. If the pack is out of balance, you can set the charge rate to 1 amp. All the high cells will be fully bypassed. But once the low cells catch up, the pack will start charging at 1amp.

Typically the balancer is good enough that you never have to take any steps to balance a pack. Just charge it and the balancer takes care of it. Balancing starts at 3.8v per cell, and is 3 times the current of the Hyperions.

2. Is there a
way to terminate the charge automatically at a set percentage?
Sounds like you are referring to the Hyperion Terminal Capacity Selection % (TCS) . In the Powerlabs there are several ways to get a similar result.

The first is already set. When the pack reaches 90%, the charger will beep and continue charging. If you are around you can pull the pack off the charger. Or just let it continue. The beep is adjustable, so you could set to 95%, etc.

The second method is to use a separate fast charge preset with a lower termination voltage. For example you could setup a preset to terminate at 4.15v per cell. Its better for the cells to be slightly under charged anyway.

The third is my preferred method. Which is to setup a preset with higher termination current. The default for the high power preset is 10% of the set current, C/10. You increase it to C/5, or C/3. This will cause the charge cycle to still go to 4.2v per cell. But the CV stage will be considerably shorter. Balancing is happening all through the charge cycle so there's little concern that the pack won't be done balancing. There's also an option to force the pack to finish balancing regardless of the termination setting to ensure that runs a little longer but only when needed.

The only issue with that last setting is that it may not work well for parallel charging where the packs need a slightly longer CV period for the cells in parallel to equalize.

I'd setup several different presets with the options above. Try each one and see which one works best for you.

[Raydee]

For method number 2, do you need the CSS software to adjust that or can it be done on the Powerlab itself?

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by Raydee

For method number 2, do you need the CSS software to adjust that or can it be done on the Powerlab itself?

It can be done on the console in the preset settings.

[Raydee]

Does it matter what order I connect the main leads and the balance leads on the charger? I am going to be using my Buddy RC parallel boards only and their instructions say to connect the main leads first for a minute and then the balance leads. I am pretty sure the charger instructions say to connect the balance leads first.

[Ace Dude]

Connect the main leads first on the DPL8x2.

Connecting the balance leads first was true for the PL8 as the circuitry is different on the PL8 as it supports charging through the balance leads only. The DPL8x2 does not support charging using only the balance leads.

[Jason Asch]

On my pl8 using a parallel charge board I'd plug pack one in main lead first, then balance lead, pack two same order. I've had no issues but what could happen do I get it this way with regard to the circuitry mentioned above.