Just ordered a PL6 from Progressive!

[Slyster]

After 2 years with a 306b... I ordered a PL6. The 306b will be reassigned to home charging. Can't wait to compare the two. I'll enjoy the 40A charging at the field with the deep cycles!

[Spoto]

Subscribed. Looking forward to your review Sly.

[Avi_Y]

I have both the Icharger 3010b and the pl6. The icharger is powerful indeed, but th pl6 is a real candy.
Fast balancing makes charging much quicker, informative displays, and a terrific real time computer interface.
Makes charging more fun, and helps you keep track of your batteries condition.

[andersn]

progressive are silly fast on the shipping bit, bought 2xpl8 + 2x mpa, and they shipped within an hour, was leaving the US within 2 days, and has now beeing sitting in our customs... for 1 week.. :/

[3D Dave]

Excellent Slyster!!!

You're going to LOVE that PowerLab 6

[Slyster]

It should arrive tomorrow

[satgod]

you will love the pl-6 I have the pl-8 and its the best charger i've ever owned
you will need a good 24-29v supply or a 12v supply that can push a steady 60+ amps to get the most out of your charger

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by satgod

you will love the pl-6 I have the pl-8 and its the best charger i've ever owned
you will need a good 24-29v supply or a 12v supply that can push a steady 60+ amps to get the most out of your charger

Hi:

It is true, 60A is the upper current limit for the PL8 input. But it's younger brother, the PL6 current limits at a maximum of 40A instead. Either is capable of delivering a full 40A to 6 cells or less, and given a high enough input voltage, but the input current can be lower on the PL6 because it does not have to support 8s.

[satgod]

yea at 24 volts you can use lower amperage
what I was saying you can get the same performance with a high amperage 12v supply

I did some testing on my pl8 and I can parallel charge 4 6cell packs at the same high current on my 12v 100amp supply as I do on my 24volt supply
its harder on the unit to use 12v high current to change 22.2v packs at high current but you can do it if you have a GOOD 12v supply

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by satgod

yea at 24 volts you can use lower amperage
what I was saying you can get the same performance with a high amperage 12v supply

I did some testing on my pl8 and I can parallel charge 4 6cell packs at the same high current on my 12v 100amp supply as I do on my 24volt supply
its harder on the unit to use 12v high current to change 22.2v packs at high current but you can do it if you have a GOOD 12v supply

Hi:

Just so everyone understands:

PL8 on 12V, 60A input, 6s packs:

12 * 60 = 720W * .85 (worst case efficiency loss) = 612W output / 25.2V = 24.3A

PL8 on 24V, 60A input, 6s packs:

24 * 60 = 1440W * .85 = 1224W / 25.2V = 48.6A, but output capped at 40A max

PL8 on 26.35V, 60A input, 8s packs (max performance):

26.35 * 60 = 1581W * .85 = 1344W / 33.6V = 40A

PL6 on 12v, 40A, 6s packs:

12 * 40 = 480W * .85 (worst case efficiency loss) = 408W output / 25.2V = 16.2A

PL6 on 24v, 40A 6s packs:

24 * 40 = 960W * .85 = 816W output / 25.2V = 32.4A

PL6 on 30v, 40A 6s packs (max performance):

30 * 40A = 1200W * .85 = 1020W output / 25.2V = 40.5A, but output capped at 40A max

Note: increasing the current above the 60A (PL8) or 40A (PL6) input current limit does not buy you anything, except that the PSU should be capable of slightly higher then the max input current limit of the device so you aren't running the PSU all out at the highest settings all the time. But then, most rarely utilize all of the available power of the PowerLab units anyway except possibly when parallel charging which is growing in popularity to be sure.

It's a lot easier if you just use the Online Power Calculators found here and input your power supply and battery combinations:

http://www.revolectrix.com/Calculators_main.htm

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by Tim Marks

Hi:
PL6 on 24v, 40A 6s packs:
24 * 40 = 960W * .85 = 816W output / 25.2V = 32.4A

In my tests the efficiency was closer to 91% and the output was around 860 watts. That is with a 24v rated for 47amps.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...7#post20578347

A note for Slyster. Output may be slightly lower than this on Pb batteries under heavy load. Once the default limit of 25 amps is increased to 40 amps, the Powerlab6 will be able to pull a constant 40 amps. This will be higher than the iCharger that starts at ~33 amps input and hits 36 amps only at the end. If the loaded Pb supply drops 11.5v per battery, you can expect the output drop to around 32 amps.

One thing that may come as a surprise but its actually good thing. When the Pb batteries resting voltage hits 50%, the Powerlab will give you a warning that the depth of discharge is at 50% or below. You can still charge, but its bad for the Pb batteries. I was a little surprised the first time I hit the warning message. Truth was that I was probably over discharging the Pb battery with my other charger that didn't have the warning.

[itbvolks]

I just got my PL6 late this past week. Unfortunately one of my poweredge 2850 psu's arrived DOA so setup for 12v at the moment but working great (small volume use).

I did struggle getting it setup initially. Kept getting a cell count node error. I ran through the whole setup, wiring, batts to the point of wringing out every wire within the balance adapter and board. Turns out the default mode within the charger was wrong.

All working as it should be now! I liked my Hyperion but thus far - loving the PL6!

[the big man]

have the same problem bad cell count node wiring fma i have tried changing it to xh/eh but it did not help?it charges 3cell and 4cell batteries ok but when i connect a 6 cell i get this problem what did you change

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by the big man

have the same problem bad cell count node wiring fma i have tried changing it to xh/eh but it did not help?it charges 3cell and 4cell batteries ok but when i connect a 6 cell i get this problem what did you change

Hi:

Use FMA Wiring Mode when you are using Revolectrix Standard or Safe Parallel Adapters (the ones you can daisy-chain). These adapters convert XH equipped batteries to FMA Wiring Mode via hardware.

Use XH Wiring Mode when you are using the MPA, Paraboard, or any other situation where you are interfacing XH equipped balance connectors to the PL. What XH Wiring Mode does is change what the PL looks for at the balance connector via firmware.

To see what the PL expects to see for each wiring mode (FMA vs. XH) please consult the PL user guide. There are illustraitons of every cell count pack the unit supports.

If you continue to have problems, use a volt meter to check the voltages present on the balance connector pins.

Hope this helps!

[the big man]

I am using balance board gp/ko to charge a 6s5200 align pack and i have also tried a thunder power 6s2500 using tp/pq balance board in all none of my 6s batteries will charge!!!

[hobdean]

How is the fan holding up on your pl6? After about a month it makes a buzzing sound. Still works and it is fast. Best charger I have seen. I am concerned about the fan noise.

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by the big man

I am using balance board gp/ko to charge a 6s5200 align pack and i have also tried a thunder power 6s2500 using tp/pq balance board in all none of my 6s batteries will charge!!!

For those adapters, you need to be running in FMA WIRINGE MODE. Double check that setting. If you still don't have any luck, contact Howard Matos, howard@fmadirecct.com, or (301) 829-5533.

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by hobdean

How is the fan holding up on your pl6? After about a month it makes a buzzing sound. Still works and it is fast. Best charger I have seen. I am concerned about the fan noise.

Hi:

Advice from an associate of mine:

To quiet fan noise, I recomended CLP Break Free. Others use a dab of grease, 3 In One Oil, peanut oil or such but I find Break Free is the best / longest lasting.

Remove fan, remove the shield, silver with a green bar across the center or just poke a hole in the center. Apply lube and run fan turned upright to let lube enter bushing. Wipe off excess and reseal with a piece of tape or leave it open,your choice.

[itbvolks]

Tim,

While I haven't needed any direct service from you guys, I wanted to personally thank you for being here and available for tech support for those of us using your gear.


to you sir.

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by itbvolks

Tim,

While I haven't needed any direct service from you guys, I wanted to personally thank you for being here and available for tech support for those of us using your gear.


to you sir.

Hello:

You're Welcome, and Thank You all you guys for your support!