Just ordered a PL6 from Progressive!

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by Slyster

I am hoping to keep it simple.

Take a look at this thread.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1676690

I have no clue what 'fuel tables' mean and I hope I dont have to learn about it to make my 3 custom presets.

I would assess myself as an "advanced" Powerlab user and I do not use custom fuel tables. They are optional for improving the accuracy of the AUTO charging modes as well as the "FUEL" percentage reading of the pack. The Powerlab comes with a default fuel table which is sufficient for fuel readings for my packs. I don't use the AUTO modes, so better accuracy would not help me there. Its nice the feature is there for users that want to use it. But it is, by no means required.

[Slyster]

Originally Posted by Gregor99

Take a look at this thread.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1676690

Thanks... Amazing.. I can't wait to get the interface.

[Cadriel]

Yep - now that Tim answered my question - I believe I could have ignored the creation of a fuel table now. Although, it was nice to go through the process anyway.

In any case - yeah, I'd think after you've created the presets you like - the PL8 and 6 would actually be EASIER to use than other charges. Just go to your predefined preset, hold start - and away you go.

The initial preset setup however can be as easy or hard as you want it to be. I think simply selecting the right library preset first, then customising the battery size and Amp's would suffice for most.

I'd consider myself a complete battery noob. I know the basic math behind it all - and that's mostly it. I still found things easy enough to setup though!

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by Cadriel

Yep - now that Tim answered my question - I believe I could have ignored the creation of a fuel table now. Although, it was nice to go through the process anyway.

In any case - yeah, I'd think after you've created the presets you like - the PL8 and 6 would actually be EASIER to use than other charges. Just go to your predefined preset, hold start - and away you go.

The initial preset setup however can be as easy or hard as you want it to be. I think simply selecting the right library preset first, then customising the battery size and Amp's would suffice for most.

I'd consider myself a complete battery noob. I know the basic math behind it all - and that's mostly it. I still found things easy enough to setup though!

Hi:

You wrote:

" I think simply selecting the right library preset first, then customising the battery size and Amp's would suffice for most."

Actually, I can't think of any reason one would really need to customize the battery size. By this, I assume you mean completing the field for battery capacity on the CCS Fuel Tab? If you meant something other, you may wish to specify. But inputting the pack capacity is totally optional, and for the most part doesn't alter the way a pack charges. In theory, it assists AUTO mode accuracy. That's about it. This is why it is in the Fuel Tab.

In your statement above, I would say "...customizing the preset name and the charge rate setting. If charging in parallel, it may also prove useful to specify the default for the number of packs in parallel option for the preset (Detection Tab)."

I have found after a couple years of supporting the PowerLab series in the field now, that many customers can do everything they need to do using factory default presets. If they make changes, it's kind of automatic. What I mean is that, since simple changes like the charge rate setting, and # packs in parallel get stored with the preset automatically, customers "customize" their presets without really even thinking about it, and they don't really need the Charge Control Software at all. But most buy the FUIM3 and run the CCS because, well, it's just plain fun! Who'd have guessed something like an RC "charger" would be fun to use?

My hobby is actually not R/C, it's music, and I'm a gear head. I play electric guitar, bass, and synth. Electronic musical instruments, sounds effects processors, and PC software are some of the most intuitive, fun devices you'll ever see. Sometimes I have a ball just setting up presets and getting everything just the way I like it; even if I don't even play much. In helping design the UI and basic architecture of our products, I often fall back on what I know and a lot of that comes from my experiences in musical equipment.

[Cadriel]

My bad - yes, I was talking about the battery capacity. I assumed this allowed the PL8 to better determine percentage in the pack. Assumption corrected.

I didn't actually realize the PL8 remembered settings between use - but today I had my first day at the field with it - and its spot on! I'm firing off a few storage charges now and it's nice to not have to re-set the amps every time.

Knowing all this - I might go back to the defaults.