Dual PL8 vs iCharger 4010

[Slyster]

Yes I knew about setting the input limits. No.. the PL8 has a higher input limit. 50A I believe?.. that would have allowed me to get consistant 40A outputs on 2 deep cycles.

The 4010 displays an amazing amount of info on 3 sceen you can scroll through. But I can't remember if percentage is one of them! I usually keep the first screen on since I am very used to watching voltages. Once thing I like is how the deep cycle voltage (input voltage) and draw is always visible.

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by seefest

The PL8 is limited to 40 amps as well.

Sylster is referring to the charger's input limit. Both the Powerlab6 and Powerlab8 have a 40 amp output limit. However, the Powerlab6 has a 40 amp INPUT limit while the Powerlab8 has a 60 amp input limit. This means that the Powerlab8 is capable of higher output when using a lower input voltage.

Both the Powerlab6 and Powerlab8 have interlocking cases and can be run in a synchronous mode. The input limit of the 4010 is 65 amps. The input limit of dual Powerlab6s is 80 amps, the input limit of two Powerlab8s is 120 amps. This means that you can get higher output from the Powerlabs when using a 24v source. One thing the 4010 has going for it is the higher input voltage limit. So you can run 36v as Slyster does, reducing the impact of its lower input current limit.

[RedOctobyr]

Originally Posted by 3D Dave

I just wish FMA would come out with a dual port charger.

+1. I wouldn't say no to quad port either

For my purposes, I'd be perfectly happy with the total power of a PL8, but divided across 4, or 2, ports. The more ports you have, the more easily you can fly continuously with maybe 4 packs. Of course, you might become wattage/current limited with something like big 700 packs.

Originally Posted by seefest

I get a full 40 amps from my two PL6's using two deep cycles. In all honesty, if I was buying again, I'd go with all PL6's instead of my PL8's.

Curious, why do you prefer the PL6's over PL8's? I've seen many people suggest the PL8 over the PL6, if the budget allows. The added flexibility of the 8 (input amps, internal discharge watts, etc) sounds nice. Albeit at a higher cost.

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by RedOctobyr

+Curious, why do you prefer the PL6's over PL8's?

Budget and size. Two Powerlab6s are smaller than two Powerlab8s. If you are only flying 6s (or 12s) then you don't need an 8 channel charger. However, as you pointed out there are other advantages like double the discharge capabilities, node-only charging and higher input current limit. If you are using a 24v source charging 6s packs the Powerlab8 will provide slightly more output than the Powerlab6 (about 4 amps more)

[Gregor99]

For those that don't get over to RCG often, here are some weekend highlights from the 4010 thread.

Originally Posted by Kiba

Add me to the list of someone with 4010 problems...
While one of my 4010's has always had an internal temp sensor that reads ~20F too high it seems port 1 of my 2nd 4010 is dead/shorted.

Yesterday I was charging a 7S Nimh pack on port 1; soon after starting the charge I watched as the output voltage started to climb rapidly and when it reached ~34V the charger beeped and rebooted.

I quickly unplugged everything and didn't think much about it. I checked the pack and all charge leads with my multimeter and everything looked fine.

Today I went to charge a 3S 1300 lipo pack on port 1; I plugged in the balance leads first and looked at the display to verify all the cell voltages looked fine before plugging in the main connectors.

Everything looked OK so I plugged in the main lead... and immediately smelled something getting hot. The main charge leads on the battery were almost too hot to touch and the insulation was starting to give off odor . I quickly unplugged the main connector from the pack (leaving only the balance connector plugged in for a moment) and the smell & heat stopped. I thenquickly disconnected the balance leads and starting looking for a problem.

I used my multimeter and checked the balance board, balance board extension harness, the pack, and the main charge harness-- everything checks OK without a short. I proceeded to charge the same pack using all the same harnesses & balance boards that started to get hot on my 2nd 4010 without a problem.

So, it appears whatever happened yesterday with the Nimh pack has created a short on channel 1 main output ports.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...postcount=1004

Originally Posted by unclecrash

I see what you mean now after sitting there with the manual for 3 hours I figured out how to read a lot and how to program in a battery. Way over engineered. then I sat and read and sat and read till finally I was tired of trying to find how to get to another menu to change a setting.

Here is the charger You and I should have got. I mean I can sit there and use it by putting in a few items and charging but I think you need to be pretty smart to grasp how to get around for god sake's it's 2013 why not push a few buttons like in the link below and get the battery charged. The time saved by being able to charge multiple batterie's is out the window till you learn this interface click long click turn stop. Something tells me this will be a set to charge and forget the rest. Or maybe just off it for a user friendly charger. It is cool having all the info on the screen but I think a computer would be a whole lot easier to figure this out hit the easy button and go.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=980

Originally Posted by everydayflyer

unclecrash, if you think it is difficult / user hostile now then you should have seen it in the early days (Oct.2012). I own many chargers,I have Beta tested chargers for over 7 years and have many models of many brands and honestly it took me many hours to just start a simple balance charge that was safe.

This charger desperately needs a first class / user friendly computer interface capable of performing all of the programing ( Presets) programing and file management and a graphing / display software other than Logview.
Charles

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=984

[Slyster]

I love my 4010. It is perfect. With 10 mins of programming (didn't even use instructions and no PC!) I now click the main wheel 3 times to charge... with a click left or right a notch or two for 10A, 20A, 30A. I never read the manual. Not sure why people are having so many issues. Have you explored a 4010 yet Greg? They really are fantastic chargers.. the last one I'll ever buy in my lifetime (unless it breaks of course)

[Kiba]

Yep, that's me quoted above over at RCG. One of my 4010's is sitting in a box next to me waiting for an RMA from Progressive RC thanks to port #1 deciding to become a load tester & smoke generator.

No charger is perfect or immune from problems-- Back in the mid 90's I had a Pro-Tech peak charger for my RC-10 fail and keep fast charging a NiCd at 8A until the cells vented (in the house, no less.) I've had a Hyperion 606i die a couple of years ago. I've seen a friend's PL8 go up in smoke while parallel charging a couple of 6S packs at 30A. He wasn't running the MPA board-- just squids. The packs and charge & balance squids were all OK-- something inside the charger decided to give up with a nice loud pop and some smoke. He has more money than patience so he junked it and overnighted a new one.

Has port #1 dying on one of my 4010's soured my opinion a little bit? Yes, but it's still my favorite charger I've used so far even with some of the little issues, notably the lack of PC software to generate all the presets. I have no issues with the user interface and found it pretty intuitive with the exception of some of the "long press" functions that aren't clearly identified until you either read about it or fiddle around and find it. PC logging software isn't too high on my list as I usually don't clutter up my bench with a laptop while charging and I don't bring my laptop to log while field charging.

PC software for setting up presets on the 4010 is still my #1 request... well, maybe #2. After some consideration request #1 would be not having channel 1 burn up.

[338federal]

What do heli dudes like now. Pl8 duo or 4010 icharger? I have burn 2 ichargers and now i am gettin pl8 duo with 4 server power supply. 24V on both channels. Do i need more V and how. What power supply? I will have the pc software. Little info about this pl8.

[Toocool4]

I love the iCharger 4010Duo, never had a problem with mine running it off 3 x Server power supplies for 36V @ 57.3amps.

[Ace Dude]

When the others are gone the PowerLabs live on. Seriously, my Dual PowerLab 8x2 has been rock solid for over two years now as well the two PL8's I used from their release until the DPL8x2 came out.

[Fauropitotto]

Had my iCharger 308 Duo blow up on me too. Once the original dealer replaced it for me, I sold it and got the Dual PowerLab8.

Thus far it's been rock solid running 4x 900W PSUs in series for 48V. Unfortunately this rig can max out my 2000W generator, so instead of having all my packs done in 12 minutes, I have to wait a god-awful 15 minutes. So sad.

All kidding aside, there's plenty of options out there. The iCharger interface was really nice, but after seeing smoke pour out of it, never again. Also have a BumpController on the way, so the touchscreen quick RFID tag thing should be a nice addition to the Dual Powerlab.

[ryanha]

Originally Posted by 338federal

I have burn 2 ichargers and now i am gettin pl8 duo.

Can you post some details on how your ichargers failed? I had one burn up due to accidental reverse polarity.

--Ryan

[338federal]

First time mine icharger died. I think it shortcut. I was wondering that my power supplys died but not. I got a new one. This last time balance port went crazy. Cells were like crazy. It smelled day before little burned but day after the smoke came out. Now i am trying with pl8 duo with pc software. Maybe a windows based touch tablet.

[338federal]

Originally Posted by Fauropitotto

Had my iCharger 308 Duo blow up on me too. Once the original dealer replaced it for me, I sold it and got the Dual PowerLab8.

Thus far it's been rock solid running 4x 900W PSUs in series for 48V. Unfortunately this rig can max out my 2000W generator, so instead of having all my packs done in 12 minutes, I have to wait a god-awful 15 minutes. So sad.

All kidding aside, there's plenty of options out there. The iCharger interface was really nice, but after seeing smoke pour out of it, never again. Also have a BumpController on the way, so the touchscreen quick RFID tag thing should be a nice addition to the Dual Powerlab.

About 48V. Do you split to both power cords on the charger? Icharger has only one input and powerlab duo two.

[Fauropitotto]

This is how I wire mine (see attached diagram). With the top 3 PSU's floated according to the RCHN guide on setting up the DPS1200 PSU.

http://www.rchelination.com/setting-...-power-supply/

[Ace Dude]

Originally Posted by Fauropitotto

This is how I wire mine (see attached diagram). With the top 3 PSU's floated according to the RCHN guide on setting up the DPS1200 PSU.

http://www.rchelination.com/setting-...-power-supply/

I assume that's a Dual PowerLab 8x2 in your drawing not a PowerLab 8? The PL8 cannot handle a 48v input.

[Magneto]

I had a 4010 duo and never had a problem is over 500 charges ,I sold it last year I thought I was leaving the hobby now its time to get a new charger im looking at the 4010 and dual powerlab 8 ,The Powerlab looks nice but dosent come with anything and their cables and boards are confusing I need to charge 6 and 7s TP packs they are jst xh so I guess the SPA connector ,im looking at the spa that comes with the board ,battery leads, and bal cable but it looks like the bal cable is for daisy chaining and not to connect the board to the charger ,I dont parallel charge and now I have to buy another cable to connect to the dual Pl8? Im having mixed thoughts I cant get a Pl8 anyway out of stock ,I may go back to icharger it was great for me,I do like the dual PL8 hardware it looks robust dont really know which way to go ,Is the dual pl8 a pain to use with out the bump?

[Ace Dude]

Which balance connectors do your TP packs have on them, the original TP balance connectors or JST XH connectors that TP switched to a year or so ago?

The PowerLabs are not a pain at all to use w/o the BUMP. PL8 has been on the market since ~August 2010 and DPL8 since about December 2013. I've used both since they first became available and have no issues with the UI.

[pctomlin]

The dual or PL8 are both easy to use as stand alone chargers. You can go a step further and use the CCS on a computer for some unique features or go Bump, the choice is yours. I was a die hard I charger fan but have moved over to FMA.
The cabling can look a little overwhelming at first due to all the different options. That is the other thing that I like, taylor the leads to what fits your needs.

Overall the flexibility and choice of configuration attached to a superior charger is what makes FMA stand out from the crowd.

[Magneto]

Originally Posted by Ace Dude

Which balance connectors do your TP packs have on them, the original TP balance connectors or JST XH connectors that TP switched to a year or so ago?

The PowerLabs are not a pain at all to use w/o the BUMP. PL8 has been on the market since ~August 2010 and DPL8 since about December 2013. I've used both since they first became available and have no issues with the UI.

JST XH, New TP Thanks