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04-22-2013, 09:25 PM | #1 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Powerlab 8 and paraboard question
I'm planning on getting a Powerlab 8. I already have a para board with the JST-XH type of balance plugs.
Along with the powerlab 8, I also intend to get the FMA to JST-XH balance board (http://www.usastore.revolectrix.com/...HR-Std-Adapter) Would it be safe for me to plug my paraboard into this FMA to JST-XH balance board? The reason I ask is that, on the link above they mention: "This adapter supports one battery pack at a time". Does this mean that I can't parallel charge multiple batteries by plugging in my para board into this adapter? Do I risk burning the traces? |
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04-22-2013, 09:50 PM | #2 (permalink) |
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That won't work. The wiring modes are not compatible. The parallel board vendor may sell an inter connect cable that works with the Powerlab. I know that epbuddy and ProgressiveRc carry these. But since there are couple different standard for parallel board interconnect cables, be sure to get he correct one.
However, you would be much better off to just get the MPA. Otherwise you will likely end up on this list. Traces Burned http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1620728 Traces Burned Twice http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1634850 Three Reports of Burned traces https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=383073 Balance wire burned https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=424281 Wire Burned http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1670469 Balance Wires Shorted https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=430573 Charge Lead plugged in backwards https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=436224 Balance wires burned http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1743871 Paraboard burned http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1773045 Batteries balance wires burned using parallel board. https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=472663 Burned traces - Connector inserted backwards http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=423 Hot Deans shorted by wedding ring http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1832669 Smoke from unfused Paraboard and now one side no longer works http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...ostcount=13498 Paraboard Smokes while charging http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847355 Para Boards sizzled - 2x!! http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1856636 Balance wires on two packs fried http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24651407&postcount=328 Paraboard catches fire! http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1872332 I smell SMOKE - Help! https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=521183
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04-23-2013, 02:49 AM | #3 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Ok thanks for the advice. I took a closer look at the wiring of the FMA->XH board and I agree that it won't work. If I connect my paraboard to the FMA->XH board through the 6s balance plug, and if I only charge 6S lipos, then it may work. But not for any other cell count. Basically the cell count needs to match the connector used to hook up a conventional XH para board to the FMA->XH board.
Anyway it's not worth the risk. I don't want to risk hosing expensive lipos with a poor man's para board. If I'm taking the plunge and coughing up the money for a PL8, I might as well also get the MPA. Thanks! |
04-24-2013, 04:15 AM | #4 (permalink) | |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Quote:
You can plug your paraboard to the FMA to JST-XH balance board. What you cant do is lets say, plug two batteries, or two paraboards directly to the FMA balance board. Remember, when using a paraboard charging several batteries at once, you aren't increasing the voltage charge, youre only increasing the amps. If you dont burn the fuse, you are ok to go. |
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04-24-2013, 02:21 PM | #5 (permalink) |
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The FMA JST-XH board uses FMA wiring mode. The parallel board uses JST-XH wiring mode. The two modes are not compatible. If you read P@reez's last reply he hs correctly figured out that this configuration will work for 6s ONLY. Any other cell count will result in a error on the charger.
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05-13-2013, 09:21 PM | #6 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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I don't understand why you think this won't work. The Parallel board looks just like a JST-XH battery- there is no difference if you plug in a board or a battery to the FMA balance board, as long as it is JST-XH. I do this all the time.... I plug in a 6 pack parallel TP balance cable into this board when charging at the field. I also plug in a 6 pack parallel JST-XH cable and do the same thing. It works fine.
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05-13-2013, 10:10 PM | #7 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
Try charging a pack size smaller than 6s (5s, 4s,3s etc) and you'll get an error.
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05-14-2013, 12:33 AM | #8 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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Not true- I'm doing that very thing right now. I have an EP Buddy ParaBoard plugged into the Cellpro (JST PA) PowerLab-to-Great Planes (JST XH) adapter (the same adapter the OP listed originally), which is plugged into the PL8. PL8 is set to FMA mode, I have four 3S packs plugged into the ParaBoard, and it's working just fine as it always does.
Now granted... this configuration doesn't have the protection that the MPA board has (which I use almost exclusively), but if the packs are all the same configuration and roughly at the same percent capacity when you begin- this works just fine. There is nothing electrically wrong with this configuration. I do it ALL THE TIME at the field as I leave my MPA board at home. What makes you think this is any different than plugging in any 2-6S cell JST XH battery into the adapter?
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05-14-2013, 06:27 PM | #9 (permalink) |
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Well if you can believe it, I did some testing of this scenario a while back and luckily kept my notes. I re-tested again to confirm my findings.
First, you are correct, yes this does work. The reason it works is a byproduct of another feature unique to the Powerlab8. Its not designed to work, but it does. However, there is at least one issue to be aware of. When the charger is used this way, the internal resistance on the last cell will be incorrectly reported as approximately twice actual amount. Also, this configuration does not work on the Powerlab6. Personally I would just replace the interconnect cable with the correct one, so the parallel board plugs directly into the charger. Then run in JST-XH wiring mode. If you cannot find the correct interconnect you can splice on Powerlab8 pigtail quite easily. The pigtail is only $3. Progressive and BuddyRc sell interconnect with the Powerlab ends on. Pinouts may require modification.
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05-14-2013, 10:56 PM | #10 (permalink) |
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I did notice the IR anomaly when testing this configuration. Although it is balancing the cells perfectly, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me why it is reporting high IR on the last cell when doing a 3S charge. What is it about this kind of setup that doesn't work on a PL6? JST-XH is just about as straightforward as it can be.
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05-14-2013, 11:20 PM | #11 (permalink) |
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True, but you have to remember that JST-XH is not only a connector, its a wiring mode. The JST-XH wiring mode starts at pack negative which is pin1 and also the negative for cell 1 in the pack. Pin 2 is cell 1 positive as well as cell 2 negative. This continues all the way until you reach pack positive. While its logical and makes more sense, there one thing that it cannot do.
The FMA wiring mode is different. In the FMA wiring mode, the pack positive always goes to the highest pin. On the Powerlabs its pin 9. On the Cellpro10s and XP its pin 6 and pin 12. That is what enables charging through the balance wire only. That's the one thing that you cannot do with the chargers that use JST-XH wiring mode. Likewise you cannot charge via the balance connector with a Powerlab8 when you are in JST-XH wiring mode.
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