DPL 8x2 - why delay before charge starts?

[bmclaurin]

My DPL 8x2 will sit there for a good 3 or 4 minutes (or more) before starting a high power Lipo charge. Why is this?

[Slyster]

I know there must be a good 'why' but this is yet another reason I sold my FMA and got an iCharger... the ramp up! 3-4 minutes is a LONG time when I charge at 3C (10-12 min charge times) and only have 2 packs for my G700! My 4010 reaches 30A within seconds.

(Sorry to be negative... I know they are fantastic chargers).. but that is one of many things that simply bothered me. Maybe it can be disabled? Greg will know.

[Gregor99]

Time it. Use a stop watch. You'll likely find that the delay at the start is closer to 30-40 seconds. During this period, the charger is taking measurements and prepping for the charge. The engineer was not willing to shorten this period to ensure the safety of the charger and the charge cycle. While some chargers will ramp up rapidly, there are likely fewer, if any, safety checks going and possibly more risk to the charger. and supply.

If you look at the entire charge cycle, even though the Powerlabs may take longer to start, they often finish faster.

[Gregor99]

One more thing, if you are using the DPL with an HV supply (such as 48v), and a single supply, the second channel to be started will take a little longer. The activity of the first channel in operation extends the safety check period on the second channel. If both channels are started at the same time (such as using expansion channel), the start up of both channels will be about the same length as a single channel.

[bmclaurin]

Thanks, guys. Yeah, I had been using iChargers for several years, and they ramp up practically immediately. As long as this is by design and there's nothing wrong, I can live with it. I agree that the total charge cycle is comparable.

[bmclaurin]

Originally Posted by Gregor99

Time it. Use a stop watch. You'll likely find that the delay at the start is closer to 30-40 seconds.

Don't need a stopwatch, as there is a timer built right into the charger. Here you can see that this particular charge cycle had run for 5 1/2 minutes and still hadn't started, not the 30 to 40 seconds that you suggested. If you don't mind, let me ask one more time, is this normal, or is something wrong? I get that it is running pre-charge tests, but why on earth does it take *that* long?

EDIT: The other channel was empty at the time of this photo.

[Gregor99]

What power supply are you using? Will it eventually start? Are both channels behaving this way?

[bmclaurin]

Thanks for the reply, Greg. I'm using a brand new Meanwell RSP 2000-48. Both channels have very lengthy ramp-up periods. Both of them rarely start before 3 or 4 minutes, but yes, they eventually start. The charge cycle from the photo I posted started about 30 seconds after I snapped the picture, so around 6 minutes.

If it matters, I am using the automatic 'C' charge rate function, and I typically set it at 2.0C. But the delay happens when I manually specify the charge rate as well.

EDIT: Also, the delay happens with any pack, not just one particular pack. However, those are 12S split stick packs that I charge as two 6S packs in parallel. I am using squid-type cables for this, not the safe parallel adapters nor a parallel charging board. I've done it this way on the iChargers for several years without issue.

[jmackey]

bmclaurin,
I've got the same setup as you. DPL, Meanwell RSP-2000-48 and 2x squids to charge one 12 or 14S stick per side.

Mine usually starts the charge within 30 seconds though. Notable exceptions are when my packs or charger are really hot or cold. Guessing the DPL is protecting me at those times by reducing charge rate (cold) or delaying startup when hot.