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04-08-2014, 11:57 AM | #1 (permalink) | |
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Revolectrix Dual Powerlab Questions and Answers
Continuing on a new thread to answer the question raised by Bladecpnitro
Quote:
If you already have a parallel board, its likely that you will be able to use it. However interconnect cable (the cable that runs from the board to the charger) will need to be changed. Interconnect cables that are capability with the Powerlabs are very available at the usual suspects and are not very expensive. Note that there are two different common pinouts for the interconnect cable. The difference between the two is at the connector which plugs into the parallel board. One standard follows the same pinouts for male connectors as is used on our JST-XH equipped packs. The other standard is the reverse of the JST-XH pinout used on packs. Pull your interconnect cable off and compare the "board end" your packs. With the "nubs" on top, are the red and black wires on the same ends as the pack. Or are they reversed? Use that info to select the correct interconnect cable. You may need to email the vendor or closely study the pics of the cable on the vendors site. This important distinction is not typically called out on the product info for the cable. Also if your existing parallel boards are not fused, use this opportunity to upgrade to a safer fused board. The Revolectrix MPA is an excellent choice. But there are also many other choices from other vendors. Another option I've been testing recently is the modular boards from ProgressiveRc. These are really nice and take up less space if you are only parallel charging 2 packs at a time. I have two sets on my DPL and parallel charge four packs at a time. These are also expandable and connect with each other in case I want to swtich to parallel charging 4 packs on one channel. Then put my MPA on the second channel charging another 6 packs.
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04-09-2014, 05:42 AM | #2 (permalink) |
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this is what came with mine from progressive rc
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04-09-2014, 06:05 AM | #3 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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I got mine a few days ago..
It included the charger only. |
04-09-2014, 06:28 AM | #4 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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The balance plug that goes into the Revolectrix PL 6 and 8 chargers If I understand correctly it is different from what most chargers use which is JST-XH and I believe Its called a JST-PA is that correct?
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04-09-2014, 11:10 AM | #5 (permalink) |
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Did you get it from ProgessiveRC
The balance port is a 9 pin cellpro balance conector
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04-09-2014, 11:42 AM | #6 (permalink) |
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pics of the balance plug
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04-09-2014, 02:33 PM | #7 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
The connector used all FMA / Cellpro / Powerlab chargers is the JST-PA. At the time it was selected there at three or four existing styles in use. These are: JST-PA - In use on the FMA chargers and some FMA batteries JST-XH - In use on many Chinese assembled chargers and batteries PolyQuest/Hyperpion - In use on Hyperion packs and chargers TP - In use on ThunderPower packs and chargers This was before low cost packs were mainstream. One style of connector was not more common than the other one. The JST-PA was selected for two reasons. First it has a thumb clip, when pressed the male end can be freely removed. There is enough material around the clip for the user to grab so they don't have to pull on the wires. The second is that its very compact. The 8s JST-PA is about as large as the JST-XH 6s connector. JST-XH has only become popular because many if not all, the Chinese manufactures selected it for their packs. As a hobby connector, it is probably the worst of the common connectors. The main reason is that uses a friction fit. There is no thumb clip to release it and there is nothing to grab onto. So you are required to grab the wires and tug. Over time that puts a lot of wear on the wires, leading to failure. The AB clips from Epbuddy help and I would recommend them. On the other hand the JST-PA is a joy to use. Well worth the temporary trouble of re-cabling parallel boards for a few bucks each. Now, I find that i get a bad feeling every time I have to disconnect an large JST-XH connector. You have to be careful not to tug on the wires, eventually they break.
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04-09-2014, 03:50 PM | #8 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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Oh great! So you get enough stuff to go ahead and start parallel charging with parallel battery and balance leads although non fused?
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04-09-2014, 03:52 PM | #9 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
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04-09-2014, 04:12 PM | #10 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
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04-09-2014, 07:34 PM | #11 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Yes Progressive.
I'm not unhappy as I understand all the posibilities, and would prefer not to pay for a universal solution! I ordered some Modular boards, and adapter cables for my existing parallel boards today. Charging 6S packs on this with 36v input is going to kick butt! Thanks for the advice Greg! |
04-09-2014, 08:07 PM | #12 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
Glad to help. Let me know if you run into any questions. Quick tip, use presets 1 and 2 for charging under 10 amps per channel. Use preset 3 for charging between 10 amps and 40 amps per channel.
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04-10-2014, 06:44 AM | #13 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Thanks for the tips on the presets!
I haven't even looked at the instructions yet...still building my charging case, Is there anywhere to get a large Powerlab or Revolectrix decal to cover the name on the case I'm using? It says A*** conquer something or other now. |
04-10-2014, 05:22 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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Quote:
Well I have 6X- EC3 and EC5 leads as well as 6X - 6S and 3S parallel balance leads and I have been with my dual 10 amp charger just plugging the balance leads into the balance board in the appropriate slot to power all 6 connectors. That's all I plan to do with a PL 8 until I can get some of the nicer fused boards later. One thing that confuses me just a little when figuring amps from the wall vs amps that the charger is pulling. You say a 30 amp 220 V power supply from the wall will easily max out the Duo PL 8 with the appropriate power supplies. But also that the Duo will pull 70 Amps when charging maxed out. But how can it pull 75 Amps from a 220/ 30Amp circuit without tripping the breaker? How is it that that's not too many amps for the 30 Amp Breaker on 220? The PS I have are supposed to handle 75 Amps. I have 2 DPS 1200 FB A's. Will I need to run 36V or 48 to max out the charger? I can get 220V easily right to my charging station in the garage.
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04-10-2014, 06:59 PM | #15 (permalink) | |
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This was my quote from the other thread.
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During each of these conversions the voltage is raised or lowered. But the total power expressed in watts remains the same, except for a roughly 10% loss in the conversion. If the incoming voltage is very high but the current is low, and the output voltage is low, then the current can be higher. If you are running 120v off of a 20 amps circuit (and can use all of it) total watts is 120x20 or 2400 watts. APFC supplies loss roughly 15% in the conversion from AC and the lowering of the voltage. So assuming you have powerful enough supplies, the watts available to the charger is 85% of 2400 watts or 2040 watts. If you are using two 12 supplies you are will be outputting 24v. 2040 watts divided by 24v is 85 amps. 85 amps is more than the supplies can deliver. So lets add a third supply for 36v. 2040 divided by 36 is about 57 amps. So now we are within operating specs of the supplies. Next lets take a look at how much of that can be used for your 6s packs. First we take out another 10% loss because the charger has to convert the incoming DC to a different output voltage. So that's 90% of 2040 watts, or 1836 watts. Finallly we divide 1836 watts by the fully charge 6s pack voltage of 25.2v. That comes out to 72.8 amps. Or split equally across both channels, 36.4 amps. In actual practice you may find other limits along the way. There may be other things plugged into AC line you didn't know about. Or the surge protector is not up to the task. Or perhaps there is significant voltage drop under heavy load and the AC line voltage cannot be solidity maintained. When you start push the limits at high power you find out quickly were the weakness are. Also generators are a completely different story. They don't handle high wattage chargers running at the limit very well. Don't expect 2000 watts, or even 1600 watts from a top shelf red or blue generator.
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