FUIM3 & USB Cable type & length

[3D Dave]

Can anyone confirm what the small connector on the end of the FMA FUIM3 USB cable?

It appears to be mini USB.

Also, what is the practical (effective) limit on the length of USB cable that can be used in this application?

I'd like to replace the short cable that's supplied with one long enough to reach from my computer to the charger in the charging area. It looks like I'd need at least 10-12 feet.

Thanks.

[Gregor99]

Its mini USB end (not a micro). Not sure about the max length. There was at least one user that managed to get a USB/wifi adapter to work. I believe it was the one below, but not certain.

PS: Never charge unattended. PSA over.

http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Wireles...s+usb+extender

[3D Dave]

Thanks Greg.

I don't really want to go wireless with it. I never charge unattended but my charging shelf sits a few feet away behind me so I need a minimum of 10' but would prefer slightly longer.

I'm assuming this 15' length will work:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

They're so cheap, I might just order one of each length.

Down the road I will likely be using 2 PL8's so will need a solution for that too.

Dave

Originally Posted by Gregor99

Its mini USB end (not a micro). Not sure about the max length. There was at least one user that managed to get a USB/wifi adapter to work. I believe it was the one below, but not certain.

PS: Never charge unattended. PSA over.

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by 3D Dave

Down the road I will likely be using 2 PL8's so will need a solution for that too.

Dave

With two Powerlabs you can control and monitor both units from a single FUIM and one instance of CCS as long as you are in expansion mode. If want to control and monitor both chargers running out of expansion mode, run two FUIMs and two instances of the CCS.

[3D Dave]

That's what I thought, however just recently, I read that if you run in expansion mode (with 1 FUIM and one instance of CCS), the chargers have to be set the same. IE, I can't parallel charge (2) 6s 4000mAh packs using the original banana plug leads/boards with one PL8 and single charge a 3s 2200 pack on the other PL8.

Now I can't recall where I read that.

[Gregor99]

In expansion mode you can charge different cell counts on each charger. However the parallel packs setting and the charge rate setting will be the same on both chargers. That is the beauty of it. Set the packs in parallel and charge rate on one charger, then let her rip. Disable expansion mode to set different charge rates and packs in parallel.

[3D Dave]

Ok, so I'm at home charging...

1 PL8 set to charge (2) 6s 4000mAh packs in parallel

2nd PL8 set to charge (1) 6s 5000mAh pack

In this instance, I can NOT run expansion mode (with 1 FUIM & CCS) because when charging with one charger in parallel mode, the other HAS to be in parallel mode.

If on the other hand, I have

1PL8 set to charge (2) 6s 4000mAh packs in parallel on one charger and

2nd PL8 set to charge (2) 6s 5000mAh packs in parallel...

then I CAN run in expansion mode and use 1 FUIM & CCS window... correct?

[Gregor99]

Correct. Also when in expansion mode the set current will be the same on both charger. The exception to this is when using one of the AUTO charge modes. In the AUTO mode (1c, 2c, or 3c) the each charger automatically determines the charge rate based on the pack's response to an initial charge. These modes are convenient, but have current limits which make them unsuitable for charging large packs.

[3D Dave]

Thanks Greg.

That looks like it will work for me then.

Having PL8 #1 set to 10A will just be slightly over 1C charge for the 6s 4000's on PL8 #2

I wonder if I should tweak an "Auto Mode" to charge my 1s 200's, 2s 400's and 3s 2200's for when I bring the smaller helis to the field. I've never used the auto mode on my PL8 and as I recall, there was talk about the auto modes taking much longer on the PL8 than FMA's earlier chargers.

[Gregor99]

Yes, the auto modes will take longer as there is a period where the charger is determining the pack size. I find manually setting the charge rate gives me more precise control over the charge rate in addition to the fastest charge times.

[3D Dave]

From what I recall when looking at the auto mode presets, it seems some of the parameters (or starting charge rate) were/was quite low. It might have been 2A but I'm not sure.

I never had that problem with my CellPro 4s chargers and I think even my 10s model worked pretty fast in auto mode. I don't use auto mode on it anymore.

Then again, I think I was only charging 3s 2200 packs back then so the starting charge rate wasn't as far from the appropriate charge rate to begin with. I can't remember if I tried auto with the 10s charger when first charging my 6s 5000mAh packs.

[Gregor99]

Packs that were available when the Cellpro4s was in its prime worked quite well with the AUTO modes. But the chemistry changed and so do the fuel tables which the AUTO modes depend on. I used the AUTO modes exclusively on the Cellpro4s. On the Cellpro10s with the packs I was charging, I found that manual charge rates worked better.

I loved the AUTO modes in the early days. But with modern pack chemistry and high powered parallel charging, I find that manual settings work better for me.