FMA Cellpro 4S -The Best LiPo Charger?
03-28-2007, 10:30 PM
#27
Trash Hauler emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 515
Originally Posted by JWilliams
90% beep is purely for informational purposes. The charger has a built in thermometer and will automatically go into cold mode when it wants to and it will say specifically on the screen it's doing the cold weather balance, so if it wants to charge to 100%, let it!
03-29-2007, 01:24 AM
#28
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 456
Originally Posted by herk_1
The reason I didn't let it charge past 90% was because I was charging my batteries indoors where it is warm (where temp charge limiting would not kick in), but planning on taking them outside into the cold (like I said) to do my flying. And that is exactly the situation that they warn you about (in the Cellpro manual) to not charge over 90%.
Thx!
03-29-2007, 12:05 PM
#30
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 456
Originally Posted by Murocflyer
I've noticed with mine. it doesn't say "balancing" until it's close to 100%. I believe I noticed it at 98 or 99%. I usually pulled them off at 95% until I saw that. But now I'm thinking I wasn't getting balanced batteries until it reached 100% so I let them charge to it's finished.
Not sure on that though since I haven't had the time to explore that theory.
Frank
Not sure on that though since I haven't had the time to explore that theory.
Frank
03-29-2007, 04:47 PM
#32
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 456
Originally Posted by Murocflyer
That's good to know. Next time I charge my batts, I'll keep an eye on it. But if anyone happens to charge theirs in the next day or two, please have a look and post the results.
Thanks,
Frank
Thanks,
Frank
04-02-2007, 03:56 AM
#34
Flight Junkie
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Oxford, MI
Posts: 1,087
Lysander,
This is the kind of info I was looking for. The last time I asked this question on the forum I was told something like, "The charger is smarter than we are". Thanks for shedding some light on this. Your friend (who wrote it) is far too modest. I'd like to quote his words again since it was back on the other page;
The critical aspect of Lithium in respect to charge damage is due to the fact that the cell breakdown voltage of cells is only about 100mv higher than the fully charged voltage value . At room temperature the cell fully chrged voltage value is 4.2V. This fully charged voltage value goes down in temperature. If you charge a lithium cell @below 10degC temperature the chrge voltage needs to be about 4.1 volts not 4.2V. If you chrge at 4.2V at this temperature you can damage the cell due to overvoltage at the very least you will damage the cell and reduce lifetime.
If you charge the lithium cell to 4.2V (room temp) and then put the cell in the fridge and took its temperature down to 10C or less you have effectively overcharged the cell because 4.2 volts at this temperature is where cell damage is starting.
All lithium is shipped at 50% to 80% charge state because during transportation the temperatures can go very low in cargo holds or storage centres.
This is the kind of info I was looking for. The last time I asked this question on the forum I was told something like, "The charger is smarter than we are". Thanks for shedding some light on this. Your friend (who wrote it) is far too modest. I'd like to quote his words again since it was back on the other page;
The critical aspect of Lithium in respect to charge damage is due to the fact that the cell breakdown voltage of cells is only about 100mv higher than the fully charged voltage value . At room temperature the cell fully chrged voltage value is 4.2V. This fully charged voltage value goes down in temperature. If you charge a lithium cell @below 10degC temperature the chrge voltage needs to be about 4.1 volts not 4.2V. If you chrge at 4.2V at this temperature you can damage the cell due to overvoltage at the very least you will damage the cell and reduce lifetime.
If you charge the lithium cell to 4.2V (room temp) and then put the cell in the fridge and took its temperature down to 10C or less you have effectively overcharged the cell because 4.2 volts at this temperature is where cell damage is starting.
All lithium is shipped at 50% to 80% charge state because during transportation the temperatures can go very low in cargo holds or storage centres.
04-02-2007, 01:43 PM
#36
Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,873
Whenever I see a thread that says, "BEST", I cringe. Best would mean supreme above all others at any price anywhere.
Since I have not done an through review of all chargers I will just add my endorsement of this as a good choice for someone who wants a simple to use LIPO balancing charger that works as advertised.
Not suitable for packs above 3000 mah unless you want to wait a long time for the charge to complete. But other than that, good charger. I like mine!
Since I have not done an through review of all chargers I will just add my endorsement of this as a good choice for someone who wants a simple to use LIPO balancing charger that works as advertised.
Not suitable for packs above 3000 mah unless you want to wait a long time for the charge to complete. But other than that, good charger. I like mine!
04-02-2007, 02:25 PM
#37
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by AEAJR
Not suitable for packs above 3000 mah unless you want to wait a long time for the charge to complete. But other than that, good charger. I like mine!
04-02-2007, 03:46 PM
#38
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 456
Originally Posted by Lysander
What charger do you rate as equal to the CellPro 4S but suitable for >3A packs? Most of my packs are 3300/3700mA and I confess that having bought and used a CellPro 4S, I was unaware of any issue when charging packs of more than 3A. Why is it so slow for them?
04-02-2007, 06:18 PM
#39
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,873
Originally Posted by Lysander
What charger do you rate as equal to the CellPro 4S but suitable for >3A packs? Most of my packs are 3300/3700mA and I confess that having bought and used a CellPro 4S, I was unaware of any issue when charging packs of more than 3A. Why is it so slow for them?
Higher rate chargers
Triton 2 - Up to 7 amps
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMAJ0&P=ML
Combined with a balancer for balancing during or after the charge.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXMGS7&P=M
Balance Pro - Takes different balance plug then the cellpro 4S
but does up to 6S packs and 10 amps
http://www.fmadirect.com/category.htm?id=55
04-12-2007, 12:25 AM
#41
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 456
Originally Posted by Bombardier97
On that FMA CellPro. That charges and balances your pack? What kind of plug do u have to have on you pack?Here is a pic of the plug I have will that one work ? thanks
Yes, it charges as it balances and in fact will not charge a pack without a balancer.
04-15-2007, 05:08 AM
#46
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 74
Originally Posted by Bombardier97
On that FMA CellPro. That charges and balances your pack? What kind of plug do u have to have on you pack?Here is a pic of the plug I have will that one work ? thanks
Dave
04-16-2007, 04:44 PM
#47
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 146
BalancePro HD 6s Charger for A123
Originally Posted by Murocflyer
I haven't seen much discussion on the FMA Cellpro 4S charger by FMA. This has to be one of the easiest and safest plug and play chargers I have seen to date for up to 4 cells.
What do you folks think of it? Have you got one yet? If not, why not?
Comments welcomed.
Frank
What do you folks think of it? Have you got one yet? If not, why not?
Comments welcomed.
Frank
04-16-2007, 04:55 PM
#49
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 74
Originally Posted by sherwi@sbcglobal.net
How about the Balance Pro HD Charger for A123. Looks like it might be a better new charger than the cellpro 4S. Has anyone tried it out? Thanks
I suspect that a new balancepro with LCD is just around the corner. Back in January of this year Fred said that they were making the LCD version of the Balancepro their top priority.
Dave
