What is the Max Charge rate for LIPO's ?

[john27031953]

Hi Folks

Have a few 3 cell LIPO batteries
Presently have a Turnigy ACCUCELL 6 powered from by a 240 volt to 12v DC 1.2amp wall plug in power supply
When I set up to charge, the maximum I can set as a charging rate on the Turnigy is 0.6 amp
If I try and set above this I get an Input Voltage Error
I want to crank up the Turnigy but don’t want to cook batteries
I want to buy a new 12 Volt wall supply but what would be the best max charge rate for LIPOs on the Turnigy ????

Cheers
John

[kalle123]

Presently have a Turnigy ACCUCELL 6 powered from by a 240 volt to 12v DC 1.2amp wall plug in power supply
When I set up to charge, the maximum I can set as a charging rate on the Turnigy is 0.6 amp
If I try and set above this I get an Input Voltage Error
I want to crank up the Turnigy but don’t want to cook batteries
I want to buy a new 12 Volt wall supply but what would be the best max charge rate for LIPOs on the Turnigy ????

12v DC 1.2amp wall plug in power supply ... is a little weak

I am using those http://www.ebay.de/itm/12V-10A-120W-Swi ... 20e9521eaf

I want to crank up the Turnigy but don’t want to cook batteries ... then charge with 1C. That means, charge a 2200 mAh Lipo with 2.2 A

br

[jhsa]

Well, don't use that wall adapter. That is not good. Not powerful enough. You need a decent power supply. A good and cheap alternative is an old computer power supply. They are great for this application.

The max charge current depends on the lipo itself and normally it should be written on the battery. Something like "max charge current 4C" where "C" is the battery capacity. So for a 1000mAh battery the max current would be 4000mA or 4A. But the safest is to charge them at 1C, and I think that is what most of us do.

João

[Rob Thomson]

Agreed. Your input source will not cope!

[john27031953]

Thanks for that
I have a spare PC supply so will use that and set it up.
Looking at the batteries they only have discharge rate not charging rates
If I chrge them at 1 amp then that will be double what I was doing

[jhsa]

Just charge them at 1C. If the battery is a 2200mA one just charge it at 2.2A. It should be fine for most batteries. It will take just over an hour to charge..
Be careful not to reverse polarity when connecting the power supply.. Also PC power supplies might need a little mod so they don't shut down. On mine I think I had to connect a dummy load to the 5V rail. google for example "Computer power supply as bench power supply" or something similar. It should bring you some good results..

João

[john27031953]

Thanks
also have new 4000 mAh Multi Star high Capacity 3 cell that are lasting 30 minutes in the bixler
i will charge them at 2.2A as well

[john27031953]

Was up at 4am this morning and flying at 5am
Weather looks good for tomorrow so flying again
So crashing early
Signing off for now
Thanks
John

[jhsa]

the 4000mAh you can charge at 4A. 1C, remember?

[kalle123]

John, reading your posts here, I would advise skipping the idea of using an old computer power supply.

That has to be adapted!

Get a switching power supply ....

[jhsa]

a computer power supply IS a switching power supply

Of course it needs to be adapted. 2 wires joined together and a resistor or a 12V rear car bulb on the 5 volt line.. Nothing very difficult. If this power supply can provide more than the power he needs why not using it and spend some good money on a new one?

[kalle123]

a computer power supply IS a switching power supply

I know

Of course it needs to be adapted. 2 wires joined together and a resistor or a 12V rear car bulb on the 5 volt line.. Nothing very difficult.

... but maybe too much for John

My chargers

[jhsa]

Well, the idea is here. He already has a PC power supply Now it depends if he can mod it to work with his charger

If he is able to do it it would be a waste of money to go buy something that does exactly the same..

Sorry, but I'm a DIY guy and if I can avoid throwing away a perfectly working electronic device I will.. This world is already too full of perfectly working rubbish that is thrown away when it could be recycled

[kalle123]

jhsa, I am totally with you!

Here is another switching power supply I am using. An old power supply from a HP notebook. 18.5 V 5 A. But as my Junsis don't like voltage > 18 V, some diodes had to be added.

But that is one thing, adding some diodes outside the power supply. Fiddling inside a pc power supply is not for every one....

Just my 2 cents - br

[jhsa]

No need to fiddle inside it. You don't even have to open it to make it work Only if you want to make it tidy.. Normally you just need to connect 2 wires together so it turns on, and then put a load on the 5V circuit.

Of course if you open it you have to make sure it is not connected to the mains and that the capacitors are discharged or they will send you flying across the room if you touch them (exagerating here)

João

[john27031953]

4;30am and off for a fly
thanks for the info
will go through it on my return
Hopefully won't have any problems
Cheers
John