charging two 4s lipos at once?

[yurkanip]

I am curious to hear how many of you that run 4s, or even 8s setups. and are able to charge two 4s lipos at the same time. What charger, and what sort of cables (store bought, or home-made) do you use.

I am looking at the accucel 8, closely as a second charger, since I am going to be running 4s 5000mah lipos only this season. I don't see why charging two 4s lipos at the same time is any different than the chargers that can charger two 3s lipos at the same time. Obviously using lipos of the same mah, and voltage.

Any thoughts, concerns, ideas on charging multiple 4s lipos.

Thanks.

[Bill-SOCAL]

Hyperion DUO charger. You can charge up to two 6S packs at the same time with a limit of 180 watts per side. Built in balancer. They will have a new model out soon that will do 300 watts per side.

The DUO3 does up to 20 amps per side, although the max you can do a 4S pack at is around 11 amps to keep within the 180 watt limit.

http://media.hyperion.hk/dn/eos/

[yurkanip]

thanks bill-socal. I appreciate your input. I did look at that charger as well. I am looking for a dual 4s charger, not a dual 6s charger. OR info on plugs to charge dual 14.8 lipos at the same time.

[Bill-SOCAL]

I was answering this question:

I am curious to hear how many of you that run 4s, or even 8s setups. and are able to charge two 4s lipos at the same time. What charger, and what sort of cables (store bought, or home-made) do you use.

So you only want a charger that JUST does 4S?? The DUO can do UP TO 6S 1S to 6S. You choose.

As far as plugs, etc. The DUO comes with charge leads that plug into the charger. You solder on whatever ends you want to use. Dean's etc. I use mostly 5.5 mm bullet connectors.

Balance taps. The DUO comes with two balance tap boards for Hyperion/PolyQuest/PolyRC packs. You can buy others. These boards allow you to connect 2S to 6S packs. Again, if you are doing 4S, then use the 4S.

The DUO also has logging software and connects using USB to your computer. They also provide firmware updates over the web.

But if you are looking for a 4S only charger, I cannot help you.

[yurkanip]

Thanks again. Yes, I am looking into chargers or charge plugs that allow charging two 4s lipos at the same time, or 8s.

[RaceMechaniX]

Another option is the Hyperion 1210. Its only got a single output, but can charge 2x- 4S packs as one 8s pack when wired in series. You could even charge 3x- 4S packs at once if they are all the same type of battery and you use individual balancers.

And the best thing is they are on sale at All eRC for $85.

I just bought one to charge 5S packs. works great.

[tth]

I have a Hyperion 1210. Its a powerful little charger. I have charged 12s at 4.5a works like a charm every time. It charges my 4s 6000mah packs no sweat. I use two Hyperion LBA-10 balancers in a series to the charger and adjust accordingly to my voltage and amperages. I have balance adapters to fit all the different packs that I own. Best $$$ I have spent on a charger to date.

[yurkanip]

Thanks guys for the charger suggestions. I do have one more question however. ...for you electronics gurus...wouldn't any charger capable of charing an 8s lipo, be capable and safe to charge two 4s lipos at the same time?

[bwells]

Good question, I would say that charging an 8s is the same as charging 2 4s in series with a homemade balancing tap

[D. Newland]

wouldn't any charger capable of charing an 8s lipo, be capable and safe to charge two 4s lipos at the same time?

Yes.

The safest way using any 'ol 8S lipo charger: A pair of Hyperion LBA 10 balancers can be series wired together and each balancer will charge a 4S pack. The charger (any 8S charger) is set at 8S. However, the 4s packs must be very close in voltage in order for this to work. The charger/balancers have to think they are seeing an 8S pack that is closely balanced to begin with.

I'll see if I can find a link to this info as the diagram is worth 1000 words.

[D. Newland]

Hyperion LBA 10 info

Pay attention to the "Network" info.

[yurkanip]

Thanks...I checked out the network info you suggested. That should work. I had a thought while I was reading that. WHy not charge two 4s lipos through the main leads wired in series(discharge leads) NOT the balance taps. As a 8s, THEN use 2 standalone balancers, one on each lipos balance leads as it is charging.
Seems logical?

It surprises me, that most of use who use 4s setups...no one tries to charge multiple 4s at once (or at least few are speaking up). The chargers are out there, meaning the technology is available and affordable now. I know a lot of folks who run 6s setups mostly use two 3s lipos and charge them at the same time. just a thought.

[D. Newland]

WHy not charge two 4s lipos through the main leads wired in series(discharge leads) NOT the balance taps. As a 8s, THEN use 2 standalone balancers, one on each lipos balance leads as it is charging.
Seems logical?

Because you want the Balancer to be able to inturrupt/stop the charge if something's wrong. Your example above eliminates that Balancer feature.

[Bill-SOCAL]

It surprises me, that most of use who use 4s setups...no one tries to charge multiple 4s at once (or at least few are speaking up). The chargers are out there,

Many, many people do just that, but they use chargers intended to do it correctly.Not sure why you think it is not being done. Go to a race, you will see lots of the Hyperion DUOs. The Hyperion DUO is a very popular charger for just that reason. You can charge AND balance TWO packs simultaneously with up to 6S per pack.

The Hyperion DUO does another cool thing. When charging two packs that will be used together in series it balance charges them relative to each other thus ensuring optimal performance.

[Alfa Spirit]

I use a SkyRC IMAX B8 charger to charge 2x3S at same time with a balance adapter, but you can do the same with 2x4S, no problem

http://www.skyrc.us/indexhome.htm#/product/Charger/b8/

SPECIFICATION IMAX B8: Operating voltage range:10.0~18.0 Volt
Circuit power: max. 150W
Charge current range: 0.1~7.0A
Discharge current range: 0.1~5.0A
Current drain for balancing Li-po: 300mAh / cell
NiCd / NiMH battery cell count: 1~27 cells
Lithium battery cell count: 1~8 Series
Pb battery voltage:2 to 36V