Parallel Charging Pros and Cons

[Xpress]

Got my new Thunder Power LIGHTNING series 55C 6s 5000 pack in yesterday, can't wait to go out and get this sucker in the airplane, see what it can do...

If this thing performs awesome I'm going to get more of them. Will be real nice being able to charge them at 12C!!!!!!!!!!!!! May need a 5000w generator and a couple more chargers and power supplies :banana:

 

[3dNater]

Doesn't there come a point where you can't fly them as fast as you charge them? I thought that was at about 5c with three packs. With all the breaks I take between flights I usually charge at around 3c. The thing fast charge rates have done for me though, is that I don't bother charging before I get to the field most of the time. I just do it while assembling models etc. It usually works out pretty well for me that way.

 

[Xpress]

Doesn't there come a point where you can't fly them as fast as you charge them? I thought that was at about 5c with three packs. With all the breaks I take between flights I usually charge at around 3c. The thing fast charge rates have done for me though, is that I don't bother charging before I get to the field most of the time. I just do it while assembling models etc. It usually works out pretty well for me that way.

Well I normally fly every half hour or so. Standing out in the sun is killer sometimes. At 4C I can have a pack charged every 20 minutes-ish so they'll be ready to go when I want to fly.

 

[3dNater]

I also like to parralel charge so two or more packs are cooking at the same time. My paraboard will handle up to 6 packs at a time.

 

[Xpress]

I also like to parralel charge so two or more packs are cooking at the same time. My paraboard will handle up to 6 packs at a time.

I tend to avoid those like the plague... Too much margin for error. Plus when you get up into these bigger packs pushing 30 amps+ to each one, paraboards don't tend to work so well...

 

[Bushwacker]

Get yourself one of these I can run 40 and 50 amp through it all day long with my Cellpro PowerLab plus you can daisy chain them if you want as well. Very accurate and never misses a beat.

Edit:

Here's what I run and it is rock solid and charges like a MoFo.

2x1320W Power Station
2x PowerLab 8 v2
2x PowerLab 8 v2 ParaBoards

Can charge 4 to 6 packs go fly and be just about ready after my flight.

 

[Xpress]

Like I said, I avoid those like the plague. Too much margin for error, I'm not risking a $60 device even with my $200+ batteries

 

[Bushwacker]

What error are you talking about. Ive never seen or had a problem with this equipment so I don't understand.
So please do tell.

 

[Xpress]

What error are you talking about. Ive never seen or had a problem with this equipment so I don't understand.
So please do tell.

The problem lies with the condition and voltage of each of the individual cells. If everything isn't at very near exacting values when you plug everything together, you can wind up overcharging one cell or not fully charging another, which of course can be disastrous to the pack...

 

[Bushwacker]

Right I get that, but your equipment should be able to balance your packs correctly. I know when charging at high rate you may be inviting such problems even while your balance charging. I usually charge at lower slower rate to help combat any issues. Lower and slower always gets you a better more accurate charge extending the life of your packs. I have some 65C 5000 mah packs with well over 300 flights on them and they are in great condition. Very low resistance around 8 to 10.5 or so and balance out at 4.2 per cell. In fact the last read off one of my batts for my 700 was this...
Cell
1. 1.7
2. 1.7
3. 1.5
4. 1.8
5. 1.8
6. 1.7 = 10.2
Pretty dang good bud. Of course I take very good care of my packs too. When not flying and know I won't be for a few day's I will do a storage charge set to 3.86 per cell. I don't ever let them stand around for more than a day at any level other than at storage level.