Timbo

It is interesting that it is unlikely that you will use the data transfer. As I was thinking once the information was transfered, what would I do with it, what could it tellme, would i care?

I see now that it is the charging parrameters which are stored. Seems that it could be useful, yet I fear that unless i had to select the parrameters, that one day i would select the wrong program parameter, particularly if identification is my numbers ( I was tempted to use the phrase Alpha numerics, is that sought of day).

It seems that Imax 5 meets my needs, mmmmmm, need to think about it, mmmmmm, I have almost made up my mind.

Regards

Erfolg

Erfolg 

Timbo

Personaly I would be tempted to go for 2*3s. That would appear to give more varaiation on how i can use the packs. Or am i missing some thing? In addition I suspect that there is more competion to supply 3s against 6s.

I am curious, what needs a 6s, does your bank manager know, forget the bank manager, what about the wife.

Regards

Erfolg

The RC power 601 is actually 5 cells and not 6 cells as suggested by the name.

 The B6 has significant improvement over B5, not just 6 cell. The temperature probe is one as run away escalation of tempature is the main cause of lipo accident. Along Timbo's review, there is also a review on this blog that also demonstrate the 2X3S on the IMAX B6.

Hi Terence

A very interesting blog, seems to confirm Tinbos results (a very quick scan to date). I am not convinced that 0.02v cell inbalance qoted, is significant at all. As many of us know, commonly manufactured products are all sold as identical, yet with the right measuring equipment differences are easily identified. Yet the performance of the product is not measurably affected, in the vast majority of cases. I do not think this will be one.

A few gramatical gaffs, yet who am I to talk? I have just noticed that i used sought instead of sort and If I look further there will be other miss uses of words, never mind my tipos.

For me the interesting feature is that the B6 use of both the balance connector and power lead for charging. I must confess I had not picked that up on the Timbo review. How much better this is, I am not sure?

The temperature probe seems useful, but is it? In addition the none availability must be an issue.

I do wonder why so much of the products from China are badge engineered under so many names. They do seem to miss a trick in building up a "Label". We all know how much a Label influences us in the West. My daughters will only wear and drive the right label products ("never mind the quality feel the width" syndrome).

Thanks again Terrance, my mind is in the balance again. I was just about to order a B5 from Giant Cod.

Regards

Erfolg   

Morning Erfolg....most of the LiPo charger /balancer units always charge through the actual main power leads rather than the balance leads, every one I have ever used has anyway. I queried the reason for this with Flight Power as the "V" balance unit I had used the same MO. Their rather vague answer was along the lines of limited current capability of the balance leads.

The "V" balancer proved a pretty poor piece of gear ultimately, and I consigned it to the rubbish bin.

PS love the tipos joke !!

Using the supply leads is a must when charging certain cells at higher currents as the balance leads are not rated for the higher currents. Most modern chargers are designed not only for the low currents of LiPos.

An A123 M1 cell can be charged at 10-11A the balance leads wouldn't like that  the balance leads are used once the fast charge phase (if applicable) has ended. Using dual leads is a nuisance when charging Lipos used in a tx though as the lead does not mate to most chargers. Here I use an older Tenergy balance lead only charger. On many dual lead chargers, I was told that when on the Nicd setting the balance leads were not required, though I have never tried this.

Danny

Some times I wonder what happened to modelling A/C  .Has it become "sorting out all the 'lectric problems -one after the other" & update every time something that sorts everything out comes in the next magazine.  Just read about all the problems on most threads !Seems to be a whole new ball game to me even though I'm tempted to "have a go at it".Maybe market forces are involved (again) .plus the introduction of ARTF to start people being real modellers if they actually dont crash on their first flight with the proverbial Spitfire . On the positive side. I'm not an ignoramus regarding electricity (AMI mech E )but seems to me I don't need more criteria to worry about when all I want to do is try out new designs 'build 'em & fly 'em.   Know what I mean Peter Miller ? Well done Timbo for gaining all that knowledge BUT I get the feeling there are loads of us 'old'uns out here that cant afford  to invest in a new branch of (dare I say update) our hobby on a small income in case it all goes up in flames -or stops working after a few flights .We can handle "proper" engines (full-size or minature) I need reassurance that if I conform to "nanny state "rules & regs ", I am going to feel stress free whilst I persue the hobby / lifestyle I've always enjoyed within my budget & knowledge

Back to Grumpy Myron !!!  (OK I've broken my new years resolution)

Hi Grumpy

Erfolg, CEng, BSc(hons), MImechE, I to had many problems with lectricity, you know the sparky stuff. I signed up for one of those Goverment, training Programmes, I know is a xpert, Took only one day (10 to 3), morning was spent on essentials. Social awareness and the needs, of same sex transgender triplates, and the ethnically diverse english. Afternoon was targeted on essentials of lectricity, tie a cnot in the cable to choke the flow and a tight nott to stop flow. Only cost £5000. Next year only £4000 for the refreshments, about 12 till1.

 As you no, HNC, degrees teach you nothing. Who was faraday, fleming and Hertz.

Anway must get back to my safety assessment and safe working practices docs. The practice has made us better (we have data to prove it, a 20% reduction, compliled by me). Some of our novel innovations, that others may wish to emulate are as follows

• We have increased the distance from the nearest road from 100 paces to 120. We no longer use the strides of our ex basketball player, but those of a retired flat jockey, who uses a Zimmer frame. Although sceptics are convinced we are near the road, how can we be?
• All modellers must crash immediatly on take off, as this ensures that no one can be disadvantaged by any perceived lack of skill. We have achieved a uniformity of skill that is the envy of the world.
• We have many more innovations but space is limited

 Join me in my electric quest, Myron

 Erfolg

Must now go and write my

Gents,

I've just charged my first liPo. The pack was a brand new 1000mah 3S 11.1v thingy but it didn't seem to charge for long.

These are the figures as displayed when the buzzer went off on the imax B6 charger:

• Charge rate 1.0A
• Final Voltage, 12.49
• Final Charge added, 506ma
• Cell Voltage, 4.20v each
• Charge time, 45m 10sec

Does this sound about right?

Used to shoot rockets from RAF Valley many years ago!

The charger is the same as the one Timbo reviewed, just wanted to know if I'd done it right is all.

Seems fine to me Doug. The only thing that is probably worrying you is the fact that it "didnt seem to charge for very long" - well 45 mins for a pack which was not empty ( brand new they are ususally 3/4 full ) is fine, and your final voltage is within tolerance of what is considered to be "full " ( 12.4 - 12.6)

Also, as its brand new, a few cycles will get it peaking better. Just double check all the settings, such as...liPO not LiOn and so on.

3 X 4.2V is of course 12.6 yet the charger claims to have peaked at 12.49

Was it on "fast charge, balance charge, storage mode or what ??

It was set to "balance charge" but I'll have a look at the other settings.

If I was to put the battery "on the shelf" for a while when should the Storage Mode be used?

Well ideally yes, this peaks them out at around 3.5V per cell which is claimed to extend the overall life / rechargeability of them. I guess it depends to some extent on just how long they are "on the shelf".

Storage at between 0 and 15 degrees C is recommended...but frankly all of mine just live in the cold garage, and usually having been fully charged after returning from the field

I would add to the list of items required to do this - CARE !!

Getting the connections wrong, or shorting out a balance lead or two whilst wielding the iron is BAAAAAADDDDD

Quick question regarding the B6.....and hopefully a quick answer!

A mate of mine has bought one of these as he couldnt stomach the price of the Bantam BC8. Among his growing collection of Lipos is 2 FP 6S 4900's. When these are put on charge with the B6 the maximum current sent at start of charge is 2.1A. The same battery using my charger, (BC8), is being sent a current of 4.9A whcih is what I would expect when the battery has been used. Obviously the current ramps down as the battery capacity increases.

Any ideas?

It dosent matter if the B6 is on battery power or mains, still the same 2.1A. as you can imagine, it takes an age to charge such a big battery at such a low rate!