WhataNut FMA PowerLab8 1000W charger

[MindThoughts]

I did not realize the PowerLab 8 could discharge at up to 40 continuous Amps- that's truly awesome- and furthermore- at this point in time- I do not know of any other Balance charger which can discharge at 40amps.

PS. I never thought I would be so happy with any model charger- this charger is extremely powerful- extremely accurate- and very easy to use- and I really like plugging my PowerLab 8 Balance Charger into my Laptop Computer and using the free and very easy to use Charge Control Software. This charger is a dream come true- that's for sure :) Special Thanks To FMA Direct- and anyone and everyone that has been involved in the Beta Testing of this model charger for the past three years- perfecting the software and every aspect of these awesome balance chargers. The CellPro PowerLab 8 Battery WorkStation Is Truly In A Class Of It's Own- In Every Way :)

Originally Posted by snellemin

40 Amps. I wonder if I could discharge a total of 80A if I had two chargers in parallel.

[snellemin]

The charger is a Nut for sure. The 40A limit came about after the firmware update bumped the limit from 30->40A charge/discharge rate.

I figured that with a parallel balancing connector I can use dual Powerlab 8 to discharge at 80A, or use triple Powerlab 8 for 120A discharge rate. That should put a battery to test of true advertised C rating.

[feistyacorn]

Originally Posted by snellemin

I figured that with a parallel balancing connector I can use dual Powerlab 8 do discharge at 80A, or use triple Powerlab 8 for 120A discharge rate. That should put a battery to test of true advertised C rating.

That would be insane. Let us know if you do.

[snellemin]

Lol, I wish I had to money for such a setup. That is buying two more chargers and 3 deepcycle batteries.

[MindThoughts]

I'm very interested in your test results for any and all LiPo and other chemistry batteries tested. Please do post your findings.

PS. Is it also possible to use two PowerLab 8 chargers wired in (series or parallel) to charge at- for example- up to 80Amps? For example- some of the High Mah(capacity) LiFePO4 chemistry batteries say they can be charged at up to a 15c charge rate- which for this model and capacity(6750Mah 3cell LiFePO4) = a 100 Amp Balanced Charge Rate. In which case we would need three PowerLab 8 Chargers Wired In (Series or Parallel?). Is it possible to wire the 40amp PowerLab 8 balance chargers in series or parallel- in order to achieve the 100amp balanced charge rate? I can see that though a 40amp balance charger is awesome and great- I agree with your son- we need more power from one charger :) a 100amp balance charger would be quite nice- and I'm sure FMA Direct is already beta testing them as we speak. Howard in tech support at FMA Direct- where I purchase my two PowerLab 8 Chargers- said they were Beta Testing the PowerLab 8 chargers for three years with zero major problems.

Here is the direct link to the LiFePO4 Chemistry Battery which can be charged at 100 Amps and comes with a 5 year 1000 one thousand cycle warranty. This link is to the 3cell variety. I may try the same capacity in the 2cell variety to reduce weight, or even try the 4cell 2250mah LiFePO4- considering that I'm running a 3600kv motor and my Mains/club races are only 7 minutes. I'm running an Ultra-Light Full Carbon Fiber(By Matrix Concepts Inc) Hyper 9E with a 3600kv 1/10th scale motor which is very fast on one- 2cell LiPo(on a medium size indoor- high bite- clay track). I realize the LiFePO4 Chemistry Battery is a little lower voltage compared to the LiPo chemistry battery- but I should be able to gear up(add one or two or maybe three pinion gear teeth) in order to compensate for the slightly lower rpm produced from the apx 1volt difference between batteries :)

http://www.maxamps.com/Life-6750-99-Pack.htm

Originally Posted by snellemin

The charger is a Nut for sure. The 40A limit came about after the firmware update bumped the limit from 30->40A charge/discharge rate.

I figured that with a parallel balancing connector I can use dual Powerlab 8 do discharge at 80A, or use triple Powerlab 8 for 120A discharge rate. That should put a battery to test of true advertised C rating.

[SunnyHouTX]

Just got mine in the mail today! Woohoo It's the 30A version so I was able to get it as part of the Combo No. 2 TP/PQ package for the bargain basement price of $236 shipped to my door by a seller from another forum. BNIB too. Upgraded to V2 firmware already and going through the manual. This is going to be fun.

All I need to do now is to build a pair of charge leads to handle 40A discharge. Thinking of using the 4mm bullets that some on CC 1/10 motors and some 12awg wire. Is this OK for 40A? I opened up the stackable 30A connector and looks like the connector in there has a much smaller contact patch than the CC 4mm one.



Oh, and here's the fuse block I'll be using on the charge leads.

[snellemin]

12awg are enough for 40A. The bullets have to be long enough as well.

[SunnyHouTX]

Do you think the CC motor bullets are long enough? What are you using? And the fuse block is good? Thanks Romano.

[feistyacorn]

What are the dimensions on this charger?

[SunnyHouTX]

About 6"x7"x4"

[snellemin]

The fuseblock is nice, as you can attached multiple charge leads/connectors to it.

I use the 4mm bullets from the cheapo Chinese lipo packs that come with 10AWG wires.

[feistyacorn]

Originally Posted by SunnyHouTX

About 6"x7"x4"

Thanks! Im still dreaming about getting this charger. Someday.....

[SunnyHouTX]

Originally Posted by snellemin

The fuseblock is nice, as you can attached multiple charge leads/connectors to it.

I use the 4mm bullets from the cheapo Chinese lipo packs that come with 10AWG wires.

I'm going to give the ones I got a chance first. Then I might have to go to what you're using. Good thing the fuse block is good: I ordered two of them.

[MindThoughts]

These 40amp wires are also available now as well :)

Direct Link:
http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?...410&section=91

Below is a copy of an E-Mail I received (I signed up to receive new product notifications).

New Stock at FMA Direct
Cellpro PowerLab 40A Banana Plugs
$14.95
New 40A cables are required when parallel charging 2 or more packs on the new PowerLab 8 V2. The new V2 firmware is available to download if you want to upgrade a PowerLab 8 V1 model to get the full 1344W output power of V2.

Free V2 PL8 Charge Control Software (CCS)

Now shipping Cellpro PowerLab 8 V2 chargers and combos on the Revolectrix website.

[SunnyHouTX]

Saw them Joseph but it will be cheaper to build my own. Heck, I might even do stackable ones since I've got two fuse blocks coming. My local car stereo shop sells 12awg and 10awg wire for cheap and I've got a ton of male and female 4mm bananas so I'm all set.

So I've been playing with the charger for the last couple of hours... LOVE IT! Discharging two packs at a time at 40A (total) is amazing. Dumping it into a car battery so the fans rarely come on. It's very eerie to see 35A - 40A on the CCS on screen but no noise from the charger! Just finished discharging two 5200mAH 2S packs in 17 minutes or so... ridiculous