LBA10 Balancer with M1 Cells?

[BrianG]

I'd imagine you got an "input voltage too low" message if it was a power supply issue. As the current goes up, the voltage output of the PS will start to fall depending on the build quaility. However, if it does that at a low 2A, that doesn't make sense.

I've also seen "output voltage too low" and haven't really figured out why it does that. From what I could tell, since the circuitry does an adaptive CC charge for lipos, the sensing circuitry is a bit too sensitive and trips the alarm.

I did notice about 14mV of 53kHz AC ripple (from the charger's power supply) on the output connectors. I thought maybe the sense circuit was seeing this ripple causing the alarm to trip, so I tried using an inductor and capacitor network to kill the ripple, but it still had the "output voltage too high" error. I just have to manually adjust the current for now until I figure out why it does this. Eventually, I plan on getting a better charger that will do higher cell counts at higher currents, but it is a PITA for now.

[neweuser]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I'd imagine you got an "input voltage too low" message if it was a power supply issue. As the current goes up, the voltage output of the PS will start to fall depending on the build quaility. However, if it does that at a low 2A, that doesn't make sense.

I've also seen "output voltage too low" and haven't really figured out why it does that. From what I could tell, since the circuitry does an adaptive CC charge for lipos, the sensing circuitry is a bit too sensitive and trips the alarm.

I did notice about 14mV of 53kHz AC ripple (from the charger's power supply) on the output connectors. I thought maybe the sense circuit was seeing this ripple causing the alarm to trip, so I tried using an inductor and capacitor network to kill the ripple, but it still had the "output voltage too high" error. I just have to manually adjust the current for now until I figure out why it does this. Eventually, I plan on getting a better charger that will do higher cell counts at higher currents, but it is a PITA for now.

I see. How would I get my PS to send more juice the charger if this is the case. Anyway, I love the 989 Brian. I'm not a big fan of MRC, but this thing rocks! It charges anything I throw at it. And the price dropped to 135.00 somewhere I saw, can't remember where. sjcrss knows though, you could shoot him a PM if you were interested.

[BrianG]

Well, I did a how-to for modding the PS a while back. Basically, you can do two things; load the 5v and/or 3.3v line with about 1A of current. This helps to stabilize the regualtor circuitry and keeps the 12v more stable.

There might be a small poteniometer somewhere inside. You could tweak that if there is one. Be careful though! Just because there is a pot in there doesn't mean it's for the voltage, it could be for other parts.

[neweuser]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Well, I did a how-to for modding the PS a while back. Basically, you can do two things; load the 5v and/or 3.3v line with about 1A of current. This helps to stabilize the regualtor circuitry and keeps the 12v more stable.

There might be a small poteniometer somewhere inside. You could tweak that if there is one. Be careful though! Just because there is a pot in there doesn't mean it's for the voltage, it could be for other parts.

You mean putting resistors on. I did the 5v (red) ones. I put two on like you showed. Could I do another set?

[BrianG]

Newe: If you already have resistors on there, it's probably enough. You generallay want to draw about 1A or a tad more. Just be sure you size them appropriately to take the heat!

Well, now that I know the LBA10 will balance the M1's OK, I really don't need another balancer. Whatever charger I get will have a high cell count capability (10s), high current charge (~10A), able to have an adjustable peak v (for any future chemistries), and higher power limit (preferably about 400w).

[neweuser]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Newe: If you already have resistors on there, it's probably enough. You generallay want to draw about 1A or a tad more. Just be sure you size them appropriately to take the heat!

Well, now that I know the LBA10 will balance the M1's OK, I really don't need another balancer. Whatever charger I get will have a high cell count capability (10s), high current charge (~10A), able to have an adjustable peak v (for any future chemistries), and higher power limit (preferably about 400w).

I would love to send you a pic of the inside, i know there are adjusters (2 I believe) but my camera sucks at close ups. Anywho, my resistors are about a 1/2 inch apart and right under the fan on the PS. So I think they are ok. If I add one to another set of 5v lines, would that hurt anything?
The 989 can do 10s and has the 10amp PS, I know that it's not adjustable though. You are looking for an adjustable PS?

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by neweuser

I would love to send you a pic of the inside, i know there are adjusters (2 I believe) but my camera sucks at close ups. Anywho, my resistors are about a 1/2 inch apart and right under the fan on the PS. So I think they are ok. If I add one to another set of 5v lines, would that hurt anything?
The 989 can do 10s and has the 10amp PS, I know that it's not adjustable though. You are looking for an adjustable PS?

Just because I have a pic doesn't mean I know which one does what. I'm not a god you know. :dft012: One of my converted PS units had two pots. What I did is attach a meter to the 12v line and S L O W L Y turned one of the pots and watched for a change in voltage. If there was none, I returned the pot back to the exact setting it was at before I adjusted it. In my case, one pot was an adjustment for the voltages (it adjusted them all up or down a few hundred mV), the other I still don't know what it does.