WhataNut FMA PowerLab8 1000W charger

Sweet. Thanks gents. I will have one on order within couple of days. Now I have to get a PSU for this beast. I don't think there is a cheap way out of that one if I want to take the full advantage of the chargers ability. Found a PSU from Hyperion that looks the goods but really pricey. Was also thinking of getting two server PSUs like what certain company sells.(You know the one. The one that says they will post graphs and never do) Still even with them I wont be able to take the charger to it's full ability. If anyone knows of anything that can power this charger to it's full potential please let me know.

[JERRY2KONE]

Originally Posted by BIG-block

Sweet. Thanks gents. I will have one on order within couple of days. Now I have to get a PSU for this beast. I don't think there is a cheap way out of that one if I want to take the full advantage of the chargers ability. Found a PSU from Hyperion that looks the goods but really pricey. Was also thinking of getting two server PSUs like what certain company sells.(You know the one. The one that says they will post graphs and never do) Still even with them I wont be able to take the charger to it's full ability. If anyone knows of anything that can power this charger to it's full potential please let me know.

http://www.fastelectrics.net/Maas-SPS-9400.php

http://www.nitrorcthunder.com/Power%20supply.htm

https://www.k1cra.com/catalog/produc...productID=2798

Sorry Jerry but I can't see anything there that can run this charger to it's full potential. I need something 24-32v and also around 60A current ratting but that depends on the voltage.
I think I might go with Mean Well SE-1500-24 1500W 24V 62.5A Power Supply. Not cheap at $350 +del. but I don't want anything less than that. I see no point in getting a such a kick ass charger and limiting it with a sub-par PSU.

I have also found a Hyperion unit that is rated @ 2000W but I don't get how with it being ratted at 30V and 60A output. Not sure but at $500 it doesn't exactly scream "Buy me".
So far I think the Mean Well PSU is the way to go. I have only heard good things about them so I don't mind spending a little extra.

[JERRY2KONE]

This one looks interesting enough for a few reasons. It is an enclosed unit designed for medical use, which makes me believe that it will be built very well due to the strict standards required by Hospitals and other medical establihsments for running sensitive life support systems. It has a max current of 53amps, but they do have higer rated amps as well. But for the price range of around $400 this was the best one that I have seen so far. It has an input voltage of 85 to 264volts, which was one of my considerations due to the fact that we keep moving back and forth from countries that have 120volts, and 240volts AC for public power supply systems. It might just be another one to consider. Still looking.

http://www.trcelectronics.com/Cosel/pba600f-12.shtml

This one is rated up to 88amps/1000watts, but the price is nearly doubled at just over $700.

http://www.trcelectronics.com/Cosel/pba1000f-12.shtml

This one is also rated upwards of 80amps, but sells for around $450. But it is strictly 120volt input.

http://www.12volt-travel.com/80-amp-...ly-p-4821.html

Not sure what the price is on this one, but it has a 720watt output and variable input.

http://www.acopian.com/single-s-low-m.html

There are a few in this store that look like they would be able to handle the load, and the prices are much better.

http://www.wearecb.com/store/12-volt...y-c-31_77.html

[BrianG]

<rant>

Charger requirements are getting pretty stupid IMO.

For ~400w and less chargers, I can understand (but don't necessarily agree) why they require a 12v supply so that they can be used off a 12v car battery in the field.

For the 500w+ chargers that accept 12v or ~24v; you can't get the full capability at 12v or in the field off your car anyway, so you are forced to get a high price 24v+ supply.

But honestly, how much would it really cost to add in a switching PS that accepts either 12v DC or 120/240v AC? Circuit-wise, it's not all that complex; after all, all of these chargers use a switching PS internally already to turn that 12v into whatever voltage the battery needs. So, put the necessary supply in these things and charge extra. The result is safer; Joe Six-Pack, who doesn't know a resistor from a capacitor, won't be forced to fork over big $$$ for a big supply, or attempt to cobble something together, possibly unsafe, like certain companies. Yeah, the charger will be physically larger, but not really once you factor in the external PS. And all chargers could still have direct 12v DC input for field use (reduced output for the bigger chargers).

And while on the subject, why is the 12v input limited to 40-50A? You can't tell me they don't make FETs capable of switching more than that (look inside any ESC)? Maybe they can't wind their internal transformer with wires that'll handle it? Nope. Look at any really high power car audio amp; some of those transformers can handle well over 100A. Maybe it's so the dummies won't drain their car batteries in the field? I don't buy that either because even at 40A limit, a typical car battery (especially when not brand new) will be drained in less than an hour anyway.

I say make all chargers accept 12v DC (with no output limitation) AND 120/240vAC input. There is NO legitimate reason not to.

</rant>

[JERRY2KONE]

See now that makes sense to me BG. I am not an electrical geneous so I have been wondering the same thing. Why make all of these chargers and PSU's so different from each other complicating our ability to charge one type of battery, but not another, or one that charges up to 6S while another charges only 3S. I would think by now that most of the manufacturers should have a pretty solid idea what we do in our hobby and what we need in general. So why not make a universal psu and charger that will do the job. Just have one that can handle lower voltage batteries and one for higher voltage which would define the difference between novice hobbiests and more seasoned vets.

Just looking at the PowerLab8 makes me wonder why not create a matching PSU that will work as a package deal and will allow one to use the charger to its full capacity. Plus make it compatible for voltage inputs 12V DC, 24v DC, and also 50-240volts AC. I mean they have been doing this sort of thing with laptops and other electronic gear now for a while so we know the technology is out there.

In fact why not take it one step further and create one complete unit that does everything the PowerLab8 does with a built in PSU with the specs we would all like to see? Then charge a reasonable price for it. Chargers and PSU's combined for that range come in at around $600 to $800 now, so put one together in one neat package for $500-$600 and call it a day. We all know they would sell like waffles at a Belgian concert.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

...In fact why not take it one step further and create one complete unit that does everything the PowerLab8 does with a built in PSU with the specs we would all like to see? Then charge a reasonable price for it. Chargers and PSU's combined for that range come in at around $600 to $800 now, so put one together in one neat package for $500-$600 and call it a day. We all know they would sell like waffles at a Belgian concert.

That's kinda what I'm saying; put the proper PS inside the charger that will accept 12v DC (for field use with no mains power available) and 120/240v AC (for bench use) and be done with it.

Snellemin: I personally don't like to see flames of any kind on my electronic components; flames=something is wrong.

[JERRY2KONE]

Originally Posted by BrianG

That's kinda what I'm saying; put the proper PS inside the charger that will accept 12v DC (for field use with no mains power available) and 120/240v AC (for bench use) and be done with it.

Well there ya go BG. Now you have a product, and you already have the business snense. So when will your first prototype be out????? I am sure that there are plenty of gents in here who would love to do some BETA testing for ya. You don't have to use the best materials in the world. Just use fair quality and come up with a great finished product that looks halfway desent.

I do like the look of the Muchmore Legacy setup. The PSU with two chargers mounted on top of it looks very nice. Something along those lines, but one combined unit would be a great sell.

I mean we all know the bottom line here is that we want to be able to purchase a single unit and have the ability to charge two 8S lipos side-by-side to full power and capacity within 10 to 15 minutes. Ready to race, right. Is this really that hard to accomplish???

Yea I think that flames idea helps to cover up the idea that their batteries might go up in flames at some point, but it will look cool and just blend in with the shrinkwrap design.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Well there ya go BG. Now you have a product, and you already have the business snense. So when will your first prototype be out????? ...

It will be out April 1st.

Seriously, developing a charger from the ground up would be reinventing the wheel, not to mention trying to compete against mass-produced products would be an exercise in futility. Rather, current manufacturers should get the hint and make the changes to their products.

[snellemin]

That be a nice highend charger there Brian. But sales would be lower and the company won't survive with low volume sales. Even more peeps would go with the cheaper chargers. But I guess the company could do both the current Powerlab 8 and a more expensive version with all the bells and whistles. I can see them hitting the industrial market as well with that type of charger.

[BrianG]

The cost for the charger itself would be more expensive, yes, but not really once you figure in the cost of a safe/proper external PS. The more advanced user can make a high current supply using server parts or whatever, but not the average Joe. Putting two of those server supplies in series for 24v has to be done a special way to be safe, and even then, it's not the way they are intended to be used.

To boost sales for those "high-end" chargers would simply be a matter of marketing. Show a price comparison of individual components vs the more expensive (and safer) included PS model and even ordinary people will quickly see the advantages. And people like Jerry2kone, who want a proper, manufacturer-designed supply will be satisfied.

Also, how many hobbyists have you seen get confused by what supply they need? I've seen numerous threads around various forums where people try to use a low current 12v supply and wonder why their charger errors out and/or won't have full output. Putting the supply in the charger is safer and will have the necessary rating required. No more guesswork.

[snellemin]

Green Flame stickers would be excellent for marketing.

[snellemin]

I thought I blew the charger, by messing up the balancing wires while the charger was active. I didn't blew fuses, but did hear some popping. Long story short, I opened the bad boy and saw that the current limiter was popped. I was only able to charge through the balancing cables. Digikey to the rescue and all is well again. This time I bought me some parallel balancing adapters to prevent me from goofing off again.

[MindThoughts]

Yikes-
Will you please tell us exactly what you did, in order that we may avoid such a mistake?

PS. I'm glad you didn't get your fingers burned, nor get a shock. I'm also glad your charger is still working properly :)

Originally Posted by snellemin

I thought I blew the charger, by messing up the balancing wires while the charger was active. I didn't blew fuses, but did hear some popping. Long story short, I opened the bad boy and saw that the current limiter was popped. I was only able to charge through the balancing cables. Digikey to the rescue and all is well again. This time I bought me some parallel balancing adapters to prevent me from goofing off again.

[snellemin]

I was in a rush with getting into the house, but wanted to charge my batteries for the next day. So I charged one pack and when it finished I just unplugged the balancing wires and power cable. My mistake was not hitting the stop button when the charging was done. The charger was still active when I plugged in the next set of batteries, which isn't a problem unless you plug them in wrong.