WhataNut FMA PowerLab8 1000W charger

[snellemin]

You are correct sir. But that if you want to charge a 8s pack or dual 4s packs at 30A.

[lincpimp]

So where would a jew like myself find a cheap 24v power supply? Can the server p/s be jumpered to push out more than 12v?

(I am not jewish, but my friends like to call me that as I prefer to find stuff cheap or free (preferable) and then spend the money I save on all kinds of cool firearms)

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

So where would a jew like myself find a cheap 24v power supply? Can the server p/s be jumpered to push out more than 12v?

(I am not jewish, but my friends like to call me that as I prefer to find stuff cheap or free (preferable) and then spend the money I save on all kinds of cool firearms)

two car batteries and a trickle charger is all I can think of. I guess I'll have to hook the charger to my wheelchair when I'm at the track.

[whitrzac]

you can convert server PSUs to 24v, but you need 2 of them, and if the cases touch...

[snellemin]

My Acepow lipos feel ambient after a 30A charge. But then at nite my garage feels like 100F. I will do a 2 cycle 30A charge on a 4s1p Acepow(5000mah) pack and post the temp result.

[snellemin]

I received this in my email this morning.

From FMA:

FMA Direct in partnership with REVOLECTRIX is pleased to announce the
release of PowerLab 8 v2 Firmware and Charge Control Software upgrade
with the following enhancements:

? 40A max output current
? 60A max input current
? Output Power max 1344W
? Expansion Channel mode now available, control up to 16 PL8's from a single PL8 interface
? Support for additional battery chemistries

[MindThoughts]

I do not understand, I specifically asked FMA Direct before I bought my chargers if they could ever be upgraded to charge at a higher amperage at some point in the future, and Howard in Tech Support said it's not a software limitation but rather a harware limitation. The reason I had asked is I had already discovered several Max Amps Lipos which can take a 70amp charge rate and I thought it would be nice to have a charger which could at least charge at these higher rates.

I'll have to call and confirm, this notice seems to indicate they are saying we can upgrade our v1 PowerLab 8 chargers to charge at rates of 40amps. Or am I reading this incorrectly?

I'd sure like my next charger to charge at 100amps, that would be like a 4minute charge. Pretty soon Our charge times will consist of plugging and then almost instantly unplugging our batteries almost imeadiately thereafter.

Originally Posted by snellemin

I received this in my email this morning.

From FMA:

FMA Direct in partnership with REVOLECTRIX is pleased to announce the
release of PowerLab 8 v2 Firmware and Charge Control Software upgrade
with the following enhancements:

? 40A max output current
? 60A max input current
? Output Power max 1344W
? Expansion Channel mode now available, control up to 16 PL8's from a single PL8 interface
? Support for additional battery chemistries

[snellemin]

I downloaded the new software and it stated Version 2. I haven't actually updated my charger yet, but will do so this afternoon.

What I get out of it, is that it can do 40A now.

[MindThoughts]

Originally Posted by snellemin

I downloaded the new software and it stated Version 2. I haven't actually updated my charger yet, but will do so this afternoon.

What I get out of it, is that it can do 40A now.

Thank you snellemin-
I just got off the phone with Howard at FMA Direct where I originally ordered and purchased two powerlab 8, Combo Number Two Balance Chargers. Howard help me step by step, upload the latest Firmware via my laptop windows 7 computer via internett- and it only took a few minutes and now the charger can charge at the full 40amps. This higher amperage charging has been in bata testing now for many months, Howard explain to me that this information was top secret because they knew once they came out with a 30amp charger, everyone would follow suit and that's exactly what happen. It was further explain to me that all these companies which are now sudenly offering high powered 30 amp chargers- or at least many of them- have not done proper beta testing which is why the chargers are blowing up on people, whereas not one such malfunction with any of the well tested PowerLab 8 chargers. Nate, short for Nathan- is one of the main electrical engineers that has made this new firmware possible. My PowerLab 8 now reads- Version 3.2 when I turn it on. And I now have access to charge lipos at rates up to 40 amps. I would have like the Maximum Charge Amperage to be at least 80 or so amps, but I'm certainly happy and very grateful for the extra ten amps now possible. After all, my old TC-1030 chargers maxed out at ten amps each. The fact that A CellPro PowerLab 8 metaphorical tune up has given us an extra unexpected ten amps to charge with is sure a truly great suprise indeed. Great Work FMA Direct- keep up this great work- Your company is certainly a true leader in the RC industry. And I must say, I've only had to bring one of my two powerlab 8 chargers with me to the track, and may sell my second charger because I have no need for two of these chargers going at once. After all, as soon as I come back to the pit after runnig my buggy back to back battery packs charge after charge all day- my batteries are always fully charged well before I even finish my marathon daily practice runs. I've never been so happy with a charger. But now i'm actually suprised that my brand new Thunder Power 50c 5200mah 3cell lipos can only take a 32amp max charge rate. I will need to find a new set of lipos which will fully utilize the full 40amps of charging ability. As for a power supply- I'm using a just over three pound- common sense RC 43amps 12volts Power Supply which only cost just over 100.oo dollars. This is a great day indeed. By the way- my lipos continue to charge in less than ten minutes at 30amps, and not even get warm doing so. Although I do use a lipo safe charging bag as a precaution. Have a great day ;)

[whitrzac]

Originally Posted by MindThoughts

Thank you snellemin-
I just got off the phone with Howard at FMA Direct where I originally ordered and purchased two powerlab 8, Combo Number Two Balance Chargers. Howard help me step by step, upload the latest Firmware via my laptop windows 7 computer via internett- and it only took a few minutes and now the charger can charge at the full 40amps. This higher amperage charging has been in bata testing now for many months, Howard explain to me that this information was top secret because they knew once they came out with a 30amp charger, everyone would follow suit and that's exactly what happen. It was further explain to me that all these companies which are now sudenly offering high powered 30 amp chargers- or at least many of them- have not done proper beta testing which is why the chargers are blowing up on people, whereas not one such malfunction with any of the well tested PowerLab 8 chargers. Nate, short for Nathan- is one of the main electrical engineers that has made this new firmware possible. My PowerLab 8 now reads- Version 3.2 when I turn it on. And I now have access to charge lipos at rates up to 40 amps. I would have like the Maximum Charge Amperage to be at least 80 or so amps, but I'm certainly happy and very grateful for the extra ten amps now possible. After all, my old TC-1030 chargers maxed out at ten amps each. The fact that A CellPro PowerLab 8 metaphorical tune up has given us an extra unexpected ten amps to charge with is sure a truly great suprise indeed. Great Work FMA Direct- keep up this great work- Your company is certainly a true leader in the RC industry. And I must say, I've only had to bring one of my two powerlab 8 chargers with me to the track, and may sell my second charger because I have no need for two of these chargers going at once. After all, as soon as I come back to the pit after runnig my buggy back to back battery packs charge after charge all day- my batteries are always fully charged well before I even finish my marathon daily practice runs. I've never been so happy with a charger. But now i'm actually suprised that my brand new Thunder Power 50c 5200mah 3cell lipos can only take a 32amp max charge rate. I will need to find a new set of lipos which will fully utilize the full 40amps of charging ability. As for a power supply- I'm using a just over three pound- common sense RC 43amps 12volts Power Supply which only cost just over 100.oo dollars. This is a great day indeed. By the way- my lipos continue to charge in less than ten minutes at 30amps, and not even get warm doing so. Although I do use a lipo safe charging bag as a precaution. Have a great day ;)

pm me if you want to sell it

[MindThoughts]

Originally Posted by whitrzac

pm me if you want to sell it

If I decide to sell it, you will be the first person I will contact. And I'll contact you via PM. Thank you for your interest. There's no doubt in my mind this is the most advanced- easy to use- most powerful charger in the entire RC industry. Yes, I cannot stop smiling :)

[whitrzac]

Originally Posted by MindThoughts

If I decide to sell it, you will be the first person I will contact. And I'll contact you via PM. Thank you for your interest. There's no doubt in my mind this is the most advanced- easy to use- most powerful charger in the entire RC industry. Yes, I cannot stop smiling :)

*waves hand....

"you will sell this to me at an amazing price"

[snellemin]

It's nice to charge the Acepow 5000mah @ 40A in less than 9 minutes. That is 8C charge rate. 4584mah went back in. Man do I love this charger.

[MindThoughts]

That's truly and completely awesome snellemin.

As a side note, for anyone just now buying your PowerLab 8 Balance Charger, it's important to upgrade to the Version Two Charge Leads, which are 10 Guage 55 Amp Max Continuous Power. The original Version 1 charge wire leads were meant for 30 Amp charging. With the new Firmware Update, it's important to also update our charge leads(which are the wires that connect the charger to the battery). FMA Direct is in the process of offering their own version two 10 Gauge Charge Leads to be used with the new Firmware Update, Or, we can make our own from 10 Guage wire, with 4mm Bullet conectors at one end, and a male deans plug at the other end(plugs into our battery). Have a great day ;)

Originally Posted by snellemin

It's nice to charge the Acepow 5000mah @ 40A in less than 9 minutes. I 4584mah went back in. Man do I love this charger.

[snellemin]

I used regular 12 AWG wires. The wires do get a bit warm though. I'll get me some 10AWG soon enough.